An embarrassment of riches

West Ham’s latest capture Matt Jarvis surely represents our most adventurous signing so far during the transfer window and signals real intent to develop an attacking strategy that can deliver goals. Lest we forget, It’s almost no time since the naturally left-sided player options at the Hammers were reduced to the intermittently available Herita Illunga. Now, Big Sam has options galore with an embarrassment of riches on the left side– from the highly experienced McCartney and Taylor, to the exciting emerging talent of Dan Potts, and now our latest recruit, Matt Jarvis with his pacey penetrating style. Time and again Big Sam has altered the outcome of games with astute substitutions and the Jarvis signing further adds to his capacity to change it about during matches.

Dr Sam: Tactical boffin

Wingers these days tend to be either tasty crossers or pacey runners, with both attributes together a rare combination indeed. Matt Taylor has been fantastic since his arrival –with a decent crossing and strike capacity as well as solid defensively. No doubt he still has a major role to play this season. However, since his departure we have missed those mazey runs of Matthew Etherington  and young Jarvis brings a similar cheeky direct style.

All the same, at £10.75 million, Let’s hope that he doesn’t get injured!

A gentle reminder that the lad can put the ball in the onion sack