SSN have reported that West Ham are currently targeting five strikers. These include McCarthy, Benjani and one striker from overseas. Could that overseas striker be Maoulida from Lens or the former WBA loanee Menseguez? Or is it a altogether more exciting prospect?
Interestingly, it has also been reported that Benni MacCarthy has not trained with Blackburn Rovers today. So, perhaps this is an indicator that a deal is pending? Alternatively, it could be a protest by the player at the move being blocked? We shall see!
The rumour about James Beattie still persists, but this could be the media putting 2 + 2 and coming up with = 5? Beattie could probably do a job, but perhaps our interest in this particular player is a red Herring?
With no news yet, have the club missed their first target of signing a striker in time for Tuesday’s fixture at Portsmouth? Or has a deal gone through that has yet to be reported?
SJ. Chandos
Sounds like Sullivan is actually putting bids in for several players, so say we agree three or four deals then we could end up doing what the Porto and Monaco people did to us and pull out at the last minute !
Of course it would be great to pick up 3 points at Portsmouth – and it's one of the way games that gives us every chance. However, this is not a "must win" game, rather than one we should not lose and I won't be too disappointed with a draw. We can then go on and win out upcoming home games.
On the transfer front, I think that the best news that the Davids have provided is not about who is coming in but that nobody is leaving.
This site is officially doing my 'ed in !!!! One minute it's 'off line' then when it is up you can't scroll through the posts, it keeps 'freezing'. Then out of nowhere it scrolls down all on it's own.
I don't know the answer, but Iain, can we find another host?????
Is it just me or is this a general problem chaps.
Any way, I say yes to Benni
No to Benjani,
Beattie,
the unknown French striker
and the even more unknown Argie who couldn't get a game at West Brom !!
If we can't get Huntelaar I would rather go with Benni and what we already have.
If we still have funds left, I would LOVE a cheeky bid to Man Citie for Hart, say 6 Mil, he is in my opinion already a better keeper than Green, always has a smile on his face not like Green who is always frowning (miserable sod).
I agree Paul. I would say the same on the strikers. We should try to get benni, but for £4Million? No chance. That is silly money. £2million would be good business for both sides.
As for the other non-entities, I couldn't agree more. Why waste £3 Million on Benjani? I know we need to bring in a couple of strikers but if it means bringing in somebody who is no better than even Nouble, then let's stick with Nouble as our 4th striker.
I would be terribly disappointed to see us squander £3 Million on Benjani when we could save that money and invest that £3Million in a PROPER centre forward in the summer.
I think Carlton Cole and a Proper centre forward in the team for next season with Franco and Benni on subs bench, with the option of the kids of Hines and Nouble improving.
If we bring in just one striker, in Benni McCarthy, I think every West Ham fan will be disappointed but not as disappointed as we would be spending £3-4 Million of important money on a cr*p player in Benjani, or even worse Beattie.
Given our situation we need tried and tested premier league strikers for the second half of the season. It always takes most overseas players a while to settle and we just don't have the time. In the summer we can afford to be more choosy. Oh yes – Cole AND Nouble to start v Portsmouth…it'll scare them!
What would west ham fans prefer?
Our club to bring in just Benni McCarthy for £3million and have to other £5Million or so, to invest in a proper, decent striker who would score goals and bully defenders
or
Spend £3million on McCarthy and £3-4Million on Benjani?
I think Gold and Sullivan need to understand that we know they are working hard to bring players in. We understand the current climate and dealing in the January transfer window is nearly impossible. I hope they don't feel under pressure to bring in just ANY two strikers.
I personally would much prefer us to save our money, sign Benni McCarthy and take our chances. I just don't think Benjani and certainly Beattie, would add anything that Nouble doesn't already have…and more.
Next season If we can bring in a quality striker with real hunger and intent, with his best years ahead of him- not a knackered old robin reliant like Beattie, to be positioned alongside Carlton Cole, we could cause all teams problems.
However, If I was the manager of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Man City, and I had an attack lining up against me in Carlton cole and Benjani, Carlton cole and Beattie, carlton cole and Whotsisname from France, then suddenly I wouldn't worry too much
Carlton Cole would be frightening if he had someone of equal quality up front with him. That's why I say we should keep our money, get benni and shut up shop!
McCarthy is a goalscorer, exactly what we need.
Other suggestions i'd like to be taken in consideration are:
GK Scott Loach (Watford) – as backup and competition for Greeno
CB Sean St Ledger (Preston North End)
Plus, who's to day that Adam Johnson of M'boro wouldnt be more attracted to first team football?
SSN now understand that a fee has been agreed betwen both Blackburn and West Ham for McCarthy, McCarthy held talks with the club last night and should sign ver soon for us. Great news and i ma sure he will do a good job for us zola and clarke will make him a better player thna what he already is, him playing off cole will be brilliant. COYI for the game tonight.
This is the 'Gud' news channel
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article…
As one of only two South African Hammers fans, I'm pretty excited about having countryman Benni McCarthy as a Hammers striker! Did you know he did a song with a local kwaito (an African form of Hip Hop) called Shibobo (kind of mean show boating) when he was the main man in the South African team. Maybe they should start pumping it at Upton Park! You can here it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXiDIhwHgno