2nd Fixture Will Be Tasty
West Ham open the season at home to premier league champions Manchester City, City will be parading their new signings and West Ham will be hoping to be able to put a team together! With that game a virtual write off much attention had been given to the club's 2nd fixture, away to newly promoted Nottingham Forest, well that game has taken on a whole new significance now that long term David Moyes transfer target Jesse Lingard has elected to join Forest instead of West Ham!
At least the 'will he, won't he?' saga has drawn to a conclusion no matter how messy, Forest have got a top player, while the player has got top dollar, believed to be around £200,000 per week. Those inside the club had an inkling this situation might occur and have acted accordingly by looking at other options, there is NO WAY Hammers were prepared to pay that sort of money and were not prepared to get into a bidding war with Forest.
It is easy to be high and mighty in judging Lingard's behaviour, but at the end of the day he owed West Ham exactly NOTHING! When he was on loan he helped the club achieve a top six finish and his performances earned him his England place back, albeit briefly.
Time to move on, nothing to see here! - Ed
