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Preston North End: Maxwell, Fisher, Earl, Pearson, Clarke (c), Davies, Browne, Moult, Gallagher, Horgan, Barkhuizen. Subs: Rudd, Woods, Storey, Huntingdon, Hughes, Ledson, Harrot, Johnson, Bodin, Burke, Robinson, Maguire.
West Ham United: Adrian, Fredericks, Diop, Rice, Masuaku, Noble (c), Obiang, Snodgrass, Wilshere, Yarmolenko, Arnoutovic. Subs: Trott, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Coventry, Cullen, Haksabanovic, Samuelson, Holland, Martinez.

Way back in March of this year we ran an article suggesting West Ham United should consider signing Mario 'mad as a box of frogs' Balotelli as he was in the last part of his contract with Patrick Vieira's side Nice, last season he was outstanding scoring 26 goals in 38 appearances for the French side, he had a superb 2017/18 season showing his pace, skill,and finishing ability repeatedly, he eventually signed a one year contract extension on 25.06.2018.

It was inevitable given the club's recent expenditures that rumours would begin to circulate as to how the books would be made to balance, several high profile first teamers have been mentioned as heading toward the exit door of late, the most recent of which is Marko Arnoutovic. It seems that certain media outlets are determined to undermine what has been an astounding transfer window for West Ham United, the 'little old hammers' could not possibly afford to bring in such high calibre players without selling their 'crown jewels' could they?, appears to have been the line of thought.

News has reached us that West Ham United's unprecedented spending is due to continue, there are two 'massive' deals that could come to fruition within the next few days that push the club's expenditure towards the £150 Million mark!

West Ham United play Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday the 21st of July at 3pm, whether this fixture was part of the deal that took Jordan Hugill to the London Stadium from Preston North End for an eye watering £10 Million remains to be seen, neutral observers let alone fans will have quickly worked out who got the best out of that deal. It is not Hugill's fault that he was a 'panic' buy back in the dark days when relegation was an extremely likely possibility, he was purchased with an eye to a mass player exodus in the event of the Irons dropping down in to the Championship.

The Premier League has seen some major surprises in recent times, as the minnows have proved to be formidable, one of such was Leicester's Premier League triumph some seasons ago. It could be described as a one-off, but such a feat or something close to that might be cooking in East London.

Tottenham Hotspur under the attack-minded Pochettino have apparently broken the London dominance of Chelsea and Arsenal as the torch-bearers in the PL and the Hammers will be looking to dig in under the management of Chilean tactician Manuel Pellegrini.

Javier Hernandez or Chicharito as he is known to his millions of adoring Mexican fans, will meet up for the first time with newly installed manager Manuel Pellegrini at the Hammers' Rush Green training complex today, with all eyes on the outcome.

Some of the definitions of ruse are, a ploy, stratagem, tactic, move, device, scheme, trick, gambit, cunning plan, manoeuvre, contrivance, expedient, dodge, subterfuge, machination, game, wile, smokescreen or red herring. When Manuel Pellegrini was unveiled as West Ham United's new manager he, along with newly appointed head of recruitment Mario Husillos, were ostensibly given a £75 Million 'war chest' that in today's market was more of a transfer kitty.

Crikey oh Mikey, they've even gone and done it! West Ham United have obliterated their transfer record with the eye watering purchase of Felipe Anderson from 'hardball fc', in what must have been one of the most protracted transfers ever Hammers finally have their 'golden heeled racer' in the dazzling form of Felipe Anderson.

Disturbing reports emerged at the beginning of the transfer window linking West Ham United with a move for ex-Manchester City star Ya Ya Toure, presumably due to the fact that the two of them worked successfully at the Etihad, but that was a long time ago.