Shocking scenes at London Stadium as Nuno plan fails miserably

West ham started with what might be considered an 'experimental' starting XI against Brentford this evening with lots of incoming players. Without any exaggeration, it's been a complete disaster!

The Hammers have been totally outplayed by Brentford, who have had a dozen chances already and are sauntering around the pitch with gay abandon. The Hammers, meanwhile, have mustered a single shot on goal and look clueless.

The only surprise is that Brentford are just a single goal up, as a second was (just) ruled offside on the half time whistle.

Irving looks lost, while the rotation of Scarles and Walker-Peters from their usual full back positions makes no fathomable sense!

It's a big test of Nuno's ability to accept when he's got it wrong and make multiple changes asap!

In reality, The Bees could be 3-4 goals up. You'd have to feel fearful for the second half. Thankfully, there will be few youngsters at the evening game as this is truly traumatising.

And as if to rub salt into the wounds, Brentford are wearing a delicious kit that is a rip off of 'that' away kit that the Hammers seem to have abandoned in recent decades despite it being the best ever kit, ever! 

COYI!

Nuno pulls a shocker for Brentford visit

Nuno has really shaken things uo for tonight's visit of Brentford! 

God only knows what he has seen during the international break but the starting XI has taken fans by surprise - big time!

The defence is totally altered with Todibo, Scarles and Walker-Peters alongside Max Kilman!

Tomas Soucek isback after his red card ban alongside Irving who gets his first start. 

No room for the impressive Diouf, Wan-Bissaka or Magassa.

It's a weird selection for what will be a strange game as many fans have elected to stay away in protest at the board. 

Buckle up!

West Ham: Areola, Walker-Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles, Souček, Irving, Fernandes, Summerville, Bowen ©, Paquetá

Subs: Hermansen (GK), Wan-Bissaka, Diouf, Mavropanos, Potts, Rodríguez, Magassa, Marshall, Wilson

Crazy turn of events as the Hammers hit the final hour of the transfer window!

 

With the Nayef Aguerd deal with Marseille done and dusted it’s going to be a frantic final hour for West ham as they are now rumoured to be back in the hunt for Brighton’s Igor Julio!

The Gueti transfer to Liverpool has stalled leaving the door open for Igor to head to West ham instead of Crystal Palace!

Meanwhile, the Hammers are reputedly trying to nail down a deal with Chelsea for another CB - Axel Disasi!

Either way, Graham Potter needs at least one additional CB nd we will know in an hour or so if he has gotten his wishes!

Is this the new Demba Ba - Hammers weighing up striking sensation!

Back in 2011 Demba Ba arrived at West ham and became an instant success, banging in 7 goals in 12 games as the Hammers tried to avoid relegation. Ba came with a health warning as he had failed a medical at Stoke. However, that proved unwarranted as he continued his excellent scoring form after he exited the relegated Hammers with impressive spells at Newcastle and Chelsea. 

Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface comes with a similar tag - having lost out on a high profile move to Milan due to a failed medical. The 24 year old Nigerian striker brings pace and power along with an impressive goalscoring rate of over 50% (22 in 42 games) for Leverkusen.

However, it hasn’t been all smiles as he has had lengthy injury spells that have included two ACL injuries (2019 for 6 months and a full year in 2020/21). At Leverkusen, 

He sustained an adductor injury which kept him out for 3 months in 2024 and subsequently has had a variety of niggles. 

This would be a bit of a punt for West ham but the worst of his injuries do seem to be behind him and his robust style seems suited to the Premiership. 

The perfect Antonio replacement? Boniface’s time at Leverkusen appears up and a loan deal might be in the offing. The Hammers would certainly be transformed by a fit Boniface!

We will keep you updated…

The picture West Ham fans want to see right now

 

After splashing out close to £60m last week the Hammers need funds to continue a much needed squad rebuild. The news that Nayef Aguerd has been photographed in Marseille suggests that the Moroccan is set to exit the Hammers and join Emerson Palmieri as Roberto De Zerbi looks to add flair to his defensive set up. An estimated fee of £20m has been mooted which will give West Ham cash to find a more suitable replacement.

