West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Nolan (c), Tomkins, Jarvis, Zarate, Noble, O'Brien, Maiga, Amalfitano
Subs: Randolph, Collins, Poyet, Hendrie, Samuelsen, Lee, Pike
Birkirkara FC: Haber, Mazzetti, Fenech (c), Miccoli, Vukanac, Murga, Liliu, J.Zerafa, Z. Muscat, R.Muscat
Subs: Sciberras, Agius, Plut, Akpan, D.Zerafa, Zammir, Aquilina
Hammers line up looks a little like a shop window!
Raheem Sterling's transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City will net QPR around £9 Million as a result of the 20% sell on fee that was negotiated at the time of his transfer from the west London club to Anfield. This massive cash bonus will enable QPR to maintain their stance over Austin's £15 Million valuation, not good news for those clubs, including West Ham, who were hoping to take advantage of QPR's relegation and financial plight. Apparently hammers, David Sullivan in particular, were really interested in trying to do a deal for the in demand striker, but this latest development will see 'other options' pursued. West Ham simply cannot afford to be involved in any bidding war, especially as the seller now holds all the aces! -Ed
A true hammer and great servant go our club. Can't believe he's 50
Peterborough: Alnwick, Smith, Ntlhe, Anderson, Zakuani, Santos, Bostwick, Gormley, Washington, Maddison, Taylor
Subs: Edwards, Rowling, Brisley, Ferdinand, Lopes, Anderson, Payne and two un named trialists
West Ham : Adrian, Alex Pike, Winston Reid, James Collins , Aaron Cresswell, Pedro Obiang, Martin Samuelsen, Mark Noble , Kevin Nolan, Diafra Sakho, Modibo Maiga
Subs: Doneil Henry Sam Howes, Stephen Hendrie, Djair Parfitt-Williams, Josh Pask, Nathan Mavila, Jaanai Gordon, Moses Makasi, Amos Nasha, Kyle Knoyle .
Strong rumours that the Downing to Boro deal is done at 5 or 6 million. Who do we replace him with? I'd go for Kevin Mirallas... other suggestions?
The signing of Angelo Ogbonna along with that of Dmitri Payet and Pedro Obiang by West Ham United represents a significant upping of the ante with regards to the club's aspirations and future recruitment frame work. Gone are the days of signing past it has beens looking for a final pay day, or of getting loan players who will never be played by the manager because their face or their agent doesn't fit! So, happy days, but hasn't the club overstretched itself a little? The financial commitment including transfer fees and wages to fund the new arrivals is quite staggering, but such is the price needed to get to that legendary 'next level' that fans have dreamed of for years! On closer analysis of the Ogbonna deal, it is interesting to read the quote from Juve's official website, particularly with reference to the fee being spread over three years. So essentially the player is being paid for in instalments, not a bad bit of business on the face of it.
"Juventus Football Club can today confirm that Angelo Ogbonna has completed a permanent transfer to English Premier League side West Ham United, who will pay a fee of €11 million to be spread over the next three financial years,"
Having Slaven Billic in place, and of course the eventual Olympic Stadium relocation, has made West Ham a much more attractive destination than it has been in the past, bringing the added advantage that European clubs are used to staging payments on an annual basis, whereas in the UK payments have to be made directly.
The two Davids, aided by their super sub, have been quick to exploit the Euro Card, and fair play to them! -Ed
Looking at our squad at the moment, this is how it looks
GOALKEEPERS (4)
Adrian
Darren Randolph
Raphael Spiegel
Sam Howes
CENTRAL DEFENDERS (8)
Doneil Henry
James Collins
Reece Oxford
Reece Burke
Winston Reid
James Tomkins
Leo Chambers
Emmanuel Onariase
Angelo Ogbonna
FULL BACKS (3)
Joey O’Brien
Aaron Cresswell
Stephen Hendrie
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS (6)
Mark Noble
Kevin Nolan
Pedro Obiang
Cheikhou Kouyate
Diego Poyet
Josh Cullen
WINGERS (4)
Morgan Amalfitano
Stewart Downing
Matt Jarvis
Dimitri Payet
FORWARDS (7)
Andy Carroll
Diafro Sakho
Enner Valencia
Modibo Maiga
Elliot Lee
Mauro Zarate
Martin Samuelson
Song is supposedly out for 4 months ,which no doubt will frustrate the clubs preparations,whether they will settle for what they have got already in that position I suppose will depend on how far finances will stretch.But Song is a big loss ,hopes of signing him in January is all the club can hope for.Jenkinson should sign a loan extension once he returns from his holiday.Downing will be a big loss,he was a certain starter in a 4-2-3-1 ,so now there definitely needs a replacement.The likes of Gokhan Tore of Besiktas and Xherdan Shaqiri of Inter Milan possible targets that would certainly improve the quality.Despite all the excellent business done in the transfer market ,there is still much strengthening needed in certain areas, particularly full backs,wingers where the squad is very light .I was really disappointed Cabeye went to Palace for £10m ,he would have been ideal to improve the midfield creative flow, rather than just having all box to box players like Kouyate and Obiang..Cannot see all those central defenders and forwards making the full squad, a lot of inexperience and unproven players there.Something that Westham have struggled with in the last few seasons is decent goalscorers,usually an injury has had a big impact.Which is why another quality proven goal scorer is still a must.What has happened to Maiga have heard nothing about him,is he still with the squad?
Italy international, Angelo Ogbonna aged 27, signed on a 4 year deal. Everton and Southampton both tried to gazump us, but he WANTED to some to US!!! The Bilic and OS factors coming into effect.
That the minute "rumours abound" regarding Sakho he gets sent off within 10 mins?
What was his disciplinary record like last season?
Dont know it off pat but Im willing to bet it was pretty good!!!!
Coincidence?!
Do the maths!!!
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