West Ham United fans here in The Transfer Tavern are hoping for a big winter transfer window, and are hoping that owners David Gold and David Sullivan will dig deep to provide manager David Moyes with the funds he needs to guide the Hammers away from the bottom-three.
Regulars in our fine establishment, we love hosting West Ham fans in a transfer window, and fans grow exceptionally excited and optimistic that their promising side will finally begin to deliver in the Premier League. Today our landlord delivered some good news to the expectant bunch hanging around the pool table, revealing that The Standard had reported that the club are interested in a deal for Newcastle and England midfielder, Jonjo Shelvey.
The former Hammers trainee could be set to return to the club after departing for Charlton as a youngster in 2004, and would be a welcome addition to a midfield that has struggled to protect their backline this season. The club have conceded a monstrous thirty-nine goals in the league so far this season, something that Shelvey would certainly hope to address if Moyes stumps up the funds to release him from his deal in the north east. Should he join the club this month, this would surely constitute West Ham’s dream midfield by the end of the window.
CDM: Jonjo Shelvey and Mark Noble
West Ham have options in the middle of the park, with Pedro Obiang, Cheik Kouyate and Noble all able to fill in in the middle of the park, but the addition of Shelvey would surely place the trio further down the pecking order at the club. Mark Noble is the heartbeat of this West Ham side, with the academy graduate and local boy breathing claret and blue. When fit, Noble must be in the side to inspire those around him, with the captain essential to the club’s survival this season.
Noble can patrol the back-line, allowing Shelvey to roam and operate almost as an advanced playmaker, something that will benefit the club at both ends of the field. West Ham currently lack that player who will drive from the middle to join in with the attack, and Shelvey could present that option. With teams on the back foot with West Ham more efficient in attack, and Noble cleaning up anything astray in the middle, Moyes should be able to address the club’s leaky defence.
LAM: Manuel Lanzini
The Argentinian winger is arguably the best player at the club, with his skill and trickery a nightmare for opposition defences. Lanzini can operate across the midfield, and will drift in from the flanks to help dictate play and create opportunities, and this is something Moyes needs the player to do.
Lanzini has the ability to find the back of the net from the wide position as well as provide the assists, and has to be one of the first names on Moyes’ team sheet when fit and available. WIth Noble and Shelvey in the middle, Lanzini should be given the freedom to roam, but the Argentine is no stranger to working hard to help at the back. The player is instrumental to the Hammers’ survival this season.
RAM: Michail Antonio
The former Nottingham Forest defender has often been utilised as a striker in the past year, but his best position is undoubtedly on the flanks. Able to cut inside or attack the byline, Antonio is a dangerous weapon in the West Ham arsenal, and he must be used accordingly. One of the player’s greatest attributes is his ability in the air, and arriving at the back post is when the former non-league man is at his most dangerous.
With Antonio on one wing and Lanzini on the other, the pair could forge a wonderful partnership, with both steaming in at the back post in order to get onto the end of one another’s crosses. Driving runs and excellent strength are also essential elements to the winger’s game, and Moyes simply must make the most of the player’s ability on the flanks. Get Antonio back to his best, and the player could easily smash a combined ten goals and assists in the second-half of the season.
Hammers fans, who would you like to see in your midfield? Let us know!
