The January Transfer Window 2020

[badabing]

3 players possibly coming in, our scout must have been racking up the air miles this week

[PlaistowIron]

‘Isn’t a goal scorer’

That term would be appropriate for 95% of strikers for throughout the GSB era...

[Aceface]

Says the player in question isn’t a goalscorer

One of Sullivan's striker targets. Second burn of the day from Moyesey. #onfire

[Longaz]

Declan Rice average? Take him out our midfield and you'll be left with below average. He's 21, would love someone to list all the better Defensive midfielders they know of the same age. He's had no help at all since he moved upto midfield. Wont be long until hes too good for West ham.

[Doylaz]

Fjthegrey - fair point. To me he seemed so comfortable in that role and was getting better - it make some sense to move him to defensive midfield as it doesn't seem a stretch but it clearly has been. His passing is very limited and occasionally dangerous, not to fast overground and caught out a lot

How has it clearly been a stretch putting him in defensive mid where there have been numerous games where he has had rave reviews in that position?

And I wouldn’t say his passing is limited. His assist with his left peg for Anderson’s goal against Bournemouth clearly shows that.

[fjthegrey]

Fjthegrey - fair point. To me he seemed so comfortable in that role and was getting better - it make some sense to move him to defensive midfield as it doesn't seem a stretch but it clearly has been. His passing is very limited and occasionally dangerous, not to fast overground and caught out a lot

Our central midfield right now is a catastrophe. Rice is not the problem with it.

I agree his passing is limited. Jordan Henderson was a **** passer at the same age though, and had similarly average pace. Sometimes energy and hunger are enough of a base for some serious potential development.

Put a couple of proper players next to him as well as a couple of full backs who don't need covering every time the opposition get in our half and you see a different Rice.

[goof]

Regarding Mark Noble, i do remember one of the times we went down he considered leaving but he didn't, maybe he wasn't good enough. Let's not forget he did have a couple of excellent seasons when he should have been a regular in he England squad but they went with Drinkwater instead. A one club man is like gold dust these days, Gerrard, Neville etc, they have all been outstanding servants for their clubs, he should be remembered a such. Yes he has lots a step, yes he shouldn't be starting, but they all do with age, that doesn't mean he is suddenly become the an awful footballer, just an aging one. He should have some criticism for his performances but he should have alot more respect as well.

[kotch22]

I always thought Rice looked really poor when he first came into the team playing at centre back. He’s improved immensely since moving to midfield. I’m sure he could do a job now back there, but not worth what we’d be losing in midfield. Plus he stills makes the odd mistake that becomes more costly the closer it is to our goal.

[mcinerney7]

looking like soucek will be done today hopefully, does anyone have info on any other incomings?

is nzonzi the next one in?

[swash]

Regarding Mark Noble, i do remember one of the times we went down he considered leaving but he didn't, maybe he wasn't good enough. Let's not forget he did have a couple of excellent seasons when he should have been a regular in he England squad but they went with Drinkwater instead. A one club man is like gold dust these days, Gerrard, Neville etc, they have all been outstanding servants for their clubs, he should be remembered a such. Yes he has lots a step, yes he shouldn't be starting, but they all do with age, that doesn't mean he is suddenly become the an awful footballer, just an aging one. He should have some criticism for his performances but he should have alot more respect as well.

Well said

[Beavis Danzig]

looking like soucek will be done today hopefully, does anyone have info on any other incomings?

is nzonzi the next one in?

we surely won't be going for nzonzi aswell, surely even moyes has a limit for big slow lads that can stick a boot in?

[Rozzop]

Regarding Mark Noble, i do remember one of the times we went down he considered leaving but he didn't, maybe he wasn't good enough. Let's not forget he did have a couple of excellent seasons when he should have been a regular in he England squad but they went with Drinkwater instead. A one club man is like gold dust these days, Gerrard, Neville etc, they have all been outstanding servants for their clubs, he should be remembered a such. Yes he has lots a step, yes he shouldn't be starting, but they all do with age, that doesn't mean he is suddenly become the an awful footballer, just an aging one. He should have some criticism for his performances but he should have alot more respect as well.

You are talking about one of the best midfielders and right backs in the premier league era who have lifted multiple champions leagues and league titles.

A fairer comparision would be Leon Osman spending 15 years in centre midfield for Everton.

[Gsbgsb]

Rice is a very good player. This season he has had some poor games accepted but he is 21 playing in one of the most responsible positions on the pitch. He has tons to learn.

On here I see terms like DM or “box to box” as if every player has to fit into some football manager style cliche.

Rice is a good tackler, generally reads the game well but still needs to develop both as a player carrying the ball, as a passer and with a willingness to get in the opposition box. As such he looks better when he has alongside him someone who compliments his strengths rather than mirrors them. Noble does 2 of those reasonably well, the carrying the ball and passing, but his age is showing. The fact that, Fornals and to a lesser degree Snodgrass aside, our midfielders treat the opposition box as a no go area is one of the reasons we struggle. The Czech lad seems happy to get into the box so that is a bonus if he comes.

[LincolnshireHammer]

What's this Soucek chap got that we don't have at the moment then?

[Aceface]

I feel fragile enough about everything without the idea that Winston might head off to the MLS this week.

It makes complete sense to do it on a playing and financial level – basically every level – but just no. Not currently in the emotional state to see one of the last things that feels pre-West Ham London disappear.

[steveyrockstar]

Haven't caught up with the conversation, but are people saying Rice is average? I remember people saying similar things about Carrick at the same stage of his career. He didn't do bad! I think Rice is immense and it's nothing to do with him coming through the youth side.

[Sloop John B]

What's this Soucek chap got that we don't have at the moment then?

confidence?

[Shaun Newton]

What's this Soucek chap got that we don't have at the moment then?

A presence in midfield?

[bubbles1966]

‘Isn’t a goal scorer’

That term would be appropriate for 95% of strikers for throughout the GSB era...

Well played

[S-H]

Not currently in the emotional state to see one of the last things that feels pre-West Ham London disappear.

Dude disappeared nearly two years ago.