Double Trouble: Bad News for Hammers Ahead of Brighton Bash!

After three straight defeats on the road you would think that Brighton would be no hopes with the bookies but such is the malaise at the London Stadium that they are quoted at 7/4, just slight outsiders compared with the hosts who are 6/4 against the win.

West ham have never beaten Brighton in the Premiership despite 5 previous meetings. That hasn't stopped Charlie Nicholas from predicting a 2-1 home win, but the news that will worry West Ham fans is that Mystic Mark Lawrenson also reckons the Hammers will prevail, in his case by a 1-0 scoreline. Given Lawros remarkable talent for calling it wrong when it's anything Hammers, his hunch points to a disappointing draw or, even worse, what would be a totally shattering defeat.

In even worse news, match referee is the awful Michael Oliver. Oliver has presided over three Hammers games so far this season - all defeats. Tottenham, Palace and worst of all the VAR farce at Sheffield United.

The omens are doubly bad but...

COYI!!!

Dean to Get Award for Refereeing Prowess

"Who's da B'stard in the black / yellow / pink.....",.... as the Mike Dean debacle continues to gather pace, you'd really have to ask yourselves who  would want to be a football referee?

'Narcissistic, attention-craving pedants and their jealous younger brothers' is the opinion of our in-house sports psychobabbleologist Prof Harold Windybottom, ' and closet fascists with a penchant for Swastika-adorned underwear'

Straight after his outstandingly poor performance in midweek, Mike 'you talkin to me mutha' Dean has found himself way out in the lead in the worst Premiership referees polling - with an amazing 35% of the vote - which is more than double that of Mark ClattenSpanner with 16% in second (see: http://redcardtheref.com/?p=3460).

Clattenspanner recently received the much coveted (probably) referee of the year award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, pouring scorn on the optical prowess of most Premiership fans.

But hey, the FA have brought in just the man to steady the leaking referee ship for tonights FA Cup third round tie in Michael Oliver - ranked 4th worst in the same poll with 6% of the vote. With a massive international viewing likely for the trendy Friday Night football viewing opportunity, the FA will be hoping that there will not be a repeat of last weeks fiasco.

Let's hope that Oliver keeps his cool in what will undoubtedly be a pretty lively atmosphere at the London Stadium and let's hope the Hammers see some good fortune......or failing that a balanced refereeing performance will suffice!

Meanwhile, Dean looks to have an unassailable lead in the ‘MOST WORSTEST’ refereeing competition!

COYI!!!