It’s an understatement to say that Danny’s time at West Ham has been, for want of a better word, challenging. Ings was, in my eyes, an emergency last minute signing during the January 2023 transfer window. With relegation definitely on the cards that season, we needed someone who could score goals.
Well it didn’t quite work out. During his 17 league appearances that season, 10 as substitute, he scored just two goals both against Nottingham Forest. It very much looked like a deal to appease the fan base, a panic buy that didn’t work out. Danny Ings though came with some pedigree.
From Winchester to the Lancashire Heights
He was born in Winchester and is reputed to be a lifelong Southampton supporter. Unfortunately that club was not interested in his earlier career and he ended up doing the rounds in the lower leagues with Dorchester before making his league debut with AFC Bournemouth. His performances for the Cherriee in their ultimately failed promotion campaign led to several teams interested in obtaining his signature and it looked highly likely that he would end up at Fulham.
But then a reported £1 million bid came in from Championship side Burnley and with ex Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe now in charge at Turf Moor, Ings moved north. This proved to be the absolute right move for Danny and he revelled in his time in Lancashire. He became known for his relentless pressing, intelligent off-the-ball runs, and ability to find space in the box. He also proved to be a clinical finisher with both feet and was also seen to be good in the air for his size.
Championship Glory and the Liverpool Dream
During his 122 appearances for Burnley, he scored a not too shabby 38 goals. He showed that he could not only play as a lone striker but also in a two-striker system, adapting well to different tactical setups. In March 2014 he won the Championship Player of the Year award, ending the season with 22 goals and helping Burnley to promotion to the Premier League.
And his goal scoring didn’t stop there. During January and February 2015 he actually scored five times in six games ending the season with 12 goals in 35 appearances. A great return for a forward at a newly promoted team but a greater return was soon to be delivered to the Lancashire club. With Danny having a hugely successful time at Burnley, the big clubs came calling. Liverpool, after a tribunal hearing, paid a £6.5 million fee up front with an extra £1.5 million performance related bonus and 20% from any future sale, which ended up being £3.6 million.
The St. Mary’s Resurgence and Villa Move
His time at Anfield was, however, hampered by injury and after just 14 appearances and just three goals, he finally moved to his lifelong favourite club Southampton, first on loan and then permanently for a reported £18 million fee. Here he revitalised his career with 46 goals in 100 appearances, earning an England call-up in 2020.
But then Aston Villa came calling and a £25 million fee took him to the Midlands. Injuries once more became an issue and 48 appearances and just 13 goals later, and after just an 18 month stay, he found himself at the London Stadium.
System Failure at the London Stadium
His signing came at a time when, what is the West Ham way, we needed a striker. At the time an injury to Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca continuing to struggle meant a £15 million fee for a striker who would be expected to provide experience, movement, and finishing ability in David Moyes’ system was not seen as a bad investment to some. For me though it was always seen as a panic buy.
In his first season 2022/23 albeit only from January of that year he scored just three goals in 18 appearances, although he did score in our semi final game against AZ Alkmaar helping us to a European trophy. In his first full season things got worse, in 25 appearances albeit mostly as a substitute he scored just twice. His limited impact saw him fall behind Antonio, Bowen and Kudus, each of them really just converted strikers.
Wages, Rumours, and the “German Curse”
The rumour mongers said that the club had already given up on him and were touting him around to other clubs. His significant wages and West Ham’s desire to get a decent transfer fee put paid to that and so Danny remained a West Ham player. This season continues to be one to forget, a total of 17 appearances has resulted in just a solitary goal. To date he has started just one Premier league game.
Looking to compare him with our current options; Antonio, before his car accident, was a more physical player able to run the channels. Bowen and Kudus are more dynamic and so fit nicely into the false 9 role. Ings is the best pure finisher but our style of play doesn’t create enough chances in the box for him. He seemed to be too static.
Ings thrives in pressing possession, counter attacking football where he can make runs behind the defenders. Often at West Ham he seems isolated. He is a goal poacher put the likes of Paqueta and Bowen seem to love sitting inside and shooting rather than crossing the ball. Ings also, no doubt because of injuries, struggles with bursts of pace and is not as physical as our big German. Which of course brings me to Nicolas Fullkrug who has also struggled through injury and style of play this season. He too has been affected by the West Ham striker curse. What also may not help his West Ham career is his recent outburst after our dire performance against Southampton.
Farewell to the South Coast?
In summary I feel that Ings has had his chance and failed to grasp the opportunity. Add also to the mix the potential permanent signing from Brighton of Evan Ferguson, a younger and probably better choice, it was no surprise that Ings’ time at West Ham will come to a close this summer.
The club has probably accepted the lack of transfer fee over the saving of a rumoured £500,000 salary per month for a bit part player. I feel, with his home time club Southampton having been relegated and needing a jump start, Ings could return to the south coast. At 32 years of age, this could be just the move he needs. As for his time at West Ham sadly it will be one forgotten.
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