What on earth are the FA up to?

 

As the Lucas Paqueta case trundles on and on, ever closer to the start of the new season, you'd have to wonder what on earth the FA are up to. 

The 27-year-old talismanic West Ham midfielder  has seen two years of his life taken up by the FA investigation which still has not reached a conclusion. Given the relatively low burden of proof which for this investigation is of ‘probable likelihood’ rather than ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, it is baffling that the investigation remains unconcluded!

Meanwhile, the financial repercussions of this bungled process have been considerable with West Ham missing out on an £80 million transfer, while the ongoing process has clearly affected Paqueta’s on field performances.

It seems clear at this point that this saga will run and run. The FA really should follow this up with a further investigation into their management of this whole process, while it's hard to think that the powers that be at West Ham would not be unreasonable in considering legal action against the FA

who really haven't handled this well. The very fact that the process has dragged on this long suggests that evidence to back the FA allegations is at best and unlikely to be enough to justify the profound impact this has had upon the club and the player himself. 

Meanwhile, it remains ominously silent on the transfer front despite West Ham's clear need to build upon a squad which is currently not well suited to playing within the Graham Potter system.

In short, the whole business has been a total shambles  and it will be a relief for all concerned when we finally get back to playing football!

Hammers chugging their way to the season's end

As the season chugs towards a dull conclusion, Hammers fans have a visit to fellow mediocrity merchants Man United. 

There's remarkably little to get excited about as this is truly a dead rubber. Both sides are looking towards major rebuilds in the Summer with the clearout at West ham already under way as Coufal, Fabianski and Cresswell all reach the end of their contracts. 

Similarly, Danny Ings is scheduled to finally leave the London stadium but many fans will only believe he's gone when he pops up at another club. 

It hasn't been the Potter revolution that fans hoped for as the Hammers have only won three games since his arrival and you sense the current squad dont have the attributes he desires.

It's an odd looking starting XI today with Areola between the sticks, Todibo/Kilman/Cresswell in CB with Coufal and WanBissaka down the flanks. Rodriguez, Soucek and Ward-Prowse manmidfield with Bowen and Kudus up top.

Is Potter looking for a draw you might ask? No Paqueta, Ferguson or Fullkrug but they may appear from the bench.

Man Utd have Europa League distractions so this could turn out a bit of a stalemate. Rory Nostradamus is going for a 2-2 draw with the Hammers conceding their usual late goal to mess things up.

Kick off is 2.15

COYI!!!

The Wolves Circle as Paqueta Starts

It's back to the Premiership and with 9 games to go the Hammers are already building for next season with relegation or Europe both now unlikely outcones to a season blighted by chaos.

Word is that the Paqueta case is moving in a more positive direction and the star has deemed himself fit for tonight's game - despite the incredible stress of a potential life ban in the offing!

It's a big night for Evan Ferguson as he starts and will be looking to build on his recent scoring form for the Republic of Ireland. Similarly, Luis Guilherme gets some rare match time as Mo Kudus is out injured. Niclas Fullkrug is on the bench.

Wolves, in contrast, are without their talismanic Brazilian - Matheus Cunha- serving a ban for naughty behaviour!

Max Killman will be hoping to impress as he faces his old mates in his first return to Molineux. He is in a vack three with Cresswell and Mavropanus. Todibo is on the bench.

Will Ward-Prowse treat us to similar magic to last season's equivalent fixture where he scored directly from a corner to clinch the tie?

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Ward-Prowse, Paquetá, Guilherme, Bowen ©, Ferguson
Subs: Fabiański (GK), Coufal, Emerson, Todibo, Rodríguez, Álvarez, Soler, Souček, Füllkrug

Paqueta Pardoned!

As the Premier league kicks back into gear most folk are keeping an eye on the Lucas Paqueta FA disciplinary hearing. The talismanic Brazilian Hammer could face a life ban for alleged betting-related indiscretions relating to four yellow card offences from 2 years ago.

The odds seem stacked against Paqueta as there is only a need to establish greater than 50% probability rather than the criminal 'beyong reasonable doubt'. Moreover, the likely legal ramifications of not finding him guilty as such that the FA is likely to be well out of pocket if Paqueta is absolved as there will then be the question of the abandoned big bucks transfer to Man city to consider.

Amongst the many points raised by Paqueta's defence is that he tackles like Paul Scoles and is thus prone to more than the odd yellow cardy. Celebrity Hammers fan, George Windybottom, has also waded in stating that creative midfielders need to follow the Di Canio example and never bother to even try to tackle opposition forwards - that's how you win fair play awards, get goal of the season and play your part in the best ever squad to win relegation from the Premier league!

