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We need a creative play-maker, so how does Lee Cattermole fit in to our plans?

Arguably, the current West Ham side is crying out for a creative play-maker. A player like Berkovic or Benayoun who can pull the strings in midfield and pick out the killer passes in the final third. But the latest speculation links us with who exactly? None other than Sunderland’s industrious midfield workhorse, Lee Cattermole. Least ways, that is what we are led to believe by Gary Jacobs, writing in sports pages of The Times. His proposition being that Sam Allardyce has long admired the player and will make a move to sign him if Sunderland are relegated. Now, I think that whole hearted and committed players like Cattermole have their place in any squad. They are the players that do all the hard work, shackle the opposition and give more creative players the scope to play. Cattermole is good at what he does and is one of those players that does not get the credit that he deserves.

In fact, I would go as far as to suggest that Cattermole could be a good addition to the squad. A Geoff Pike or Neill Orr type player, who oils the wheels of the midfield machine and facilitates the play-making role. Trouble is, we do not currently have the player(s) we need to play that creative role and that is a major reason for our problems this season. So, if Cattermole is signed, I fully expect the deal to be accompanied by at least one creative midfielder. Especially if, as looks likely, Mo Diame seeks pastures new this summer. In fact, there is likely to be major changes in the midfield department, with Alou Diarra, Joe Cole and Jack Collison also possibly on the way out and Nocerino unlikely to be signed on a permanent basis. As for Ravel Morrison, well who knows what next season holds for him?

It is good that there is now wider recognition that a overhaul of the Hammers squad is essential this summer. We currently have a squad that is competitive, but it cannot deliver an assault on the top 6-8 of the PL. Too many times the team’s limitations have been exposed this season, particularly by the top teams, but also by the likes of Stoke City and Crystal Palace. Do not get me wrong, the present squad has a good core, but it is essential that it is added too and supplemented by greater quality. The task now is to persuade our targets to sign! After all, that has been something of a problem in the past couple of seasons.

It is noticable that Andy Carroll has not had the same impact in the past two matches. Is this because opposition teams have adjusted how they play him, he is struggling with his fitness or has the supply from the flanks just not been good enough. Maybe it is a combination of all three? Personally, I feel Carroll is a great asset and, when on song, is virtually unplayable. But our current system is too heavily reliant on the big man winning the high balls played up to him. We need a more multi-faceted and sophisticated approach and that means signing a playmaker and a different type of striker, who can play off Carroll and poach goals.

Sam Allardyce admitted as much when he stated in his post-match conference that: ‘What we need to find is an alternative type of front man as well, one who scores a few more goals. We will have to do that and then evaluate what we want in other areas and build a squad of 25 that is better than this year.’

So, if the club successfully implement their transfer plans, it looks like being a busy summer window!

SJ. Chandos.

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