Text  Larger | Smaller | Default
Search KUMB   

Thumbs-up for Double Ds


Filed: Wednesday, 3rd February 2010
By: Staff Writer

KUMB.com readers have backed the club's January transfer window deals by an overwhelming majority.

Just THREE per cent of voters have thus far declared themselves unhappy with the club's business during the window, which closed at 5pm on Monday afternoon.

West Ham signed three players during January - Benni McCarthy from Blackburn for £2.5million, Mido on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the current season and former St Etienne striker Ilan on a free transfer for a similar period.

However it was the board's decision not to sell any of the team's best players that was considered to be the biggest coup, with the likes of Matthew Upson told by the new owners that they would be going nowhere until the summer, at least.

The result is perhaps no surprise given that the club went into the transfer window penniless and in need of raising £8million through player sales - a situation that changed immediately once Sullivan and Gold confirmed their purchase of the club on 19th January.

With around £8million earmarked for player purchases Gianfranco Zola managed to spend less than a third on transfer fees, although the remainder of that warchest is likely to be available in the summer, should the Irons manage to preserve their Premier League status.

The main brunt of disappointment for those voting negatively was the failure to strengthen in defence, particularly at full-back.

West Ham have been playing Julien Faubert, a natural winger at right back all season whilst the right-sided Jonathan Spector has filled in on the left during the absence of United's only senior left-back, Herita Ilunga.

Tranfer Window Business

Ins: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn, £2.5m); Mido (Middlesbrough, loan); Ilan (free transfer).

Outs: Nigel Quashie (free transfer); Luis Jimenez (loan cancelled).

Related News

   arrow   Slangwhanger Sulli slams slackers [5th Sep 2010]
   arrow   Sullivan's loan moan [3rd Sep 2010]
   arrow   The transfer window closes [31st Aug 2010]
   arrow   Deadline day latest: T minus 90 minutes [31st Aug 2010]
   arrow   Sullivan: Parker still not for sale [15th Aug 2010]
   arrow   Aston Villa 3 West Ham Utd 0 [14th Aug 2010]
   arrow   Brady blasts Redknapp [14th Aug 2010]
   arrow   Brown in [13th Aug 2010]
   arrow   Sulli's Yak attack [12th Aug 2010]
   arrow   Sulejmani on his way  [6th Aug 2010]

Your Comments


by Gareth
03:43PM 3rd Feb 2010
''Given the circumstances and what we would have undoubtedly faced had the Daves not bought us, this window has been a resounding success with little to zero risk.

McCarthy is proven both in the Premier League and internationally.

Ilan has 3 senior caps to his name and scored goal of the year in France a couple of years back.

Mido's problem has never been about quality, it has been about attitude and arrogance. His comments on Monday smack of a new-found maturity and at 26 perhaps now is the time to really show us what he's made of/that he's grown up. I genuinely see him knocking in at least half a dozen goals with limited starts until the end of the season...

But like I said above, what's the risk? Without these players we almost certainly don't have the firepower to survive but with them we're not going to be breaking the bank and at least Zola has some options (and consequently the chance to prove his mettle).

re: Gary's comments. Totally agree that Mido has only been good for half a season in the past, but that has been an un-motivated Mido (and we do only have him for half a season, for now at least!)

Yep, it's a shame we didn't strengthen at the back and hopefully Gabbidon can come back soon as he's better cover at left back than Spector is but we may now be less reliant on shutting teams out than we have been and we may hold the ball up better with improved forward options and by playing further up field.

Definitely a time to get behind the team and the new management.''

by Gary
02:06PM 3rd Feb 2010
''I don't understand the Mido signing. He was no good at Wigan last year and couldn't get in the Middlesbrough side. He's only ever had a good half season...(which usually coincided wth him scoring against us!)

Ilan I've never heard of, but surely if he was any good St Etienne wouldn't have let him go for nothing. Benni McCarthy should score a reasonable amount but we'll hve to wait and see.

I don't understand David Sullivan, he was prepared to pay an injury prone 33-year-old Van Nistelrooy £100,000 for four months but said he couldn't afford the same amount for Robbie Keane. ''

by Kevin
01:05PM 3rd Feb 2010
''Regarding "Julien Faubert, a natural winger at right back"..?

Julian Faubert himself stated his best position is RB, and specifically asked Zola to play him there this season...''

by Cranham
12:46PM 3rd Feb 2010
''I can see these new signings gelling well. When Zola bought Diamanti and Jimenez, most of us thought they were supposed to be forwards. Now we definitely have three new forwards.

It's now up to Zola. Does he still play one main striker with another just behind him, or does he team two up front with a winger?

Looking at the rumour about Mark Hughes, I would think Zola needs five points in the next three games to keep his job safe.''



Comment on this Story

Please note that your IP address will be logged, and that any abuse of this facility (including obscene or offensive language) will be reported to your ISP.

Name:

Email*

Comments:

* your email address will not be published