Dinos
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First impressions welllll he's a big boy and has a lovely smile:-) can't wait to see him in the flesh...Scam who? lol
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Exciting & Exiting Times At West Ham!
It was always a case of David Moyes having a 'meeting of minds' with new technical director Tim Steidten before Hammers could really progress in the transfer market and it appears that is exactly what has happened as Moyes and Steidten's targets seem to have 'harmonised' in recent days.
Moyes appears to have given Steidten a free hand when it comes to negotiations for players Moyes himself wants as well as those the German has highlighted and conveniently there are players on both men's wish lists! Hot on the heels of acquiring a centre back, a defensive midfielder and an offensive midfielder Hammers are now in full swing as they are attempting to sign at least one additional striker and possibly two with En-Nesyri and Ekitike firmly in their sights.
Danny Ings has failed to impress although he hasn't been givemn much game time and despite giving 100% in both matches so far this season, there is a distinct possibility that 34 year old Mikey Antonio could accept one of several lucrative offers he has received from the massively spending 'Arab League'.
In addition to Antonio's possible departure, Aaron Cresswell looks done and dusted as an outgoing despite being on the bench for the Chelsea game and there is also a possibility that Pablo Fornals might be used as a part exchange for En-Nesyri, although Hammers have valued Fornals at around €20 Million which may well be a bit rich for En-Nesyri's cash strapped club Sevilla.
We may even send someone out from the Org to Goose Green on transfer deadline day because the journey might actually be worth it as this transfer window 'slams' shut. There are plenty of reasons to be cheerful, unfortunately Brighton will probably put the mockers on the current 'happiness' surrounding the club as they will be tough opposition as is in keeping with the club that is top of the Premier League, neither 'Bubble Boy' nor Alvarez will be ready to start the game but they will BOTH be available for the away fixture against Luton on the following Friday night. - Ed
My Street
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It's like the old East End these days....everyone wants to fight each other then after the tear up we hug & kiss each other & that's just the men!
The Women are tough as old boots,ten times more scary than the meanest geezer.
The filth ( old bill) are you allowed to say that nowadays? Well tough titty! Are camped outside,drug dens,old time villains but a real sense of community is coming back on the manor,people that have lived here donkeys years are saying "shit innit" then we laugh with it!!
Covid...we shit it,London on sea,the beach,the Airport...now a bloody city fgs...a vision from an incredibly passionate,caring man...an Eastender & Hammer of course! The only way is up gang,yazz & the plastic population...
Or is it just me?? COYIHow Will Hammers Do Against Brighton?
Allez West Ham!
West Ham are hoping to strengthen their frontline with the signing of Hugo Etikite from PSG. The 21-year-old rose to stardom at Reims in 2020 and turned down the chance to join Newcastle in January 2022 as the club faced a relegation battle.
The French youngster has struggled to establish himself as a first team regular in Paris since joining last summer and West Ham could table a bid for the player in the coming days. According to sources close to Tim Steidten any deal proposed by the Irons would be a loan to buy deal, similar to the deal the club had with PSG for Alphonse Areola, or maybe even a stright purchase as was the case with Thilo Kherer.
The fact that PSG and West Ham have already successfully conducted the Areola and Kherer deals puts Hammers in good stead for a deal for Etikite, if the clubs can reach a mutually convenient deal then there is a real chance of the French starlet arriving in East London.
The Hammers current back line already has Areola, Zouma, and Aguerd who are French speakers, as are Said Benrahma, Lucas Paqueta, Emerson and Thilo Kehrer, so the new arrival would feel relatively at home.
If Ze German can pull this one off the club can realistically look forward to competing on all levels, it remains to be seen if Hammers can head off interest from Everton among many suitors, but in the Steidtman we can trust! - Ed
'Bubble' Joins Hammers Ranks
West Ham have finally added 'bubble' born defender Konstantinos Mavropanos from Stuttgart for a fee of €21 Million excluding add ons. Mavropanos has signed a five-year contract with the Irons and has taken the number 15 shirt. The 25-year-old was Arsene Wenger's last signing at Arsenal but endured a torrid time between 2018 and 2022 where he made just seven Premier League appearances.
