West Ham's Forward Struggles: A Look Back at Recent Signings

Obinna, who joined West Ham on loan from Inter Milan in 2010, stands out as one of the few forwards to experience modest success during David Sullivan's ownership. His tenure coincided with a challenging period for the club, culminating in relegation from the Premier League in the 2010-11 season under manager Avram Grant. Another forward from that era, Frederic Piquionne, also faced difficulties, managing only 11 goals in 62 appearances despite an 18-month contract. Sam Allardyce's arrival brought a shift in strategy, with the manager approving the signing of Andy Carroll for a club-record £15 million. Carroll's expectations were high, as Allardyce emphasized the need to convert chances, although the style of play—predominantly long crosses—did not align with every player's strengths. Nicky Maynard, who joined during the promotion campaign, struggled to find his place, starting only seven of 21 games and scoring three goals before departing after six months. From 2014 to 2017, another forward, who scored 10 goals in 68 appearances, reflected on the challenges of playing alongside star player Dimitri Payet. The presence of such talent often relegated other forwards to supporting roles, complicating their ability to shine. Similarly, Nikica Jelavic, who played for West Ham in 2015-2016, expressed his own struggles, feeling out of place among established names and uncertain of his role within the team.