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The atmosphere at the London Stadium on Tuesday night against Cardiff was a little tame initially, but it is amazing what a contentious penalty can do, so after Fabianski saved the pen the crowd were rocking. Half time things were looking up and most fans knew it would only be a matter of time before Hammers scored. The only fly in the ointment at half time was the excruciatingly naff 'entertainment' on offer, marching bands of the past were a thousand times more entertaining and they were bloody boring!

To many observers the fact that West Ham United are discussing an extension to Andy Carroll's contract seems to be a bewildering course of action, apparently the club do have an option to extend Carroll's contract for a further two years! Given the Big Geordie's infamous injury record, what on earth could be behind the logic of retaining his services?

Coupled with the "Well I thought I've never seen (Felipe) Anderson as quiet this season. He ripped Newcastle to pieces and yes he lost Bruno once but I thought Morrison and Bamba did well tonight, I can't remember their strikers doing much at all," Comments made by the affable but obviously ageing Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock, he also confided that he asked how on earth his team were losing 3-0 at the time from fellow manger Manuel Pellegini. What football match did Warnock go to, was it one of those football fantasy 3D console games?

Having secured a valuable 3-0 victory against Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday West Ham were looking to gain back to back Premier League wins for the first time in a little short of two years, however possible due to enforced changes and squad rotation the atmosphere at the London Stadium was a rather stilted affair despite Hammers peppering the Cardiff goal and coming close to score on three occasions.

West Ham Utd: Fabianski, Masuaku, Ogbonna, Diop,, Noble, Rice.Antonio., Snodgrass, Anderson, Arnautovic, Hernandez. Subs: Adrian, Carroll, Obiang, Wilshere, Perez, Diangana Zabaleta .Balbuena
Cardiff City: Etheridge, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Gunnarsson Camarasa, Ralls, Arter, Hoilett, Paterson, Murphy. Subs: Peltier, Bennett, Ward, Smithies, Reid, Mendez-Laing, Harris

West Ham will give late fitness tests to Aaron Cresswell and Fabian Balbuena,'The General', ahead of tonight's clash with Cardiff City at the London Stadium. Cresswell went off early in the 2nd half against Newcastle and Balbuena picked up a nasty knock later in the same half, of the two Cresswell is most likely to not be available as he has a 'hammy' situation and that usually means at least a couple of games out even in the best case scenario.

West Ham United have been given a home game against Birmingham City in the 3rd round draw of the FA Cup. Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold were the owners of Birmingham before selling off there holding ahead of buying West Ham. The match is due to be played at 3pm on Saturday the 5th of January 2019 at the London Stadium, although the kick off is television coverage dependant.

Helter Skelter, the Water Wheel, the Loop-the-Loop, the Runaway Train, the See Saw and the Trap Door could all be descriptions of Hammers early season form and it's possible consequences instead of being the name of snooker holes. Fast forward to now and what is blatantly obvious is the team spirit shining through the squad, they have bought in to Manuel Pellegini's philosophy and are now beginning to see the benefit of their belief.

How many times in the past have West Ham achieved a great result and then followed it with capitulation to a team that they should beat? The answer is plenty, it is so long since Hammers won consecutive Premier League fixtures that Brexit voting was something on the horizon!

When Marko Arnoutovic helped bury Stoke City last season, their manager at the time Mark Hughes was 'less than pleased', he was particularly vociferous during the match at the Bet 365 Stadium where it was not necessary to be a lip reader in order to get the gist of his opinion of the player his club sold to West Ham for £24 Million. As a result of the minor verbal altercation Hughes was warned of his behaviour by the FA and the matter seemed to be forgotten, that was until the next meeting when unpleasantries were exchanged again.