West Ham United are preparing for a busy January transfer window as Scott Parker looks to strengthen his squad following his appointment as head coach.
The former Hammers midfielder made a dramatic return to the dugout on Wednesday evening, overseeing a remarkable comeback against Cardiff City in his first match in charge.
Having replaced Nuno Espírito Santo following a disappointing start to the Championship campaign, Parker faces the challenge of guiding West Ham back towards the automatic promotion places.
However, despite an encouraging second-half performance in Wales, there are clear areas of the squad that could require attention when the transfer window reopens.
Scott Parker reacts to dramatic West Ham comeback against Cardiff
Parker’s return to West Ham began in extraordinary fashion, with the Hammers recovering from a three-goal deficit to secure a 3-3 draw at Cardiff City.
Jack Moylan scored a first-half hat-trick for the hosts, leaving West Ham facing another damaging defeat just days after their 3-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion.
However, three changes at the break helped transform the contest, with Divine Mukasa and Arne Engels finding the net before Maximilian Kilman’s late equaliser completed the comeback.
Parker admitted that his side’s performance had been unacceptable before half-time, and it was yet another game in which the Hammers did not get goals from the number nine position.
“In the first half, we were clearly really poor. I thought we were poor in both phases of the game – out of possession we were quite passive at certain moments, and with the ball there was certainly a lot to work on.
“The second half was the polar opposite to the first, really, and to come back into the game like we did was brilliant.”
The 46-year-old also emphasised the importance of attacking with greater purpose, insisting West Ham needed to be more aggressive in possession.
“There’s real attacking talent here, and attacking threat. The second half was a forceful team, and you need to take risks with the ball.”
West Ham now travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, with Parker hoping to build on his first result before the November international break.
West Ham prioritise new striker and eye potential centre-back deal
Despite the attacking improvement against Cardiff, Football FanCast sources understand that West Ham are prioritising the signing of a new centre-forward for Parker in January, with the manager and board in agreement on their main area for reinforcement.
The Hammers have struggled to find a consistent source of goals from their existing strikers, with Taty Castellanos and Pablo having scored just once each in the Championship this season.
Joël Piroe provides another option but is not considered a traditional out-and-out number nine, leaving Parker with limited alternatives in a position that could prove crucial to West Ham’s promotion ambitions.
Castellanos started against Cardiff but was withdrawn at half-time, with Piroe replacing him and contributing to the comeback by helping create Engels’ goal.
Football FanCast also understands that West Ham will pursue a new centre-back if Konstantinos Mavropanos leaves the club. The Greece international has attracted interest from Europe having been named the Championship Player of the Month for September.
West Ham have already experienced problems at the back this season, conceding three goals in each of their last three Championship matches.
Scott Parker assembles West Ham coaching staff without Paco Jémez
Alongside the club’s plans for January, Parker has also begun establishing the coaching team that will support him at the London Stadium.
West Ham have confirmed that Steve Potts, Gerard Prenderville and Billy Lepine will assist the new manager, while former team-mate Mark Noble will work closely with him.
One familiar figure who will not be returning is Paco Jémez, despite the Spaniard recently becoming available following his dismissal by Moroccan club Raja Casablanca.
As previously revealed by Football FanCast, West Ham have no plans to reappoint Jémez as part of Parker’s coaching staff.
With the new managerial setup taking shape, attention will now turn towards improving results on the pitch before the January transfer window provides an opportunity to address the squad’s weaknesses.
