Have West Ham Done Enough in the Transfer Window to Stay Up

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Declan Rice of West Ham United and Mark Noble of West Ham United looks dejected after the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on February 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Declan Rice of West Ham United and Mark Noble of West Ham United looks dejected after the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on February 01, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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While on the face of it, there is little to report on the outgoing side, important business was conducted here too.

Primarily, the exits of promising young players Connor Coventry and Nathan Holland stand out, as players pushing for minutes in the first team squad in questionable positions – primarily midfielder Coventry.

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Holland’s immediate impact in the FA Cup against Premier League opposition Newcastle, for his new team Oxford, looks like an opportunity missed for Moyes’ men to unleash the speedy winger.

Speaking of pacy wide men, the club may rue the missed opportunity to bring back loanee Grady Diangana from Championship leaders, West Brom.

Under former manager Slaven Bilic, the nimble attacker has flourished, and his direct style could have injected pace in the absence of Andriy Yarmolenko.

Other notable exits include that of promising academy players Joe Powell and Anthony Scowell on permanent deals to lower league teams, deals which may haunt the Hammers in years to come.

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Window Summary

The Hammers face a crucial few weeks from now until April, by which time their fate this season may have already been sealed. For this not to be the case, they will rely heavily on January’s three additions.

Much will rest on the shoulders of Bowen and Soucek to hit the ground running and wrestle for points almost single-handedly. Who knows, had they been bought before the season began, West Ham may not have been in the relegation zone come February.