As David Gold was
quick to point out recently, West Ham were the fourth highest spenders on new players in
the January window yet. What he didn't mention though was that from a business
perspective with the sale of Dimitri Payet we were the fourth highest
beneficiaries in terms of our balance sheet as we made a cool 8 million profit.
Add to that the offloading of the Payet and Zaza wage bills and we came out
(financially) smiling!
However, we lack
proper cover at right back and yet again failed to bring in a decent proven
back up striker for Andy Carroll. Already Sam Byram has hit the deck and realistically
you would have to accept that Big Andy has not maintained fitness for more than
three months in years. With Diafra Sakho similarly injury prone we are down to
Ashley Fletcher and Jonathan Calleri. Hmmm.
Were the board wise to
keep their cash back until the Summer? Past experience would certainly suggest
so. A Fanvoice poll of the worst ever January signings has rated two Hammers in
the top five!!! Under the Gianfranco Zola regime Savio Nsereko was a befuddling
waste of £10 million who left after six months and 11 disastrous appearances
and was voted fifth worst ever January signing! Meanwhile, Andy Carroll's £38
million move from Newcastle to Liverpool, which was followed by a disastrous 18
month goal drought at Anfield, was voted second worst! The 'winner' was
Fernando Torres as Liverpool balanced their books by offloading him to Chelsea
for £50 million!
Strangely, neither
Benni McCarthy nor Mido got a mention! However, with the Hammers pretty much
safe from relegation but hopelessly adrift of the top six, and having exited
both cup competitions, an objective business head would say to hold back the
cash until the much better value of the Summer transfer window is upon us.
Did
anybody really believe that Scott Hogan was worth £15 million?
As all eyes seem fixed
on Brentford's star striker Scott Hogan, a glance across the Championship's top
scorers list reveals a much more attractive option in Leeds United's Chris
Wood.
While Hogan has banged
in 14 goals in 26 appearances this season for the Bees, Wood has been even more
prolific with 19 in 30 appearances.
For many, there are
concerns about Scott Hogan's injury history and a quick glance shows that his
form this season is a vast improvement from previous seasons where knee
injuries have hindered his progress.
In Wood's case, he has
blossomed since moving to Leeds in 2015 and averages almost a goal every second
game. In addition, as Winston Reid's vice captain for New Zealand he has
considerable experience at international level with 19 goals in his 42
appearances.
Hogan is a traditional poacher who scores most of his goals from close range while at 6 foot 3 Wood is a much greater physical presence who can contribute much more than just goals and who would be unlikely to struggle with the physicality of the Premiership.
Brentford and Leeds
have both valued their respective striking assets at £15 million which is
well within West Ham's purchasing power and with Hogan 24 years old and Wood 25
years there is little to separate them.
As the Hammers efforts to finalise a deal with Brentford trundle on, maybe its time to look next door at Wood?
As the January transfer madness gathers pace, the biggest story right now is the impending move of Scott Hogan from Brentford to West Ham. The Hammers desperately need firepower up front and have been making little secret of their interest in Brentford's top marksman, 24 year old Scott Hogan.
With 14 goals already this season, Hogan has proven he can deliver in the Championship, but may find the Premiership a bigger challenge. Nevertheless, after a serious of failed foreign signings, Bilic and Co are keen to go with a striker who should need very little time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the English game.
With a reported £12 million bid on the table, Brentford held Hogan back from yesterday's cup clash with Martin Allen's Eastleigh. In an effort to muddy the waters, Brentford's boss Dean Smith cited a 'buttock injury' as the reason for his omission from the matchday squad!
Losing Hogan to the Hammers might well prove a pain in the arse for Brentford, but stranded in mid-table in the championship they will surely from the funds to strengthen their squad.
Meanwhile, once Hogan recovers from his buttock injury, the Hammers medical team will want to check out his fitness in terms of a previous serious knee injury that he has experienced.
Our in-house medical expert - Dr Howard Windybottom - thinks Brentford should stop arsing about, take the cash and run!
