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'The one that got away', was one of those fifties Brit movies made when the charcoals of the Empire were still smouldering, it is a true film about the only German pilot who had been incarcerated in Britain during the war ever to escape. Against all odds he eventually got back to Germany, facing extreme odds is the lot of a young footballer these days, huge wealth and fame beckon, but a whole career is only one injury or club rejection away from disaster. With regards to 'letting' young players go, there is a lot more involved tham saying thank you son, you'll find a club.

Waiting until after Christmas to get a bargain in the sales is a common place thing among adults with grown up children, after all it makes sense, why spend twice the amount of money just for the sake of a few days? West Ham were in the position of having one of the Premier Leagues brightest talent tied down to an apprentice contract which, if they had liked, could have been extended a further year. Fortunately sense prevailed and the club have moved to secure Declan Rice on a five year contract with the option of a further year and a half.

Fresh from incorrectly predicting a 2-0 victory for the home side in the Southampton v Hammers match, that old stalwart of unbiased reporting Mark Lawrenson is going for the same score line for when West Ham visit Burnley this Sunday. Here is an extract of his pre-match, and more amusingly the prediction of Gooners fan Theo Ellis.