Tuesday, February 2

Still striker light

So West Ham have ended the transfer window without a second striker. It's odd we didn't go for Josh King who has gone on loan to Everton. With 17 games left that's a big burden on Michail Antonio's dodgy hamstrings. The alternatives appear to be playing loan signing Jesse Lingard or Said Benrahma as a false nine, sticking Yarmolenko up top (he has played as a striker in Ukraine) or giving young Mipo Odubeko a full debut. 

What is clear is that Moyes clearly thought Haller was an unhappy player who didn't fit his system and wanted him out. While it also seems he doesn't rate King — and after Brexit it's much more difficult to sign a top class player from Europe. Moyes has always been methodical and analytical with transfers and is thinking long-term rather than short. He has earned our trust after a great first half of the season so we have to assume he knows what he is doing. 

The board maintain that Moyes was given £20m plus to spend on a striker during the window but couldn't find the right player. The test will come in the summer to see if he really does sign that top striker. If Moyes has resisted some suggested deals from David Sullivan and his agent friends that aren't right for the team then all well and good; but it's still a massive gamble to end the season with just one recognised striker.

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