Forum | General Discussion

No, this is not an article relating to West Ham United's unbelievable injury list, a list that keeps on growing! Instead it is about the price of being a football 'mascot', it may seem naive now, but back in the day 'mascots' either wore silly costumes and took part in dodgy penalty shoot outs, or, were selected because they had been ill or because they were randomly selected from the club's 'youth' membership. The BBC, despite employing Mark Lawrenson, usually research things properly, it is to them that we must credit the following information.

Some Premier League clubs still charge nothing for fans to 'experience' a once in a lifetime opportunity, however others do. Unfortunately Hammers are top of the list for 'charging' mascots for the 'experience', in fact mascots, or more realistically their parents or relatives, have to stump up an astonishing £700.00p for the pleasure!

Here is the full list of Premier League mascot prices: West Ham United £700, Leicester City £600, Tottenham Hotspur £405, Wolves £395, Crystal Palace £375, Brighton £350, Burnley £300, Fulham £270, Cardiff City £255, Watford £250, Bournemouth £185. The following clubs do not charge a penny for the 'experience'. Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Newcastle United and Southampton.

Surely Hammers 'care for the community' policy should include making the opportunity for 'under privileged' kids to become mascots, as oposed to 'rich kids' always being first in line? - Ed

Having survived on a wing and a prayer through most of the Christmas period, Hammers finally played the 'Game too far' against a resolute and determined Burnley side. Despite the return of Marko Arnoutovic, Hammers were without essentially nine men, and that imbalance finally came home to roost. Unfortunately there are only a few days to go before the next demand on the wafer thin squad.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche made five changes to his side, including a recall for goalkeeper Tom Heaton in place of Joe Hart, Chris Wood put them ahead with a right footed shot from the left of the penalty area. McNeil then added to the home side's advantage by turning in Westwood's cross at the far post.

A header from substitute Andy Carroll, drew a fine save from Heaton late on, but Hammers were not at the races today with the only thing to show from the game being a plethora of yellow cards, the games to players available ratio finally made this game a game too far! - Ed

More to follow

The Christmas and New Year period is one that managers both look forward to and dread at the same time, one the one hand a few good results can see a team fly up the table, however the sheer number of games that have to be played can have a catastrophic effect depending on the amount of injuries accrued. In Hammers case the 'injuries accrued' column makes very stressful reading, Manuel Pellegrini has had to deal with an ever increasing injury list that reads like a who's who of footballing talent, the list is so long that even players of the calibre of Winston Reid have disappeared in to the ether!

The last minute withdrawal of Pablo Zabaleta from the squad ahead of the Southampton game left many in fear as to the outcome, in the event Antonio deputised well, but against what will be a very determined Burnley side a player of Zabaleta's experience will be a big miss, hopefully he will be declared fit. The other 'missing link' is the General, Fabian Balbuena, although the team coped without him it was apparent that Diop looked far more exposed when having to deal with all the aerial stuff in the Box.

The trip to Burnley represents an opportunity for West Ham to win six out of seven of their games in December, something the club has never before achieved, unfortunately they will face a 'wounded animal' in the form of Sean Dyche's team, the home side will be determined to make amends for their previous heavy defeats and Joe Hart will be equally as determined to 'play a blinder' between the sticks.

There is no point in uploading the potential team that Manuel Pellegrini is going to select as yet, that will depend on the medical team and on Pelle's instinct. - Ed