Forum | Non-Football Related

West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Rice ©, Lanzini, Fornals, Vlasic, Bowen, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Johnson, Masuaku, Alese, Ashby, Ekwah, Kral, Yarmolenko, Okoflex
Norwich: Krul, Aarons, Gibson, Hanley ©, Williams, Lees-Melous, McLean, Placheta, McLean, Idah, Pukki Subs: Gunn (GK), Byram, Dowell, Kabak, Tzolis, Sorensen, Giannoulis, Gibbs, Rowe

When Declan Rice first burst on to the scene many saw him as a typical west ham one hit wonder, a player who would either get good and consequently get sold on, or a player who shone brightly for a while but then faded into obscurity. However Declan proved all the doubters wrong AND the club have managed to keep hold of the 22 year old England International, thus far.

Rice has had an astonishing amount of column inches dedicated to his 'next' move, with Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd seemingly 'nailed on' to capture his services, at least according to the press. Despite all the sycophant support for a move, Rice has remained in the East End and has continued to thrive, establishing himself as one of the BEST midfielders in WORLD football!

Well, it seems as if the media have FINALLY moved on from the Dec story, replacing him with none other than Jarrod Bowen as the Hammers player 'coveted' by a host of Premier League teams, including but not exclusively Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is a long time admirer of Bowen and has done all that he can to 'legally' ensure the Anfield PR office is moving hell and high water to get the Pool's interest in Bowen out into the public domain as much as is possible.

The way this sort of open tapping up is done is clear to see, you only have to look at Liverpool's destabilising clandestine stalking of Vergil Van Dijk while he was still a Southampton player to see the modus operandi, not only of the Mersyside club, but also ALL of the 'sick six' clubs who attempted to destroy the footballing pyramid in this country with their failed and ill fated super league attempt.

Throw in a crazy valuation just to up, the ante and it is possible to create a 'perfect storm' of an environment that can 'turn' a player's head eventually. Fortunately for West Ham, Rice is not fazed by his £100-150 Million valuation, so Bowen needs not be concerned with his current £60 Million valuation, much like any appreciating asset his value is only going one way currently and that is south of £60 Million now.

Gone are the days when Hammers metaphorically dropped their pants every time a bit of cash was flashed, this 'date' needs more than a slap up meal in order to end up as the desert! If you care to glance at the litany of unbelievable players who have left the club in te past it is little wonder that he club has now embarked n qa course that necessitates holding on to the club's BEST players.

60 Millionen Pfund sind jetzt nicht genug, Herr Klopp! Versuchen Sie es stattdessen mit 100 Millionen Pfund! - Ed

News emenating via Hammers 'unofficial' portal C&H, is that Kurt Zouma has made a remarkable recovery from his injury sustained in the 3-2 victory over his former club Chelsea back in November. Zouma elected to NOT have surgery which would have involved a 'significant' amount of recovery time, consequently he has been able to return to training considerably earlier than had been anticipated.

Indeed, Zouma might have been available for selection against Norwich in the rearranged Premeir League fixture but had unfortunately had to islolate due to Covid, it is not clear at this time whether he had contracted Covid or whether he was isolating due to close contact with an infected person.

The game against Leeds this weekend might be just a little too early to reintroduce Zouma, however there is every chance he WILL be available to play in the away fixture against Ronaldo United at Old Trafford on the 22nd of January. Zouma's return is incredibly significant and represents a massive boost to the club's top six chances and even it's top four aspirations, he has been hugely missed as has been shown by how many goals a once airtight defence has conceded in his absence.

Issa Diop and 'Les' Dawson have come in for a lot of stick since having to step into the void left by not only Zouma, also but the incredibly reliable Angelo Ogbonna. The former in particular having received scathing comments from 'fans', the latter having played through injury for the last few games.

As we have mentioned in our previous article, 'Les' Dawson is Moyes' preferred choice ahead of Issa Diop, but surely NOW is the time to give Diop ONE last chance to play alongside defensive royalty in the form of Kurt Zouma, while Les recovers from injury?

Not rushing in to buy a new centre back is another example of how VERY astute David Moyes is in the transfer market, he KNEW all along, or at least he found out relatively quickly, that Kurt Zouma was going to return to fitness WAY ahead of schedule, but chose to keep his cards close to his chest instead of going public.

IF Zouma DOES return in time for the Mancs, Hammers will have managed to negotiate their way through an injury crisis that threatened to totally derail the club's top six aspirations, never mind the top four! The other GOOD news is that Aaron 'he of the immaculate hair' Cresswell is due to return for the Old Trafford game AND possibly the home tie against Leeds, although the Wednesday evening game against Norwich is being viewed as a little too soon for the left back who's superb crossing has been sorely missed, ALL of Hammers forward line will be licking their lips in anticipation of his return and his 'succulent' set piece deliveries.

The return of Zouma AND Cresswell is incredibly good news and comes just at the right time, potential 'panic purchases have been avoided, thus leaving the road open to 'proper' long term purchases to be made during the summer window when better deals are to be had.

It is often said that only the needy and the greedy do their business during the January transfer window, Hammers are nether at this moment in time, that is not to say that extra recruits aren't necessary, Cresswell's injury clearly illustrated the need for an additional TOP CLASS left back, a position that needs filling almost as much as the much publicised need for an additional striker.

It will probably really annoy fans to hear this, but UNLESS a player that Moyes wants becomes available, there is every possibility that NO deals will be done, absolutely NONE. Of course behind the scenes might be completely different, but ever so quietly the club has gone about renewing or reopening negotiations for valued players who are already at the club, the days of West Ham being a selling club are most definitely over and long may it continue.

By his own admission, David Moyes can be a miserable bas**rd, but as he says, he hopes he has become accustomed to smiling a little more thanks in no small measure to the 'brilliant' players he has at his disposal. Are Hammers now a 'massive' club? Just ask the people who run Kidderminster Harriers, their fans and their players just how big they think the Irons are ahead of the FA Cup 4th round! - Ed