West Ham’s struggles in the Premier League have been well-documented this season.
The Hammers are currently 17th in the table having only picked up an average of one point-per-game.
That is generally relegation form, although things have started to pick up recently as first-team players recover from injury.
Slaven Bilic has been unlucky with injuries having lost Aaron Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku, Andy Carroll and record signing Andre Ayew to injuries.
Since Cresswell has returned to the starting line-up things have improved, however, while Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna and Cheikhou Kouyate seem to be performing solidly in the centre.
The weakness seems to be right-back, where neither Sam Byram nor Alvaro Arbeloa have impressed, while Michail Antonio has been deployed at wing-back with little success.
The Hammers have had previous success recruiting from the lower leagues – Cresswell and Antonio were both bought from Championship sides – and they should perhaps look there once more.
Here are FIVE right-backs from the Football League Slaven Bilic should look at.
CYRUS CHRISTIE
Arguably one of the most in-form players in the Championship this term, Cyrus Christie has been the standout player for Derby County.
The Republic of Ireland man has been a constant attacking threat, creating 19 chances for his side, as per Squawka.
He is also very able in defence however and has an average of 2.5 tackles and 1.6 interceptions a game, suggesting he would be useful in a more conservative role should Bilic require it.
An issue is that he’s out for around three months with an injury, meaning that an end-of-season offer is the only feasible approach.
JAMES BREE
Barnsley seem to be a hotbed for emerging defensive talent at the minute.
Both John Stones and Mason Holgate moved from the Tykes to Everton in recent years while Alfie Mawson has started the last three games for Swansea City.
James Bree seems to be the latest off the production line. The 18-year-old already has 29 appearances in the Championship and has plenty of potential. As someone who can play centre-back and right-back, he would also present Bilic with a versatile defensive option.
CHRIS GUNTER
ANDY YIADOM
Another player from Barnsley, Andy Yiadom seems to be making a name for himself after years in the lower divisions.
The 24-year-old played at Barnet for five seasons before moving to the Tykes in the summer on a free transfer.
Yiadom – who was originally a winger but has played in numerous positions – has wowed Barnsley fans going forward and averages 2.4 dribbles per game (according to Whoscored) and recently earned a surprise call-up to the Ghana national team.
Considering he is a relatively well-known name, it is a surprise we haven’t seen Chris Gunter establish himself as a Premier League regular already.
The 27-year-old has been a solid player at Nottingham Forest and Reading for a number of seasons now and played every minute of Wales’ superb Euro 2016 run.
He’s only ever had one full season in the top flight, however, making 20 appearances for current club Reading in the 2012/13 campaign. Perhaps Bilic should be the one who corrects that.
LUKE AYLING
Another player who has quietly made a reputation for himself in the lower leagues is Luke Ayling.
The right-back left Arsenal as a youngster and joined Yeovil Town, helping them get promoted to the Championship.
He then started to really make a name for himself at Bristol City as a dependable right-back who gets up and down the pitch. This season he has impressed for a Leeds side looking to challenge for the play-offs and if he keeps this up he may well find himself on the up again.