Green Street Hammers
Fansided

Are West Ham still a few players short?

By Scott Johnson

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: David Silva of Manchester City (not pictured) scores past Darren Randolph of West Ham United for his team's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on February 1, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: David Silva of Manchester City (not pictured) scores past Darren Randolph of West Ham United for his team's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on February 1, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

If ever there was an indication West Ham are not up with the best, it was Wednesday night.

West Ham have been promised much since their move to the London Stadium, but not much has materialized. Many fans are beginning to feel aggrieved at the lack of big transfers into the club. However I don’t think it’s the size of the transfer that is the issue. It’s where we continue to strengthen.

With two signings in January the club did improve the first team. After an average summer that was a necessary move. However it is very clear that the entire side is unbalanced and the longer it remains unaddressed the longer the Hammers will have issues. Especially against technically proficient sides like Manchester City.

Right Back

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

One of the reasons the side did so well against big teams last year is that the back four were all solid defensively. With Tomkins filling in at right back it meant there were no weak areas along the line. However more natural Byram is in the position, he is exposed against the top clubs.

This isn’t to doubt his potential, or his usefulness against the teams equal to our standard. But in the big games he is exposed again and again defensively. When Sane poked the ball through his legs and collected on the other side to set up the second it was just too easy, and you felt like it was going to happen again and again.

The club need to buy a more defensively minded right back. If the player is also good at putting the ball in the box then great, but his primary role should be defensive. The side cannot afford to be leaky in the wide areas, because it will be exposed.

Pace up front

Michail Antonio has done his best when it comes to showing Bilic what he is missing up top, but his finishing is not up to the standard I would expect of a striker in the Premier League. Again Andy Carroll is a great player in his own right, but when the defense are pushing up it becomes impossible for him to be as effective. To add in a striker with pace would expose this sort of defensive tactic.

West Ham could have signed Hogan in January, if not for Bilic turning down the deal. Why Bilic couldn’t see that his pace could have added a lot I don’t know. Fletcher looks an able player, but he is not up to speed. Calleri is a poor striker by Premier League standards, and many fans feel he should have gone.

Next: Oxford Loan deal could work for everyone

The City game showed that the squad is still light a few players. The board and Bilic will need to act in the summer, or there will be no progression for the men in Claret and Blue. And given the issues the fans have been put through in the last 12 months, that just isn’t good enough.