Patience is a virtue, and not one that is usually associated with football fans. However it is patience that is needed right now as a West Ham United supporter.
Last season’s relegation hit the club hard, both in terms of pride and finances. The not-so-new owners have absorbed most of the financial burden from their own pockets but it still means that the clubs already thin budget will be stretched to breaking point.
The departure of almost 10 first team players will have helped free up some funds, players like Keiron Dyer, Matthew Upson, Demba Ba and Thomas Hitzlperger, some of the club’s top earners moving on to pastures new. However there is now a need to strengthen areas of the squad with some fresh faces.
The important word there is strengthen. The new boss, Sam Allardyce, has made it clear that he plans only to buy players that are better than what is currently available. ‘Big Sam’ is known for his shrewd transfer policy and this smart approach is characteristic. Instead of stockpiling players that will ‘do a job’ he is actively seeking players that will improve the team and provide real competition for the players already at the club.
No secret has been made of the areas that are in need of investment. The loss of Demba Ba and Robbie Keane – if you can call it a loss- mean that a striker is high on the list. Preferably one who can rack up 20 goals in a season. The slightly lower standard may give Carlton Cole (if he stays) and Freddy Piquionne the chance to prove themselves to the west ham faithful.
The departure of almost 10 first team players will have helped free up some funds, players like Keiron Dyer, Matthew Upson, Demba Ba and Thomas Hitzlperger, some of the club’s top earners moving on to pastures new. However there is now a need to strengthen areas of the squad with some fresh faces.
The important word there is strengthen. The new boss, Sam Allardyce, has made it clear that he plans only to buy players that are better than what is currently available. ‘Big Sam’ is known for his shrewd transfer policy and this smart approach is characteristic. Instead of stockpiling players that will ‘do a job’ he is actively seeking players that will improve the team and provide real competition for the players already at the club.
No secret has been made of the areas that are in need of investment. The loss of Demba Ba and Robbie Keane – if you can call it a loss- mean that a striker is high on the list. Preferably one who can rack up 20 goals in a season. The slightly lower standard may give Carlton Cole (if he stays) and Freddy Piquionne the chance to prove themselves to the west ham faithful.
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| Absolutely bloody useless |
Full backs are positions that West Ham has struggled to hold down in recent years. Herita Illunga, since signing a permanent deal has looked a shadow of his former self at left back and with Lars Jacobsen departed; the right back slot has been a weak spot for the Irons. Both will need strengthening, at least to take the pressure off young Hammers Spence and Brown. Spence, who spent last season on loan at Bristol City seems to be maturing into a good player adept at right back as well as centre back. Jordan Brown has looked solid at left back, another key position for the Hammers to strengthen
Sam Allardyce has a decent track record in the transfer market and has wasted no time in recruiting two fine players in Kevin Nolan and Aboldaye Faye; both have bags of experience and will provide a strong spine to the East London side, something they have lacked for a few seasons. With the transfer of Matthew Taylor expected to go through shortly, Big Sam has begun to address the lack of width on the left flank which has blighted the Hammers ever since Matthew Etherington was sold to Stoke in 2009. As long as Sam Allardyce keeps making smart signings like these, he’ll go some way to gaining favour with the West Ham faithful.
A little over a year ago, if you’d have asked West Ham fans about the appointment of Sam Allardyce, there would have been strong opposition, now however, given the club’s current position, most fans are grudgingly accepting that the ex Bolton man is probably the best man for the job.
Quite right too, in Sam Allardyce West Ham have a leader, a strong character who excels at man management. With a squad suffering from a devastating lack of confidence, Allardyce’s burly arm around their shoulder could well prove to be what’s needed to instil some self belief.
Sam Allardyce has a decent track record in the transfer market and has wasted no time in recruiting two fine players in Kevin Nolan and Aboldaye Faye; both have bags of experience and will provide a strong spine to the East London side, something they have lacked for a few seasons. With the transfer of Matthew Taylor expected to go through shortly, Big Sam has begun to address the lack of width on the left flank which has blighted the Hammers ever since Matthew Etherington was sold to Stoke in 2009. As long as Sam Allardyce keeps making smart signings like these, he’ll go some way to gaining favour with the West Ham faithful.
A little over a year ago, if you’d have asked West Ham fans about the appointment of Sam Allardyce, there would have been strong opposition, now however, given the club’s current position, most fans are grudgingly accepting that the ex Bolton man is probably the best man for the job.