At this point any of six options to add to the central defence appear possible. Top of the list appears to be 23 year old Charlie Cresswell who has enjoyed an impressive spell at Toulouse. Other reports suggest that  Taylor Harwood-Bellis (also 23 y/o) is being considered but Southampton appear to be seeking a big fee. Other possibilities include loan deals for Chelsea outcast Axel Disasi, Braga’s 22 year old starlet Bright Arrey-Mbi or even the experienced Manuel Akanji from Man City. Earlier interest in Brighton’s Igor Julio seem to have cooled as he looks set to move to Crystal Palace.

Whatever happens, it's pretty clear that Aguerd is finally leaving so incoming seems inevitable. With new cash and such an array of choices it seems that the Hammers are in a strong position to add to Graham Potter’s options at centre back!

Best of luck to Aguerd who sadly never quite adjusted to the rigours of the Premiership.

Hammers to raid South coast again in search of Brazilian talent?

It's no secret that West Ham are seeking a replacement for want-away centre back Nayef Aguerd. With ex-Leeds youngster Charlie Cresswell apparently on the radar, latest rumours suggest that Graham Potter may be ready to swoop for Brighton’s out of favour Brazilian centre back Igor Julio.

Igor is a left-footed pacey ball-playing centre back who would be well suited to the Potter system. He will be remembered by Hammer's fans as part of the Fiorentina side that lost to west ham in the Europa Conference league final in 2023. On that occasion, his last ditch effort to prevent Jarrod Bowen from scoring the winning goal was unsuccessful.

If, as rumored, Aguerd moves to France today, West Ham will need further back up at centre back, as injuries to any of Kilman, Todibo or Mavropanus would seriously weaken their defence.

We’ll find out as the transfer window comes to a conclusion today.

COYI!!!

Crisis? What crisis? Hammers pillage 3-0 victory at Forest

Graham Potter wil be a relieved man tonight as West Ham's season kicked into gear with a canny 3-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest. 

The Hammers had to be disciplined in defence as Forest huffed and puffed but they held firm and when their chance came they pounced. 

Potter will be chuffed with his game management as Summerville's introduction changed the game while Callum Wilson opened his goal account on a day Lucas Paqueta played a blinder!

Here's our player ratings...

Hermansen – 8. Much needed steady performance from the Dane. Importantly, communication with his defenders was solid throughout and he looked calm as Forest launched cross after cross into the Hammers box. 

Walker-Peters – 7. Lively all day. Linked well with Bowen to shore up the right flank throughout.

Mavropanos – 8. One of his best games in a Hammers short. Powerful in the air and looked unusually comfortable on the ball. 

Kilman – 7. More like what we expect. Disciplined and focused throughout in difficult conditions with the physicality of Wood to deal with. He seems to prefer the simplicity of a back four set up. 

Diouf – 8. Excellent stuff - blessed with pace but showed his calmness in defence. The pairing with Summerville on the left will terrify opponents as their understanding grows through the season 

Ward-Prowse – 6. Reduced to utility player status these days but a sensible head without anything flashy. Fernandes’ set pieces will dilute Ward Prowse's value as the newbie showed how accurate he can be.

Soucek – 7. Quietly effective. You cannot understate his value in the air - a big asset today as Forest bombarded the Hammers goal with crosses.

Bowen – 9. Once again he was the difference. Worked hard in defence and took his opportunity with aplomb.. 

Fernandes – 9. Tremendous debut. Energetic and skilful throughout. Looks like a masterful signing.  

Paqueta – 10. Tremendous throughout - competitive and, as always, an eye for an opening. The goal celebration was class. The Hammers need a gypsy-like soul (Di Canio, Payet, Arnautovic) and Lucas is the natural extension of that pulse. A great day for him.

Fullkrug – 6. Battled away but with limited impact. 

Substitutes:

Wilson: 8. Looked up for it and grabbed his debut goal in the process! 

Summerville: 9. Outstanding impact. His pace and control was a joy to behold!

Irving: 6. Solid for the few minutes he was on.