Use kids, not quids

Well, well, well. Four days into the transfer window and the gossip carousal is spinning at a frightening rate. Like every West Ham United fan, I have my own wishlist. Unlike many, I don't think the summer transfer was a massive car crash. A disappointment given the lack of 20 goal a season striker, sure, but there are still positives for me.

Fernandes was signed for £5.5m and his value has now doubled, Masuaku looks like good deal at £6m plus there's the ever impressive Ashley Fletcher. Even Feghouli and Nordtveit seem to be improving at long last but I still think they should be allowed time to adapt. 12 months ago Obiang could've left and look at him now, probably only behind Winston Reid for Hammer Of The Year. While Andre Ayew hasn't hit the ground running, I still have hope. However if we were to sell him (something I can't see happening nor wish too) we would still recoup a lot of the fee we paid. The loan deals however were shocking.

In the summer we spent around £8.5m on loan deals, too much in my opinion. After our recent winning streak it looks likely we'll be safe and could be on course for a comfortable finish between 8th-15th. While 'it'll do', I think it also means there is no reason to bring in a youngster from another club nor a fringe player from one of the bigger teams. I want to see us giving our own youth a chance instead. I have no desire to see Fellaini instead of Browne, Jagielka instead of Oxford or Loftus-Cheek instead of Quina. While they may be better and more experienced, I struggle to see the benefits.

Ayew and Kouyate have now departed to represent their countries and while they will be a miss, it gives Nordtveit, Fernandes and Feghouli the perfect chance to show the faithful what they can do. A chance to stake their claim and hopefully turn the summer window into a good one.

In January we need a right back, since Arbeloa and Bilic have not seen eye to eye, and a striker. Bar that, I don't think we need anyone else. The answer remains in the 'kids'. We have Martinez firing them in for the U23s and what more does he have to do? You just never know what will or could come of it. A striker lives on confidence and he is oozing it. We have Oxford back in training, Browne and Quina have high endorsements from their coaches and while the league table may be slightly disappointing, giving these players invaluable minutes could make this a successful season from a different perspective.

So, West Ham, save yourself money in loan fees, stop helping other clubs with their player developments and start developing our own. Give the fans something to look forward to!

Save the quids, play the kids.