Forum | Non-Football Related

Hammers' on off pursuit of James Tarkowski from Burnley now looks dead and buried, Burnley won't budge off their upper level £50 Million asking price and West Ham, quite rightly are unwilling, but are also unable, to match such a 'premium' valuation. While Tarkowski is indeed a top player Burnley's valuation is a bit top heavy, particularly in light of the current financial restrictions that have resulted owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, and there are other players available, so perhaps it was time to walk away.

In a way Tarkowski's unavailability is a god send, because the limited funds that are available would better deployed in acquiring a less highly priced centre back thus releasing funds for a full back or two, and maybe even a Jao Mario type of player on loan as well as a back up striker.

Loan deals are definitely an option, that whilst not perfect does allow clubs some 'wiggle room' in this current crisis, and to this purpose there are plenty of players, many with a point to prove or who have a personal agenda to get back in to their national side. These players fit in to the hungry category that Moyes demands although maybe not in the young template he would like, Danny Rose from Tottenham is one of those players, Mourinho doesn't reckon on him and the player would relish a move away from 'old sour puss' and a move to the London Stadium might suit all parties.

Of course the enmity between West Ham and Tottenham may prevent what would normally be a straight forward deal from proceeding, which is a pity really, because the player in question is an England International desperate to be playing week in week out in order to force his way back in to Gareth Southgate's plans.

At 30 years old Rose is no spring chicken, but he would make Aaron Cresswell seem like he is from Dad's army in comparison, Rose is definitely not a marquee signing, but at the propounded £5 Million fee represents good value for a player with a couple of good years left in the tank. - Ed

Using the word 'positive' to describe someone who has just been confirmed as having a serious viral illness is a bit of a contradiction, there is nothing positive emerging from the London Stadium except for a pretty fine Carabao Cup performance against Hull City. Of course the backdrop to the convincing 5-1 victory was the sudden withdrawal of Issa Diop and Josh Cullen from the published starting line up, in addition manager David Moyes was forced to leave the Stadium as quickly as possible as were the players.

There is currently no word as to whether the Covid-19 has infected any other players or staff, but it is believed as a result of adhering to the correct procedures and the observation of sufficient social distancing, well as much as can be expected in a sporting domain, that there aren't fears of a wider spread. Moyes, Diop and Cullen were all asymptomatic, but will be required to self isolate for ten days which will mean missing the preparations and the actual fixture against Wolves scheduled for this Sunday.

*According to FA rule 3
A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players. If a team has fewer than seven players because one or more players has deliberately left the field of play, the referee is not obliged to stop play and the advantage may be played, but the match must not resume after the ball has gone out of play if a team does not have the minimum number of seven players. If the competition rules state that all players and substitutes must be named before kick-off and a team starts a match with fewer than eleven players, only the players and substitutes named in the starting line-up may take part in the match upon their arrival.*

It is highly unlikely that the rest of the squad were sufficiently exposed to have been infected as well, but there will be some anxious moments for some as they await their next test results. Should the unthinkable happen and most of the squad somehow show Covid-19 traces, then the game against Wolves CAN be postponed. Leyton Orient's fixtue against Tottenham was cancelled for exactly that reason, so the precedent has been set, although it is hoped that it will not be necessary to use it.

The performance against Hull was rather overlooked due to the late withdrawal of the Manager, Diop and Cullen, but it has to be said that the Irons were imperious as they swept aside a full strength Tigers side. The 5-1 score line wasn't flattering, had the forward players not been so profligate in front of goal the score line could have been 10-1, such was West Ham's dominance, but then again there were well over £100 Million worth of players representing the Irons!

Andrily Yarmolenko and Sebastien Haller both bagged a brace, with 'Snoddy' grabbing a fine goal against his old club, Jarrod Bowen was on the bench but did not play against his old club as well. The two youngsters drafted in at the last minute, Harrison Ashby and Aji Alese were exceptional , although it was a bitter sweet match for Ashby who nearly scored on his debut and performed brilliantly until having to leave the field in considerable pain after sustaining a dislocated finger, however whether by coincidence or not Ashby has earned a first Scotland Under-21 call-up - a day after making his full West Ham United debut in the League Cup rout of Hull City. The 18 year old defender, is in Scot Gemmill's squad for European Championship qualifiers at home to Czech Republic and away to San Marino next month.

Finally Jack Wilshere played for the full 90 minutes, good for him, and Fabian Balbuena reminded everyone that he is a 'general' when it comes to marshalling the defence, his services will be required in the absence of Issa Diop for the Wolves game. - Ed

West Ham: Darren Randolph, Ben Johnson, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena, Josh Cullen, Ajibola Alese, Robert Snodgrass, Manuel Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Andryi Yarmolenko, Sebastien Haller Subs: Nathan Trott, Harrison Ashby , Emmanuel Longelo, Conor Coventry, Xande Silva, Jarrod Bowen.
Hull: Long; Coyle, A Jones, McLoughlin, Fleming; Smallwod, C Jones, Batty; Mayer, Magennis, Scott. Subs: Ingram, Burke, Honeyman, Wilks, Lewis Potter, Emmanuel, Samuelsen

Perhaps the good weather that coincided with the gradual reduction of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic gave supporters false hope that they would be able to attend Barclays Premier League matches soon, if not at full capacity at least 30%. Unfortunately those hopes have been dashed by the government's latest directive that has pushed the chance of attending games way past the beginning of the new year.

Like all the other top flight stadia, the London Stadium is eerily quiet when games are played behind closed doors, but the 'bowl of misery' as it is often called by Hammers' fans is a huge place, as is Old Trafford, The Emirates and White Hart Lane, but the B.O.M because of it's flawed design as a football venue seems even more empty!

With the latest information just available today, the LDC have called an emergency meeting with regards as to how to limit the financial damage caused by keeping the London Stadium open, as West Ham United are only anchor tenants, the vast majority of the fiscal burden lies with the landlords who are obviously keen to avoid further financial embarrassment and encumbrance.

One of the propositions to be discussed at the emergency 'zoomed' meeting is the 'mothballing' of large parts of the Stadium, given the fact that there is no way fans can possibly return before the new year this does make sense, it has been suggested that all the walkways and ALL of the seating be hermetically sealed off only to be reopened when crowds can return, this means there is every likelihood that it will be early spring before the 'covers' can be removed. It is thought this action will save £100,000 per week, which ironically is what West Ham pay Jack Wilshere!

The Irons are not alone when it comes to match day revenue loss, but the club doesn't depend on it as much as Manchester United and Tottenham, the latter having to take out huge loans to offset the loss of not only football, but also American football and other lucrative non football entertainment, the revenues from which were essential parts of the plan to build a new stadium that was self financing from the get go, alas for Daniel Levy it was not to be, mind you he still found the wedge to finance the Bale deal and other incomings.

The West Ham board and club hierarchy will have heard today's announcement with mixed feelings, on the one hand they will continue to lose match day revenue and will have to keep rebating season ticket holders, on the other hand there will be no discontented crowds in attendance voicing their opinions straight at the directors box. - Ed