Why Andre Gray should look past West Ham

I have given up on trying to find a positive reaction to the news we could be signing Andre Gray. The West Ham United family has decided that this is an underwhelming signing and not good enough for our team.

Spare a thought for the Official West Ham social team. Pushing the publish button from underneath their desks. Not a single positive reply, when the lads returned to training last week.

The reaction is obvious given the names that would encourage healthy shirt sales. I do think we should have signed Kelechi Iheanacho. I can also appreciate the reasons we have not. One argument suggested that Iheanacho could struggle without the likes of David Silva and co. A fair point. Slot Jonathan Calleri into that City team, I reckon even he could have banged in two goals last season.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The excitement of a marquee player, gets the confidence juices flowing. Yet there was a time when we were open to people that showed potential. Not all have worked out. Aaron Cresswell and Manuel Lanzini would argue it did. Does Andre Gray not slot into this category?

My favourite type of West Ham player is usually the one that turns out to be a gem. Bought for a low transfer fee and works hard to get game time. To be fair to West Ham, we have had a good track record in scouting them too.

Turn social media off for a moment and picture Gray lining up in a West Ham shirt. You know what, treat yourself, let the imagination drift. It's December and our determined Andre Gray has racked up nine important goals. He is being touted for an England spot. Hell, let's push the boat out on this dream ride and say... he is injury free. Wow!

Burnley lack the quality we have in Lanzini, Antonio and Ayew. Should Andre Gray sign, I would expect more than ten goals from him next season. The issue I have with marquee signings is the ego that comes with them. That French bloke I refuse to name backs that point. Does West Ham need another mercenary?

The West Ham family I love would give this opportunity a punt. When did we lose that support? We find ourselves in a massive stadium and believe we should compete with the successful teams. We have turned our hope of a marquee signing into an expectation.

The boredom of pre-season is getting the better of us. Without the weekend games, the transfer window is the only connection we have to our club right now. To avoid the woes of last season we need better players, but with better attitudes.

Should Andre Gray be preparing himself for a move to West Ham, let's hope he is one of two things. That he is a professional athlete and hell bent on proving his new fans wrong. Otherwise completely Illiterate! His agent confirming "They love you, Andre, children are being named after you".

It would be an unfortunate circumstance should we lose this signing. For me, it indicates we are losing the iron clad integrity that appeals to potential recruits. The likes of Andre Gray might do better at a team that supports him from the moment the ink hits the contract.