After the good recruitment last summer it is about time West Ham let go a few players to fill the squad with more quality and to free up some wage bills.
The first player I would expect to leave Upton Park this summer is Matt Jarvis, for the amount West Ham invested in him you could say it hasn’t really been worth it. Coming off the bench in some games he looks very lively and energetic but can’t seem to make it last 90 and in a consistent run in the team. This, could of course be something to do with West Ham playing their worst, with one up front and Jarvis and Downing on the wings, but nothing there’s players can do about that.
The second player would be Guy Demel, very injury prone and doesn’t really fit the philosophy of us playing with attacking full backs like we have done this season as he’s not that quick. It would of course mean we would need two right backs in the summer and hopefully one of them will be Jenkinson. Demel done very well in the Championship however may lack the final quality we want at West Ham.
There has been some suggestion that Jussi Jääskeläinen and Joey O’Brien could also leave the club this summer, and whilst it’s a possibility I don’t think either of them should. Jääskeläinen has proved this season to see be an extremely good back up keeper so we know he’s still capable of putting in the quality expected in the Premier League. His only question mark would be his age. Having just turned 40, West Ham may want a younger keeper to come in.
Joey O’Brien is a good addition to our squad, despite what some fans think. The fact that he can play left and right back means we have strength in the depth of the squad which is why he should stay.
Finally over recent days there has been some rumours about Kevin Nolan’s future at the club. While there’s no doubt our midfield needs freshening up, maybe some new midfielders to play alongside Kouyate and Noble would be a good idea. It is unlikely Song would stay but he would make that part of the team stronger. Of course if Big Sam leaves it is highly likely Nolan will go to his new club. That would hand a very good chance to Poyet to step into the team along with some new young talent.