On the latest episode on the U Irons podcast, Sam Delaney has been speaking about how West Ham need to improve over the summer.
David Moyes’ men are enjoying a terrific season so far and are continuing to exceed everyone’s expectations. After picking up 48 points from their 27 top-flight fixtures, the Hammers are sitting in fifth place in the Premier League table and are firmly in the hunt for Champions League football.
The likes of Declan Rice, Angelo Ogbonna and Michail Antonio have been crucial to the capital club’s success this season, but the lack of strength in depth is noticeable throughout this West Ham side.
Against Leeds, Moyes had to name two goalkeepers and several youngsters on the bench to make up the numbers, and the London Stadium outfit aren’t exactly in the midst of an injury crisis.
It’s an issue that Delaney believes needs resolving over the summer if West Ham want to continue their incredible progress under their Scottish manager.
He said: “This squad needs adding to whether we get into Europe or not, whether it’s Champions League or Europa League, right?
“But even if we miss out on both of those, heaven forbid, this squad needs building and that is a double-edged sword, because we’ve talked about it loads on this pod, this squad has a brilliant spirit and it’s going to have to be a very careful process because we don’t need two names, two players.
“We need half a dozen players minimum in this squad right now. I don’t mean that as an exaggeration. You need six players.”
TIF Thoughts on West Ham…
West Ham have been the surprise package in the Premier League this season and Moyes deserves great credit for that.
The former Manchester United boss has only used 24 players in the league this season, though, with only four sides using fewer first-term players this term.
It’s something that the 57-year-old will surely be keen to address in the summer, especially with Jesse Lingard set to return to Old Trafford after his loan spell.