11 Aug 2014 12:21:44
Was ahead again when I said last month we were after Daniel agger but this is a long shot; top 6 sides in front of us; delighted if we can get wickham young and robust another dean ashton?; two meetings with obiang representatives have produced a 3.5m bid from us 5m is wanted, just heard wickham bid 4.4m this is close to what sunderland will accept (5. 75m) keep your fingers and legs crossed! Quite a few sites now getting in on my bandwagon re a better m an between the sticks; we were unlucky with reina as Bayern came in late on obviously no contest and we were too slow with martin steklenburg; contrary to other fans thinking I am of the opinion that the goalie is most important man on the pitch and will keep my opinion that we are not strong enough in that position have not heard any more in that regard but I am sure we are now looking to strengthen that weakness; contrary to all these rumours and reports from various newspapers at time of this posting (12 noon) no bids are in for any players ( except Jarvis) maiga has been offered 950k to conclude contract which he has turned down ( you would think he would want to get on with his career) vaz te stalling over brighton move; I am totally impressed with dgs efforts to move us on and up for Olympic stadium and hope that sam finds his way to change enough so at least he completes this season with some success IRONMIKE

1.) 11 Aug 2014
Great article as always and muchly appreciated. Connor Wickham bid rejected as was the bid for Obiang but we have earmarked these two as players in need??

2.) 11 Aug 2014
IRONMIKE, if we have indeed bid for Connor Wickham, where does that leave the Diafra Sakho deal? Are we looking to sign both?

Also, is the Obiang deal dependant on any out going transfers? Mainly, Jarvis or Diame?

I personally hope we let Matt Jarvis, Ricardo Vaz Te and Modibo Maiga go. None of them have been consistent performers since joining West Ham and Vaz Te and Maiga are both squad players at best.

I'd love to keep Momo Diame and Ravel Morrison, then bring in Connor Wickham and Pedro Obiang on permanent deals. Then any funds available I'd like to see used on loan deals like Wilfried Zaha.

3.) 11 Aug 2014
According to bbc the bid for Connor Wickham has been rejected

4.) 11 Aug 2014
Sorry Iron Mike but Connor Wickham is not another Dean Ashton, there is no comparison.
Conner Wickham 1 in 7 and Dean Ashton 1 in 3 (Premier league)
Says it all really.

5.) 12 Aug 2014
12 Aug 2014 07:32:50
But at least Connor wick ham will be available for games! Dean Ashton was another Andy Carroll, both very talented but also if they broke a toe nail it would rule them out for a couple of games.
Would dean Ashton have scored loads if he was available full time, maybe but maybe not, wickham might bang in loads but might not but at least he would be available and try his heart out!

6.) 12 Aug 2014
Dean Ashton was way and above Andy Carroll would have played for England and a top four club if he stayed fit! Huge talent.