Hopefully we will start making some overdue progress on our transfer targets, with the news of bids for McGugan and Jelavic. However, I have to say that I have become increasingly frustrated by the club’s approach to securing its transfer targets in this January window. Rather than going in with a firm and realistic bid to secure the players at the first time of asking, the club appear to bid low and then follow it up with an increased offer. By the time we increase the offer other clubs are alerted and/or the owning club decide to play ‘hard ball’ and increase the price tag to promote an auction. That is exactly what happened with our bids for both Rhodes at Huddlesfield Town and Sordell at Watford. While the club were openly talking openly about their interest in Jelavic at Rangers, prior to even submitting a firm bid, Sam Allardyce was quoted as confirming that he wants Jelavic, but accepted that PL clubs were also interested and that we were likely to lose out to their greater financial resources. Some recent reports indicate the Liverpool are in pole position and others suggest that they are not interested in the player. You choose which version to believe.
Now, as much as we may long for the ‘cloak and dagger’ transfer deals of the John Lyall era, we must concede that we now live in very different times. John Lyall did not have to cope with the type of saturation sports media coverage that we have now, nor clubs and agents opportunistically leaking transfer interest/bids, with a view to generating additional interest and a possible auction. However, surely the club should at least try to move more decisively to secure their transfer targets. We have vacilliated in bidding for both Rhodes and Sordell and submitted bids that were clearly insufficient to clinch a deal. Maybe, an early,firm c.£5m bid for Jordan Rhodes might have tempted Huddesfield’s board, while a c. £3-4m bid would most probably have secured Sordell at the first time of asking. Similarly, we should have made an up front, £5m take it or leave it bid for Jelavic early doors, before the Liverpools of this world had time to move. The latest development is that we have now allegedly turned our attention to securing Lewis McGugan, with a £3m bid and the Jelavic speculation still continues.
On the other side of the transfer equation, it is excellent news that James Tomkins has signed a new contract. It is likely that sources in the North-East have been putting out disinformation about Tomkins being unsettled and submitting a transfer request. This will hopefully put a stop to all that nonsense, as long as Tomkins returns to the PL with West Ham in April/May. If not, then you can be sure Newcastle Utd and Spurs will come calling again in the summer and it will be that much more difficult to resist their financial overtures. We must also secure Rob Green on a new contract. It is unlikely that he will sign prior to us securing promotion, but as soon as that is confirmed we need to secure his signature on much improved terms. It is far smarter to do that, than potentially spending far more in fees and wages to secure a keeper of a similar pedigree.
Once promoted, we must build our squad around the likes of Tomkins, Noble, Collison, Nolan, Demel, Taylor, Cole, Baldock and Green. We have a good core around which to rebuild for the PL, although the likes of Diop, McCartney, Faye and Carew may well need replacing in the summer. Others such as Faubert have fallen short at the top level and should definitely be sold/moved on in the summer. The club also need to make decisions soon on the likes of Sears, Fry, Spence, Brown and Nouble. Are they going to make the grade at West Ham? Thankfully, we have some extremely good prospects in Montano, Moncur, Potts and Hall; plus the outstanding younger generation below them, such as Voce, Elliott Lee, etc, who should also be that bit nearer, next season, to challenging for first team football.
As for Saturday’s match against Notts Forest, well thankfully we got the three points again. But the actual performance left something to be desired on a number of levels. Apart from late in the second half, our passing was pretty dire, we lacked creativity going forward and some of the players looked like they had just met prior to kick off! We were so poor at times, that we made Notts Forest look a good team and that takes some doing. I suppose, like Sam Allardyce in his post-match interview, we can comfort ourselves with the fact that we are winning matches, while playing poorly. The fact that we are now leading the Championship, and there is a four point advantage over Cardiff City, in third, is also a comfort. It is just a pity that Cardiff City got that last minute winner, on Saturday, or the gap would have been an even healthier six points. We might also take Jack Collison’s optimistic view that we are leading the Championship and have not yet got out of first gear! Collison was reported as going on to state that it was scary what West Ham could achieve once they get in top gear. Agreed Jack, but surely now is the time to stop talking about it and for the team to actually achieve it!
The bright spots on Saturday were the individual performances of Tomkins, Noble, Collison and Baldock, who all did well in a very disjointed team performance. Carlton Cole worked hard, but he should be scoring more goals at this level. Similarly, the Cole-Baldock striking partnership should have gelled by this stage of the season. They should be supplying the goals to fire our promotion challenge, but it is just not happening at the moment. It is sobering to consider that we have won the last two matches with three penalities! It was good to see Henri Lansbury back and I feel that he has a lot to offer in the remainder of this season. He was particularly unlucky not to score with that excellent half volley in the 2nd half. While the return of Matt Taylor cannot come quickly enough as far as I am concerned. We look a far better, and more balanced, side with Taylor on the left flank. Lets just hope that he can shake off his injury problems once and for all, and the same also applies to the formidable Guy Demel at right back.
