Danny Murphy shares West Ham survival hope if this ‘phenomenal’ scenario plays out
Danny Murphy does not have much hope in West Ham avoiding relegation.
Nuno Espirito Santo is on the verge of being sacked as the Hammers are now on a 10-match winless run in the top flight.
West Ham look nailed-on for Premier League relegation, and their 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium on Tuesday leaves them seven points adrift from safety.
With games against Tottenham, Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool all to come before the start of March, there looks to be no way back for the Hammers.
However, Murphy believes that if West Ham can somehow have a brilliant January transfer window, then they may have a small chance of mounting a great escape.
Danny Murphy outlines the need for West Ham to recruit well in January
David Sullivan has already splashed the cash in January, having spent £48million on strikers Taty Castellanos and Pablo.
Although Nuno might be under pressure, the board is spending money, and they need to focus on signing versatile and experienced players who can help them get out of this mess.
Speaking on Match of the Day on 7 January, Murphy said he fears for West Ham, but still has a sliver of hope that they can escape the relegation zone with smart signings.
He said: “They’ve had a couple of years of poor recruitment, but it’s not all down to Nuno. However, there are now empty seats and there is discontent around the London Stadium.
“The only glimmer of hope they’ve got is if they have a phenomenal window. But it’s highly unlikely, even if the owners do decide to go even bigger in the transfer market.”
It’s clear that the striker issue has been addressed, but West Ham need to start bringing in defensive reinforcements immediately.
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Who is next on West Ham’s radar?
Charlie Cresswell has been linked with a move to West Ham, and he could be an exciting signing.
Cresswell would likely command a fee in the region of around £15-20million, which for a 23-year-old English centre-back represents good value for money.
Nuno has identified Oscar Mingueza as a potential signing for West Ham, with the Celta Vigo right-back available for just £8m.
| Team | Goals conceded |
| West Ham | 43 |
| Wolves | 41 |
| Burnley | 41 |
| Bournemouth | 40 |
West Ham are interested in signing Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento, and made an initial loan offer with an option to buy him for £10m on Monday.
Although he prefers a move to Italian side Genoa, the Hammers have clearly shown that they are in the market for a new number one, and it feels likely that Alphonse Areola will be displaced as West Ham’s starting goalkeeper by the end of the transfer window.
The Hammers have the worst defence in the league, and it is clear at least one new defender is required before the window shuts next month.
Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.