It has been something of a surprise to see Big Sam sign three players within a week of the January transfer window opening, but it shows just how desperate or ambitious the club is (depending on which way you look at it) as we embark on the second half of the season.
The arrival of Joe Cole has been met with mixed emotions. Everyone is happy to see the return of the prodigal son and are looking forward to seeing him back in claret and blue ten years after leaving the club for Chelsea. But there are many who don’t think he can offer the side anything and he isn’t the player he once was. But let’s not forget that he was rarely given an opportunity at Anfield and his loan spell at Lille last season was a huge success, so let’s see how does with regular football under his belt.
Marouane Chamakh is a player Arsenal fans are glad to see the back of but Hammers fans aren’t too pleased about his arrival at Upton Park. I have always said that a move away from the Emirates will be the perfect opportunity for the Moroccan to get his career back on track. He’s with us now and we could well see the Chamakh who couldn’t stop scoring for Bordeaux before his move to England. He’s another player we must give a chance to prove himself.
Sean Maguire is an unkown quantity and we probably won’t see the 16-year-old for a couple of years yet. But if reports are to be believed we may have uncovered a gem of a striker who could go on to do great things in the game. Only time will tell, but Big Sam’s judgement on players since he took over the reigns has been spot on most of the time.
With a few more players expected to arrive before the end of the month, we should finally be able to enjoy a squad that has strength in depth. If we can hold on to Diame and bring in one or two new defenders Allardyce will have done a good job in adding to a side that looks worryingly thin as soon as we suffer a couple of injuries of suspensions.
If the second half of the season is as successful as the first it will be a fantastic first season back in the top-flight and this transfer window is extremely important in making sure it is.
The early signs are good. Let’s just hope it continues.
