Danny Ings must leave West Ham United in January after anonymous cameo against Brentford
West Ham United’s miserable run in the Premier League continued on Saturday 4 November, with the Hammers falling to a 3-2 defeat to Brentford.
David Moyes’ side came from behind to lead against the Bees at half-time, only to concede twice in the second period to ensure that the home side took all three points, with the Irons dropping into the bottom half of the Premier League.
While Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen continued their exceptional start to the campaign with first-half strikes, Moyes opted to introduce Danny Ings into the clash just after the hour mark in place of Michail Antonio as West Ham looked to re-establish their lead.
But you would have been forgiven for not noticing that the 31-year-old has entered the field of play as he failed to get involved in proceedings in what was arguably one of the most anonymous displays from any player in the Premier League this season.
During his 26-minute cameo, Ings touched the ball only five times as he was often bypassed in possession or struggled to get into space to be found by his teammates. Although Antonio didn’t have one of his best games, he managed to register 27 touches before he was substituted [Fotmob].
The only true involvement that the former England striker registered against Brentford was the booking that he picked up in the final minute of injury time as he pleaded with the referee for a corner, only to see the official point to the goalkeeper’s area.
Ings only contested two aerial duels in the match and failed to win either of them, while also failing to even attempt a single pass, shot or tackle as Moyes’ side continued to ignore the striker’s presence at the top of the pitch.
If the 31-year-old had been introduced during stoppage time, he would be given some slack for struggling to influence proceedings as he did on Saturday, but as an experienced centre-forward, Ings has to be doing more to justify his place in the Hammers squad.
Paul Brown has urged the striker to leave the London Stadium when the transfer window in January [Give Me Sport, 2 November] and the defeat to Brentford made it clear that he doesn’t fit Moyes or West Ham’s style of play in any way shape or form.
It feels as though it would be best for all parties for Ings to find a new club, for the sake of his career and so that West Ham can look to reinvest in a number nine who would be a better fit.
In other West Ham news, Sevilla are set to advance their plan to sign Pablo Fornals next summer and instead look to buy him in January