There's Nothing Happening

This is the quietest time during the whole window for West Ham, and Messrs Gold and Sullivan both insist that things are happening at Upton Park in the background contrary to fans belief. David Gold told a worried fan on Twitter 'we are working hard to sign a striker.' Hard work from the board is what you want to hear but the worrying thing is when there are only limited amount of players available for the Hammers.

David Sullivan said West Ham are looking to sign a winger and a forward as back-up for Carroll, this is definitely the priority at the moment. However, the amount of players available is decreasing as the days go on. There are several players who West Ham have been linked with but the stand out one who is looking most likely is Salomon Kalou. The former Chelsea winger fits the bill for the Hammers with many of his main attributes matching that of Ricardo Vaz-Te.

Today, the Hammers were linked with Udinese striker Matej Vydra, whose agent told the press that his client would welcome a bid from West Ham as he would love to live in London. This means that Swansea, Sunderland and West Brom are looking increasingly unlikely to pull off a move for him. Vydra's want to live in London, does show the Hammers do still have an advantage of signing players this summer.

Being located in London does help attract certain players who are looking to bring up their children in an area which is built up rather than going to places like Stoke or  Hull. West Ham may not be close to signing anyone at the moment, but the attraction is there as many players may want to sign for the Hammers as it is only three years until the move to the Olympic Stadium.

The bright future ahead for West Ham does give players the incentive to join the club, the only drawback for the Hammers with enticing potential stars is the wage bill. David Sullivan has said the transfer fees are not the problem but the wages are, this is due to the newly introduced Financial Fair Play. West Ham may have the attraction of a top ten finish, being located in London and the Olympic Stadium but there is not much attraction with the lack of a wage bill.

Today's game is about wages, the money does make the world go round. Footballers are attracted to the money, so many players may be staying away from the club due to the lack of wages available to Gold and Sullivan. Albeit, the Davids are working hard apparently, so hopefully we will not rush into a purchase like usual and bring in some good players who will improve the team. Hammers fans be patient and wait, if we do not sign anyone by the 3rd of August then maybe you have the right to worry.

Come On You Irons!

Season Preview 2013/2014 - One to Watch

This years one to watch is a player who may not get many chances in Sam Allardyce's side during the upcoming season but the former Manchester United man has already hit the ground running with some impressive performances in pre-season. In games against Cork City and Boreham Wood, Ravel Morrison was very good, it may have been games against weak opposition but he showed glimpses of talent that Sir Alex was reluctant to let go at Old Trafford.

Last year, Hammers fans thought it may have been the time to put Morrison in to the fray and see what he can give to the team. Big Sam thought otherwise and felt that what the midfielder needed was some time away from Upton Park to gain some first team experience.

So off Morrison went to Championship side Birmingham. After 13 man of the match awards, in a mid table team, the youngster is worth a punt to play this season. The Championship may not be the best league but it is still very competitive, meaning his man of the match awards are not worthless. He showed great promise at Birmingham with manager Lee Clark declaring his want to keep the trickster at St Andrews, showing how much of an effect he had on the Blues.

The issues for West Ham and Allardyce is whether Morrison is mature enough to hold down a first team place in the Premier League. He certainly showed consistency during his time at Birmingham but playing in the top flight is much harder which means the midfielder will have to work harder and knuckle down to impress.

Manchester United knew what sort of player they had with Morrison, but it was the off the field problems that were too much for the Red Devils to keep the talented youngster. Reports had suggested that last season there was a rift between Allardyce and Morrison, but it seems that Allardyce is looking beyond that and giving him a chance in the first team. Morrison looks to have grown out of causing havoc that got him in trouble before and during his move to Upton Park.

For a player who only cost £300,000, we all hope he will be the bargain of the 21st century and if he goes on to become the player we hope it may help us financially or lead us to greatness. Morrison has the potential if he is able to demonstrate by Allardyce, to become a Hammers great. He needs games, and personally Ravel is ready. Watching him play for Birmingham in a few games over the course of last season, he showed he grew as a player.

Hopefully, if Allardyce decides to keep the former United player around, he will torment defenders and give the Hammers a creative spark which they were lacking at times last season. Morrison is one to watch, and a perfect player to have away from home when West Ham counter attack teams.

 Come On You Irons!

Season Preview 2013/2014 - Season Expectations

What do we need to achieve? Is it realistically possible? How much will it cost to achieve it? These are three questions that will be asked as pre-season starts. After last year's impressive tenth place in their first season back in the Premier League, West Ham will be looking to improve on their performance last year. In his Bolton days, Allardyce improved in or earned the same number of points every season, never having a worse tally from the previous season. This gives the Hammers, the confidence to believe that he will be the man to lead West Ham to greater things as he did during his time at the Reebok Stadium.

What do we need to achieve? West Ham fans are passionate albeit unrealistic when it comes to what West Ham actually need compared to what they want. Of course, West Ham fans would love a cup run, or a European place but in reality, Premier League football for another season would be suffice. Improving on last season, may be quite hard to achieve, but not impossible as last year's away form cannot get any worse can it? Tenth place and 46 points, is what the Hammers achieved last year, personally they are on the up and not looking back. What the Hammers need to achieve is about the same as last season, maybe a few more points on the table to be more secure of not being sucked into a relegation battle. With the addition of Carroll long term and hopefully with fewer injuries, this looks achievable.

This moves on to the second question is it realistically possible? For West Ham to gain around the same number of points is rather realistic. The Hammers are in a process of going forward, not chasing European football, so fans need to stay realistic unlike last season because of the great start the side had. This lifted many people's expectations, and many fans were unhappy whenever West Ham lost, which is very unrealistic. Achievable ambitions are tenth or ninth place, which would be another solid season. One way to improve on last year was the poor away form, which saw Allardyce's men pick up only three wins on their travels against QPR. Newcastle and Stoke. It was dreadful last season, but playing counter attacking football with only two players with pace is always going to be hard, as Jarvis and Diame are the only outlets away from home. Also last season West Ham had sixteen losses and only ten draws, which means that some of the losses need to turn into draws. Games where West Ham lost from a winning position such as Everton and games where golden opportunities were missed such as Reading both need to eradicated. The Hammers need to keep hold of leads and learn how to score more. The same position is achievable this season, as arguably the teams coming up are weaker the ones going down. As if West Ham were to play last season in the Championship with their tally from the promotion year in 2012, the Hammers would have promoted automatically in second place behind Cardiff. West Ham are looking forward, and achieving a bit better than last season is attainable.

How much will it cost the Hammers? Well it has already cost Sullivan and Gold about £15.5 million already with the signing of Andy Carroll. Technically this is not an improvement as he was playing for the club last season. The Hammers need to strengthen some key areas, such as centre-back as they are light with only Tomkins, Reid and Collins, with all of them suffering injuries last year. Two strikers are needed to make sure their enough competition and cover for Carroll. Also creativity is lacking in the side, as sometimes if Carroll was not getting the ball, we looked hopeless. We need an attacking midfielder with flair, and good perception to pick a pass. With already spending just over £15 million, there probably is not going to much more spent but whatever is brought in has to be an improvement to the squad now rather than thinking for the future as West ham are not stable enough yet for that sort of planning.

Come On You Irons!