It's
starting to get really sweaty amongst the Hammers faithful as the season just
goes from bad to worse and what appeared to be a decent squad back in July is
now decimated both up front and at the back. One wonders if the defence had not
been under so much pressure this season whether maybe they would have avoided
some of the injuries that have befallen them? However, despite the recent
problems at centre back, Big Sam knows that the first leak that needs to be
addressed is up front.
Amidst all the speculation regarding who will arrive at the Boleyn during the January transfer window, one apparent constant has been that they will be big and muscular! While there can be no doubting that AC is a big lad, some of the players rumoured to be on the way have stats that read more like a basketball player than that of a mobile forward with goal scoring prowess that the Hammers predicament requires.
Amidst all the speculation regarding who will arrive at the Boleyn during the January transfer window, one apparent constant has been that they will be big and muscular! While there can be no doubting that AC is a big lad, some of the players rumoured to be on the way have stats that read more like a basketball player than that of a mobile forward with goal scoring prowess that the Hammers predicament requires.
First up is Ishak Belfodil, weighing in at 86kg and a mere 6
foot 4 in height. Aerially adept, but also quick on the ground and with a
reasonable eye for goal – especially when played in his preferred position of
central forward (rather than on the wing where current club Inter Milan have
mainly employed his services). Belfodil has failed to make the grade at Inter
and is desperate for game time as he hopes to lead the line for Algeria ahead
of the coming World Cup. His ability to double up as a more lateral attacking
force smacks of the soon-to-be-back Ricardo Vaz Te but also augers well for a
continuing role if and when the Carrollbeast
returns. Latest news is that he arrives to sign up on loan on Tuesday next.
Next, and certainly the hot rumour of the moment is that Lacina
Traore (no relation to Djimi formerly of Anfield fame) – a colossus at 6 foot 8
will be arriving on loan. The 23 year old Ivorian has played in the Romanian
and Russian Leagues and was with Anzhi Makhachkala for the past two seasons. However, after an impressive 13 goals in 18 matches
last season, he has struggled this term and wants to return to Monaco, who in
turn are happy to send him on loan to the Boleyn until season’s end. With 4
goals in his 7 appearances to date for his country, he will be looking to
impress before the Ivory Coast take on Colombia, Greece and Japan in group C in
Brazil.
Ricky Lambert has been a transfer rumour for the Hammers for
a number of seasons but without any real sense that he can be wrestled from his
current employers at Southampton. It’s pretty difficult to see why the England
international would abandon St Mary’s for Upton Park even for the wage increase
that has been suggested in recent media reports. His proven Premiership scoring
ability singles him out from the other possibilities but in all honestly the
rumours smack of lazy journalism and a case of round up the usual suspects!
Finally, and perhaps the signing that would be most realistic
whilst also most likely to impact positively upon the Hammers efforts to beat
the drop would be to go to the other counter for forwards – one that Big Sam
rarely peruses (Sam Baldock, Rob Hall and Elliot Lee can all attest to Sam’s
size-ist leanings) where he will encounter
Ex-Hammer Jermain Defoe, apparently only to keen to make amends for his
Judas act of 2004, and clearly underemployed at Tottenham, who too will want to
raise funds for the Tim Sherwood era. Like
a David amongst the Goliaths rumoured to be Boleyn-bound, Defoe needs no
introduction but whatever happens regarding AC, there can be no doubting that
at the very least the fiery little striker can be a high impact sub.
Why not bring in the experience of Defoe with a long shot
with Belfodil or Traore? That would certainly give Allardyce something he has
lacked all season – OPTIONS!!!
nobody will sign for BFS cos they know he'll leave them benched once his favourite ones like Nolan are available.
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