West Ham coach Stuart Pearce has outlined the club's most important aim ahead of potential incomings in the January transfer window. West Ham are currently fifth in the Premier League table and arguably have one of their best chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
However, David Moyes' squad has been stretched to the extreme of late.
Star defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma are both out with long-term injuries.
Meanwhile, Michail Antonio is the only recognised striker at Moyes' disposal.
Former Hammers defender Pearce, who has worked alongside Moyes at both his spells at the London Stadium, spoke to talkSPORT on Wednesday morning following the club's Carabao Cup exit to Tottenham the previous night.
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“We can buff out the squad and bring people in, but getting the right people is the most important thing.
“As for David, he wants to make sure the right people come through the door with the right work ethic, that sort of thing.
“If the right ones are available at the right price, then we will certainly be in the mix for it. If they’re not then we will sit tight and see what we will do.
“That’s the bottom line and that’s been the proviso in the last few windows. Make sure the right people are coming in.”
West Ham transfer news: Stuart Pearce says David Moyes won't sign the wrong characters (Image: GETTY)
As well as success in the Premier League, West Ham topped their Europa League group.
But former Wales and Liverpool forward Dean Saunders believes improvement up front is necessary by Moyes next month.
“I don’t think West Ham are the same team without Antonio," Saunders said on talkSPORT.
"He’s a massive player for them. He does all the chasing down and is a nuisance on the break.
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“He runs down the sides, strong as an ox, and gets goals.
“The owners have been chucking money at it for a while now. When [Manuel] Pellegrini was the manager they gave him a load of money and that didn’t work.
“David Moyes, they get him back and he’s got a team together now. If I was one of the owners now, I’d be saying ‘what do you need, David?’"