As the hearing rolls in to its third week there has been a major development as Chief Overlord of the Universe Ronald Trumpet has intervened by giving the Hammers star a pardon - even before a verdict can be reached!

The superpowerful one has deemed the FA's actions as "nasty" and added "i don't think they are very good at their job". 

He also confirmed that he is almost certainly a Hammer at heart as he stated "Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game."

It has also been announced that Liverpool are to be hit with 80% tariffs every time they leave the Republic of Scouse, which will probably have very little impact upon the outcome of the Premier League and will in no way protect the Hammers from a thrashing when they travel to Anfield in the coming weeks.

Happy April the first!

COYI!!!

Moyes versus Potter: tactical masterclass awaits?

By all rights this should be a classical dead rubber as West ham and Everton face eachother at Goodison for the final time today.

With both sides well clear of the drop zone but hopelessly adrift of Europeanhopes, there should be little to stir the interest today.

However, it's a case of old manager discarded in favour of more modern newbie as Graham Potter confronts Mr Moyesball in what should be a fascibating game of chess.

Both sides have glaring weaknesses such that the side tgat can dictate the game can hope to prevail. Potter likes possession while Moyes likes a disciplined defence and counterattacking with turnover ball. With both sides porous in midfield it's anyone's game!

Potter gas three centre backs with Paqueta playing well forward to support the marauding Bowen and Kudus. He may wish to give up some possession to draw Everton out but you sense it'll be a stalemate with the first to score having a big big advantage.

The Hamners are 29/10 fot the win - decent odds, especially if paired with JWP to score first at 20/1.

COYI!!!

West Ham Starting XI: Areola | Todibo, Kilman, Mavropanos | Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Ward Prowse, Emerson | Paquetá | Bowen, Kudus.

Battle of the Underachievers Looms

We can expect an exciting clash tonight at the London stadium as West ham host Newcastle United. The Hammers look to be gaining some momentum under new boss Graham Potter but will be wary of the Magpies who remain in and out of form and with Guimaraes and Isak are more than capable of opening up the leaky Hammers defence. 

However, the Hammers look more comfortable of late with Potters 'Five at the back' formation and with Paqueta and Ferguson on the bench should be able to shake things up if needed. Newcastle have only managed 6 points in their last 6 games (one point less than the Hammers over that time) but have plenty to play for as they are 3 points off 5th and 5 points of the final Champions League spot. In short, both sides have something to proove and should be up for it.

For West ham, Niclas Fullkrug is not quite ready to return, while Newcastle will be without Anthony Gordon who is suspended. 

After two straight defeats, Newcastle will want to lay down a marker for next weeks Carabao Cup final against Liverpool but may also want to hold something back, making for a tantalising sense of uncertainty as to how the game will go. 

The bookies have West ham at 9-4 against which looks like an attractive bet given that the Geordies have a pretty poor record in their visits to London over recent years. Confusingly, long time Hammers sceptic Mark Lawrenson believes West ham will take all three points, while more predictably Alan Shearer reckons Newcastle will take the spoils. 

Kick off is at 8pm.

COYI!!!. .

West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Bowen ©, Kudus.

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Emerson, Mavropanos, Rodríguez, Soler, Paquetá, Luis Guilherme, Ferguson, Ings
 

Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Schär, Burn, Trippier, Guimarães ©, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Barnes, Isak.

Subs: Dúbravka (GK), Krafth, Targett, Longstaff, Miley, Willock, Osula, Neave, Wilson

Is Potter potty about Potts?

The Graham Potter revolution is well under way at West ham as a series of decent results has seen them quell any relegation fears and given valuable space for the manager to experiment as he rebuilds the squad.

The porous midfield that resulted in Julen Lopetegui's short reign coming to an end has beefed up considerably under Potter as the Hammers have shifted to a possession-based game. Potter has shown a willingness to bring youth into the set up with Ollie Scarles, Luis Gilherme and Andy Irving gaining valuable game time since Potters arrival.

However, the midfield still lacks pace and the concerns about Lucas Paqueta's future are growing as his FA hearing looms. 

One option that Potter will be looking at is to assess the future of young Freddie Potts. From a dyed-in-the-wool Hammers clan, young Potts had enjoyed a successful breakthrough into the first team with three European games in the '22/'23 season and then grabbed player of the season at Wycombe Wanderers the following year. 

This season he has been on-loan at Portsmouth in the Championship and played in all but one of their games. Come season's end, Potter will have a big decision to make about the lad's future. At 22 years old, with quick feet and decent pace, he fits the Potter mould. 

And let's not forget that his dad, Steve, is a former Hammer of the year!

COYI!!!