West Ham United’s excellent sixth consecutive win sent a very loud, very clear message to the club’s owners last night in more ways than one.
David Moyes has softened hardline stance easing fears over West Ham transfer
The 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace lifted West Ham up to fourth and crystalised the tantalisingly realistic prospect of European football next season.
What was clear for all to see is that this West Ham side under David Moyes is no flash in the pan.
The best West Ham team for a generation?
Organised, committed, defensively disciplined, hard-working, solid and creative.
But one word that can also be used to describe this West Ham side – particularly last night – is profligate.
West Ham’s +6 goal difference should be three times better off this season.
The Hammers have been guilty of wasting so many chances in games. Matches when they have shown a ruthless streak have not ended well for their opponents. Just ask Wolves and Leicester.
But against Palace West Ham should have been out of sight. The talismanic Michail Antonio left his shooting boots at home as he squandered five golden opportunities, hitting the post twice.
That made it 13 times West Ham have hit the woodwork this season.
His replacement as a late substitute, Andriy Yarmolenko, did ok up top.
Antonio and Yarmolenko prove West Ham MUST sign a striker or risk throwing all their hard work away
But there is a big difference between playing there against a League One side and a Premier League team.
Yarmolenko was barely involved and does not have the same kind of attributes as Antonio to make his presence felt.
Indeed his half-hearted effort at closing down Palace allowed the pass into feet which created their second goal at the death.
Let’s be clear, this is far from a pop at either Antonio or Yarmolenko. Antonio has been beyond brilliant. Yarmo has played his part here and there too.
But it is certainly a shot fired at West Ham’s unpopular co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.
GSB’s biggest failing yet if they do not reward Moyes with a new striker before window closes
West Ham need another proven striker. Moyes has surely earned as much.
It is frankly unfathomable that Sullivan and Gold could sit back and not invest in a striker, particularly after selling Sebastien Haller to Ajax for £20million.
Yes Moyes wants to make sure striker number 50 of the Sullivan and Gold era is the right one.
But the Hammers owners risk throwing away all the brilliant work of Moyes and his team by failing to act before the transfer window closes next Monday night.
Antonio needs help. He cannot carry the goalscoring burden for West Ham all season. Especially given his injury history.
And Yarmolenko is not the answer, certainly not when it comes to league matches.
With West Ham challenging for Europe, the stakes are high.
Now is the time for Sullivan and Gold to show some ambition. Show they really are true lifelong West Ham fans.
Invest some of their own personal fortune if Covid has hit the club’s finances.
Do whatever it takes to make the one or two signings that will bolster what is looking like the best West Ham side for nearly 40 years.
After all isn’t this what we moved to the London Stadium for?
The list of grievances West Ham fans have with Sullivan and Gold is long.
But if GSB do not bring in a striker this window it could go down as the biggest failing of their entire tenure. And that is saying something.