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Following the international break, West Ham pick up their domestic campaign with the away fixture against Wolves on Saturday followed by an away fixture against League Champions Manchester City the next Sunday. Sandwiched between those games is the away UEAFA Europa League Cup tie against Rapid Vienna on Thursday evening, a game that has the potential to see Hammers safely though their group as leaders which would see them avoiding a play off against any one of a number of teams dropping down from the Champions League, even Barcelona!

In the light of UEAFA's 'sudden' ban imposed on Hammers travelling fans, many who have already purchased tickets AND paid substantial amounts of money on hotels and air flights intend to go to Vienna to be part of the game and take in the atmosphere, either through sitting in local bars with fellow Hammers supporters or, more controversially, by accessing tickets originally intended for home supporters.

Of the many thousands of people who have seen Michail Antonio's glorious strike for Jamaica in their 1-1 draw against the USA, one person in particular has shown an immense amount of interest, that person? His manager David Moyes, when asked about Antonio's goal what is Moyes likely to say?

Having been repeatedly ignored by Gareth Southgate, Michail Antonio chose to represent Jamaica instead of England, he scored for the Reggae Boyz against El Salvador the other day and has just scored a stunning goal against the USA, from OUTSIDE the box!

Vladimir Coufal played the entire 90 minutes of the Czech Republic's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Estonia in Prague, Alex Král played 60 minutes and Tomas Soucek didn't play at all! This is good news for David Moyes,Vlad the Impaler was in need of some competitive game time, as was Alex Král.

On the other hand, Tomas Soucek who was in need of a bit of a break was rested entirely, even better news. Perhaps his manager's decision not to play him might have something to do with Hammers new found entente cordial with the Czechs?

West Ham United's most closely linked website Claret & Hugh, were well placed enough to be told directly that the UEFA imposed ban on travelling fans was in fact a correctly reached decision, despite the inconvenience and financial loss hundreds of fans will face.

UEFA have fined West Ham just under £30,000 and banned them from selling tickets to fans for their next Europa League game which is the away tie against Rapid Vienna, as a result of “crowd disturbances” in their last European tie in Genk and at the previous Europa Cup league game at home against Rapid Vienna.

Reports that Hammers are closing in on a deal for Burnley's James Tarkowski are very wide of the mark, Moyes pursued Tarkowski for some considerable time before eventually deciding the player didn't really want to come to the club and that the price was far too high when Burnley declared they wanted £50 million for the 29 year old who was looking to regain his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad by joining a Champions League club.

Championship side Reading have signed former West Ham United and England striker Andy Carroll on a short term deal until the middle of January. 32 year old Carroll who spent six largly unproductive injury ravaged years with the Irons had been a free agent since being released by Newcastle at the end of last season.

West Ham's need to strengthen it's squad is well documented, the possible need for reinforcements being more acute due to Angelo Ogbonna's long term injury and Saïd Benrahma's six week unavailability due to his participation in the impending AFCON tournament.