The proof of the pudding is in the eating: West Ham’s deadline day signing will need to prove that he is an upgrade on the wobbly Kilman and Mavropanos pairing that has fared so badly in the heart of West Ham’s defence since Lopetegui splashed £40 million on his former Wolves captain.

You cannot help wondering whether West Ham’s nose dive in form and slide toward negative goal difference hasn’t coincided with Kilman’s arrival.

Were things really as bad during Moyes’ tenure?

Whether Axel Disasi’s loan capture will improve the Hammers’ survival chances – or just hasten the slide to the Championship – is examined by the bbc.co.uk in their article today: “will Disasi improve Hammers’ defence?”

Stats aren’t everything and the report points out that Disasi last performed in a more solid Chelsea team so you’d expect him to have the better figures on paper:

“There is evidence Disasi is better on the ball than that trio – although the data may be skewed from playing in better teams – but what the Hammers desperately need is steel and organisation to mend the league’s worst defence.

That’s not to say the Frenchman, who came...