Forum | General Discussion

TSC: Simic, Cvetkovic, Antonic (c), Dordevic, Petrovic, M Radin, Dakovac, N Stojic, Kuveljic, Stanic,Jovanovic.
West Ham: Fabiański (C), Johnson, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Cresswell, Fornals, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Paquetá, Benrahma, Mubama
Subs: Areola, Anang, Kehrer, Emerson, Zouma, Ogbonna, Chesters, Scarles, Earthy, Coventry, Cornet, Ings

There has been a 'sudden' media spotlight thrown on Saïd Benrahma's future at West Ham, with news that his recently appointed agent who has strong connnnections with the Saudi Pro League is pushing for a January exit for his client.

'Benny' finds himself in the unenviable position of being well down the pecking order of Hammers' creative midfielders and when given the odd chance to shine has fallen well short of expectations, however just like Gianluca Scamacca, Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson, the Algerian has had the creative life sucked out of his game by David Moyes ever since his £25 Million transfer from Brentford.

Some players CAN just come off the bench and perform, others can't. A quick look at how outward bound Pablo Fornals has performed since being ostracised by Moyes is a classic example. Some players need a kick up the backside to get the best out of them, some DO NOT!

Realistically the only reason the Irons hierarchy would countenance selling Benrahma is to raise much needed funds to acquire a striker and a covering left back during the January transfer window. With the sceptre of a UEFA FFP investigation hovering over the club there needs to be some VERY creative accounting involved to avoid punitive sanctions.

Unfortunately the gross waste of money spent during the last January transfer window on bringing Danny Ings to the club, which was rubber stamped by David Moyes has come back to bite the club in the proverbial. Imagine what Tim Steidten would have done with a £15 Million lump sum payment and wages of over £100,000 per week available to sign a striker?

The fact is there is a small escape clause known as player amortisation and IF it can be proved that Danny Ings is a massive loss leader, as his stats clearly bear out, there is a vague possibility that some of the extreme costs involved in his pointless transfer can be written off!

Villa must still be laughing that they managed to fleece West Ham for such a massive amount of money, as they stare down on Hammers from their lofty Champions League spot they must be chortling as they see 'Uncle' Ingy flummox around the pitch. Crikey Mikey, even Joe from Family Guy ( The modern day equivalent to Sandy from Crossroads) exhibits more mobility than Ings, perhaps there might be some club that is in need of an immobile past it overpaid has been, but even the most crazy of clubs wouldn't pay even a fraction of Hammers wasted outlay.

When it come to the club's January transfer dealings, Moyes needs to be locked in a secure room and told comprehensively to STAY AWAY from any of the decision making! - Ed

Most media operators look to find the best and most reliable information with regards to Premier League clubs comings and goings, such is the global interest in the 'brand', some sources of course are more 'honest' than others! However, there does appear to be one interesting anomaly and that is that 'youth' players seem to be far higher valued away from England than they are 'at home'.

In Europe it is NOT uncommon to see clubs vying for the services of 17 year olds, these sought after players are generally snapped up by a 'big team' and then have a ludicrous sell-out clause inserted into their contracts. Many of these starlets eventually arrive on these shores on massive wages and for huge transfer fees!

So when David Moyes elected to start 'Uncle' Danny Ings against Burnley this afternoon ahead of young Divin Mubama it came as NO surprise to many Hammers fans, Moyes persisted with the hopelessly off the pace Ings until 'Moysie' time (always the 65th minute) when he finally unleashed Divin Mubama on to the Turf Moor pitch.

Instantly the tempo changed and the Burnley defence knew that they were going to be in a game until the final whistle and they certainly were!The soporific 'fodder' that had been on view suddenly changed, the entire Irons team got an extra spring in their step knowing that the through balls and cross field balls they played would actually have a recipient who would burst their lungs to reach the pass.

Mubama made life an absolute misery for the Clarets' defenders which ultimately lead to Mubama's goal although it has now been deemed an 'OGGY', nevertheless it was the young striker's persistent badgering of the opposition that eventually paid off.

Then of course Kudus, another player Moyes seemed to think incapable of starting matches, provided his 2nd assist in a matter of minutes, his lovely ball was met by a Tomy Soucek half volley that made the score a respectable 2-1 and three points to boot. Soucek is starting to resemble the player he once was before being sacrificed by Moyes in the managers' attempts to keep Declan Rice for one more season.

Kudus did blot his copybook by conceding an early 2nd half penalty, but he made up for it and then some. Incidentally such was the poor showing of the 1st half that a Hammers 'celebrity' fan was seen to nod off in the 'executive' wine and dine suite! WE are reliably informed he was NOT drunk, just bored witless.

Just as Moyes now acknowledges the important part Kuudus plays for the team, there is a vague possibility he might 'climb down' regarding Mubama, Mubama as opposed to Ings? No question to answer. - Ed