Ok cool. I agree then. I don't want us to be recycling the squad every couple of years. I think 3-4 signings should be the target each summer. Any more and the churn is too much and we almost start from scratch.
Clearly there are positions we need to target to get to this point, but I think the long term goal needs to be to get to a scenario where we can go into a window and can say about every position "if we had to go with what we currently have that would be good enough". That way every signing we make should be a person who would improve the first XI.
Out of last years signings I would keep Fernandes, Fletcher, Masuaku, Ayew and Martinez. None of the rest look even remotely good enough, although they have had very limited playing time. Feghhouli is "OK" but I can`t see him being any better than that, and Nordveit, although not played in his proper position, again looks no better than "OK" (or worse), same goes for Tore and Callieri. I hope Sakho gets fit, screws his head on the right way and comes back determined to stay and fight for his place. To strengthen a decent squad I would say we need a good right back and a good centre forward as a minimum, plus a creative attacking midfielder as a bonus. I would also like to see at least one of our better youngsters challenging for first team football. I had forgotten about Valencia, I`m hoping we can sell him. I`m also relatively happy with our centre halves, I know Collins and Fonte are old, but will do for next year, Ogbonna (I know I`m in the minority, but I like) and of course we have our top man Winston. Either or both of the Reeces have got to break through at some time. I also think that both Adrian and Randolph will stay, and although neither are "World class" both are adequate and I hope both are happy to compete for their place. ;scarf
Adrian might want to go next season so he can get regular games - he'll never get another call up for Spain unless he does. (World Cup at the end of next season ;ok )
World Cup!!!!!! Already, blimey. That may change things then. He obviously loves West Ham and (without the distraction of The World Cup) I thought he would stay. Perhaps we`ll be looking for a goalie as well then. What`s Greeno doing now......
Wasn't sure where to put this, but because it involves an ITK, who will once again be very active in the summer transfer window, I thought it probably best here:
IH; I agree, but see Callieri as an alternative to Carroll, rather than a replacement. We have to change our usual pattern of play to bring him into the game. Big Ant can't do what AC does, either. Ferguson might, if he's given enough game time. ;hmm
At the start of the season I thought Calleri, in his few appearances, showed a lot more than Zaza, but personally felt Fletcher showed even more, but he's been bottom of the ladder all season. Didn't think Calleri was very good yesterday, was making decent enough runs but his touch and decision making were very poor at times. True, he's had little game time, but needs to up his game considerably if we're to have an option up front while Carroll is out.
West Ham United will swoop for 19-year-old French defender Fode Ballo-Toure in the summer, when the Paris Saint-Germain youngster will likely be available on a free transfer. (Madein Foot)
West Ham are preparing to allow summer signing Arthur Masuaku, 23, to leave and are ready to take a big loss on the £6m they paid Olympiakos for the defender. (Squawka)
Comments
So you're basically saying 4, maybe 5 signings?
Then potentially we could move on (including loans) 7 or 8.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/west-ham-scouting-mid-table-club-year-unclear-target/
Bigoli
;hmm
Goes down a treat against Spurs ;ok
kumb.com/story.php?id=130983
Ex seemed very certain during 'whatsappgate' about what went on, which Noble has now denied happened. At best misinformed, or at worst, lying? ;hmm
The bit where he says he was removed, but AFTER the move, reads a bit like 'yeah, um, yeah, I mean.....'
Here's a crazy idea: maybe he was telling the truth?
Unless someone has any evidence to the contrary, I'll believe Nobes over some ex bloke, for now.
Because .. erm ... one person was actually part of the Whats App group, and isn't Ex employee but is an actual WHU employee.
The other who, err, is neither.
Which one is more likely to be up to date on what's been going on?
And agreed a £28m fee for Bacca in the summer, only for him to turn us down.
On other stuff I notice Oxford is not getting off the bench for Reading, he could have stayed and warmed our for us if they are not going to play him?
2 games, twice on the bench zero minutes playing time
;hmm
We should want our loanees to be playing if they get sent to lower league teams. Failing that stay at West Ham and play in the development games?
Toure