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It is a strange anomaly, that while Barclays Premier League teams are intoxicated by the fiscal windfall they are about to receive, that they may have taken their eye of the proverbial ball! The signs were there when Chinese clubs were the biggest shakers and movers in the transfer market recently, but because they are not party to the same legislation as European clubs, they are allowed to sign players outside of the transfer window. This situation does ask the question as to the possible advantage the Chinese clubs have over their European competitors.

The right back position for West Ham United has become one of those precarious situations that was vaguely envisaged, but no one thought would actually happen, Carl Jenkinson was originally retained on loan from Arsenal following a sucessful initial season at the Boleyn, however he was soon judged to have been found wanting as a right back playing for a Slaven Billic managed team and, prior to his season ending injury, was not being used in the starting line up with centre back James Tomkins being preferred instead.

Southampton: Forster, Cedric Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand, Clasie, Wanyama, Mane, Long, Pelle.
Subs: Tadic, Romeu, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi, Stekelenburg, Austin.
West Ham: Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Collins, Cresswell, Song, Moses, Noble, Payet, Antonio, Valencia.
Subs: Randolph, Carroll, Obiang, O’Brien, Byram, Emenike, Oxford.

Paolo Di Canio will grace the Boleyn Ground once again after confirming his participation at Mark Noble’s forthcoming testimonial, maverick Di Canio scored 52 goals in 141 appearances for West Ham between 1999 and 2003, and is the latest name to be confirmed for the match to acknowledge Noble’s service to the club.

According to Stijn Vandenbroucke, West Ham United's chief medical officer, Andy Carroll is fit to play a part in Saturday's game against Southampton, the Big striker has recovered from his hamstring injury and will go straight in to the squad for Saturday's late afternoon match on the south coast, Carroll's availability will hopefully free up Enner Valencia and the other players who have been forced to fill the gap.

West Ham United captain Mark Noble, ridiculously overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson, put in a stellar performance as his team finally managed to put Aston Villa to the sword in the 2-0 victory at the Boleyn, Vila started on the front foot and made the home side look particularly lethargic, the great messiah that is Dimitri Payet had a very off day at the office initially and Villa proved very stubborn opponents, as you would expect from a team that were fighting for their Barclays Premiership survival.

West Ham : Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Collins, Cresswell, Song, Kouyate, Antonio, Noble, Payet, Valencia
Subs: Randolph, Obiang, O’Brien, Moses, Jelavic, Oxford, Cullen
Aston Villa: Bunn, Richards, Okore, Lescott, Cissokho, Bacuna, Gueye, Veretout, Gil, Agbonlahor, Ayew
Subs: Guzan, Clark, Sinclair, Richardson, Lyden, Grealish, Mason

There has been much written and said about the 'West Ham Way', particularly in Old Sour Puss' Book, and also by the current Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce from his time at the Boleyn. Generally the public perception is of a mythical Claret&Blue haze that descends on whole groups of people, particularly men of a certain age and seduces them in to thinking what they are seeing and experiencing is special and unique. To many the West Ham way is an illusion that has been perpetuated and manipulated for financial benefit by the current owners, so what is the West Ham way?

Unless there is a 'cunning' plan afoot, West Ham United appear to have shut up shop early on transfer deadline day. No frenzied candle burning at the Boleyn, no mysterious fat over weight mercenaries waiting in a near by Hotel hoping for one more excessive pay day, and no hopes of fans to be dashed! Pretty boring in one way, but on the other hand the club's work was already done earlier in the year with a very successful recruitment of top players who have all proved their worth.

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of Emmanuel Emenike, after lengthy negotiations, on loan until the end of the season. The 28 year old Nigerian ex international arrives from Fenerbahce having been on loan at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates league, Slaven Billic knows the player well and will be able to run the rule over him during the rest of the season to see if the club want to make the move permanent for a fee of around £8 Million.