West Ham's Depth Worries Me in the Championship
A look at West Ham’s early results, underlying numbers and tactical issues, alongside concerns over squad depth and transfer activity, plus a list of free agents and targets to strengthen key areas.
I think there is a good enough core of West Ham players in the existing squad to finish comfortably in the top eight (play-off places) - which, given our history in the Championship, has generally put us in a very good position to challenge for promotion.
Obviously, I'd prefer us to simply win the league, and I do agree that, unless we start signing players, there are other squads in the league stronger than ours, so winning it is unlikely.
That said, I do think our starting XI is one of the strongest in the league, and if we sign a commanding centre-back, a decent left-back and a defensive midfielder, I'd argue it could be the strongest in the league.
Okay, we drew with Burnley and lost to Charlton, but it's still early days in the season and, specifically in the Charlton game, defensive errors cost us.
Against Burnley
West Ham: 54% possession | 11 shots | 1.33 xG | 2 goals
Burnley: 46% possession | 17 shots | 2.10 xG | 2 goals
The bottom line, for me, is that West Ham's defence was gradually overwhelmed after we sat back too early, which I felt was a tactical mistake by Nuno.
Against Charlton
West Ham: 78% possession | 25 shots | ~2.9 xG | 1 goal
Charlton: 22% possession | 7 shots | ~0.6 xG | 2 goals
The bottom line, for me, is that West Ham's defence was beaten by mistakes, and we should have won that game.
Bowen hasn't played particularly well in the first two games, and the team hasn't quite "clicked" yet. But when it does, I think we'll start looking much more comfortable and the points will start stacking up.
However, what is beginning to concern me is the lack of depth in certain positions, coupled with the lack of any real transfer activity over the last few days.
I also can't shake the feeling that the timing of this "Forging Our Future" fan consultation regarding the club badge is a little convenient, given the lack of meaningful transfer activity.
Speculative, I know, but I'm not seeing or hearing many updates on incomings, while I am seeing further speculation about players leaving and now the new badge consultation being "opened".
The timing just seems a little strange.
I don't see how the finances can be so tight given the comings and goings we've seen this summer.
In
ENGELS - £22m
SOLOMON - £5m
LAMADRID - £900k
VELTMAN - Free
PIROE - Loan
MUKASA - Loan
TOTAL SPENT - circa £30m
Obviously, other costs such as signing-on bonuses, agent fees, etc. aren't taken into consideration.
Out
FERNANDES - £85m
SUMMERVILLE - £55m
DIOUF - £35m - still to be completed
POTTS - £10m
FÜLLKRUG - Loan
WAN-BISSAKA - Loan
TRAORÉ - Contract ended
WILSON - Contract ended
TOTAL RECEIVED - circa £185m
Again, other costs such as agent fees, etc. aren't taken into consideration.
I'm not suggesting every penny of that £185m is sitting in a bank account marked 'transfer budget', but given the scale of the player sales, I struggle to understand why we appear to be operating with such a limited budget for strengthening the squad. On the face of it, there should surely be scope to strengthen the squad further.
Even if there isn't, there are some free agents available that we could probably pick up on relatively cheap deals who I wouldn't mind bolstering the squad with.
Free agents I wouldn’t mind
ADAM WEBSTER - CB
Experienced, vocal, knows English football and could add some much-needed maturity to a youngish defence. The only concern is that he missed all of last season with an ACL injury.
DIOGO LEITE - CB
Left-footed, experienced and mobile. Exactly the kind of profile we need at centre-back, and I think we should be all over this.
JAMAAL LASCALLES - CB
Leadership, physicality, Premier League experience and the ability to organise a defence. Exactly the sort of experienced presence I think we're missing at the back.
TYRELL MALACIA - LB
Athletic, aggressive left-back with Premier League experience and something to prove. A fit Malacia would be a very good Championship player. His injury history is my only concern.
YVES BISSOUMA - DM
Premier League-proven ball winner, athletic, experienced and available on a free. Exactly the profile I think is missing in midfield.
SOLLY MARCH - W
Premier League experience, technically excellent, versatile and available on a free. Could provide useful rotation and competition without requiring a significant transfer fee. The obvious concern is his recent injury history.
Then add a couple of those to a couple of the players we are actually being linked with.
Players we are being linked with
VICTOR NELSSON - CB
Has been offered to West Ham. A Danish international with European experience and, in my opinion, the attributes to be ready-made for the Championship.
DÁRIO ESSUGO - DM
Young, athletic defensive midfielder, Portuguese and reportedly available on loan. I think he suits Nuno's system perfectly.
REISS NELSON - W
Proven Premier League/Championship-level winger, relatively cheap and gives Bowen and Solomon some much-needed rotation and competition.
EDVIN AUSTBØ - W
Young, quick and direct. Gives West Ham the explosive pace that is arguably missing from the current squad.
JAMIE VARDY - F
Nothing needs to be said here. On a one-year deal, I think this is a no-brainer. As an impact substitute, his pace and movement would still scare the life out of opposition defences.
And if we also lose TODIBO, ÁLVAREZ and WARD-PROWSE, then we'd need a good few additions before the window closes.
And that's ultimately my concern. I'm not expecting the club to spend £100m for the sake of it, and I'm certainly not suggesting every penny generated from sales should be reinvested. But we have lost a significant amount of experience and quality this summer, and there are still obvious weaknesses in the squad. If more players leave before the window closes, those weaknesses only become more pronounced.
I don't think we need another eight players. I think we need the right three or four.
My personal picks
LASCALLES - CB
LEITE - CB
MALACIA - LB, if the medical is good
BISSOUMA - DM
ESSUGO - DM
AUSTBØ - Winger
NELSON - Winger
VARDY - Striker/impact sub
If we added all eight, then in my opinion we'd have one of the strongest, if not the strongest, squads in the league. Certainly one strong enough to be serious promotion contenders and capable of challenging for the title.
We wouldn't need all eight, either. Even four or five of those additions, particularly in the defensive and midfield areas, would make a huge difference.
The starting XI is already good enough. It's the depth that worries me.
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