Former West Ham striker Dean Ashton has slammed the Hammers for failing to strengthen during the January transfer window.
Despite previously speaking about the need for defensive and attacking reinforcement, Irons’ boss David Moyes failed to add a single player to the squad.
Two youngsters in the shape of Frederik Aves and Conor Coventry left the club on loan but it was a lack of incomings that caused a stir.
Speaking on talkSPORT during deadline day, Ashton was less than impressed by the business at the London Stadium.
I feel like they should have done some business. It feels very much to me like, with the whole Phillips, Raphinha thing – I laughed out loud when I saw that because of course it’s not going to happen – it just feels, and again this might be because of rumours or genuine interest, but it feels like ‘they’re interested and they might offer this but almost like that (bid) is never going to be accepted’. But it (makes it) look like they’re interested and going to do business.
The 38-year-old went on to say that the Hammers currently have a ‘fantastic opportunity’ to make the Premier League top four before suggesting that the owners are not ‘willing to take that next step’ in the market.
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Without a shadow of a doubt, this is a missed opportunity for the club.
Links to forwards and defenders were plentiful but ultimately it would appear that action wasn’t, perhaps until two farfatched attempts to raid Leeds United of their star duo Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.
Whilst it’s imminently possible the current crop and Moyes can produce a strong finish to the campaign, strengthening the options would’ve made life so much easier.
As the Europa League returns as will fixture congestion and Michail Antonio is now going to be called upon nigh on throughout.
