Although I get it must be frustrating to train all week and then never be picked for games, he's paid far too much for me to really feel sorry for him.

Orr - Hanley/Dann - Givet - Olsson

Sorry, but as a Championship defence there are a lot worse we could be stuck with.

I imagine the reason for the heavy investment in midfield is that Kean/Staff see the problem lying in that area, as far too often teams went straight through our midfield and leaving the defence to deal with it. On the face of it, we have a pretty solid back four (no real cover for CB though), so if Etuhu can help block out some attacks in the centre then we might not be as bad as some believe.

Thank God Mercerman is here to show us how to remain miserable.

He probably is, I'd imagine it's quite common with young foreign players.

Well if he's going to be out for 3 months then this is the best time to do it I suppose.

Where's Nicko with his inside info!

Sorry if it has been already mentioned but on the official West Ham FC site, Benni says this:

McCarthy, his country's all-time leading goalscorer with 32 goals in 77 internationals, was thrilled to finally sign on at the Boleyn Ground. He said: "I am very pleased and extremely happy.

"This is a great club. The reason why I am happy that it has finally happened is because about five years ago I had a disappointing experience when I thought I was going to be a West Ham player until Porto pulled out and I had to go back.

"I would have loved this to be my first Premier League club, I went to Blackburn instead but West Ham kept on pursuing me and eventually I am here."

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100201/mccarthy-a-happy-hammer_2236884_1951301

£2 million is no-where near enough for Benni, considering we are relying on any sales to fund much needed purchases. What can £2m get you these days?

Almost got stabbed in some dive pub last night due to my celebrations when Iniesta scored

That. Is quite true. The greatest strike force ever assembled. And to be fair to Our Sam he seems to have spotted that and spurned any 'benefits' from agents that may have been lurking. Straighter than has been scurrilously implied elsewhere. Had 'arry been 'ere Roque would have Rolled.

How to play them? Diouf will be ever present as will Benni, and Sam will mix the long ball/holding game (Cruz) with the short/up/through game with Benni deeper and then Roberts.

Seriously though. Anyone missing Hughes? Sam is already proving his superior. In sexual terms Hughes was a Dover Ferry. Roll on. Roll off. Yes it does the job but ultimately no excitement Our Sam, meanwhile represents a more integrated transport hub. A Heathrow offering train, tube and plane to your destination. Maybe an Edinburgh Waverley linking countries and cultures against a Victorian backdrop. Or a Cape Canaveral, shooting for the moon.

And unlike Hughes Ferry Services, Sam Canaveral is a whopping big ride with a shuddering climax. And the moon may be Wembley.

Funniest thing I have read all day!

http://www.hotel626.com/

an online interactive horror movie only available between the hours of 6pm and 6am

absolute class, works best if you have a microphone and a webcam

considering my household has a lower income per year than Barton does per week, i struggle to feel sorry for him.

maybe if he used some blue paint in there aswell i would have been impressed