Forum | General Discussion

At the beginning of this international break, Sadiq Khan has spoken out to the world and has invited proposals for the London Stadium as he seeks to offload the venue and save millions per year. A deal that was initially sanctioned by Boris Johnson, which is now costing the public around £19m per year, and the London Mayor is encouraging buyers to come forward, and he emphasises that he “would consider any credible proposal”.

Now, of course, the definition of ‘credible’ raises an eyebrow, given that a consortium not involved with West Ham previously made an offer for the London Stadium, and it was noted that the offer was significant but still rejected.

Khan also mentioned that the offer received to purchase the stadium outright has to “offer value for taxpayers, protect the public interest and preserve the wider economic, social and sporting benefits the venue delivers for London.” - Essentially, given the number of ‘tick-boxes’, it has to be West Ham who purchase the stadium otherwise, it’ll be near-impossible to fulfil the criteria.

It is also important to note that since Daniel Kretinsky has increased his stake in West Ham United, the relationship between Sadiq Khan and the club has grown massively, but he refused to comment on how constructive the growth has been, acknowledging that it is important, but nothing further.

The Hammers currently pay around £2m a year to be at the London Stadium, but that, of course, prevents the club from making any changes, including deciding which staff are selected for the matchday, as well as preventing the club from changing the rules about what you can and can’t bring into a stadium…there are far too many more aspects to mention.

With time, let’s hope that this new and ‘improved’ relationship can prosper into a sale being made. Daniel Kretinsky has a tendency to boost the value of ‘failing’ industries…

The 90 minutes against Millwall ultimately went as many would have expected in a derby. Four goals, long-range strikes, a red card and even a spitting accusation.

During the match, Millwall’s goalkeeper, Filip Marschall, accused Argentine forward Taty Castellanos of spitting and ran to the linesman claiming that he had been spat on. At the time of the match, a replay was displayed but admittedly, was too poor quality to see anything.

However, after the match, a close-up video was revealed and the verdict…? Taty Castellanos would’ve had to set a new world record if he were to have spat on Marschall. A photo is circulating around with spit coming from the mouth of Taty, but that was at a completely different timestamp of the game and one that was a totally different moment.

Many referees and current pundits claimed that should the Argentine have spat at the goalkeeper he could’ve received up to a SIX-match ban, which is a fair punishment to fit the crime, but should Marschall himself receive a ban?

In the history of football, no player has been banned for ‘lying’ about being spat on, but it does beg the question why don’t they? At the moment of heat, it very well could’ve seen Taty be sent off, which would’ve put the Hammers in a negative position due to a lie someone fabricated.

Technically speaking, Filip Marschall’s reaction could come under “unsportsmanlike conduct” but once again, that means nothing in the eyes of the FA and the Football governing bodies.

It seems that this ‘investigation’ into Taty Castellanos ultimately won’t happen due to the lack of evidence and he will be available to play against QPR upon our return from the international break.

The only player who will be absent, bar unexpected injuries, will be Mohamadou Kante, who will serve his ONE-game suspension.

The round of the most anticipated derby of the season resulted in a draw and ultimately was a game of two halves between the sides. It’s not shameful to admit that Millwall totally and utterly dominated the Hammers in the first spell - taking the fact that it was against Millwall out of the equation, it was still one of the lamest halves the Hammers have had in a long while.

However, after a magical team talk and likely a few kind and calm words exchanged, we came out swinging courtesy of a ranged driven strike from Kanté as well as a thumped-in header from Mavropanos, and despite making the initial mistake, Kanté was sent off for a last-man challenge, which will certainly be praised rather than criticised.

Elsewhere, an incident on the ball between the Millwall Goalkeeper and Taty Castellanos happened, with a rumour saying Taty spat on Marschall. An instant replay was shown, but nothing was visible, so that will certainly be investigated and looked over across the international break.

The first half was disappointing for many reasons. Defensive mishaps, inability to defend set-pieces, as well as the obsession with playing a long ball.

Whilst he’s been immense in the attacking half, as he was today, which rescued a point. Mavropanos and a long ball are the equivalent of going back to a toxic partner… You might try to get back with one another ten times, and if it only works once, you don’t keep going, do you? Infuriating beyond belief.

Elsewhere, the substitutes proved dividends as Kante once again proved to have a lethal strike, and the addition of the returning Austbø brought much-needed energy. Pablo also nearly scored his first league goal through a headed effort, but it was saved from close range.

A dominant second half, but the first 45 minutes will be one to forget. The only aspect of disappointment in the second spell was Mohamadou Kante, who gave away the ball, allowing the Millwall forward a one-on-one opportunity, but he cleverly took out the last man, ensuring he was dragged to ground, which ended his time on the field. An inevitable red card, but in that moment it was always worth it over conceding. Heroic.

A good result for the Hammers, who scored twice at The Den for the first time since 1939. A point taken and now unbeaten in the Championship for six games. A hard-fought point, credit where credit is due.

West Ham United currently remain at the top of the Championship but will inevitably drop down due to results elsewhere. The furthest the Hammers can fall by the end of the gameweek is 7th place.