West Ham Fan View: Where the Hammers must strengthen in the summer

With only twelve games left in the Premier League season, it’s clear that some positions are still to be nailed down with some players fighting for their futures. We’ve seen that the club are willing to go out and buy players in the summer transfer window.

Yes, it has not been that successful in recent windows but the ability is there. Here are three positions that we could strengthen in the summer if our current players do not nail them down…

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Right-back

The club cannot be faulted for not buying players in this position because they have. But therein lies the problem, we haven’t made the greatest of signings lately. We all thought that our right-back problems would be solved with the signing of Sam Byram who performed well at Leeds United.

But he has not been able to show that form at West Ham and he did not make the starting XI against Watford. With only five starts in the Premier League this season, it appears that Slaven Bilic does not believe Byram is good enough to start consistently for us.

Our other options in that area have been Michail Antonio and Cheikhou Kouyate. Neither are right-backs. Let’s not forget Alvaro Arbeloa, who is a right-back, was signed in the summer but has only started one Premier League game this season. It’s clear that we need to strengthen this position in the summer given that it is consistently the weakest side of our defence.

Striker

Like right-back, this is a position that West Ham have tried to strengthen in previous windows though have failed in their attempts. We’ve seen both Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri struggle to adapt to the Premier League and we cannot afford the make the same mistake again.

Andy Carroll is clearly the first choice striker and there is little doubt as to whether he is good enough for the team but his injury record may force the club into signing a striker who will be the new first-choice.

Andre Ayew was signed for £20.5m in the summer but he has also failed to live up to expectations. His injury earlier in the season didn’t help him settle at the club but he did come on against Watford and score the equaliser. Can he kick on from this and solidify his place in the team?

Goalkeeper

In terms of depth, this position is one of the best in the team. Despite a few errors, both Adrian and Darren Randolph have performed relatively well for West Ham whenever they have played. But should we want to challenge for a Europa League spot next season, we need to have a goalkeeper who can win us points and produce the saves that will have us on the edge of our seats consistently.

With Joe Hart rumoured to be available this summer, we have to go for him. Unlike our other signings, we know that he will have no problems settling in given that he has already played in the Premier League and this will no doubt be a shrewd signing.