Vlad The Impaler Coufal has just spoiled Manchester City's £100 Miilion signing Jack Grealish's weekend.
Signing a new three year deal with an option for a further year with West Ham United, means he will repeatedly be able to renew the players' acquaintance. Grealish's 'experience' at the hands, or more literally the feet, of Vlad left the poor lad emotionally scarred last season at Villa Park, especially when he tried to make the Hammers defender jump by feigning a head butt towards him, Coufal's withering 'is that all you've got?' look was a sight to behold and left Grealish looking like a powder puff in a sauna!
Any hopes the England player had of Coufal departing the Irons have evaporated, as West Ham confirmed the long awaited signing of the right back's new improved deal. Apart from scaring the Bejesus out of Grealish, Coufal's signing has firmed up the club's intention of rewarding players that give their all, and no one can say that Vlad doesn't give his all.
Hopefully The Impaler will be OK'd to play against a very accomplished Brentford attack tomorrow that features Ivan Toney, this is a very tricky fixture indeed. The Bees' players will relish playing on such a vast pitch and their travelling fans will get to appreciate the unique acoustics of the London Bowl that can make them sound rather loud if they wish.
Although Hammers have suffered only one Barclays Premier League defeat at home and are flying high in Europe as well as knocking Manchester United out of the Moose Cup, it is sobering to remember that there has only been one win at home in the League!
West Ham have to be at their absolute best to beat or even draw against Brentford, fortunately there was the pre-season friendly that helped acquaint David Moyes with Tomas Frank's style of play, but the stamina levels of the Irons will be tested to the limit.
The collateral effect of playing an awful lot of games in such a short space of time might catch up with Declan Rice and the rest of the team, but if they can just see this one over the line it would leave Hammers hale and hearty going in to the International break. - Ed
