West Ham need to adapt and move forwards from the _“season-to-forget”_. Of that there’s no doubt. But lessons need to be learned from the problems that arose and came close to derailing the Hammers last season: In particular, the loan deals which [Lopetegui](https://www.claretandhugh.info/lopetegui-speaks-out-ex-west-ham-boss-slams-steidten-defends-his-record/) rubber-stamped on, or close to deadline day, to shove unwanted players out on loan _almost_ caused chaos.
Sending a host of fringe players out to clear the way for incoming recruits on deadline day is not uncommon. Julen Lopetgiui dispatched James Ward- Prowse, Nayef Aguerd and Maxi Cornet by that method and earlier in the window sent youngsters Freddie Potts and George Earthy out to gain experience in the championship.
However the fact that only came to light in West Ham’s hour of need is that the senior players- Aguerd and Ward Prowse, pricnicappl, had no recall c cause inserted in to their loan agreements. Leaving only three centre backs in the squad was bad enough – but then when Todibo and Mavropanos were unavailable, West Ham were left with only one fit front line defender and had to be creative and call on the evergreen Aaron Cresswell and Vlad Coufal as make shift centre backs to play alongside Max Kilman.
At the same time that Hammers were still paying the bulk of Aguerd’s wages whilst being unable to bring him back from Real Sociedad. “Unbelievable, Jeff”, in true Kammy style.
As they Hammers contemplate sending out Lewis Orford on a season-long loan, and no doubt others to follow when the recruiting is finished and the serious business gets closer, one would hope _they amend the loan deals to allow for emergency recalls._ Unless it’s Maxi Cornet, of course. Fingers crossed he’ll stay at Genoa.