westhamfans.org

Young children have a habit of ignoring what is really going on by replacing reality with fantasy. If they tell themselves something is so enough times, eventually they believe it and expect everyone else to believe it as well, despite there not being a grain of truth in what they are actually saying.

"I love you Darling, but" is the opening line of a thousand 'Dear John' messages received by forlorn Lovers, suddenly all their glimmers of hope disappearing in to the ether, leaving a broken heart! Well Hammers desperate hunt for new players isn't quite so emotionally dramatic, however alarm signals should ring when the 'but' word is suddenly involved.

While West Ham's need for an out-and-out striker is blatantly obvious, the club's search for additional players seems focused on acquiring a centre back, or several as the Press point out. Liverpool's Nat Phillips is the latest in a long line of potential defensive targets.