Fans of West Ham United will not look back on 2017 with fond memories, with the Hammers struggling in the league for much of the calendar year.

Slaven Bilic failed to repeat the success of the club’s final season at Upton Park before their huge, contentious move to The London Stadium down the road in Stratford. The Croatian manager was subsequently removed and replaced with former Manchester United and Everton boss David Moyes, who has been tasked with guiding the Hammers away from the bottom-three this season.

Hammers fans have become part of the furniture here at The Transfer Tavern over the past few years, with fans making the booth by the jukebox their own. Clearing glasses from the table, our landlord couldn’t help but stop for a chinwag with fans, who were excited by the prospect of Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey heading to East London following reports in The Standard of Moyes’ interest in the England international.

More than just the former Hammers trainee will be needed to guide Moyes side away from the relegation spots however, and our landlord suggested the Hammers keep an eye on these two in the next few weeks…

Matt Ritchie

West Ham are in need of an injection of creativity as they look to stave off the threat of relegation, and Shelvey’s Newcastle teammate Ritchie could prove to be the perfect addition to the squad in East London.

The 28-year-old has impressed since making the move to the north east from Bournemouth in 2016, and has adapted well to the demands of the Premier League following the Magpies promotion to the division at the end of last season. Burnley are said to be interested in a move for the player, but the tricky winger could favour a move to the south having been born in the south coast.

West Ham have struggled for goals at times this term, and Ritchie is exactly the type of player Moyes needs of the flanks to be supplying crosses to the likes of Andy Carroll, whose goalscoring output would surely go through the roof if Ritchie were added to the squad. If Moyes can pull a deal off for the player, West Ham will certainly stay up this season.

Marco van Ginkel

It is safe to say that van Ginkel was harshly treated during his spell with Chelsea as a youngster, and wasn’t afforded an opportunity to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old moved to Milan and Stoke in an attempt to find form, but since moving to PSV Eindhoven on loan in 2016, the player has excelled beyond all imagination. Ten goals in eighteen appearances from the middle of the park this season marks a wonderful return for the player, and Chelsea could be tempted to cash in on the Dutchman now while his stock is high. West Ham are in desperate need of a goalscoring midfielder, someone who can act as that box-to-box kind of player, and van Ginkel offers exactly that option.

The player may cost the Hammers a sizeable fee but based upon his current form in the Eredivisie, a move for the player makes perfect sense for Moyes.

West Ham fans, would this pair improve your squad? Let us know!