Forum | General Discussion

Watch out, there's a Nolan about!
WEST HAM UNITED : Randolph, Jenkinson, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang, Noble, Kouyate, Nolan, Payet, Sakho
Subs: Spiegel, Tomkins, Jarvis, Collins, Maiga, Lanzini, Cullen
BOURNEMOUTH : Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick (c), Surman, Gradel, Daniels, Wilson, King, Ritchie, O'Kane
Subs: Federici, Gosling, Pugh, Mings, Smith, Kermorgant, Distin

Was this all a part of a cunning plan? Heaven knows David Sullivan is definitely a lover of the 'cunning plan', his timely comments relating to West Ham United's inability to sign prolific striker Charlie Austin from QPR because of financial fair play and the player's fitness have evoked an understandably curt response from the player himself via social media, and a lot of tut tutting from Loftus Road. The fact is this is another example of brinkmanship and redemption, paper and ink, truth and lies, call it what you will, but the role of being a business man, an owner, and above all a supporter and life long fan will take it's toll with various 'Prince Phillip' type gaffs waiting in the wings. So it seems to the slightly jaded of observers that the Austin 'Metro' saga is an example of pressure getting to a person who really should know how to deal with it! Quite why Mr Sullivan chose to 'dis' Austin so spectacularly is open to debate, some say he was merely trying to deflect the fact that the kitty is already empty, and that this was indeed a cunning plan, others that he should know when to keep his mouth shut, whatever he meant, the Hammers co-owner has done an immaculate job of bridge burning hasn't he? - Ed

Austin wrote: “I feel I have no option but to address the inaccurate, misleading and uninformed innuendo about my physical condition that has been raised today by an individual who is not privy to my personal health history.
“It is one of a number of inaccurate reports about my so-called injury problems which have been made over the summer.
“For the record, there is nothing wrong with my ‘ligaments’, as has been suggested. My strength and performance in pre-season has been excellent and with two goals in my last two games I don’t think there is any doubt that my match sharpness is as good as ever.
“I scored 18 goals in the Premier League last season, which would not be possible were I feeling discomfort or pain.
“Like many professional footballers, I have the legacy of injuries picked up over my career but the effect on my day-to-day training and on matchday is non-existent.
“For a senior figure at a Premier League club to insinuate that I could break down at any moment is an outrageous slur on my professionalism and the work that has gone into making me the footballer than I am today. I am fit, strong and looking forward to Saturday’s home game against Rotherham.”