Hammers simply can't afford NOT to strengthen!

With just a week left in the January transfer window it's all getting a bit heated at West Ham. Even worse, the injury list is (as usual) growing with news that both Andy Carroll and Manny Lanzini are set for prolonged absences - three months in Carroll's case (ED: that usually means nine!) and which essentially ends another season of disappointment for the big man.

With a series of very winnable games looming in the next month, Moyes can nail down his job as Hammers head-honcho for next season beyond, but with the squad depleting it looks like all the good work of late , which has propelled the club to mid table safety, could well come undone.

With rumours that just about every Hammers forward is potentially on the move (Chicharito to Besiktas; Ayew to Swansea; Sakho to Rennes; Carroll to sickbay instead of Chelsea) and revelations today that Chelsea are trying to destabilise Marko Arnautovic, it makes for hard viewing right now at the London Stadium.

Even worse, do we really think that the likes of Joe Allen or Jonjo Shelvey are top six standard players? With some reports suggesting that Moyes wants to stick to proven Premiership performers, it is clear that he has an eye for inter Milan's midfield Joao Mario. The Portuguese would bring a winning mentality but as a principally defensive-oriented player, he will hardly provide the solution to our reliability on Arnautovic up front.

Similarly, Anderlecht's Leander Dendoncker, another energetic midfielder that the Hammers have been linked with, is not exactly prolific with just 10 goals in 155 appearances for the Belgian club. 

It's pretty clear that its going to be difficult to bring in quality players as the January window is cagey and overpriced! Offloading the volatile Diafra Sakho for the reported fee of £10 million (who is out of contract in the Summer!) would be a start. Also, Chicharito might have finally checked in with his strike on Saturday against Bournemouth. It's also relevant that after high profile failures chasing 'big' players in the past, last Summer saw the Hammers board adopt a less flamboyant approach to transfer dealings which perhaps underpins the relative silence about possible signings.

With the 13th highest income from gate receipts worldwide, we can certainly afford to dip into our pockets and ensure our Premiership survival! We predict some good news on the transfer front, and soon!