Dean Ashton names 3 strikers West Ham should have targeted to replace Haller
Dean Ashton has slammed the decision of West Ham not to bring in a striker during the recent transfer window and believes there were three solid choices.
After selling club-record signing Sebastien Haller to Ajax at the start of January the Irons were left with just the one senior striker in Michail Antonio.
His injury issues have been well documented this season and he was missing in Tuesday’s FA Cup exit to Manchester United with winger Andriy Yarmolenko chosen to replace him, but he struggled and came off injured himself as the Hammers crashed out of the cup in extra-time.
Appearing on talkSPORT’s Drive show [4pm, 11/02/21], Ashton revealed his Irons frustration, saying: “I just think it’s a massive misjudgement not to have brought in a striker.
“Especially when you’re in a position of strength which they were, in a great position, go out and get a striker for your manager.
He added: “Ivan Toney is a wonderful striker, [Lucas] Joao is very good in the Championship at the moment. [Adam] Armstrong, brilliant movement and quick up front, can play a role for West Ham. All three of them Championship players at the right price would have been available, go and get one of them, go and give yourself a real chance of a European spot.”
Bang on
Any chance you can dust the old boots off Deano?
How the Irons could do with a striker in the mould of Ashton right now.
At his best Ashton was an imperious figure in front of goal combining razor-sharp finishing with terrific hold-up play.
He scored 19 goals in 56 West Ham appearances but his career was marred by injury and he had to retire at the age of just 25.
But with more than 100 goals in his senior career he certainly knows a thing or two about goal scoring and he has hit the nail on the head with his comments.
The Irons are challenging at the top of the table which has been a rarity in recent years, so why have we not chosen to seize the day and attack the rest of the season with all we have?
Instead the club opted to choose the cheap and cheerful route of just bringing in Jesse Lingard on a loan.
He will be a valuable asset to the midfield ranks but we needed a striker and the failure to bring one in could end up having disastrous consequences on the rest of the season, particularly if Antonio misses any more games.
In other West Ham news, injury update on Arhur Masuaku.