Harri Burton

Sun 10 December 2023 19:10, UK

Clinton Morrison believes David Moyes has been “fantastic” at West Ham but has pointed out the position the Hammers need to strengthen.

Moyes has led West Ham to a current ninth spot in the Premier League, as well as topping Group A in the Europa League ahead of a showdown with Freiburg on Thursday.

But with the Europa Conference League in the trophy cabinet, Morrison praised the Hammers manager for his accomplishments at the club but thinks they could do even better with a new striker.

“There’s talk of pressure on David Moyes but he’s done a fantastic job,” the pundit said live on Sky Sports News (10 December, 1:50pm).

“West Ham could finish in the top six places. I think they will add again in January and go again.

“They’re obviously missing the centre-forward now. Antonio is injured, so they are missing that focal point.”

A problem in need of fixing

Morrison is right about both points. Moyes delivered West Ham their first European trophy in decades, giving the Hammers something to be hopeful and positive about.

However, if West Ham want to yet another step forward, they will need to sign an out-and-out striker to replace the injured Michail Antonio and outcast Danny Ings.

West Ham have a poor history when it comes to strikers, so a decision to go into the market for a striker will be well thought out if it does happen in January. They have not been lucky enough to experience a 20-goals-a-season striker since Marlon Harewood since 2004/05.

While Jarrod Bowen has experienced a rich vein of goalscoring form, he is only deputising as a striker, away from his favoured winger role. He has been a success up front, but it is definitely not a permanent solution.

Playing as a striker, Bowen’s impact on the game as a whole is restricted, which could eventually be a problem for the Hammers without a poacher.

In other West Ham news, Aston Villa want to sign an international Hammers player and things aren’t going well for him currently.