Forum | Non-Football Related

Here we go, Jim 'Brown Nose' White will have his yellow tie and pink shirt on later as he takes his traditional role up as Sky and Talksport's Anchor man. Hammers have been busy, who else will join Alphonse Areola, Kurt Zouma and Nikola Vlasic?

We will try to bring you up to date as the window's closure draws near.....1st up, Hammers have just officially confirmed the signing of Nikola Vlasic on a FIVE year deal from CSK Moscow, the fee is vague, but is around £25 Million. Alex Krul is the next 'target' story that has some 'legs' to it and there is a possibility ofn a late striker swoop.

David Moyes has sanctiioned the loan deals for Conor Coventry and interestingly Mipo Odubeko. Midfielder Coventry has been allowed to leave because of Krull's impending arrival, so does David Moyes have another striker signing up his sleeve? Odubeko has been in the first team squad several times but has been sent out on loan to Huddersfield to further his career, he has just signed a new deal with West Ham sand is seen as one for the future, but what about the now?

It may seem churlish to want more players in addition to so many good acquisitions, but that is the nature of fans, although the vast majority of them will inwardly be overjoyed with the club's 'late late' transfer show. If Moyes can 'magic up' a striker, with Jonathan Bamba being mentioned, during the remaining hours of the window, then he really will be the Moyesiah! - Ed

West Ham have announced the signing of Nikola Vlašić, The Croatia international joins from Russian club CSKA Moscow on a five year contract. The deal is reportedly worth £25.72 Million with another £7.7 Million in potential add-ons.

The vastly experienced Vlašić, despite being just 23 years of age, has already played more than 250 senior matches and has also established himself at international level having made 26 appearences for Croatia and played his part for his country at Euro 2020.

WHUFC.COM Have confirmed that Vlasic was 'extensively scouted' throughout the summer transfer window and was their main midfield attacking target in addition to the club's interest in Jesse Lingard. Vlasic is described as a 'creative attacker', although it isn't confirmed where Vlasic will play for David Moyes.

In Russia Vlasic has shown his versatility by playing across the forward line, he's played on the right wing while also being deployed in midfield, a position he has successfully played for his country, although Vlasic often starts on the wing for Croatia.

The arrival of Vlasic takes Hammers spending for the summer to over £50 Million following the signing Kurt Zouma at the weekend. They join Craig Dawson signed on a permanent basis from Watford earlier in the window and Alphonse Areole who joined on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.

IF Moyes can acquire a back up striker, an additional midfield enforcer and a left back, then only a fool would say this transfer window has been anything less than truly spectacular, and even if there are no more signings it has still been good, especially bearing in mind that failing a last minute 'wonder bid', that West Ham have been able to retain their best players, unlike several other Barclays Premier League teams! -

At Org HQ during the next day post match where the game against Palace was 'investigated' using a full recording of the game, it became very apparent that David Moyes's comments about the poor quality of the pitch at the London 'Dome' were totally justified.

Analysing the game confirmed what we had already thought, the way the ball was held up during the early exchanges indicated the pitch had been heavily watered ahead of the game, so heavily that the ball was not travelling as far as was expected. This less than perfect scenario intensified as the 'drenched' surface dried out to leave a 'tennis court' of a pitch that saw the ball bouncing ridiculously high, far more than had been anticipated.

Moyes alluded to the fact during his post match 'presser', he was not looking for excuses as it was clear to see the team had not performed to the level of the preceding game against 'fancied' opposition Leicester City! The atmosphere was flat, unlike the surface, despite the best efforts of fans packed into the 'Bowl'.

Being top of the Barclays Premier League requires hard work and a lot of luck, the latter eluding Hammers on Saturday, although 2nd place after 3 games isn't to be sniffed at, annoyingly the 1-0 specialists from North London have the accolade of leading the League after match day 3.

The fact that the quality of the pitch in Stratford is a major talking point, as opposed to the club's lack of signings during the closing stages of the transfer window, perhaps goes to show just how far the team has progressed during David Moyes's '2nd coming', the successes he has overseen have earned him the nickname 'Moyesiah', a handle that few would have thought he would have been anointed with when he returned to the club following the ill fated Pellegrini campaign.

With less than 48 Hrs to go before the window 'slams shut', (does anyone slam their windows shut at home?) Hammers are far better placed than they were last week to take on the increased demands of the new season given the clubs Europa League commitments, 6 games between the 11th and 30th of September following on from player's International commitments will test the squad's endurance to the limit.

In an ideal world Moyes would be bringing in an additional left back and an out and out striker along with possibly an additional midfielder, the reality is the signings of Zouma and Nicola Vlasic are good business and there could be the bonus of 'another couple' as Moyes succinctly mentioned, but ONLY if they are quality.

Managers live and die by their signings, so far, with the exception of Jordan Hugill, Moyes has got his signings spot on, IF he can add a couple more then his still feather light squad at least has a battlers chance to continue the club's unlikely but very welcome renaissance.- LN