As news filters in that West Ham have agreed a free-transfer signing of Norwegian international Havard Nordtveit from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Munchengladbach, fans are trying to find out as much as possible about the 25year old midfielder.
Known for his defensive attributes, Nordtveit prefers a deeper position in front of the back four but also has an impressive range of passes in his armamentarium. With 24 caps for Norway, he could make a perfect partner for the more attack minded Martin Samuelsen who has impressed during his loan periods this season and may well be ready to move up to the first team next year.
With just three yellow cards in 30-odd appearances this season, Nordtveit looks to have good discipline while his remarkable similarity in appearance to the terrifying cruel Ramsey Bolton of Game of Thrones fame will surely have opposition defences running scared!
Meanwhile, rumours as to further Game of thrones 'collaborations' are growing with the news that first team coach Edin Terzic has just returned from filming of the new series where he is thought to play the part of Loras Tyrell.
The picture says it all. Already stretched in terms of attacking options, the last player that Boss Slaven Bilic would have wanted to pick up an injury would have been Enner Valencia. Having just scored the comeback goal that Hammers fans expected to be the start of a scoring spree, he twisted awkwardly and now looks crocked for six months or more according to leaked reports after his scan today.
As a result, the first of the VERYWESTHAM predictions for the coming season (i.e. that Valencia's second season would be terrific and prolific) has gone into the dustbin. The prediction that we would finish fifth in the Premiership also looks a little ambitious now!
However, perhaps this incident is what's needed to re-energise our efforts to find a new striker (or two?). Chaz Austin is still very much available and as the transfer deadline approaches the game of poker around the transfer fee and his personal terms should come to a conclusion. The absence of competition for a starting place will also surely make the Hammers an attractive club for a player on the verge of the England set up, and then there's the King's Landing London versus Winterfellish Noocassell issue in terms of lifestyle.....Case closed!
A proven Premiership goalscorer who is relatively lucky regarding injuries.....the £15 million signing on fee would bring our Premiership predictions back to life and is surely a small price to pay for the honour of competing in one of Europe's leading football competitions.
