Forum | Non-Football Related

West Ham fans have always loved a maverick, heavens knows the club has been 'blessed' with no end of 'special' players who have donned the Claret and Blue, from the 'Mad Monk' through to the 'Terminator' fans have always adopted players who give 100%, and new record signing Sebastian Haller has all the attributes required, and then some!

To score a spectacular goal within 90 seconds on his home debut wasn't enough, in the true Hammers tradition of 'meaningful' debuts it had to be a spectacular own goal, and Hammers new Gallic hero didn't disappoint. Haller instantly set about righting the wrongs of his error by harassing the visitors defence in the way a traditional centre forward is supposed to do.

'Allo's' presence was enough to disturb the opposition, he completed his 'Cameo' debut by accidentally taking out an opposition player 'properly'. The fact that he was able to look at the referee with 'hang dog' eyes as if to say "what me ref?" was hopefully a wonderful portent of the future. Hammers new most expensive signing looks like a cross between Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, he may stand one inch shorter than Carroll, but he plays a foot taller, and he has already managed to smile more than 'Sulkho' already!

Of course we would be in denial if we also didn't mention that due to the team's dreadfully porous defence it will definitely a be a 'buckle up butter cups' type of season, most definitely not for the faint hearted, but potentially very exciting.

If Jack Wilshere can just stay fit, then Manuel Pellegrini will have a selection problem as to who he has to bench from his midfield, but as it is West Ham, undoubtedly someone will pick up an injury to relieve the pressure for places.- Ed

With only 8 days remaining before the transfer window 'slams shut', it never apparently just closes, clubs are jostling to beg borrow buy or steal the players they want, while at the same time off load the players they don't want.

West Ham have recruited really well so far, but the Elephant in the room is the clearly the out of sorts Javier Hernandez. It is not Chicho's fault that he was handed an obscenely and impractical £140,000 per week contract, however he has the chance to move on if he takes a salary cut. Perhaps it would be unfair to say it is the manner of the man, more likely the manner of modern day football, where it is easier for a player to pick up huge wages without bothering to be at a club where they actually play!

Hernandez is not short of suitors, but his wages are prohibitive, even if Chicho is allowed to leave on a free it is still questionable as to whether there is a club that wants AND can afford his wages. The player's options are clear, take a pay cut and be the main man at a club, or stay where he is and let his contract run down it's remaining twelve months.

Hernandez's representatives have now said that the player, who previously wanted a move to Spain, is 'content' to remain at the London Stadium, well content just isn't enough! Fans don't want to spend their 'hard earned' to see a player who is only 'content', they want to see a player who gives his all and will run through metaphorical fires for the club. Hernandez's recent performances have neither shown a player at the top of his game, nor a player who really cares.

Hammers have just got rid of one highly paid but eventually 'toxic' player in the form of Marko Arnautovic, it seems impractical to then have that negative vacuum taken up by another over paid player who wouldn't be at the club if there were any takers. Surely Mario Husillos is not blinded by Hernandez in a similar way to Manuel Pellegrini, that is why they work together, in order to maintain perspective, so hopefully the 'Huse' is working on getting Hernandez out the door, despite the player being allocated the main striker's shirt number.

Two strikers could be brought in for what it costs just in Hernandez's wages, that must surely be a better option, it is not as if he is getting any younger or prolific, it really would be to West Ham's advantage to 'out' Hernandez, get a couple of lads in on loan, one with experience and maybe a raw talent for the future, or even one from the past, we are to run a poll soon asking whether Hammers should have re-signed Ravel Morrison instead of keeping Hernandez, we think Ravel would have been preferred to Chicho.

Still, there are eight days remaining, just about enough time to build the World, getting rid of Hernandez might take a lot longer though! - Ed

Well, it is a 'friendly' isn't it? Hammers penultimate friendly ahead of the beginning of the Barclays Premier League against Hertha Berlin might well be 'the last chance sallon' for certain peripheral players currently at West Ham United.

Here are the team sheets submitted ahead of the match which hopefully will be streamed by both Hertha Berlin and West Ham United via their official websites.
Hertha Berlin: Kraft; Skjelbred (c), Darida, Esswein, Duda, Klunter, Kopke, Plattenhardt, Torunarigha, Friede, Selke Subs: Jarstein, Stark, Lowen, Leckie, Grujic, Mittelstadt, Redan, Covic
West Ham Utd: Roberto, Johnson, Balbuena, Diop, Crersswell, Rice, Wilshere, Anderson, Fornals, Lanzini, Haller. Subs: Martin, Zabaleta, Snchez, Masuaku, Diangana, Snodgrass, Cullen, Yarmolenko, Antonio, Hernandez.