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As Hammers players left the pitch of the incredibly compact but aptly named 'Agg'borough Stadium, they made a point of congratulating their stoic opponents Kidderminster Harriers, who had become the Nation's favourites, as the plucky underdogs. They nearly pulled off the biggest FA Cup shock in living memory, but failed at the last hurdle, well last two hurdles actually.

Kidderminster: Simpson, Penny, Richards, Cameron, Austin ©, Carrington, Morgan-Smith, Hemmings, Sterling, Bajrami, Preston Subs: Emery (GK), Lowe, Montrose, Foulkes, Martin, Lissimore, White, Bastable, Redmond
West Ham: Areola, Fredericks, Diop, Zouma, Johnson, Král, Noble ©, Vlašić, Benrahma, Yarmolenko, Bowen Subs: Randolph (GK), Coufal, Cresswell, Dawson, Alese, Rice, Souček, Fornals, Okoflex

David Moyes knows only too well that a gigantic banana skin awaits his West Ham team as they take on 'non league' heroes Kidderminster Harriers, in this lunchtime's televised FA Cup 4th round fixture that is being shown by the BBC in the hope of another cup upset, Kiddy having seen off Championship side Reading in order to earn their place in the tie.

Without knowing all the details it would be unfair to 'jump on' Andriy Yarmolenko's case until all the facts are known, but what is clear is that the FA rarely bring charges unless they have substantiated evidence. Yarmolenko has been charged with alleged misconduct in relation to a betting commercial. The charge concerns a 'potential' breach of FA Rule E8.5, which says that players are 'not permitted to advertise or promote any betting activity that they are prohibited from engaging in'.

It might disappoint the doom merchants to know that Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City transfer target Declan Rice has made it known that as far as he is concerned ANY talk regarding him leaving the club OR him signing a new contract is to be put on the back burner until at least next summer, as the brilliant and highly sought after England midfielder wants to 'concentrate' on helping Hammers finish as high as they can in the Premier League as well as going as far as possible in the Europa League Cup as well as the FA Cup.

Even Doris the Tea Lady has come in for a battering because of West Ham's dreadful January transfer window, and she retired FIVE years ago! The club's lack of any successful transfer activity has made it a laughing stock as it approaches the 2nd part of the season, the "we tried but ultimately failed" message received is being treated with the absolute contempt it deserves.

In the classic film 'Love Actually', the family Matriach complains to the Prime Minister that making the 'Octopus' outfit for the Nativity play they were speeding towards took a lot of work, "Eight is a lot of legs you know David!" Eight is indeed a lot of legs, even more if you double the amount, but eight pairs of legs is what David Moyes and his staff are going to need to replace or cement in place by the end of the season.

The fall out from Hammers' less than impressive transfer window continues to rumble on, however it is what it was and now the club AND its fans have to move on.

The blame game, as expected has gone into overdrive following Hammers 'disastrous' January transfer window. Questions have been rightly raised as to exactly why a new head of recruitment, a new investor and a very experienced manager were still Not able to put right the club's transfer woes.

DIEGO COSTA

Panic not all ye of the Hammers faith, who needs to pay good money for players when there are freebies and kids available? Although the previous sentence was meant to be 'tongue in cheek', the reality is that freebies and kids are the ONLY way forward for West Ham until NEXT JUNE!