As another dramatic transfer window slams shut, I’m sure there won’t be many West Ham fans who would say we had a bad one.
With up to a dozen new faces coming in since last season finished, Slaven and his team have been working hard on bringing in new faces to not only add depth to the squad, but to add some real quality, too.
Previous transfer windows have seen us add players like Roger Johnson, Emanuel Pogatetz and Marouane Chamakh, who were nothing short of panic, last minute gap fillers. But the players we have signed this window have added some real genuine quality, and have improved our squad no end.
The likes of Payet, Ogbonna, Moses, Lanzini, Antonio and Obiang show a real intent to be a team not content with just avoiding relegation. We now have good strength in depth and competition for places. With Kevin Nolan having left the club, it seems that no-one has an automatic starting place anymore, and that can only bring healthy competition.
A large squad should help to cover injuries, lack of form and cup runs. West Ham always seem to have more injuries than any other team, so to have a strong squad for once can only be a good thing.
We seem to have some good wide players at last which can hopefully bring some exciting football back to Upton Park in our last season ‘at home’.
We know Cresswell and Jenkinson like to get forward, and add to that exciting young talented wide players like Antonio, Lanzini and Moses, it makes for an exciting season at Upton Park.
It upsets me to see Morgan Amalfitano being cast out after apparently falling out with the manger, as he has the ability to turn a match in our favour, but a bad apple can quickly turn all the other apples bad so I believe we have to trust the manager on this one and hope his decision is in the best interests of the team.
DEADLINE DAY: We've signed FOUR players this #DeadlineDay! What is your reaction to today's business? #WHUFC #COYI pic.twitter.com/craGMld6LA
— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 1, 2015
I also think the departure of Matt Jarvis to Norwich city is a good move. He had become something of a scapegoat in recent months, rightly or wrongly, and his lack of confidence was probably a contributing factor into many of his below par performances in a claret and blue shirt. So good luck to him and I hope he proves the doubters wrong, myself included.
So what are our realistic ambitions for this, our last season at Upton Park?
Our season so far has been indifferent to say the least. A fantastic away win at the Emirates was followed by two sub-standard home performances against Leicester City and Bournemouth. They were followed up by an amazing 3-0 win away at Anfield. Our first in over fifty years.
This proves we have the players and manager to mix it with the best in the country, but more consistency is needed if we are to realise our true potential.
So with an ambitious young manager, a good strong squad with strength and width, some decent free kick takers and good morale, I think it would be foolish to aim any lower than eighth position in the Premier league.
Any higher would be a bonus.
So let’s get behind the team, through the good times and the inevitable bad, and say goodbye to Upton Park on a high note.
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