West Ham United: Pundit reacts as Danny Ings exit news emerges at London Stadium
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes Danny Ings may have to quit West Ham United this month if he is to discover his best form again with interest in his services heating up.
The former Southampton striker has been linked with a move away from the club this month, given his limited minutes under David Moyes this season with Wolves (John Percy, 6 January) and Crystal Palace both interested in his services [Dharmesh Sheth, 10 January].
TEAMtalk reported on 10 January that Wolves may look to test the resolve of the Hammers with a January bid for the 70-goal Premier League goalscorer despite Moyes currently suffering from an injury crisis with Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta joining Michail Antonio on the sidelines.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “That chance that Ings had at the end of the 1-1 draw against Bristol City, my God, he would have buried that nine times out of ten if he was playing regularly.
“That’s the problem when you’re not playing every week, you lose your spark and the habits that made you who you were before and that’s what Ings has become a victim of. He’s fallen off a cliff, his confidence is shot.
“He’s not a kid anymore so I’m not going to do him any favours here, those types of scenarios are bread and butter for him, he really should have scored that. I mean, I’m giving him a bit of slack because he hasn’t played much.
“But from two yards?! If he hits the target, it’s a goal, let’s put it that way. He’s a good player but he’s not a West Ham player and if he wants to get back to the ruthless finisher he was, he may have to go.”
Despite Ings’ poor form and his being down in the pecking order at the London Stadium, the club are believed to be in no hurry to sell him.
With Antonio, Bowen and Paqueta now out of action, it may seem as if Moyes may have to bend a word in Ings’ ear regarding his immediate future at the London Stadium.
Selling some of their fringe stars could go a long way in trying to make a few additions in the January window and Ings is certainly amongst that list given his perennial struggles at the London Stadium.
However, with the number of injuries right now it may not be feasible to sanction as sale of the Englishman with Moyes incredibly light up front.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are ready to “listen to offers” for one big-money player in the January transfer window.