West Ham’s motley mish-mash squad of players has been assembled by three managers, one technical director and de-facto director of football David Sullivan. Karren Brady had a go in January too but failed dismally with her ‘take it or leave it’ stance on Ezechiel Banzuzi which his Belgian Pro League side Leuven wisely ‘left’ as he was sold to RB Leipzig in preference to the Hammers.

Consequently, with no coherent long-term strategy, more a series of short term knee-jerk buys, the squad list has no discernible form to it. Players are added seemingly on a whim rather than as required to fill in the gaps or complete some form of identity or vision.

The chances are the Hammers will end up making the same mistakes this winter as panic over the club’s league status grows.

Fortunately, one ‘luxury’ signing appears off the radar and out of temptations’ way.

Brazilian wonderkid Endrick would be a very ‘West Ham’ addition: Young and talented no doubt but likely a pointless loan, inasmuch as he’s not a player in the ‘street fighter’ mould, which at present is exactly what is needed between now and the end of the season.