Well done to Leicester City for defeating Southampton on Monday evening. Have the wheels started to fall off the Saints band wagon? I have been predicting that they would slip up all season and was starting to think that it might not happen. And it still might not, remember that they still have Lambert to come back in their team! Crucially, we are now top by three points and the objective must be stay ahead and take the title. As such, now would be an excellent time for the team to finally click and fulfill their true potential. Hopefully, some good quality additions will help bring that about. Apart from the interest in Sordell, McGugan and Jelavic, it is interesting that Snodgrass’s contract negotiations with Leeds Utd have reportedly broken down. Snodgrass, along with King at Leicester City, is one of the best midfielders in the Championship and both players could perform at PL level.
Finally, it was very sad to learn of the passing of Ernie Gregory. Ernie was, of course, one of the greatest ever Hammers keepers (probably second only to Phil Parkes) and will always be remembered for being the last line of defence in Ted Fenton’s famous 1957-58 2nd division winning side. After retiring, he joined the coaching staff and become probably the first specialist goal keeping coach, a position that is now standard at all top clubs. In that role, he coached generatons of Hammers custodians and was a respected and much loved figure at the club. He is a true Hammers legend and the club should commission something appropriate to honour and celebrate his decades of first class, loyal service to the club. So how about it, Messrs Sullivan and Gold, after all are we ever likely to see that type of dedicated, one club service again? I think we all know the answer to that one!
SJ. Chandos
I assume Demel was a misstype as surely he should not be mentioned in the same breath as the names that followed
Very harsh on McCartney in my opinion. He has played every minute of every league and cup game since his return – to my mind, he's our signing of the season as the alternative, Ilunga, was responsible for at least three dropped points in the four games he played and was a serious weak link. In both his spells at the club, I cannot recall McCartney playing a bad game. Similarly, he isn't a 10/10 performer but he IS Mr Consistent and we will certainly need experienced, but not leg-weary, players of his ilk should we return to the PL. I'd make his loan move permanent now if it was down to me.
Faubert has also been harshly treated here – he has been great this season and if he can replicate his form of 2009/10, he can be an asset next year now he is being managed, in all senses of the word, correctly.
Re Demel also – does 83 minutes of football in 5 months suggest he is a PL performer? Or another Hitzlsperger/Dyer? This makes the degradation of McCartney even more galling!
I do echo your sentiments regarding Ernie Gregory however. A fine club servant, may he rest in peace.
Anyone who thinks Faubert is any good needs to go to Specs.com, he has never won a header ever always turns his back as he goes up he’s just acting! He is crap!
Totally agree on G-Mac, putting him in the same group as Demel etc. is disrespectful to the effort he has put in so far this season.
When we are promoted George is the kind of squad player we will need, so i say sign him up.
George gets a 2 year deal if we get promoted
thanks s.j. you are late bird too! agree that the transfer window sucks really, and we wont know till the fat lady sings- sorry ladies – but its true. we have so much info/rumours etc it sets us all up. i am as guilty as all,and check out all i can,and get quite excited at times, and then remember the feeling of holding onto a 1-0 lead with 5 mins to go – know what i mean? watched the cardiff v palace game and felt zaha though a bit of a lad, worked hard for team,especially when scannel(sp) came on. both played well together – thought wittingham looked like the player we need,now or in the summer? well lets see what tomorrow brings – night all.
Keep McCartney for sure, reliable and can do a job in the middle if pressed to. Don't think Demel was injury prone till he got to us… hopefully he will get to full fitness and stay there this time. Faubert deserves our respect for battling thru the abuse of managers and fans alike to become a solid squad player. Desperate to see Collison fulfil his pre injury promise and confident he will… again worthy of our support after a shocking year for him last year. What can you say about Carlton? Bless. Demba Ba he ain't.
We can get up with the squad we have though, maybe a winger to make sure we always play with width and give the excellent Baldock some room to play in. Lets keep our powder dry for the summer when we will have some proper pulling power.
COYI!!
There is much to comment on in that post SJ but I will only tackle a couple at this time. Frustrating as our transfer activity may be at the moment, I think your being a little harsh and possibly naive in criticizing the way we have conducted our transfer activities in an incremental fashion. I do think many supporters see it this way too as all the details of the negotiation seem to be public knowledge. The truth is much different I suspect. Don't forget that Gold, Sullivan and Allardyce are not New to the football transfer business and are familier and sussed when it comes to transfer negotiations. The missing link and something most people DON'T factor in when talking about transfer speculation is 1. The "Selling" Club 2. Agents and 3. The players themselves. It is sometimes in ALL of their interests to leak details to attract an auction or the preferred club/destination…. ie Transfer fee and Wages.
Therefore the January transfer window is bad for ALL of the reasons and more. In the Premiership many teams have pursued a policy of not selling to a rival club, this now seems to have started to happen in the Championship too.
The other factor is Twitter, there are so many rumours everyday about this player and this bid, there are also quite a few posters who claim to have inside info about who we are bidding for etc. Although some of them are really accurate. I don't really read the papers but I wonder have they been reporting that we are close to a deal on Snodgradd and Mcgugan, probably not.