Quite right too, in Sam Allardyce West Ham have a leader, a strong character who excels at man management. With a squad suffering from a devastating lack of confidence, Allardyce’s burly arm around their shoulder could well prove to be what’s needed to instil some self belief.
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| Who needs a hug? |
He has already shown his strength at negotiating with the signing of Kevin Nolan. Convincing Newcastle’s leading scorer last season to drop a division would have taken a lot of work (read cash) but Big Sam got his man. His refusal to be taken for a ride by Eidur Gudjonsen too only reinforced the strength in his character. West Ham, in desperate need of a striker, looked set to sign the Icelandic international. Allardyce refused to be held for ransom and cancelled the deal.
There is one player’s future that Big Sam can have no influence over, and that is Scott Parker. Signing Kevin Nolan basically renders the ‘will he stay or will he go’ discussion redundant. If he does leave, the combination of Mark Noble, Jack Collison and Kevin Nolan will easily be one of the best in the league. If he stays West Ham’s already strong midfield gains another excellent player. I’d be surprised if Parker does stay in East London, but as time ticks by the chances of him staying increase ever so slightly.
Allardyce will win over many fans if Scott Parker does end up staying, however fears over his more direct tactics will be either levied or realised as the season begins, but the performances so far in pre-season have been encouraging.
More faith has been put in the club’s youth players, with good results. Both Cristian Montano and Freddy Sears have both excelled, and showcased their talent in the build up and execution of a fine goal against FC Copenhagen. Relegation will be seen as a blessing in disguise for these players as the drop in standard will present them with more of a chance for a run in the first team, which they wouldn’t have had if West Ham had stayed in the Premiership.
Last season’s peripheral players such as Zavon Hines, Junior Stanislas and Jack Collison, all of whom have recently recovered from long-term injury, will almost certainly be thrust into the limelight this season and should relish the opportunity to show off their skills in the Championship. Both Hines and Stanislas possess great pace and will be crucial to West Ham’s fortunes this coming season. Hines is currently out of contract but has been offered a new deal by The Hammers and is expected to sign.
There is one player’s future that Big Sam can have no influence over, and that is Scott Parker. Signing Kevin Nolan basically renders the ‘will he stay or will he go’ discussion redundant. If he does leave, the combination of Mark Noble, Jack Collison and Kevin Nolan will easily be one of the best in the league. If he stays West Ham’s already strong midfield gains another excellent player. I’d be surprised if Parker does stay in East London, but as time ticks by the chances of him staying increase ever so slightly.
Allardyce will win over many fans if Scott Parker does end up staying, however fears over his more direct tactics will be either levied or realised as the season begins, but the performances so far in pre-season have been encouraging.
More faith has been put in the club’s youth players, with good results. Both Cristian Montano and Freddy Sears have both excelled, and showcased their talent in the build up and execution of a fine goal against FC Copenhagen. Relegation will be seen as a blessing in disguise for these players as the drop in standard will present them with more of a chance for a run in the first team, which they wouldn’t have had if West Ham had stayed in the Premiership.
Last season’s peripheral players such as Zavon Hines, Junior Stanislas and Jack Collison, all of whom have recently recovered from long-term injury, will almost certainly be thrust into the limelight this season and should relish the opportunity to show off their skills in the Championship. Both Hines and Stanislas possess great pace and will be crucial to West Ham’s fortunes this coming season. Hines is currently out of contract but has been offered a new deal by The Hammers and is expected to sign.
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| Needs to find his scoring boots this season. |
A season in the Championship will be long and gruelling, many teams find it impossible to escape and have to resign themselves to a few years grafting in the 2nd tier. West Ham are employing a risky strategy in signing Premiership quality players on Premiership wages, however with the reward of a £40m promotion, the risk seems calculated enough.
Certainly the board seems to have got things right so far with the appointment of Sam Allardyce, they have also shied away from the media spotlight too, intent on letting the new man shape the team as he sees fit. Whether this strategy remains throughout the whole season is up for debate, but for now, as the new season approaches, there is a lot to give an Irons fan hope. I for one cannot wait.
Certainly the board seems to have got things right so far with the appointment of Sam Allardyce, they have also shied away from the media spotlight too, intent on letting the new man shape the team as he sees fit. Whether this strategy remains throughout the whole season is up for debate, but for now, as the new season approaches, there is a lot to give an Irons fan hope. I for one cannot wait.
Owain
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