29 Apr 2019 08:46:43
Great win on Saturday. Two very winnable games left. It would be good to end the season on a high.

For me, Chicha and Perez leave this summer. (Carroll too, obviously) . Arnie is the enigma - if he stays and rediscovers his mojo, I would be more than happy, but I’m sure that MP and Husillos have been tracking plenty of strikers to add to our firepower up front.

I wonder what will happen with Masuaku, too. He’s not a natural LB, but seems to have upped his game recently. I can see Fredericks, Diop and the General as the go to three of the starting back four next year.

We need a CM powerhouse with vision to dovetail with Rice and to take over from an ageing Noble ( though I have to say Noble was terrific v the Spuds. )

With a fully fit squad next yr and one or two additions, I will start the new season with my annual optimism.

{Ed002's Note - Franco Vazquez or Dani Ceballos for example.}


1.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 19:58:19
I think with Yamalenko and Lanzini due back to proper 100% fitness we’ll be ok in Midfield. Personally, I like the balance of Snods, Rice and Noble in the centre. What we need is a clear out up top. Lose them all and start again.


2.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 21:31:24
I would personally sell all the strikers and start again but I can’t see anyone being interested in arnautovic so I think we will end up being stuck with him.


3.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 02:16:57
Noble and Snodgrass both in their 30's we definitely need another midfielder as a long term replacement for Noble. If Ceballos was willing to come to us we should be all over that he's a class above and only 22. I'd be very Suprised if we could actually get him.


4.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 09:38:19
Cheers Ed, so both are likely?

{Ed002's Note - No, both are not likely. West Ham have shown an interest in both players. In terms of midfield players three have the sustained interest of the club:

Dani Ceballos (CM) would not be cheap but he wants to kick start his career and would be a big step up from Obiang - WHU may look to an initial loan

Franco Vazquez (CM/AM) has been of interest to West Ham since last summer and he made clear that he was not interested in a midseason move when West Ham made an approach in January - but the interest remains and I would expect another approach in the summer.

Dani Olmo (AM) was looked at by West Ham last season when Dinamo Zagreb were happy to profiteer with interest from Borussia Dortmund, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Cagliari and most noticably Milan. They wanted too much and he is spending the season in Zagreb. Given previous interest, it would not be a surprise if WHU returned with an offer. Would be an option to Vazquez.}


5.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 13:26:35
Thanks Ed
There is no doubt we need another CM, and of the ones I have read our interest in, Ceballos would be far and away my top pick. Young, hungry and the type of player we need to play alongside Dec. I like Nobes and Snods in the middle, but they cannot be fit every game and we need an upgrade and younger legs. Obiang i suspect will go back to mainland Europe, and MP will assess Cullen and Fernandes in summer.
Iv slated Masuaku on here in the past, and i have to say he has been very good in the last 3 games. Will be interesting to see what MP does with him. We need consistent players.
Ben Johnson looks more like a 2021 challenger at RB, Fredircks and Zaba will do fine next year for me.
Striker, I have no Idea what could happen here given our budget and the limited level of interest in the players we have there currently. Gomez would be great, but 40m is a huge part of our budget and we won't get much for the strikers we have! In MP we trust!
Ed, are any teams interested in Zapata and/ or Belotti?

{Ed002's Note - Roma see Andrea Belotti as their preferred Edin Dzeko replacement, but that has to be ratified by their new coack and Director of Football. Duvan Zapata - the player was not keen on a move to West Ham in January and the €50M asking price has already scared of Newcastle and Inter Milan - WHU could return but I doubt he would be first choice, certainly at the asking price.}


6.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 15:04:29
Cheers again ED002, really good to hear honest answers on our transfer plans - are we still doing our transfers the same way?
(like headless chickens. )

{Ed002's Note - In terms of strikers, this is where I think WHU are:
Aleksandar Mitrovic (S) is a now realistic target and very much the Andy Carroll type player - but there will be a lot of competion - time to talk with Fulham
Said Benrahma (S) Brentford are looking for £25M with both Spurs and West Ham showing an interest - the question will remain can he step up
Maxi Gomez (S) very unlikely as he wants European football
Florian Aye (S)
Edin Dzeko (S) an enquiry has been made with his agent and if the price is low enough WHU may look to an offer, leaving enough funds to add another striker - but both Inter Milan and Everton are looking to him as well
Max Kruse (S) - has been watched by West Ham
Dario Benedetto (S) is a Plan C for Roma and RBL and suggested WHU makes no sense given his goals have dried up, his injuries over the past couple of years and he will only be able to get a one year Tier 5 work permit initially
Duvan Zapata - the player was not keen on a move to West Ham in January and the €50M asking price has already scared of Newcastle and Inter Milan - WHU could return but I doubt he would be first choice, certainly at the asking price.}


7.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 18:43:15
dario benedetto sounds like the perfect david sullivan signing.


8.) 09 May 2019
09 May 2019 19:53:24
RICE apart if we are going to improve and challenge for a top position outside the top four we have to replace NOBLE AND SNODGRASS who are average and look good against average sides but against the top sides you need athletes who can close down players in midfield and not give them a chance to look up two or three times before they are closed down which I go every game and see it with my own eyes NOBLE is ok on the ball but closing down he ain't mobile enough there are plenty of midfielders out there that are leaps and bounds above what we've got. COYI.