The promise of early new signings, in particular a quality striker, has not been delivered by the owners this transfer window. But who really thought things were going to be that easy? Hull City have got early business done but the rest of the Premier League clubs have not exactly been running out of ink. The Hammers have actually signed more players this window than any other club, but with due respect to Jaanai Gordon, Roger Johnson and the re-signing of Carlton Cole, it has not been exactly the inspiring season saving stuff we were crying out for!
The anticipated signing of Lacina Traore has not yet eventuated, despite Big Sam going in to bat for him successfully at the work permit tribunal. There are many rumours around as to why this has not happened. Some sources are saying that he is injured (knowing our luck that would have been at our medical), whilst others are saying that Everton may have gazumped us- (remember Lukaku)? Another theory is that we have actually gone cold ourselves on the deal? The changing point may have been this weeks turmoil at Southampton which reignites the hope that the Saints may actually sell Rickie Lambert to us? A look at the bookies boards show that Lambert is 1/5 to join the Hammers this window. The re-signing of Carlton Cole to a new contract suggests that signing both Traore and Lambert is something that is not feasible.
UPDATE: Since writing this piece, Sam has told the press that Everton have indeed gazumped us on the Traore deal. It also appears that the player may be carrying an injury that may take several weeks to recover from. So, the Lambert scenario may not have been the catalyst for Traore not signing for us. However, it is interesting to see the bookies price so short for a deal that would seem unlikely in our current predicament.