CONSIDER for a moment Claret and Hugh’s earlier article this morning concerning James Ward Prowse’s ‘high and dry’ status as a squad member apparently surplus to requirements. Expensive, unwanted – even at half his original fee- he sits at thirty one next month costing over £100k a week in wages and well-nigh unsellable.

No, this isn’t another ‘JWP’ bashing article. He’s not alone. West Ham have history with past-it, expensive, unsellable signings.

Exhibit two. Guido Rodriguez. Signed on a ‘free’ that cost several million in signing on fees, Guido is again earning close to £100k a week and is another ‘high and dry’ Hammer that the club can neither use or sell.

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Exhibit three – Danny Ings. Could’t shift him for love nor money as he eked out his Hammers contract at well over £100k a week.

Repeating the same mistakes of signing past-it players on huge salaries

Spotting a trend here? Old players, signed as monuments to Premier League careers long since past their best. Got an old, once-half decent player who can’t hack it any more? No problem, give West Ham a call.

We seem to be buying players with both eyes focussed on the rear view mirror, looking at ‘careers that were’.

So when the Hammers are linked- consistently – with a winter bid for another almost-thirty year old, you just have to ask the question: Why doesn’t Sullivan learn?

Adama Traore is the latest name that is cropping up frequently, linked repeatedly since Nuno’s arrival with a West Ham winter bid. (“West Ham United are plotting a swoop to sign Fulham forward Adama Traoré in the January transfer window”)

I have nothing against him. Apart from his age (29) and his goal scoring record (4 in 66 games).

And this time next year he’ll be another 30-plus squad member whose best years are behind him, costing no doubt a fortune in wages and just about unsellable.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and aver again yet expecting a different result. Surely it is time to change the record West Ham, no more over-the-hill ‘monument men’. Please.