It's Vulture Culture as Hammers Ready to Swoop for Johnson

Suits You, Sir!

As West Ham took a deserved break from the Premiership action , Big Sam has been  have been taking the opportunity to look at players who are likely to become available in the Summer. Allardyce is known for his conservative nature in respect of blooding new talent, and thus will be particularly interested in players with proven Premiership pedigree.

As a consequence, the growing demise of Sunderland will have grabbed the attentions of Allardyce, with our recent victory at the Stadium of Light having provided an ideal opportunity to cast an eye over a squad who are increasingly likely to become part of the traditional fire sale that besets newly relegated clubs. In that respect, Adam Johnson certainly  caught the eye.

The 26 year old has been one of the few positives in a difficult season for the black cats. Quick, skillful and with an astute eye for goal, he was a bargain signing for Sunderland in 2012 and has managed to notch ten goals for them this season. His ability to drift in from the wing would provide an excellent support for Andy Carroll and their shared background from the North East would allow for ease of verbal communication!

The Allardyce model has not really been given a chance this season due to a disastrous run of injuries, but it is well recognised that it is foundedupon a big target man up front with pacey and incisive wing play. Stewart Downing has been a major success and despite his lack of goalscoring prowess has the significant attribute of being able to play off either wing. Matt Jarvis has stuttered since his ten million pound signing and, significantly, has not managed to provide the service that Carroll's aerial ability demands. The popular but injury prone Joe Cole looks set to move on in the Summer along with Ricardo Vaz Te who has struggled to deliver at the highest level.

Although fans recently expressed their dissatisfaction with the standard of football being played by our beloved Hammers, as the relegation battle starts to realy kick off after yesterday's results, folk will be less inclined to moan about our recent 'ugly' victories - what would Sunderland give for a messy win at the moment? As such, it looks like Allardyce is set to stay for at least another season and he will be looking to improve upon our penetration down the wings.

Johnson looks like an ideal signing but as he is under contract until 2016 would require a substantial portion of Big Sam's transfer budget. Imagine an attacking diamond with Carroll at the pinnacle, Johnson and Downing on the wings and the returning Raveldo providing support from midfield. Surely that formation would satisfy the Hammer's fans desire for exciting attacking play?

And yes, we will be reverting back to our classic away strip next year, by order of VERYWESTHAM!!!