01 Sep 2026 13:15:27
So as time moves on, we can assume most of the previous attempts for left back are either been a no or in the negative department, leaving only Salah Endine of Roma in play at present.

Wout Faes has been halted and attention switched to Soyunku in Turkey, Morata has not been halted at present time.



There doesn’t seem to be any concrete interest in any other positions.

It’s a left back and centre back.
Should have been addressed weeks ago.

1.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 14:01:46
Genuine question, what have the club and recruitment teams been doing for months? Where is the blockage, recruitment or higher up?

Were there lots of targets identified and then not pursued, or was there just no plan and the recruitment team just faffing around?

Even in a club as dysfunctional as ours, it's just inconceivable to leave things so late and seem so random.

2.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 14:30:06
Going to answer this later with your permission.

3.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 16:33:44
WH had a plan for various players on the last day of the old season, which I posted on here some weeks ago. The first of those players was approached, the bid was stopped; that was the Stoke winger, he was first-choice left winger.

After that, the original plan was scrapped; not one of the original choices were moved for.

We then developed into a hotchpotch of filling in gaps as people were sold.

The sales went brilliantly. WH are not broke, they are not without funds; they just don't want to bump up the debt.

Whilst totally understandable, it doesn't help the squad.


Problem was the overbearing idea from the media, that WH were certain promotion candidates. What were they thinking about, a threadbare squad, inadequate replacements? It was just impossible. WH have now woken up, maybe a bit too late.


Big game tonight, followed by two games we should win. For me, whilst only a few games in, this is already the guide for this season.


That is my view, hope that's clear.

4.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 17:00:06
Thanks, as ever, Joyful.

Sounds like the club are basically taking a big big gamble that we can go up without spending, and with finances in an ok place, and without a load of Championship-level players who we can't shift and who aren't good enough for the prem.



E.g., it's confidence (arrogance) rather than pure negligence. I hope they are right, but I can't say I share that confidence.

5.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 17:22:52
I felt from May 25th, if West Ham had put the same effort into obtaining players as they did selling them, they would not be in the vulnerable position they are now in.

It was a situation that the agency people just could not understand. It was plain as day which players would eventually leave, except one.

That one was Castellanos; other than that, they all left, so it is a mystery to most why replacements were not brought in.

For me, it was just neglect, falsely believing it was like a divine right. Well, they have now found out differently.

West Ham have been a lot less than convincing all round, now we look poor. The panic button has been hit. Will it be enough?

6.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 17:28:16
In all fairness the club only really knew Summerville & Fernandes would be sold. Diouf, we didn't know wanted out until well after the return fr World Cup.
OK, we could have prepared for that scenario (very West Ham not to), but it's only the last 2,5 weeks he's kicked up a fuss & refused to play. This Moroccan guy could be good.



The rest of the bomb squad no one's wanted, & we have only got cash from selling Potts.

I'd say us being more careful, not getting laidened with new players being useless, unshiftable & a burden, might be a good strategy.
It's a total re-set.

Now for the ownership in Sept!!
I'm Staveley in personally.

7.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 17:38:41
Just listening to Talksport, and even they are asking what are West Ham doing this season both on and off the pitch?

8.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 17:46:57
No, mate, sorry that's not true, just your take. The thing that held up sales was the World Cup.

WH received 190 m in cash from two sales plus parachute money. Added to this was Potts and Diouf, 46 m in staggered payments, and a 3 m loan fee for Bissaka.

We are up to £240 m, halving the debt. Now you have to spend a bit. We have been frugal without quality planning.
Sorry, Ruzz, that's where we are, WH totally overlooked everything except their own importance, and so far they have been punished for it.

9.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 17:59:22
Yes Mac, what indeed? I've posted the facts. I was dumbfounded when people thought we would walk this league; why?

Made no sense whatsoever. Can we pull it round? Maybe. For me, these next three games are going to tell the story. Tonight could be a game changer, or a confirmation of trouble ahead.

Confidence is a very big thing, and we are not showing it.

10.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 18:04:45
Fair enough, but Diouf did play a bit vs Pompey & a league game. If we were selling him, would we have played him?
Brentford hadn't really stepped up at that point, but did 2 weeks ago.

11.) 01 Sep 2026
01 Sep 2026 18:11:50
No, it was in the pipe, 95% he's leaving. Yes, also bear in mind WH short of players, someone's there, he will play, unless there's 100% agreement.