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Having endured endless negative press and been the cause of massive schadenfreude for opposition fans around the country, West Ham fans may finally have some 'reasons to be cheerful'. Hammers head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke confirmed the positive news about the progress of Aaron Cresswell, Andre Ayew, and Diafra Sakho's return from long term injury.

We were asked to see if any 'passionate' Hammers fans wanted to earn a few quid this weekend, don't know about passionate, probably more like compassionate at the moment, but here's the blurb...
"Hammond Cox Casting (www.hammondcoxcasting.com) are currently looking for passionate West Ham fans for a well paid commercial. You'd be paid to go to West Ham's game against Boro on Saturday and to film yourself before or during the game.

Apparently it is now open season for 'Hammer bashing' by all and sundry including West Ham fans, with the opportunities for getting a 'dig in' currently very plentiful it is hard to fathom out why two high profile West Ham United players apparently chose to go out on the razz, ending up in a couple of boozers "gurning and off their nuts" (gurning is not usually attributed to alcohol consumption, it is usually associated with other unhealthy activities).

West Ham United co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are renowned for the loyalty they show to their managers, some would say too loyal, and so it comes as no surprise that they have released a 'statement' to disaffected fans with regards to the club's current dire situation NOT blaming Slaven Billic, the communique went on to highlight injuries and poor decisions as a reason for the disastrous start to the season which has seen a return of only three points from six games, relegation form to anyone not viewing the situation with claret & blue spectacles on!

Westham lineup: Adrián, Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Arbeloa, Noble, Kouyaté, Antonio, Lanzini, Payet, Zaza
Substitutes:Randolph, Feghouli, Obiang, Byram, Fletcher, Fernandes, Oxford

Southampton lineup: Forster, Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Davis, Tadic, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Austin, Redmond.
Substitutes: McCarthy,Yoshida, Martina, Clasie, Ward-Prowse, Hesketh, Long

Having trained with the senior squad all week West Ham starlet Reece Oxford, much coveted by Mourinho at Manchester United, Guardiola at Manchester City and not forgetting Conte at Chelsea, seems set to start the televised crunch match against Southampton at the London Stadium on Sunday. A big stadium needs big players to fill it out and make it intimidating for visiting teams, Oxford is a big time player, he may be young, but he has the aura of impending greatness!

Authur Masuaku has joined the legion of recent West Ham United signings to pick up a nasty injury and heap added pressure on an already under fire Slaven Billic. Billic, who celebrated the arrival of his daughter who was born on Tuesday evening, will be cursing his footballing luck as he faces up to ANOTHER left back with ligament damage!

Dimitri Payet's dramatic last minute super strike that finally sunk Accrington Stanley has earned the club a home tie against Chelsea in the next round of the EFL cup. As expected the visitors treated the match as if it was the EFL final itself and gave Slaven Billic more than a headache or two to deal with, in the end he had to bring on his big guns to ensure a hard fought victory. Things were looking decidedly bleak with extra time beckoning and Hammers down to ten men after Authur Masuaku was forced off the pitch through injury with all the substitutes having already been used.

West Ham: From Randolph, Arbeloa, Masuaku, Ogbonna, Nordtveit, Obiang, Fernandes, Feghouli, Tore, Zaza, Calleri. Subs: Adrian,,Byram, Oxford, Payet, Lanzini, Antonio,Fletcher.
Accrington: Parish, Vyner, Pearson, Beckles, Donacien, Brown, Conneely, O'Sullivan, Clark, McConville, Kee Subs: Hughes Gornell, Jones, Boco, Lacey, Chapman, Eagles.
Noble, Kayoute, Collins and Reid missing from squad as Slaven rings the changes. Arbeloa and Fernandes make their Hammers debut. - Ed

Accrington Stanley visit West Ham United at the London Stadium for what will be a lively EFL cup tie, against the backdrop of doom and gloom surrounding Slaven Billic's side the visitors will hope to further compound the negativity by causing a cup upset. It is beyond doubt that the magnificence of the new stadium does make visiting teams raise their game, it is like playing at Wembley for all but a few and something that Hammers need to adapt to quickly.