Forum | General Discussion

West Ham: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Bowen, Soucek, Rice, Fornals, Antonio. Subs: Randolph, Yarmolenko, Anderson, Lanzini, Noble, Haller, Johnson.
Wolves: Patricio, Troare, Boly, Coady, Semedo, Saiss, Moutinho, Neves, Neto, Vinagre, Jimenez. Subs: Ruddy, Hoever, Silva, Vitinha, Dendoncker, Shabani, Kilman.

Talk about click bait, those bastions of honesty the Daily Star are doing their upmost to usurp that other 'source of truth' (sic) The Sun with their "Declan Rice has already agreed personal terms of a five year deal with Chelsea" report. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story was the old lower end of Fleet Street modus operandi, one that was always particularly exploited by the previously mentioned 'publications' if that's what you want to call them, in addition to their equally vile Sunday counterparts.

The Gutter press has always sought to divide opinion in all areas of life, sport and football just being another blank template for what may be termed as creative conjecture at best, and downright lies and innuendo at the worst. Of course the Rice situation is an easy target, with all the negativity surrounding West Ham it was obvious that Rice's name would crop up on a daily basis and will continue to do so until October the 5th when the transfer window closes.

As has been constantly pointed out, the departure of Rice would not make sense in the current climate, (a) West Ham would want absolute 'top dollar' paid up front for their prized asset and (b) Moyes would probably insist on getting Tammy Abraham on loan. We have already covered Moyes' interest in the England striker who has seen himself drop further and further down the Stamford Bridge pecking order, a move to the London Stadium might suit all parties, also as we have previously mentioned, Moyes had expressed an interest in bringing Tammy Abraham to the club back at the opening of the transfer window, so if Abraham arrived he would NOT be a signing thrust on to the manager against his wishes, so expect something to happen regarding this if Chelsea are amenable, they can bide their time for Declan!

It is to be hoped that the fear of fan backlash and also the reality of how the transfer market has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, will prevent the Hammers hierarchy from sanctioning a deal that would see Rice move across London,YET. Plainly Declan Rice will eventually leave West Ham United, unless the cavalry in the form of new owners comes flying to the rescue, unfortunately it is a question of when, not if, Declan leaves the club.

When he eventually does so it will be on his terms, as well as at a time when the funds received for him can be used to strengthen the squad in all the key areas that are now being found wanted, consequently it is incredibly unlikely that Rice will leave the club during the remaining days of this window, as David Moyes would have little or no time to use the funds made available, next year, or maybe even when the window reopens in January might well be a different story.

One element is guaranteed, the 'shining star' will be the last publication to be given the 'real scoop' if and when it happens! - Ed

Hammers' on off pursuit of James Tarkowski from Burnley now looks dead and buried, Burnley won't budge off their upper level £50 Million asking price and West Ham, quite rightly are unwilling, but are also unable, to match such a 'premium' valuation. While Tarkowski is indeed a top player Burnley's valuation is a bit top heavy, particularly in light of the current financial restrictions that have resulted owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, and there are other players available, so perhaps it was time to walk away.

In a way Tarkowski's unavailability is a god send, because the limited funds that are available would better deployed in acquiring a less highly priced centre back thus releasing funds for a full back or two, and maybe even a Jao Mario type of player on loan as well as a back up striker.

Loan deals are definitely an option, that whilst not perfect does allow clubs some 'wiggle room' in this current crisis, and to this purpose there are plenty of players, many with a point to prove or who have a personal agenda to get back in to their national side. These players fit in to the hungry category that Moyes demands although maybe not in the young template he would like, Danny Rose from Tottenham is one of those players, Mourinho doesn't reckon on him and the player would relish a move away from 'old sour puss' and a move to the London Stadium might suit all parties.

Of course the enmity between West Ham and Tottenham may prevent what would normally be a straight forward deal from proceeding, which is a pity really, because the player in question is an England International desperate to be playing week in week out in order to force his way back in to Gareth Southgate's plans.

At 30 years old Rose is no spring chicken, but he would make Aaron Cresswell seem like he is from Dad's army in comparison, Rose is definitely not a marquee signing, but at the propounded £5 Million fee represents good value for a player with a couple of good years left in the tank. - Ed

Using the word 'positive' to describe someone who has just been confirmed as having a serious viral illness is a bit of a contradiction, there is nothing positive emerging from the London Stadium except for a pretty fine Carabao Cup performance against Hull City. Of course the backdrop to the convincing 5-1 victory was the sudden withdrawal of Issa Diop and Josh Cullen from the published starting line up, in addition manager David Moyes was forced to leave the Stadium as quickly as possible as were the players.

There is currently no word as to whether the Covid-19 has infected any other players or staff, but it is believed as a result of adhering to the correct procedures and the observation of sufficient social distancing, well as much as can be expected in a sporting domain, that there aren't fears of a wider spread. Moyes, Diop and Cullen were all asymptomatic, but will be required to self isolate for ten days which will mean missing the preparations and the actual fixture against Wolves scheduled for this Sunday.

*According to FA rule 3
A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players. If a team has fewer than seven players because one or more players has deliberately left the field of play, the referee is not obliged to stop play and the advantage may be played, but the match must not resume after the ball has gone out of play if a team does not have the minimum number of seven players. If the competition rules state that all players and substitutes must be named before kick-off and a team starts a match with fewer than eleven players, only the players and substitutes named in the starting line-up may take part in the match upon their arrival.*

It is highly unlikely that the rest of the squad were sufficiently exposed to have been infected as well, but there will be some anxious moments for some as they await their next test results. Should the unthinkable happen and most of the squad somehow show Covid-19 traces, then the game against Wolves CAN be postponed. Leyton Orient's fixtue against Tottenham was cancelled for exactly that reason, so the precedent has been set, although it is hoped that it will not be necessary to use it.

The performance against Hull was rather overlooked due to the late withdrawal of the Manager, Diop and Cullen, but it has to be said that the Irons were imperious as they swept aside a full strength Tigers side. The 5-1 score line wasn't flattering, had the forward players not been so profligate in front of goal the score line could have been 10-1, such was West Ham's dominance, but then again there were well over £100 Million worth of players representing the Irons!

Andrily Yarmolenko and Sebastien Haller both bagged a brace, with 'Snoddy' grabbing a fine goal against his old club, Jarrod Bowen was on the bench but did not play against his old club as well. The two youngsters drafted in at the last minute, Harrison Ashby and Aji Alese were exceptional , although it was a bitter sweet match for Ashby who nearly scored on his debut and performed brilliantly until having to leave the field in considerable pain after sustaining a dislocated finger, however whether by coincidence or not Ashby has earned a first Scotland Under-21 call-up - a day after making his full West Ham United debut in the League Cup rout of Hull City. The 18 year old defender, is in Scot Gemmill's squad for European Championship qualifiers at home to Czech Republic and away to San Marino next month.

Finally Jack Wilshere played for the full 90 minutes, good for him, and Fabian Balbuena reminded everyone that he is a 'general' when it comes to marshalling the defence, his services will be required in the absence of Issa Diop for the Wolves game. - Ed