Ian Wright has criticised the transfer activity of West Ham in recent windows, while also digging out first teamers Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Hernandez.
The Hammers saw mass protests at the weekend as they slipped to a 3-0 home defeat to Burnley in the Premier League.
David Moyes’ side are now just three points above the relegation places and it is a very tense atmosphere around the London Stadium.
Many West Ham supporters feel aggrieved about the club’s lack of ambition since moving to their new ground and feel the board are not spending enough money to help them compete at a better level.
The London-based club were in Europe very recently and appear to have taken a step backwards since leaving the Boleyn Ground.
Pundit Wright has assessed the club’s transfer business in recent windows and feels fans are yet to receive the big-name arrivals they have been promised.
Meanwhile, he also highlighted the fact that both Zabaleta and Hernandez are now past their best.
“When West Ham made the move to Stratford, co-chairman David Sullivan was very vocal in promising big-money, marquee signings,” Wright wrote in the Sun.
“Yet a quick glance at their transfer business of late suggests anything but that. January, for example, was supposed to herald a couple of big-name arrivals.
“Instead, they got Joao Mario on a short-term loan deal from Inter Milan, Jordan Hugill from Preston and out-of-contract 36-year-old Patrice Evra on a free.
“Yes, I know they spent £24million to sign Marko Arnautovic in the summer, and the likes of Evra, Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Hernandez have all been very good players.
“But the latter pair are past their prime and Arnautovic — while he is clearly very talented — can’t win things on his own.”
OPINION
Wright has cast a fair verdict over West Ham and in truth attacker Arnautovic is the only standout buy in the past 12 months that fans can get excited about. They have definitely taken a step in the wrong direction since their ground switch and relegation is looming over them. Moyes must ensure the club beat the drop and their next match at home to Southampton is absolutely vital. West Ham will then ultimately have to spend big on a few marquee signings if they want to challenge at the top-end of the table and should be able to attract some quality names to the club.