Any chance you could proof read your posts before you post them SJ? It's really hard to take posts seriously with so many errors. #justsayinglike. I agree with what you say though, I think
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can't put my finger on it , but there's something dodgy bout you….
Who me? *twitches*. You're comments are triffic but I think you got the wrong person. Don't let it tax you too much though!
Agree that comments about the transfer market seem a bit naive given the madness/hysteria and, dare I say it, corruption that seems to surround money management in football in general and the transfer market in particular. I think, as fans we contribute to the madness and allow ourselves to be lead by the noses by a cynical media. However we are top of the league so I cant say I am losing any sleep on all this transfer speculation. Cant wait for the window to close and for attention to return to what is going on where it matters – on the pitch.
Farewell Ernie Gregory. You turned in standout performances for our club week in week out all those years ago. You probably could have done with a bent agent to look after your meagre earnings!
So, it´s pretty probable that we won´t sign anyone, correct? That will be a shame.
Was beginning to think the same :/
I'm afraid I'm one of the few who agree with you with regards Mcartney, he will certainly not be good enough for Prem if we get there. As for our youngsters, I understand that the club has already made it mind up about a number of them as they have been told they will not be getting new contracts. Brown, Lee, Nouble, Fry, Abdulla, Mcnaughton has already secured himself a move and that is why 3 of the above are having trials with other clubs.
If you don't look like you are going to get close to the 1st team in your 1st year you get overtaken by the next bunch. Hall, Potts & Moncur have moved above Abdulla, Brown & Lee.
In order of preference I'd like to hear we have bought Mcgugan, Snodgrass and then a striker, not too fussed if it's Jevaic or Maynard.
I know we need a striker but I think we need a couple of attacking midfieders even more. I beleive Cole and Baldock can finish if given the chances but at the moment Nolan, Diop, Collison & Noble isn't creative enough especially at home against a packed defence.
I have actually seen a lot of Rangers games over the past 12 months and Jelavic is a player I have liked from the start.
He's the total package in terms of a striker. We need a goalscorer, and that he is. But it's all the other attributes he could bring to the table. He is excellent in the air, has two good feet, can hold the ball up, has pace, and technically he is better than arguably ANY player currently in the squad. At 26 years old, I'd say £7m is money well invested.
There is obviously an argument about looking good playing in the SPL, and then delivering south of the border, but the guy has also played 17 times for Croatia.
I'd be delighted to sign this guy, as I think he'll be an even better player in the PL than the Championship.
It's all panning out in the same way as the last two years where we all got our hopes up and were left with appalling signings or none at all. It clearly suits the owners to have stories emanating from the press of our interest in top level players, only for them to not materialize. At least they can say they have tried – and it has cost them no money.
I agree with you that if we put serious bids in for these players then we would be in a far better position.
We need youth, verve, pace and attacking nous- all of which are lacking from our midfield. Even Taylor, who we have missed recently, is lacking pace and will only have a moderate impact in the premiership. Premiership defenses won't allow him into their half let alone get crosses in as he is too easy to defend against.
I happen to believe we have enough to get promoted anyway with the current squad. But if we are going to survive and even prosper in the elite, we must cut some of the midfield and introduce pace and flair.
I agree that McCartney is not goo enough for the Premiership as his pace is too easy to play against. The likes of Lennon and even Dyer at Swansea will have too much fun against him.
Our midfield is a big problem as Noble, Nolan, Collison are all of the same mould – they are competent Premiership players, capable of the odd pass and occasionally opening up defenses but they can't really be described as flair players – they also have a distinct lack of pace.
For the premiership we need the following
A hotshot striker – pace, power and finishing
2 quality old-fashioned wingers (1 left wing, 1 right wing) with pace, flair and cunning, who can take on players, and aim straight for the line to put crosses in.
A playmaker
A midfield destroyer
A left back
I am also not convinced that Winston Reid has what it take for the top level yet, even though he has improved greatly against inferior opposition. I feel we need another centre back to partner Tomkins.
These players are of premiership quality. All the rest are not good enough franklly
——————————–Green———————————–
Demel————-Tomkins———-?———————–?
?———————-?————–Collison—————–?
———————Baldock——–Cole———————-
Subs: Reid, Hall, Noble, Nolan, Taylor, Potts
I think you are being a little generous to Collison based on this year's performances, but that's not to say he won't keep improving. Noble has been much the better player.Demel should be Premiership quality, but again, we can't say for sure yet.
Other than that, it's what I have been saying for quite a while now and it's a bit worrying, isn't it?
Andy, it would help if they actually put a bid in instead of David Sullivan's lad spreading silly rumours via his twitter account. The whole thing makes us look very very unproffesional and silly. For me Gollivan dig the same hole every time, they come out all guns blazing yet after twenty years in football name five decent singings or where they have ever spent over £5m for a player ?
I have to agree with you about the midfield. As of now, the starting midfield, would all be squad players in the PL. Is it worth spending money on players now, if we get up this season? I would think that midfield would need to be overhauled to compete in the PL.
FINGERS CROSSED THEN LOLLLLLLLLLLLL
DDDDDDDDD