Talk about synchronicity, just like London buses or police men, you wait ages for one and then three turn up at the same time! Hammers need for an out and out striker has been dragging on so long that it seems to have become like an East Enders's story line, except this one doesn't seem to end!
So a club in desperate need of a striker then lines up not one, but THREE centre backs with an additional TWO waiting in the wings, it does seem strange doesn't it? Duje Ćaleta-Car, Nikola Milenković and Kurt Zouma are the main targets, but Mouctar Diakhaby and Nat Phillips are in the background 'just in case'.
We have previously discussed the club's poor defensive record from last season, with far too many goals conceded there was an obvious need for reinforcements, but so many centre backs is a bit rich, even for an ex defender like David Moyes.
It could be that this is part of the David Moyes version of 'smoke and mirrors', an act that used to be carried out perennially by the board in order to sell season tickets. The approaching season is unique in that there was absolutely no need to tell Porkies because fans, deprived of their 'footy fix' for 18 months, were only too happy to stump up for their season tickets, in addition the team has just finished in it's highest position for nearly 30 years!
Perhaps Moyes's smoke and mirrors campaign should only be seen as a positive stance, as there is no need to bamboozle fans with fake news regarding transfers. Moyes is known in some circles as 'divering dave' due to the amount of due diligence he spends on researching potential signings, he hasn't done too badly so far has he? With exception of Jordan Hugill of course.
It is to be hoped that all the attention being given to the centre back glut will mask the club's true primary objective, and that is to get a STRIKER! The chances are if David Moyes has really been given full control of player acquisitions, that he is working behind the scenes to bring in the man or men of his choice and that the centre back smoke screen is a useful diversion.
While we remain sceptical regarding the funding made available to David Moyes for transfers, we are hopeful that there might be a repeat of the John Hartson and Paul Kitson signings, of course they arrived to help stave off relegation, whereas new recruits are needed to help the club progress in four major competitions.
We fully expect a striker to arrive and emerge through the smoke and mirrors, hopeful? Hopefulness is a primary requisite of being a Hammers fan.....it's the West Ham way! - Ed
