Hallelujah Hammers Finally Have A Striker!

West Ham United have finally got the player that the club have been missing for years, a real out and out striker, a genuine leader of the line, and a player whose bones aren't made of paper mache! For years various managers have been 'hamstrung' by the fact that the club did not have a 'proper' fit striker, ironically Sebastian Haller is exactly what Andy Carroll was supposed to be.

Haller's baptism of fire was the 'tonking' by league champions Manchester City, he was also on the receiving end of a series of 'professional' fouls by the Citeh players, he would have left the pitch vowing not to let himself get 'bullied' by anyone on his next outing for the team. Watford were the unfortunate recipients of Haller's need to put things right, and boy did he do that!

Haller's man of the match performance has already received plenty of praise from those who don't normally give it, with the Frenchman playing West Ham look a different animal, his presence frightens defenders and he is almost impossible to knock off the ball. The freedom Haller generates for other players should not be underestimated, Manu Lanzini and Pepe Anderson were able to torment the opposition because the defenders weren't able to mark Haller and the 'dynamic duo' at the same time.

Finally, we have to praise Mr West Ham, Mark Noble, his legs went years ago, but his spirit lives on. Mark's influence on the rest of the team is astonishing, he will have to get used to being subbed around the 65th minute due to the frantic pace of the Barclays Premier League, but his presence in and around the squad is essential, his confidence and love for the club is infectious, something that new players arriving take on board, one day he will have to retire but that day later rather than sooner. - Ed