Forum | General Discussion

Sometimes it is easy to add two plus two regarding football transfers and end up with five, or more often than not, zero! The Jesse Lingard to West Ham story occupied a lot of column inches before it subsided, even interest from the 'Stone Throwers' wasn't sufficient to fan the flames enough to re-ignite the story during January's transfer window fall out period.

Manchester United made it very clear that they would NOT sanction any move to another rival, which at the time included West Ham, some say their judgement was validated by Hammers' form falling off the cliff without Lingard being added to David Moyes' team.

Manchester's 'Dog in a manger' approach DID yield a short term benefit BUT at the cost of totally disenfranchising a player who had been at Old Trafford man and boy for most of his life! To rub salt in Lingard's wounds the Northern club have confirmed they have no intention to open talks with Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani or Juan Mata regarding contract extensions. Apparently a plan set in stone by Ralf Rangnick that has not changed, according to relatively respected journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Lingard has put his house up for sale, which could be as a result of the phenomenal amount of burglaries carried out on Premier League footballers' homes in the Manchester area, Lingard's home being one of them, or it could be because of the robbery AND the fact that he plans to move South towards the Capitol and re-unite with David Moyes and West Ham United.

Money is VERY important to Premier League players, BUT it is NOT the be all and end all, especially for those who have already been well rewarded throughout their career, Lingard is NOT a poor man, on the contrary he is a savvy business man who has already invested his wealth wisely and has thus secured himself and his family financially for the rest of their lives.

Lingard NEEDS to play, NOT sit on the Bench and to be given a 'libero' role, one in which he excelled when he was loan at West Ham, his performances earning him a recall to Gareth Southgate's England squad, albeit only temporarily. Moyes 'loves' Lingard, Lingard 'loves' Moyes AND West Ham, yes the Stone Chuckers can offer him a massive salary and a HUGE signing on fee, but for Lingard it seems that "loyalty is pure, not tainted by the lure of things that can be gained".

We might have added things up wrong and people also say "you should never return" but we say"why not!" Lingard could be the player who helps 'bridge' the period during which some of the club's astounding youth players can evolve and progress to the first team, NOTHING beats home grown talent, but a youth product from Manchester United's 'glory days' might help things along. - Ed

David Moyes has been in need of a straight 180 as his Hammers team chase down glory on TWO different fronts, juggling injuries to star players hasn't helped his demeanour which is 'prickly' at the best of times, so the news that one of his 'top boys' is ready willing and able to join the fray for the team's remaining eight Premier League games AND the vital UEFA Europa League Cup ties beginning with the two legged 1/4 final against Lyon will have pleased the manager no end, as hopefully he can navigate a path to the final in Sevilla later this year as well as maintaining the club's domestic pursuits.

Bowen has been such an integral part of Moyes' high energy set up, losing him for five games put additional strain on an already depleted and wafer thin squad. Although others have chipped in with goals, Bowen's contributions have been missed massively, not just his goal scoring or assists which are right up their with the best in Europe, but his all round commitment to the cause and never say die attitude which epitomise the squad's spirit and collective positivity.

Top four in the Premier League is a distant dream, the rights and wrongs of transfer dealings, or the lack of them, will be the subject of much debate during the season's summer recess. Finishing in the top six for the 2nd year running however IS a distinct possibility, it won't be easy, but it IS do able.

Champions League qualification is still possible if the club can go on and win the Europa League Cup, although there are many who feel that the full Champions League would be a bridge too far for the Irons UNLESS there is MASSIVE investment in the squad, both in upgrading AND more importantly in ensuring a much higher strength in depth, only then could Hammers realistically be challengers in Europe's top flight.

Bowen's enthusiasm is infectious, and while it is a pity he missed his England call up because if his injury, he will now be as fresh as one of the 'cow pies' he had do dodge while training on a farm last year to 'Max' his fitness. Eight games and the 1/4 finals of a major European competition will define Hammers season, at least the forward line will be able to fire on ALL cylinders for the remaining matches. - LN

"West Ham are MASSIVE everywhere we go" is the self-deprecating chant that has become very popular among Hammers fans of late, David Moyes has managed to get his 'rag tag' band of players punching well above their weight in the Premier League AND in Europe.

All this despite having a criminally small squad, a situation exasperated by a chronic lack of recruitment during the notoriously difficult and expensive January transfer window. Moyes has expressed a 'level of annoyance' when repeatedly questioned about the club's top four or even top six aspirations, citing the fact that the club have been there or there abouts the top six of the PREMIER LEAGUE FOR THE LAST TWO SEASONS!

Of course by not making ANY signings, the Hammers manager DID leave himself open for a certain amount of criticism, but it was HIS choice and no one else's to NOT make any signings, the money WAS there, but the quality was NOT! For years and years the board caved into fan pressure AND the need to sell season tickets by making BIG promises that they invariably failed to keep and ended up by 'panic' buying 'journey men' players or those seeking a final pay day, or even worse, those with a bad injury record who were also seeking a final pay day.

This is the very first season since Doug and Dins and their Moll took over when the club HASN'T had to borrow against season ticket sales, in the past they used a 'payday' loan company based in the Bahamas which is believed to be owned in Joe Lewis, latterly they used Media Rights and Funding Ltd, but that had to change when a new rule was introduced by the FA and the Premier League that came in to force preventing the borrowing from any source other than inbound investment or an arrangement with an FCA registered lender, ie: a 'proper' Bank.

So, while seeming like a well rehearsed missive, David Moyes' message is actually that "we are massive" and will make meaningful moves in the market when the right players are available, twist your tongue around that Mumbo Jumbo! - Ed