WEST Ham will be looking more towards home-grown talent next season rather than spending big money on players this summer, writes Russell Greaves.
Alan Curbishley forked out over £20million after a close-shave with relegation last season but his new signings have been blighted by injury.
With their hopes of a European place diminished, chief executive Scott Duxbury says the emphasis will now be on developing the clubs' existing talent.
He told The Times: "I think when all our players are fit and we can play Dean Ashton up front with Craig Bellamy or Freddie Sears, when Julien Faubert gets a chance, when we can play Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer in midfield, then we are capable of making the top six, and that is our aim."
Sears made a dream start to his Upton Park career by scoring the winning goal against Blackburn last weekend and fans will be hoping the youngster can follow in the footsteps of other Hammers hitmen who've come through the academy, such as Tony Cottee and Jermain Defoe.
Duxbury understands the value of young-talent and is keen not to hamper their progress by taking the expensive option of making big-name signings.
He said: "If we bring in big-money signings, then we are not going to see the players who we have already get a chance to show what they can do.
"What sort of message are we sending out to Sears if we buy another big-money striker?"
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