Standing at 6'5" tall Mavropanos is lethal in the air at both ends of the pitch and must be licking his lips at being on the end of James Ward-Prowse spot kicks, he will undoubtedly add strength in depth to Hammers back line, especially bearing in mind Nayef Aguerd's Morrocon commitment for the Africa Cup Of Nations competition which could see him away from the club for up to 2 months.
Konstantinos Mavropanos does have a point to prove and will relish measuring himself against the Premier League's best. It is not as if he hasn't experienced the hustle and bustle of the World's most frenetically paced league, but he is older and wiser now and possesses the physicality to endure all that is thrown at him.
Make no mistake, Konstantinos Mavropanos is not quite the finished article, but he represents such better value than the deal for Harry Maguire that nearly happened! at 25 years of age he is not even at his peak yet and would have a very useful sell on value if he was moved on in a few years.
Yet another good addition to the squad, it is a pity the deal was not concluded sooner, with so much time wasted pursuing Maguire, but it IS over the line now.
What new arrival has the 'Pearl Diver' next got up his sleeve? Expect plenty of action now the cuffs have finally been taken off of Tim Steidten, he has many 'irons in the fire' and a bulging black book of contacts waiting to be exploited, don't be surprised to see at least two more major signings before the window closes, possibly three!
OK so the victory over Chelsea might have been a bit of a false dawn, but you can bet your Paqueta that Steidten would have done a little bit better than Chelsea's recruitment team had he been given even half the resources they have squandered - Ed
What Queue Are West Ham In The Front Of For Youssef En-Nesyri?
According to Mucho Deporte in Spain, West Ham United need to present a higher proposal if they are to sign “very important” Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri, they report that the Hammers are at the front of the queue for the Moroccan international but would need to present a higher offer than the £27 Million they offered for him previously.
Apparently other clubs have dropped out of the race to sign the striker leaving Hammers a clear run! It is also stated that Seville are keen to get a deal wrapped up for the 'coveted star' that their manager doesn't want to part company with.
Now let's be clear, Sevilla were 'hawking round' En-Nesyri last season AND the season before, with varying valuations from €30 Million to as high as a staggering €75 Million!
Well who are the clubs that have 'given up the chase? Quite frankly, with the exception of the 'elite' clubs of Europe, hardly any, clubs just don't have the money and those that do are usually well catered for when it comes to strikers.
On his day Youssef En-Nesyri is a very decent player, but his cub stats mask the fact that he is a bit of a 'flat track bully' and that most of his goals have been against inferior opposition in La Liga's relegation zone. Moyes 'admired' En-Nesyri during the World Cup for his 'channel running' and the player DID score a good goal against Citeh in the Super Cup final, but he is NOT worth the sort of money Sevilla are looking for.
IF he can be brought in for say €30 Million with another €5 Million of attainable add ons then he could represent a decent signing especially considering his age, so he would have a good sell on value, something Moyes really needs to start thinking more about given the way the wind of recruitment at the club is blowing.
Whatever happens a new striker is urgently required, even IF he stays, the club cannot rely on Big Mikey Antonio as it's sole striker, Danny Ings is past his peak and young Divin Mubamba needs a lot more game time. At the end of the day, you tend to get what you pay for with proven and unproven strikers.
There is currently a rumour that Romelu Lukaku 'might' be available on the cheap, if he is why not give him a punt? Just throwing it out there. LN
A Billion Smiles As 10 Man West 'Am Place A Blue Flag!
First home fixture of the season, capacity crowd, Sunny afternoon and the visit of one of the club's fiercest rivals, what more could a fan want? Well a 3-1 victory after going down to ten men might do, mightn't it? Throw in your new first choice goalkeeper saving a pen at a crucial stage in the game and you kind of get the picture!
All eyes were on Lucas Paqueta from the off and when he picked up his USUAL yellow card there were fears he would pick up a second and get himself sent off. Instead it was Nayef Aguerd who had that dubious honour, under the new rulings he was bang to rights and his dismissal in the 68th minute with Hammers struggling to hold on to their 2-1 lead was seemingly going to be too much and that the visitors would run riot.
