westhamfans.org

Reading and listening to some of the 'gungho' comments made ahead of West Ham's match against Fulham you would think the game had already been won! How very far from the truth can that be? Just because Hammers have managed to win three matches on the spin why on earth do fans and pundits think Craven Cottage is going to be an easy place to play at?

Having been taught a painful lesson with regards their recruitment due to 'Wheelgate', it is only natural that Manuel Pelegrini and Mario Husillos are recalcitrant when discussing possible new arrivals at the club. However Pellegrini was at pains to confirm Hammers LACK of interest in signing Yaya Toure, Toure was a pivotal member of Pellegrini’s title winning Manchester City side and is a free agent after leaving Olympiakos by mutual agreement on Tuesday after only three months and just five appearances.

Ahead of Hammers televised match against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, Manuel Pellegrini attempted to put a positive spin on squad fitness: "I think one of the merits of this team is having six or seven injuries, and winning the last three games, I hope we continue with the same spirit." He then discussed individuals by saying "Lucas Perez has a pain. We are reviewing it. Jack Wilshere continues his treatment. He will not play in this game, tomorrow we will know exactly who will be in the squad. Every player who recovers from injuries is an important player for us."

Rafael Benitez v Manuel Pellegrini: Would Rafa thrive once again if given the spending power of West Ham United?

After their recent 3-0 defeat to West Ham United at St James Park, Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez insisted that the Hammers spending power was the difference between the two sides.

There is always something unnerving and yet satisfying for supporters when a long serving player says that they want to end their career at the club, in Hammers case it is Captain Mark Noble. Noble debuted in 2004 as a 17 year old and has gone on to play around 450 games for the club, the option to extend his contract keeping him at the club until 2021 has been taken up, it is also envisaged that his services will be retained in a coaching capacity once he has hung up his boots for good.

Hammers injuries sustained list has grown alarmingly during the course of the season and pre-season, the latest to succumb being Lucas Perez with a foot injury that looks as if he were shot! So another player down but at least one is due back, only problem is that the player in question is Jack Wilshere. The midfielder is available for selection against Fulham this weekend having recovered from yet another injury sustained while recovering from an earlier ankle operation.

West Ham United youngster Reece Oxford is reportedly on the radar of Manchester City and Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim, where these reports eminate from is a matter of some conjecture. There are some who feel that 19 year old Oxford has been poorly advised by his agent who seems more interested in short term financial gratification as opposed to plotting a long and successful career path for his client.

West Ham United: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku, Snodgrass, Rice, Noble, Anderson, Perez, Hernandez. Subs: Adrian, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang, Diangana, Antonio, Carroll.
Crystal Palace FC: Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Kouyate, McArthuer, Meyer, Townsend, Zaha. Subs: Guaita, Kelly, Ward, Schlupp, Puncheon, Ayew, Sorloth.

The atmosphere at the London Stadium on Tuesday night against Cardiff was a little tame initially, but it is amazing what a contentious penalty can do, so after Fabianski saved the pen the crowd were rocking. Half time things were looking up and most fans knew it would only be a matter of time before Hammers scored. The only fly in the ointment at half time was the excruciatingly naff 'entertainment' on offer, marching bands of the past were a thousand times more entertaining and they were bloody boring!

To many observers the fact that West Ham United are discussing an extension to Andy Carroll's contract seems to be a bewildering course of action, apparently the club do have an option to extend Carroll's contract for a further two years! Given the Big Geordie's infamous injury record, what on earth could be behind the logic of retaining his services?