Hugh Woozencroft tips West Ham for Champions League
West Ham will be in pole position to qualify for next season’s Champions League if they sign a striker, according to Hugh Woozencroft.
The talkSPORT host believes a January move to provide reinforcements up front will make the difference, otherwise Tottenham could get in ahead of them.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, the talkSPORT and ESPN journalist wrote: “Key is West Ham getting some depth up top and Spurs winning their games in hand.”
Responding in a discussion with Channel 4’s Jordan Jarrett-Bryan about other potential candidates, Woozencroft added: “As I said, if West Ham get a striker or Spurs win their games in hand, it’s one of them for me.”
Key juncture
The Irons have got through the first half of the season very successfully but that effort will be worth nothing if they cannot consolidate it during the run in.
It was the other end of the pitch that was causing David Moyes the biggest headache over recent weeks with starting defenders Kurt Zouma, Aaron Cresswell and Angelo Ogbonna all missing.
But with the left-back fit again and the French centre-back thought to be closing in on a return it appears the ammunition available up front could make the difference.
Michail Antonio is once again vital, and in-form Jarrod Bowen has been carrying the attacking output in the last few games.
Said Benrahma has been away with Algeria but with his national side likely to be out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage he should return sooner rather than later.
But none are out-and-out goal scorers and a downturn in form for any put West Ham at risk.
It is thought that David Moyes has identified Blackburn Rovers’ 20-goal striker Ben Brereton Diaz as his top transfer target (Express), and success in the chase for the top four could hinge on success in the chase for the Championship goal-machine.
The Chilean will not come cheap but if he puts them over the edge a big fee might still be worthwhile.
In other West Ham news, attempts to sign another striking option are reportedly at risk.