West Ham fans have had to endure an awful lot of bad news in the last six months: A January window that brought the pointless [Evan Ferguson](https://www.claretandhugh.info/evan-fergusons-frustration-has-serious-repercussions/) loan deal, flirting with relegation in the league before climbing away in the last couple of games along with a dire, drab playing style that led to many actively considering not turning up to the last tranche of games, such was the woeful entertainment on offer.
The dull as ditchwater draw against Tottenham was a particular low point – the normally fierce derby commenced with both teams walking out to absolute silence from the crowd rather than the normal rousing welcome.
The sale of Mohammed Kudus to aforementioned arch rivals has done nothing to help the mood. The natives are restless in east London.
West Ham’s imminent signing of talented young left sided International el Hadji Malick Diouf is a big step in the right direction: For those who were expecting a couple of tired old Premier League journeymen, Diouf could not be more of a contrast. Sought after by Atalanta and in the winter by Liverpool, the young Senegalese “attack-minded defender” can define West Ham’s transfer window.
As journalist [Jacob Steinberg puts it on twitter](https://x.com/JacobSteinberg/status/1944387311380144421): Diouf’s signing can “_Kickstart the rebuild…West Ham are set to pay £22m plus £5m in add-ons for Diouf. There are still small details to sort out”._
Many more inbound are needed for confidence to rise, but the fact that Potter and co have delivered a young, pacy, exciting talent is exactly what was required to lift the mood at West Ham. One down, five to go.