Instead the "Billion Pound Team" huffed and they puffed but they could not penetrate an airtight Hammers defence well marshalled by captain Kurt Zouma and added to by the introduction of Edson Alvarez who made an instant impact and endeared himself to the home fans in a heartbeat with his tough uncompromising tackling!
Earlier in the game Aguerd was the hero as he scored within the first seven minutes, but as usual Hammers sat back and invited Chelsea on. Matters were not helped by the referees' propensity for issuing yellow cards, so it was rather inevitable that Chukwuemeka would bring Chelsea level in the 28th minute.
Things could have gone from bad to worse had Areola not saved Enzo Fernandez's penalty, but it looked to all and sundry that Chelsea would inevitably overpower Hammers defence in the 2nd half. Instead Michail Antonio was delightfully put through by new signing James Warde-Prowes and managed to put away a difficult shot from some considerable distance, at last!
The joy of going ahead was short lived as Chelsea piled on the pressure and Aguerd picked up his second yellow. Moyes, who should have substituted Aguerd earlier, brought on Angelo Ogbonna and then Alavarez to shore up the defence which was under continuous pressure.
Somehow the team stood firm and aided by a raucous and ranting at the referee crowd,not only managed to see the game out, but went on the offensive resulting in the penalty awarded for a foul on Emerson, this was duly dispatched by his best mate Lucas Paqueta.
The Stadium roof nearly came off and the visiting fans went off in their droves as soon as the pen hit the back of the net! Some win, how many people bet on that result hey? - Ed
Live West Ham v Chelsea Line Ups
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio
Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Cornet, Ings, Ogbonna, Mubama, Fornals, Cresswell, AlvarezChelsea: Sanchez, Disasi, Colwill, Silva, Gusto, Chilwell, Fernandez, Gallagher, Sterling, Chukwuemeka, Jackson
Subs: Bergstrom, Cucurella, Mudryk, Madueke, Ugochukwu, Caicedo, Maatsen, Burstow, Humphreys
Allow For 'Massive' Queues Against Chelsea
Those fans turning up for West Ham United's first home game of the season should be prepared for lengthy queues as security will be tight to say the least, the fact it is the first home game AND that it is against London rivals Chelsea WILL mean incredibly long waiting times to get in through the Stadium's 'security net'.
New staff will have been briefed in advance and will carry out restrictions to the letter of the law which can be very frustrating, so here are a few salient points to remember. You CAN bring in snacks for the game, including home made sandwiches, packets of crisps and treats. You can also bring in drinks, now here is a contentious issue, recently trained newly employed security staff will most likely attempt to restrict anyone from bringing drinks in with them, they could insist that any liquids are poured from dispensers into disposable plastic glasses, however this is NOT in the rules.
The most they can possibly ask for is that you remove the bottle tops of the drink containers, they may try to infer that you CANNOT bring drinks containers in irrespective of if the lids are removed or not. This is NOT correct, so long as the container is made from plastic or cardboard you are PERFECTLY entitled to bring them in, you may have to remove lids if applicable, but despite what you are told, you ARE allowed to bring drinks in if you remove lids.
It might irritate those around you if you take a stand over this issue because it could cause additional delays, but it is your right to bring in whatever is NOT listed in the don'ts section of items listed art the entrance to the security check points!
HERE ARE THE OFFICIAL GUIDELINES :PERMITTED ITEMS
The following items are permitted into London Stadium on football matchdays:
• Blankets
• Plastic bottles (with tops removed)
• Thermos flasks
• Cameras with three-inch lenses or shorter. Kindly note that no lights, tripods, selfie-sticks or monopods are permitted.
• Small quantities of food & drink for personal consumption. Please note that food items will be inspected as part of the searching process.
• All bottles must have tops removed unless otherwise indicated
Yes, you did read it correctly, THERMOS FLASKS! are among the items permitted, however we strongly advise against Thermos Flasks as this would DEFINITELY cause massive delays while supervisors are sought to clarify the ruling, but plastic bottles with their tops removed ARE perfectly permissible!
Either way, be prepared for huge delays, but you won't need to bring a tent! - Ed
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