I don't usually talk things non West Ham here, but there's a great reaction to the shocking scenes at Old Trafford today on the Guardian website.  I think the reason I care is that their behaviour is so detrimental to a game that has faced many challenges of late, and this above the law and beyond reproach behaviour is tarnishing a sport that had to work so hard to recover from the state it was in years ago.

No doubt Liverpool's response will be to wear more Suarez T-shirts and create a greater siege mentality, the FA will bark but not bite and thousands of kids playing football in the park will think that sportsmanship is a thing of the past.  Today really was a sad for football, and I just don't see enough soul searching coming out of Anfield to redeem it.

The Guardian article is here

I'll pop this one out quickly so you can save a wasted journey - the Peterborough match today is postponed according to their official website so have a day off, watch the United game, build a snowman and enjoy....maybe it's a good thing and gives the lads a rest before Southampton on Tuesday?  Irons!

Well, we expected excitement and drama, but maybe not like that!  There were ten heroes and one muppet out there today, as the lads beat local rivals Millwall 2-1.

Let’s deal with the muppet first – I’ve defended Nolan quite a lot this season, I think he has good leadership skills and imagine he helps Sam with any issues in the squad.  He has scored some important goals for us as well.  However, I think for his fee, and seemingly un-touchable position in the team, we expect to see more.  His challenge today was stupid and could have cost us severely, had it not sparked a magnificent revival, led by those left on the pitch.  It will be interesting to see how much we miss him in the next three games.  But I will leave this matter with this positive thought – I think we will see a better Kevin Nolan in the Premier League than in the Championship.  I just wonder if his game is more suited to a higher level, we will see.

Now to the other  ten out there, you can all hold your heads high, especially Messrs Noble and Faubert, the passing and running of these two were key.  But everyone did their bit, despite some individual mistakes.  I’d say the only disappointment is still probably the form of Collinson, we all the want the lad to do well, but there does seem to be a spark missing from the lad and Taylor look much more accomplished in that position, albeit a more natural one to him than Jack.

There were some true spirit out there today, I loved Carlton high fiving big Sam when he scored and Sam did look genuinely chuffed in his post match interview.  And this result was achieved without any of the new boys.  There is so much more to come from the Hammers, I can feel it, and I hope this result is a bit of a watershed of us not just winning, but winning in a way those who watch us from the stands in the sky would be proud of.  Good work Hammers, good work Sam.  Kevin Nolan?  See me after school....

Sorry that it has been a while since my last match preview, busy at work and busy moving home have meant I’ve not been on here as much as I’d like to, but still have much love for the Hammers!  And what better way to get back on the match preview wagon than against Millwall.

Tuesday’s  game against Ipswich was a shocker and the team will only find salvation if they give us a match to remember on Saturday in front of a big crowd and the cameras.  The line-up will be very intriguing, with three additions to the squad and no significant departures, it will certainly be a crowded dressing room.  One has to ask what is going through the minds of Piq, Carew, Nouble and Sears, they are not so much down the pecking order as well and truly hen-pecked and heading for the sign marked exit.  It is somewhat bizarre, considering a good number of the clubs in our league would give their right arm to have strikers like them in their team

So I spent a bit of time thinking about ours, and this is what I came up with…

Bench: Boffin, Faubert, Collison, Maynard, John

This is where the 5 man bench really messes with us, as I can’t even find a sport for the new lad Morrison, but where can you find a gap?  Unless you leave out a keeper, which Sam has done on occasion.  But I’d imagine the lad probably needs more time to settle than the other new boys, so it might be he is left out for a couple of weeks anyhow.

The lads know what we expect on Saturday, a sparkling performance will be great, a win will be good, anything else will be un-acceptable.  Oh, and let’s remember we are on TV, so let us try and behave ourselves off the pitch as well.  Come on you Irons!!!

West Ham have secured the signings of Barnsley Winger/Goal Machine Vaz Te, as well as former Manchester United hot prospect Ravel morrison, with Nicky Maynard expected to join soon.  Let's hope they give a kick up the backsdie to the current eleven who are losing 3-1 to Ipswich at half time in a very lacklustre performance.  Sort it out Hammers!

Millwall are claiming that this Saturday's derby at Upton Park will be broadcast live on Sky.  Awaiting official confirmation from Sky or the Hammers, but it does seem to be pretty official.  Let's keep off the pitch this time, yeah peeps?

Well, it's that time of year where Sky Sports reporters freeze their backsides off standing outside a training ground with a load of truants.  Thought I'd pop by with a quick round up of what I understand is happening and a few thoughts...

