Transfer Window – It’s not over until the Little Bloke sings

Or that’s how its been previously.

So far, this summer has been a pleasure to be a West Ham fan.

Finally, we seem to be have a Manager that not only has a plan for how he wants to play but also initiating signings that suit that way of playing.

How refreshing that we are not just buying or loaning players because they are cheap without thinking how they will fit in to the team.

Of the seven signings so far, it is feasible that they could all start at Liverpool.

Again such an improvement from the signings we made following the final season at Upton Park where we were buying to bulk out the squad.

BUT, we have started a transfer window well before.

Last Season we signed Chicharito, Arnie and Zabaleta as well as Hart although I didn’t feel Hart was that good a signing.

Then, when we should have pushed the signings further we didn’t sign the defensive midfielder we desperately needed.

That wasn’t the only mistake, we then continued to offload players without bringing in others on a one for one basis. Something that the then Manager Bilic said we were going to do and was probably told by the board.

Although this transfer window looks almost perfect up to now it wouldn’t if we suddenly sold Arnautovic and Chicharito in the last few weeks.

Sullivan wouldn’t, would he?

What’s different this summer?

We have a high-profile Manager that will stand his ground with the Chairman and not be worried about saying it as it is.

As soon as the injuries to Reid and Carroll were announced, Pellegrini stated that we needed to bring further players in.

So I can’t see Pellegrini allowing Sullivan to sell players in the last few weeks of season that would be detrimental to his plan or squad depth for the new season unless he agreed and had an alternative.

MP’s reputation is probably bigger to him than the West Ham job.

All this said there are players that could be sold:-

Hugill, Snodgrass, Kouyate, Byram are all not really adding anything to the squad and wouldn’t need to be replaced.

Beyond 5 outgoing players then we need to replace on a one for one basis either as signings or loans. I don’t see any more players coming in that would be a definite first team starter, but we must ensure we keep the squad depth.

This can come from the youth players if MP believes they are good enough.

So what’s left?

If we are going to play 2 up top and if they are Arnie and Chicharito then we need Striker as a bench replacement.

Defensive Midfielder – We were in desperate need of this last season but for me it is not essential during this window. We will be playing a far more expansive way and as the saying goes the best form of defence is attack.

Declan Rice may be the ideal holding midfield player, sitting in front of the back four.

For the first time in many a season I do not worry about the squad as I have full faith that our Manager has a plan and everyone else including Sullivan will need to buy into it.

Roll on the new season.

By DazP@Kirtonhammer