Ashton in plea for Hammers to move
WEST HAM made the right call to sell Grady Diangana – as long as they back David Moyes in the transfer market, says Dean Ashton.
The Hammers escaped the drop last season after the Scot replaced Manuel Pellegrini in December.
But he is already feeling the heat after the club’s decision to sell attacking midfielder Diangana, 22, to West Brom for £18million – with captain Mark Noble publicly critical of the transfer.
However, former Hammers striker Ashton reckons Moyes (below) is a man with a plan.
“I thought £18m rising to £20m with add-ons for a player with just one good season in the Championship was good business.
“Diangana wouldn’t have started the season ahead of Michail Antonio or Jarrod d Bowen anyway. He would still have been a squad player.
“You don’t want to see players who progressed from the youth team leave but I think it was sensible – especially if Moyes wants to strengthen other areas.
“He’s come in and fought a couple of fires,” added Ashton, who scored 19 goals in 56 games for the club.
“Last season was a solid job and towards the end of the campaign there were some encouraging signs.
“I’ve been critical at times regarding the style of play but he’s earned the right to bring in his own players and mould a side that can compete far better than before.
“You’d like to think he is now having his say about the type of player he wants coming in.”
Watch EFL highlights on Quest. Stream live and catch-up on dplay.