Never go back is an edict that is always rolled out as a piece of lazy journalism, Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea has inadvertently opened the door for Demba Ba to be loaned out to West Ham. Sam Allardyce, keen to strengthen his forward line, is planning to swoop for the surplus to requirements Ba who scored seven times in his first twelve match spell during Hammers ill fated campaign that eventually led to relegation.
The when will he, how much and for how long details of the Andy Carroll Liverpool to West Ham deal are complicated in the extreme, as would be expected of Britain's most expensive home grown player's transfer. As we have previously stated, the player agreed to the deal this week (we inaccurately reported he had actually signed), and is now relaxing in Florida while Mike Curtis, his agent sorts out the details.
According to sources close to Sam Allardyce, James Tomkins and Andy Carroll's agents, Kick and Run Management, West Ham United are set to conclude the signing of Carroll at the beginning of next week. Carroll will officially join on the 1st of July but will put pen to paper before that when he returns from his pre-season break.
The 'free' flowing 'Martinez' style of football played by Wigan helped win them the FA Cup, it also helped relegate them from the Barclays Premiership. Certain sections of the West Ham Utd faithful were extremely vocal, even vociferous, in their criticism of the style of football played under the managership of Sam Allardyce.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Nolan, Jarvis, Carroll, Vaz Te, O'Brien, Collins, Demel, Diame, O'Neil
Subs: C.Cole, Collison, Henderson, Taylor, Noble, Pogatetz, J.Cole
Newcastle United: Elliot, Coloccini, Cabaye, Simpson, Cisse, Ben Arfa, Gouffran, Yanga-Mbiwa, Guiterrez, Tiote, S.Taylor
Subs: Williamson, Perch, Gosling, Anita, Ameobi, Harper, Campbell
Wednesday 1 May…..The Sully Estate…..somewhere in Essex…..03:56…..
Sully tossed and turned. His crushed velvet pyjamas were particularly static this evening. Three times he’d given his wife such a shock she’d ended up involuntarily punching him and giving him a fat lip. He’d claim it was the marble worktop in the morning…..