West Ham are battling to find consistency under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini, who started a major rebuild at the club in the summer.
The Hammers splashed in excess of £100m on new recruits to bolster the strength of the first-team and, while there are still improvements to be made, there have been a number of positives to take from the season so far.
One of those has been the continued good performances of Declan Rice, who broke into the first-team last season and has since become a vital asset, while Grady Diangana is showing the credentials to potentially follow in the same footsteps.
The development of the pair is evidence of the success that West Ham continue to enjoy through their academy and, after seeing a former star announce his retirement, some fans believe there is a place at the club for him.
Joe Cole brought an end to an illustrious career yesterday and some took the opportunity to plead with West Ham to hand him a coaching role at the club. We have gathered some of the best reactions below.
Com on west ham would be good on staff
— ger (@gerryjudge88) November 13, 2018
He should be employed by our academy alongside Potts & Collison
— Mark Cooper (@MCcoops) November 13, 2018
Get him in academy a perfect mentor coach
— Steve Davis (@RUsureIsaidthat) November 13, 2018
Well surely we should be bringing him back to start his coaching career with us.
— Michael Oaks (@mikoaks) November 13, 2018
Coming through as a 19 year old and immediately looking the best player on a pitch!! There is rarely a player that you’d just stare at watching live footy, but he was definitely one of them. Magician baller
— Matty Brown (@brownyballs) November 13, 2018
One of our greats. Thank you Joe Cole, for playing football with love and beauty and steel. An English player with flair and guts. They don’t make them like that anymore.
— COYI!!! (@Nathanbi77) November 13, 2018
I don’t think joe has ever had anything but good things to say about his time at WHU, so lets hope he’s not lost to the game, but like most truly gifted players, it’s difficult to pass on something that most players can only dream of doing,good luck Joe⚒⚒⚒
— Bob austin (@bobaustin65) November 13, 2018