Forum | Non-Football Related

Quite rightly football fans and pundits have been stunned by the sheer avarice and single mindedness of some of Europe's elite teams, the 'break away' Euro Super League will essentially become 'members only', and to become a member you need to be a part of the 'old boys wealth club'.

Despicable as the whole concept seems, we at the Org, perhaps just in an attempt to play 'devil's advocate', were wondering how West Ham fans would feel if the Irons were to be one of the as yet unnamed remaining five clubs to join up with the 'super rich'.

Would we be so quick to condemn the blatant attempt that these clubs have of making an elite competition that only caters for the 'chosen few'? With hand on heart it is a difficult question to answer honestly, but there is an overwhelming feeling that this 'projected course of events' could have a cumulative effect on professional football as we know it.

The fact that virtually all the UK protagonists are influenced by owners who are not from the UK, is damning indictment enough, but perhaps the fans of Manchester City, Man Utd, Liverpool, Spuds, the Rent boys and the Gooners will enjoy the 'exclusivity' of playing with each other (pun intended).

Maybe the 'super league' will be an astounding success, and the supporters of the 'dirty half dozen' will luxuriate in their pampered but virtually empty stadia, who knows, but for once West Ham have not stuck their noses in the fiscal trough much loved by American businessmen. - Ed

West Ham United and David Moyes's search for a new striker is similar to a long running soap, EastEnders perhaps? The same old characters disappear, and then emerge again once they have faded from the observers short term memory, and Chelsea's Tammy Abraham is no exception.

Chelsea have just reached the FA Cup final, are doing well in the Champions League and are only one point behind West Ham, with a game in hand. Since Thomas Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard his team have only lost once, at home to the Baggies, although it was a game affected by Chelsea going down to ten men early on in the match. (sounds familiar?)

The West London club's recent achievements have all been without the services of Abraham, Tuchel left the 23-year-old out of the Chelsea squad altogether for the FA Cup semi-final win over Man City, despite the fact the German could name NINE subs and use FIVE of them. Chelsea are reportedly interested in Sergio Aguero and Earling Haaland, as well as a potential move to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the Bridge.

Chelsea have a lot of distractions going into the crucial six-pointer game against the Irons next Saturday, they have the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid just 72 hours after the clash, and although they have a big squad, Tuchel will surely rest key players given his packed fixture list which will now, quite unexpectedly includes an FA Cup final too.

Hammers do have a full week’s rest ahead of the fixture whereas Chelsea face Brighton in the Barclays Premier League on Tuesday night. Moyes will be without Craig Dawson for the game against Chelsea following the defender's sending off for a 2nd bookable offence, but he hopes to have both Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku back for what will really be the 'season's defining fixture.

A win next Saturday could put Hammers firmly in the top four driving seats, a loss would confirm the relative mediocrity of a Europa League place, or worse! Qualifying for Europe would massively aid recruitment for the club, and Tammy Abraham's acquisition is part of the 'Moyes master plan', but at the moment, it is only a 'side show'. - Ed

It was almost inevitable that the injuries players have sustained would eventually catch up with West Ham, it was indeed unfortunate that fate complied to exacerbate the situation with an absolutely calamitous Hammers first half performance against Newcastle. The key stone cops first goal swiftly followed by Dawson's second yellow was a mere portent of what was to come.

Lukasz Fabianski must have thought he was back playing for Arsenal, as he was at fault in the main for the two goals conceded in the first half, especially the 2nd. The defence desperately missed the Cresswell/Masuaku combo, and boy did it show! Moyes's team did give it a real go in the second half, with Diop being slightly able to atone for his early error(s) with his headed goal, and with Jesse Lingard converting the penalty contentiously awarded, it seemed that the Irons were going to pull off an unlikely draw with just the ten men.

Alas it was not to be, as Newcastle finally made their one man advantage pay as Hammers were overwhelmed, and substitute Joe Willock was ablt to out fox the otherwise relatively solid Ben Johnson to slot home, Johnson having previously made a goal bound clearance with Fabianski clearly beaten.To make matters worse, Jesse Lingard was forced to leave the pitch half way through the additional eight minutes of injury time, with what looked like either the best case scenario, an acute case of cramp, or more worryingly his hamstring.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea can move above West Ham before the club take on their West London neighbours next Saturday, Chelsea will have played Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final and Brighton & Hove Albion before then, they also have a Champions League match to play just after the 'six point showdown' with the Irons at the London Stadium, a game that will define Hammers European hopes.

Next Saturday's game is the one, somehow the medical staff have got to revive Lingard, get Big Mich Antonio, as well as Cresswell and Masuaku, on to the pitch, with those four players at least the team will stand a chance of success, albeit an outside one. - Ed