West Ham United are getting ready for a busy January switch window as Scott Parker appears to be like to strengthen his squad following his appointment as head coach.
The previous Hammers midfielder made a dramatic return to the dugout on Wednesday night, overseeing a exceptional comeback towards Cardiff Metropolis in his first match in cost.
Having changed Nuno Espírito Santo following a disappointing begin to the Championship marketing campaign, Parker faces the problem of guiding West Ham again in direction of the automated promotion locations.
Nevertheless, regardless of an encouraging second-half efficiency in Wales, there are clear areas of the squad that would require consideration when the switch window reopens.
Scott Parker reacts to dramatic West Ham comeback towards Cardiff
Parker’s return to West Ham started in extraordinary trend, with the Hammers recovering from a three-goal deficit to safe a 3-3 draw at Cardiff Metropolis.
Jack Moylan scored a first-half hat-trick for the hosts, leaving West Ham going through one other damaging defeat simply days after their 3-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion.
Nevertheless, three modifications on the break helped remodel the competition, with Divine Mukasa and Arne Engels discovering the online earlier than Maximilian Kilman’s late equaliser accomplished the comeback.
Parker admitted that his aspect’s efficiency had been unacceptable earlier than half-time, and it was one more sport wherein the Hammers didn’t get targets from the quantity 9 place.
“Within the first half, we had been clearly actually poor. I believed we had been poor in each phases of the sport – out of possession we had been fairly passive at sure moments, and with the ball there was actually lots to work on.
“The second half was the polar reverse to the primary, actually, and to come back again into the sport like we did was sensible.”
The 46-year-old additionally emphasised the significance of attacking with higher goal, insisting West Ham wanted to be extra aggressive in possession.
“There’s actual attacking expertise right here, and attacking risk. The second half was a forceful workforce, and it’s good to take dangers with the ball.”
West Ham now journey to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, with Parker hoping to construct on his first end result earlier than the November worldwide break.
West Ham prioritise new striker and eye potential centre-back deal
Regardless of the attacking enchancment towards Cardiff, Soccer FanCast sources perceive that West Ham are prioritising the signing of a brand new centre-forward for Parker in January, with the supervisor and board in settlement on their fundamental space for reinforcement.
The Hammers have struggled to discover a constant supply of targets from their present strikers, with Taty Castellanos and Pablo having scored simply as soon as every within the Championship this season.
Joël Piroe gives another choice however will not be thought-about a standard out-and-out quantity 9, leaving Parker with restricted options able that would show essential to West Ham’s promotion ambitions.
Castellanos began towards Cardiff however was withdrawn at half-time, with Piroe changing him and contributing to the comeback by serving to create Engels’ aim.
Soccer FanCast additionally understands that West Ham will pursue a brand new centre-back if Konstantinos Mavropanos leaves the membership. The Greece worldwide has attracted curiosity from Europe having been named the Championship Participant of the Month for September.
West Ham have already skilled issues on the again this season, conceding three targets in every of their final three Championship matches.
Scott Parker assembles West Ham teaching workers with out Paco Jémez
Alongside the membership’s plans for January, Parker has additionally begun establishing the teaching workforce that may assist him on the London Stadium.
West Ham have confirmed that Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville and Billy Lepine will help the brand new supervisor, whereas former team-mate Mark Noble will work carefully with him.
One acquainted determine who is not going to be returning is Paco Jémez, regardless of the Spaniard lately turning into accessible following his dismissal by Moroccan membership Raja Casablanca.
As beforehand revealed by Soccer FanCast, West Ham haven’t any plans to reappoint Jémez as a part of Parker’s teaching workers.
With the brand new managerial setup taking form, consideration will now flip in direction of bettering outcomes on the pitch earlier than the January switch window gives a possibility to handle the squad’s weaknesses.
