Are these five players heading for a West Ham exit?

The combination of summer signings that have hit the ground running and a current successful Premier League campaign is a rarity for West Ham.

However, despite manager Sam Allardyce guiding the east Londoners to an impressive seventh in the table, money to spend on adding to the squad has run dry, and selling players to raise funds after spending in excess of £30m is a priority.

As the squad improves, there’s always going to be players who will ultimately be sacrificed for reinforcements.

So, here are the five players that West Ham should consider selling and are probably better off without…

Click on Big Sam to reveal

Winston Reid

Yes, the New Zealand captain has been the premier League’s most improved player over the past two years, and has served the Hammers with distinction since arriving from Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in 2010.

But all of a sudden it looks as though the 26-year-old is looking for a move away from Upton Park and fancies a new challenge. With the centre half having strong awareness, aggression and pace, it’s no wonder why there a plenty of admirers for Reid. We never would have thought that three years after his horrific debut against Aston Villa there be talk of Reid moving to the likes of Arsenal or Manchester United.

But, if Reid is teasing West Ham by stalling over a new contract, then the Hammers should give him an ultimatum; ‘sign a new contract or leave’. Having a player in the camp that has the intention of leaving could not be good around the Boleyn Ground. Making a profit on the defender could be a wise decision indeed, despite his undoubted quality.

Kevin Nolan

Is Kevin Nolan West Ham’s most hated player? It seems that way at the moment. Week in, week out, when the teams are announced, and the stadium announcer shouts the name of ‘Captain, Kevin Nolan’ groans and murmurs flood Upton Park.

The experienced Premier League midfielder seems to go unnoticed for the full 90 minutes, and when Big Sam finally decides to take the former Newcastle United man off, cheers roar around the stadium.

This cannot be good for Nolan himself, and for a player that earns a reported £60,000-per-week to touch the ball 10 times in a game, then Nolan is probably one of the most overrated footballers in the top flight at present. With his experience, there is no doubt a team in the Premier league would snap him up if he were to become available.

Matt Jarvis

When West Ham signed Matt Jarvis for a staggering £11m from Wolves, Jarvis was on the fringes of the England set up. Not anymore.

The flying winger must be the most predictable winger in England’s top four leagues. Get the ball on the left wing, towards the byline and chip a cross to Andy Carroll, is Jarvis’ motto.

Recently linked with a move to West Brom, it’s time for the former Gillingham man to seek pastures new and free up some space for a younger player that has a promising future ahead of them.

Many will think that Jarvis is now more of an impact player who can make a difference from the bench. However, paying £11m for player to make a 10 minute cameo seems absurd and ridiculous. With the position West Ham are in now, West Brom would find more use for him at The Hawthorns than at Upton Park.

Joey O’Brien

After recovering from a two year injury ravaged career while at Bolton Wanderers, many were surprised when West Ham signed him in 2011 in the Championship. As a result, the former republic of Ireland international played a key role in helping the Hammers gain promotion at the first time of asking.

However, his good performances only really came in the Championship, where he belongs. The full back is just not Premier League standard, and whenever O’Brien is starting, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Theo Walcott and Raheem Sterling coming up against him, then there is only going to be one winner.

Dropping down to the Championship could be the best move for O’Brien and as much as Allardyce likes him, he should send him down a division.

Ravel Morrison

When West Ham signed Ravel Morrison from Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson famously said to Sam Allardyce: “If you can handle him in the right way, you have got one hell of a player there.”

Dubbed the next Paul Gascoigne, many thought that in 2013, when Morrison was the Hammers bright spark in a season where relegation was on everyone minds, Ferguson could be right.

That is definitely not the case. Since picking up a groin injury in that same season, Morrison has gone dramatically downhill since then. Being accused of threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend is also unacceptable. Going out loan to QPR and Cardiff City proved that Morrison is not the player everyone expected him to be.

Everybody is aware of Morrison’s off field antics, but as a player, you should represent your respective club with distinction on and off the field. With unconfirmed reports that he has agreed to join Italian side Lazio, shipping out the creative midfielder is probably the best deal for the club.