Forum | Non-Football Related

West Ham: Fabianski (C), Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Emerson, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen, Kudus. Subs: Areola (GK), Anang (GK), Johnson, Cresswell, Fornals, Antonio, Cornet, Ings, Ogbonna, Kehrer, Souček, Mubama

Olympiakos: Paschalakis, Rodinei, Porozo, Retsos, Ortega, Alexandropoulous, Camara, Hezze, Podence, Jovetić, Fortounis (C) Subs: Tzolakis (GK), Papadoudis (GK), Scarpa, El-Arabi, Vrousai, Quini, Masouras, João Carvalho, Pep Biel, Solbakke, El Kaabi

Hammers spirited but eventually pointless visit to the GTech Stadium in West London raised certain issues that just won't go away! Primarily the club or its manager's inability to 'find' a striker has come back to haunt the club in a massive way. It is not as if it is a new scenario, having failed to sign a replacement for Gianluca Scammaca following hot on the heels of not signing a replacement for Sebastien Haller, somehow somewhere there is a serial offender at large!

Big Mikey Antonio seems as if he is 'prepping' himself for a life after football as an 'entertainer', in addition to his ill-advised podcast that he shares with opposition forward Callum Wilson of Newcastle, the Hammers striker looks like Bamby on ice when on the field, falling over to such an extent some may think his 'inner ear' is failing!

What happened to the 'bull' who bullied? Once upon a time Antonio literally 'terrorised' defenders with his powerful runs and 'boisterous' physicality that shunted most defenders out of the way and scared the 'mahooney' out of others. During his halcyon days all that toughness came at a price as he regularly picked up injuries, particularly his huge hamstrings!

Antonio adopted a healthier eating regime which saw his injuries dramatically reduced, unfortunately it also seemed to have taken the 'edge' out of his final product. Of course age plays a part as well losing half Yard is the difference between leaving a defender for dust and looking stupid, it happens to ALL players, especially forwards.

If he would accept it, a role from the bench would be best for all parties. Moyes could throw Antonio on for the last 25 minutes and the effect could be devastating, but starting the game is soon going to be an ever decreasing option. However, Said Benrahma and Mohammed Kudus will both be absent from the January Premier League schedule due to the African Cup of Nations so Antonio's services will still be required, it is a faite accomplie, but a short term one and Mikey knows it as well.

The Lad Potts must surely be recalled from his loan deal, the club have the option and the sparsity of good CDM's was abundantly clear against Brentford, it is a fact of life that an 'all action' defender like Edson Alvarez will inevitably pick up a raft of yellow and possibly red cards, therefore it is ESSENTIAL that some 'proper' cover is available, James Ward-Prowse is NOT a CDM!

Emerson at left back is a perfect fit, but when he is unavailable the team really struggle, a decent back up is a must! Equally, at right back Vlad Coufal cannot go on indefinitely without having more of a backup than Thilo Kehrer, not that Kehrer hasn't performed well, but he either should be given a proper run of games or just be kept as a utility player, which he might not fancy in the long run.

Finally, the elephant in the room, the manager! The unexpected victory over Arsenal in the League Cup meant that Moyes bought himself precious time, 'oxygen' in the rarefied atmosphere that lives between success and failure. However, that is only a temporary reprieve as the 60 year old Scot will find his position more and more undermined due to the influence of David Sullivan appointed Tim Steidten. An unstoppable force colliding with an unmoveable object springs to mind and as things stand it will be the 'Steid' who will be left standing -LN

Brentford have done incredibly well since gaining their promotion to the Premier League three seasons ago, many teams go down after just one season so they and their manager deserve full credit for their success. That said, the way that they have achieved it is somewhat less than attractive.

Anyone who has witnessed the 'Tomas Frank experience' at close quarters will testify that his players are experts at the dark arts, some are able to take 'play acting' to such an advanced level that they are in danger of needing equity cards in order to 'perform' publicly without incurring the wrath of the powerful actors union!

This may seem like sour grapes because Brentford are one of Hammers 'Bogey' teams, Hammers have only beaten them once and that was in the FA Cup! The Bees ability to 'spoil' a game is quite remarkable you name it, they try it, especially if they have the lead.

The West London team are 'notorious' for their time wasting, referee 'badgering' and phantom injuries, especially those that require the game to be halted ie: head injuries. They also have the ability to 'exploit' situations ALL over the pitch, much to the chagrin of opposition supporters. They are experts at the long throw in as well as 'stealing; as many extra t=yards as they can when taking them, it is NOT co-incidence, examination of their games proves it, essentially they push the boundaries as far as they can until they are sanctioned, its the Brentford way!

Although not so pleasing on the eye, especially if you are their opponents, Brentford have come up with a formula that works for them. It has enabled them to reap the rewards of being in the top flight without becoming bankrupt and for that they should be applauded.

It is to be hoped Hammers don't fall foul of Brentford's 'Equity' exploits this Saturday afternoon and that the Referee is 'previoused' about the Bees players' propensity for falling over and feigning injury on an industrial scale. Hammers main 'actor' for such things is not available for the game, it is a pity because it would be rather amusing to see the Brentford players reaction to Lucas Paqueta going down like a sack of spuds after the merest of touches!

It will be a tough game to get anything out of. Brentford are one of Moyes' nemesis teams, but then so were Brighton and more recently Arsenal. Statistics are there to be altered, so maybe they can be today? - Ed