Former star feels appointment could help end the goal drought which has seen club score just one league goal from open play

West Ham legend Tony Cottee believes a strikers coach could help end the club’s goal-scoring woes.

The Hammers have scored only once from open play in the league this season and the East London Advertiser columnist, who made 280 appearances over two spells at the Irons, believes bringing in a former pro to fulfil the role could pay dividends.

“Strikers go through good patches and bad patches and it would be good for the forwards at the club to talk to someone who could maybe give them advice or confidence,” he said.

“Only Spurs have one at the moment and it must be great for a striker to approach someone like Les Ferdinand for advice.

“I’m not saying bring in myself, but someone with experience to help them out.”

And Cottee has sounded at one striker in particular who could really benefit from the move.

“Former boss Gianfranco Zola, a striker, was a big factor in helping Carlton Cole improve his game and was someone who instilled a lot of confidence in him, the departure of Zola may have had an impact” the former Barnet boss added.