Under a week until the new season starts (unless you count the CS as the season opener). I think both United and Liverpool have had decent windows, but both could still do with a couple more improvements. West Ham United, on the other hand, seem to have had a complete shocker. For me there is a good comparison between them this year and Southampton 12 months ago. Could West Ham - European champions a few months ago - go down this season?
Last season they finished on 40 points (coincidently what the Saints finished on in 21/22), 6 points above relegated Leicester. It was a massive decline from 7th and 56 points the season before, although the ECL triumph glossed that over somewhat. Moyes position was looking under threat for much of the season.
Obviously they have sold club captain Declan Rice, while Manuel Lanzini has also left. Scamacca is soon to follow, at a loss just a year after signing. They have signed no-one so far.
Looking at their squad, not only is it thin but a lot of players are over 30. Keeper Fabianski, 38, Antonio (33), Ogbonna (35), Cresswell (33), Ings (31) all looked past their best last season. They have a number of injury prone players too. Even their "young prospect" Flynn Downes is 24 years old with little Premier League experience.
Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta are the easy picks for star men in this squad - although Bowens performances last season were a fair drop from his breakout season the year before. They must be looking around and thinking they should be better supported.
There is still 4 weeks of the transfer window to go, but they look massively unprepared for next weeks away fixture to Bournemouth. Chelsea, Brighton, Man City and Liverpool are all opponents in the Hammers first 6, with their opening Europa between the latter two.
Could West Ham really get relegated? Leicester and Southampton probably thought they would be good enough to survive last season, could the claret and blues face the same misery?
West Ham United...
posted on 6/8/23
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 13 minutes ago
It is 6 days til the season starts. They will be scrambling around and struggling to buy players good enough. Spending at the end of the window doesn't work a lot of the time. And, as you said, they will probably have to pay premium prices.
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It is about their ambitions...And where they want to end up. I believe they have overachieved and the people in charge are not concerned about just surviving the league. Moyes seems happy with this too.
posted on 6/8/23
comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 minute ago
Nobody cares on this board. Please remove.
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Done.
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How come Glazer has declared himself the United board spokesman? From his perspective, the issue for him is that there’s nothing troll worthy in this article so he thinks it’s pointless. He struggles with actual football related stuff.
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Very true Termy.
posted on 6/8/23
West ham won the lowest of the low European competition. it inly really came alive at the semi final level.
yes they have sold a couple, yes they have a manager issue.
there's only one thing that matters, is there 3 worse sides this season.
I'd contend that Luton, Sheffield utd, burnely, Bournemouth and forest will all give west ham a good run for their money for that bottom 3
posted on 6/8/23
West Ham can go fack themselves, I hope they finally get relegated this season - don't want to see David Moyes around anymore
posted on 6/8/23
comment by LustyMonc (U22632)
posted 25 minutes ago
West Ham can go fack themselves, I hope they finally get relegated this season - don't want to see David Moyes around anymore
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Why?
Moyes the CHOSEN ONE like proclaimed all the Utd faithfuls when he was unveiled as the chosen by SAF none less, to be the next manager?
From the chosen one to the chastised one
posted on 6/8/23
Moyes the CHOSEN ONE like proclaimed all the Utd faithfuls
…..
No they did not. Another example of a buffoon who can’t tell the difference between the odd idiot fan and ‘all the United faithful’.
Did someone bash you on your noggin when you were a child or are you just naturally this thick?
posted on 6/8/23
They have been linked with Maguire (£30m) and McTominay (£40m). I think they may change to 3/5 at the back.
What was odd as last season they had similar stats to the season before but they didn't take their chances as often. Certain signings haven't worked out (Like that Italian striker). They do need to replace their aging players. Antonio was meant to be sold to the Saudi League. They need to replace him.
posted on 6/8/23
From the BBC:
Moyes is thought to favour established Premier League players, such as James Ward-Prowse, Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay.
However, West Ham believe they are too expensive and Steidten has suggested other options.
The Hammers believe any tensions that do exist will settle down once the season starts, but results like this will increase the demand to spend some of the £105m raised from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal last month.
Talks are thought to be at an advanced stage over signing Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, who was outstanding in Mexico's Gold Cup final triumph against Panama in Los Angeles earlier this month, although no deal has been finalised yet.
posted on 6/8/23
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 6 hours, 11 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 11 minutes ago
It is 6 days til the season starts. They will be scrambling around and struggling to buy players good enough. Spending at the end of the window doesn't work a lot of the time. And, as you said, they will probably have to pay premium prices.
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He is known as dithering Dave for a reason.
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I don't think this is all down to Moyes this time if BBC are to go by anything.
posted on 6/8/23
comment by CurrentlyInTheUK (U11181)
posted 5 hours, 6 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 6 hours, 11 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 11 minutes ago
It is 6 days til the season starts. They will be scrambling around and struggling to buy players good enough. Spending at the end of the window doesn't work a lot of the time. And, as you said, they will probably have to pay premium prices.
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He is known as dithering Dave for a reason.
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I don't think this is all down to Moyes this time if BBC are to go by anything.
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Probably not. I just can’t ever forgive that tw@t for Groot.