Ravel Morrison - I thought this was agent talk hankeing for a better deal, but by all accounts this may actually happen.  Apparently a very talented but troubled young man, if Big Sam can guide him in the right direction, could be a great signing

Nicky Maynard - talks occuring, not that bothered by him to be honest, didn't impress me much when City played at ours, but if we get a cheap deal, could be okay

Vaz Te - was having a medical according to some, has scored quite a few for Barnsley this season and would be good for our promotion push, but good enough to step up a grade?  Not sure.

And finally a quick note on Herita Illunga who has left the club - what a real shame, I don't know it was mental or physical with him, but I've not seen such a decline on form since Sebastian Schemmel.  Shame.

Anyway, will try and pop on with any confirmed news, and if you have any goss, feel free to post in the comments...

The club have confirmed the signing of George John, the FC Dallas Centre Half.  He will be here on an initial 2 months with a view to making things permanent.  It's an important signing for us, as the plugs at the heart of defence have been clear for all to see, but it remains to be seen whether the American can cope with the demands of English football.  At 24 years old and 6 foot 2, he sounds the part, let's hope he looks it too.

Welcome to Upton Park George, we look forward to seeing you soon...

Sitting here watching Blackburn v Bolton, I’m certainly happy that we have the man in the studio at the helm rather than the Scottish Avram Grant currently guiding the sinking ship Rovers.  I wanted Allardyce to save us from relegation last season, as I have no doubt he would have done.  Instead, our owners chose to wait it out and then bring in Big Sam for the promotion fight.  The expectation was simple –promotion and it can’t be denied we are where we need to be in terms of position, but is that enough?

Sam had a massive re-building exercise to do, having lost the likes of Parker amongst others, he also inherited a team devoid of belief, cohesion and spirit.  I think this an area where Sam has excelled.  Julien Faubert, Winsto Reid and James Tomkins were players with shattered confidence last season,  This season, they look completely different – now, you could argue they have found their level in the Championship, I would suggest these players will be playing just as well in the Premier League next season, given the chance.  And it’s not limited to those players, Noble and Cole are also clearly enjoying their football and with a player like Cole it is crucial as he is very much an arm round the shoulder type and Sam and his team are ensuring that is happening.

The style of play is clearly dividing some fans.  There is talk of the ‘West Ham Way’ – well I’ve been watching the Hammers for more than three decades and the West Ham way in the past 10 years has been to get turned over by any club north of Watford, never score from set pieces and sign sicknotes who barely kick a ball.  I’m very happy that the West Ham way has not reared its head yet this season and Sam is bringing in a new mentality to the club.

This may seem like a sycophantic piece to Sam, and I’m openly admitting I’m a big fan.  There certainly have been forgettable moments, such as the home performances against Bristol City, Burnley and Ipswich and away to Reading, but I also believe you can cannot cure as a big a wound as our club had without some occasional lapses.  What’s important is that we show signs of getting out of the old, bad habits we had, and sitting in second place with a team smiling, we are heading in the right direction...

The Hammers took advantage of a slip by title rivals Southampton tonight, with a performance that ran from treacle like to sweet as candy floss.  Derby were the visitors and after a bright start by the home team, it was the Rams making the Hammers look like they had been counting sheep.  An early goal following a lapse by the hitherto dependable James Tomkins gave them the lead and it wasn’t until Carlton Cole’s goal just before half time that the Hammers started to assert themselves again.

Fortunately, the second half was significantly better, with possession football resulting in a cracking volley by Kevin Nolan to put us in the lead and a Mark Noble penalty finished off any resurgence by derby.  By the end, the Hammers were strolling and it felt like we would finish them off by four or five, but 3-1 it ended, putting us just 2 points behind the Saints.

Okay, on to the player check, and Julien Faubert was deservedly Sponsor Man of the Match with the likewise excellent Carlton Cole getting the champers from Sky Sports.  James Tomkins had a day to forget, while Jack Collison looked like he was coming back to form.  Here are the numbers....

Green – 6 – not very busy apart from picking the ball out of the net, but was in control when needed
Mccartney – 6 – pushed forward quite a bit, but something missing defensively tonight
Tomkins – 5  - a poor performance by the high standards he has set himself this season, error of judgement for their goal and almost repeated the trick in the 2nd half
Faye – 6.5 – a beast at the back
O’Brien – 7 – a good solid game with some great crossing including an assist for our equaliser
Collison – 7 – his engine appears to be coming back, a good performance
Noble – 6.5 – poor first half but much improved in the second and was pulling the strings
Nolan – cracking goal and lead with passion as always
Faubert – 8 – a Hammer of the Year?  Another excellent performance from the TGV
Cole – 8 – causes defences at this level absolute havocBaldock – can’t really score as went off early for Piquoinne – 6 – who had one of his better games.

Next up for the lads in Middlesbrough, if we can get something out of it, the pressure will really be on the Saints for top spot.  Good work Hammers...