Forum | General Discussion

Eyebrows were raised when Eintrecht Frankfurt sold Sebastian Haller to West Ham United for a fee of £45 Million, not just because he is a top striker, but because Eintrecht had already sold Luka Jovic to Real Madrid for £62 Million only a couple of weeks before. Jovic and Haller had 'ripped up' the Bundesliga between them in a stunning season which saw them share 57 goals along with Ante Rebic's contribution.

Fast forward a little over two months and there is a distinct possibility that Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic could join AC Milan on loan, it seems that Jovic's game in particular relied on the service that Haller was able to provide. Deprived of Haller's assists, Jovic looked has looked an isolated figure at the Bernabéu from the moment he arrived, and reports claiming Zinedine Zidane isn't convinced with the Serbian striker have been emanating from the Spanish giants for some time now.

It has been further suggested that Real Madrid's club president, Florentino Pérez, had been the driving force behind the recruitment of Luka Jovic and that 'future' business was dependant on a successful outcome of Jovic's transfer from Eintrecht to Real. Hammers fans will be pleased to know that even at one of the top clubs in the World suffers from interference by it's hierarchy, It appears what Perez wants, Perez gets. However if Zinedine Zidane continues to not select the player, Perez will have to cede to the situation and send a very expensive 'mistake' out on loan.

As we have said on many occasions, "be careful what you wish for!" Real Madrid fans wished, and look what they got! - Ed

How far away you are from 'your' team but still support them can be dependant on many circumstances, you might have moved areas, you might have moved countries or entire continents. Or maybe a team playing on the other side of the World just appeals to you, possibly for their footballing exploits and achievements, or maybe just because you liked the colour of their kit!

Declan Rice is greeted by enthusiastic Chinese fans

Either way, there are many many fans, particularly those of the Barclays Premier League, who support from afar. The globalisation of TV and Media sources guarantees copious amounts of fast 'gladiatorial' games that fans just adore which ever country they are in. This documentary, Over Land and Sea features West Ham's Mark Noble and Declan Rice and explores whether you can be a true fan if you live on the other side of the world to your club. We tell the story of Pan, a West Ham supporter who was born and lives in Shanghai, China, Hammers are set to achieve a top six place this season with Betway, although the doom and gloom merchants are already snapping at Manuel Pellegrini's heels after just two games!

Following your team from afar is a damn sight easier now than it was say 30 years ago, then apart from brief news snippets the only way to keep 'relatively' up to date was by purchasing extraordinarily expensive newspapers when they eventually arrived, usually almost a day late! Now of course we have wall to wall media, and a very comprehensive TV package available, which is soon to be added to by media and corporate giants Amazon.

In the broadcast Pan reveals how he became a West Ham fan, why he chose them over more successful sides such as Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea, who his favourite player is, and what the Hammers mean to him and the lengths he goes to follow his club.

Pan meets club captain Mark Noble

The documentary apart from featuring exclusive contributions from West Ham captain Mark Noble, England international Declan Rice and also includes a contribution from former Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta, as well as two local fans who travelled from London to Shanghai to watch the Hammers play in the 2018/19 Premier League Asia Trophy.

Hammers boss, Manuel Pellegrini, managed Hebei China Fortune from 2016 to 2018

Although both players are due to have a late and final fitness test, it appears Hammers most expensive signing, Sebastian Haller, will make the starting line up against 'Bogey' team Brighton at the Amex Stadium this afternoon. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the club's second most expensive signing Felipe Anderson, apparently the medical team feel that the Brazilian needs to be rested for the Seagulls match, and that Pablo Fornals will fill the void.

While many fans will be thinking same old West Ham, it should be remembered that the idea of having two players available for each position is in order to avoid using players who are carrying an injury, what can start as a 'little niggle' can quickly deteriorate, so why take the risk? Surely if even Mr West Ham himself, captain Mark Noble, can miss four games through having a 'dead leg' which has now morphed in to a calf strain, it is prudent to avoid turning a small injury in to a long term one by exacerbating it.

The goals will come eventually for the Hammers strike force, what is more worrying is the porous state of the defence, although he wasn't the only one to blame, captain for the Manchester City match, Aaron Cresswell, had an absolute stinker of a game and will surely be replaced by Pellegrii favourite Authur Masuaku. Worryingly the 'crown jewel' that is Manuel Lanzini looked awful at the London Stadium, the complete polar opposite of what he had been during pre-season, hopefully it was just an off day, but perhaps 'Manu' needs to be brought on as a substitute and let Antonio 'bully' the opposition first.

Despite his legs having gone years ago, the team still needs Mark Noble, it seems that without his presence many of the players appear to lack the fight required by the rigors of the Barclays Premier League. The club needs a positive result against Brighton in order to make up for last Saturday's disaster, and also help dispel the memory of last season's dreadful start. Foot note, both Haller and Anderson failed tests this morning. - Ed