It’s David and the Goliaths as the Hammers Seek ‘Under’study to Carroll

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.

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!!!