Perhaps a degree of realism had descended over West Ham from a fan perspective as well as an overall feeling within the club, one that has punched well above it's weight for the last two and a half seasons and now needs a thorough overhaul even just to keep on the coat tails of the top six let alone the top four!
Jesse Lingard's "gone with the wind" potential epic appearance at Hammers' 'Goose Green' training ground has had more twists and turns than a Michael Moorcock Novel, with even more expected before the on off transfer grinds to its ultimate conclusion.
It is pretty clear who likes or dislikes Jesse Lingard in the Press and Media, their opinions not based on facts or figures come to that, but merely on conjecture and some 'divine' insight into the mind of a player who is about to make the biggest decision that remains in his career!
You don't need to be a maths scholar to know that signing two new players is only a drop in the transfer ocean for David Moyes and West Ham when you consider the fact that FOUR key players have left or retired, so FOUR players are required just to get the squad back to being wafer thin!
As one of the TWO new signings was already at the club on loan, the excellent Alphonse Areola who has now been signed on a permanent deal from PSG, it is plain to see that there is much to do for Moyes and head of recruitment Rob Newman.
Not only can West Ham offer Keane Lewis-Potter a route one entry to top flight football, but they can also guarantee the Hull starlet European Football, albeit in the Euro Conference League. Lewis-Pottter and his advisors will have watched Jarrod Bowen's imperious rise through the ranks to become an England International, a feat he would probably not have achieved if he had signed for one of the Big Four English teams, and thought "we want some of that!".
Criminals are often known for wanting to return to the scene of their crimes, David Moyes had an incredibly successful spell as manager of Everton FC, but still seems to like making a return in the form of 'showing interest in' or even buying up their discarded players!
David Moyes and West Ham have finally got their man, Nayef Aguerd! Despite Eddie Howe and the Toon's best efforts to derail the process, the 26 year old Morrocan International has put pen to paper for a five year deal and is hopefully going to establish a centre back pairing with Kurt Zouma for years to come.
Other clubs sign players in what seems a heartbeat compared to all the huffing and puffing usually associated with signings made by West Ham United, however rather belatedly the club have now landed what fans will hope is their 1st Marquee player, soon to be followed by a raft of further additions.
The 2022/23 Premier League season is just around the corner and West Ham will be looking to build on an excellent 2021/22 campaign. The Hammers finished seventh last season but were right in the mix for fourth and fifth place until the final weeks when their domestic form dipped due to their European commitments. David Moyes’ men enjoyed a memorable Europa League run that saw them crash out to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 in the semi-final stages.
The fixture list for the Premier League 2022/23 season is out and as usual Hammers have been given some 'early challenging fixtures'! The opening game is Yes you guessed it, home to Manchester City on the 7th! Followed by an away game at what will be a pumped up Forest team on the 13th. Hammers final game of the season is away to Leicester City on May the 28th 2023.
Hammers also play Tottingham away on match day 5 and Chelsea at home on match day 6,
Full list :
Sunday 7th August
Premier League
West Ham United 16:30 Manchester City
Sites like ourselves who have criticised the club for not retaining certain players will be eating a slice of Humble Pie as news has come in of what will probably be a career ending injury for ex-Hammer Winston Reid. A superb player on his day and believe it or not GSB's 1st Marquee signing!