As former West Ham target Angel Gomes looks close to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers — hot on the heels of Adam Armstrong — it is becoming increasingly clear that Wolves are preparing for life in the Championship.
It is a strategy in stark contrast to West Ham United, who appear to be doing neither: not preparing for relegation, nor spending decisively to stay in the [Premier League](https://www.claretandhugh.info/premier-league-bio/).
Instead, West Ham seem trapped in a halfway house of indecision, with the [transfer](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-transfer-news/) window mirroring Nuno Espírito Santo’s in-game management. In effect, the Hammers started reasonably well by signing two strikers early in January, but are now finishing the window in worrying fashion.
The club may — or may not — complete a late loan deal for a central defender who does not appear desperate to play for West Ham. Beyond that, there is little evidence of meaningful reinforcement. Talk of “rebalancing the squad” has instead resulted in a tactical switch that the playing staff simply cannot sustain for 90 minutes due to a complete lack of substitutes.
A System Without the Tools
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Nuno appears to have settled on a 4-4-2 system that relies heavily on two workaholic forwards emptying the tank after an hour. To be fair, the approach works to a degree and has brought the best out of Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.
The problems begin when Taty Castellanos and Pablo inevitably tire. At that point, the system demands two more high-energy forwards to maintain intensity — and they simply do not exist.
Proper squad balance would have meant signing four strikers. They did not even need to be particularly good. The expensive forwards are the ones who score goals; the others just need legs, hunger and willingness to run themselves into the ground.
So where are they?
As things stand, it feels like Nuno has been only half-backed during this transfer window. And I am not entirely convinced that David Sullivan, Daniel Křetínský and Karren Brady are remotely prepared for the tsunami of supporter reaction heading their way if this gamble fails.
Because right now, West Ham look neither prepared for next season — nor properly equipped to survive this one.