It’s a time which every football fan across the country looks forward to. This one month has the ability to potentially make or break a season, and with The Hammers boasting no less than seven new signings, I think on the whole this has certainly been one of the more active transfer windows as far as West Ham are concerned.
In contrast to the final few days of the summer transfer window, Big Sam looks like he means business which if nothing else has boosted morale amongst players and supporters alike. This was evident during the Chelsea game, great team spirit and sheer resilience earning a vital point away from home. The most notable of these signings has surely come in the form of the two Italian new boys Marco Borriello and Antonio Nocerino although that is not to overlook the abilities of new recruit Pablo Armero, the speedy left-back who Allardyce has signed after Joey O’Brien left Stamford Bridge clutching his arm after a dislocated shoulder. This in itself shows that Allardyce is not just signing new players for the sake of it; he is setting his sights high and in Armero has found a very good replacement.
The departure of Modibo Maiga has been one to watch throughout the window. The out of favour Malian has not played a particularly influential role for The Hammers this season and a move away from Upton Park appeared imminent. This move came in the final few moments of deadline day, with Harry Redknapp getting upto his usual tricks in only paying a mere 50% of Maiga’s wages, meaning that although Maiga has left West Ham for Queens Park rangers until the end of the season, The Hammers are still paying half of his wages.
Maiga was not the only departure, full-back Razvan Rat agreed to leave the club after his contract was mutually terminated. After the signing of Armero, perhaps Rat didn’t fancy being down the pecking order behind McCartney, O’Brien and Armero.
All in all, I feel that that Allardyce had a point to prove to both the fans and the board during January and on paper he has delivered. However the evidence will be obvious come the end of the season.