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The BBC's Gossip column is usually a decent barometer as to the state of play regarding players and their clubs, however it can also be a tapping up platform of the highest or lowest order, depending on your preference. In it's mission statement the Beeb underlines it's need for unbiased opinion NOT one that is corrupted by corporations or individuals.

West Ham majority shareholder David Sullivan has told his Claret & Hugh website about the club's intentions with regards to extending, or at least renewing, Angelo Ogbonna's contract which is due to expire in June of next year.

After having sustained an ACL injury that more likely than not will require surgery followed by a very lengthy rehab period, many thought that they had seen the Og in claret and clue for the very last time, however that is NOT the case.

Hammers stalwart defender Angelo Ogbonna has been ruled out for most, if not all of this season following a scan on his injury sustained during the epic 3-2 victory over Liverpool on Sunday. It has been confirmed that 'The Angel' has a dreaded ACL injury which requires surgery straight away.

Back in the day an ACL injury was the end of most players careers, fortunately medicine has moved on and the recovery rate is far better, however at the age of 33 the overall prognosis is NOT encouraging, we obviously wish Angelo a speedy recovery from a swift and successful operation.

Whisper it very quietly, or loudly if you wish, but David Moyes' managerial redemption has gathered enormous pace just as some of his contemporaries are on the receiving end of the tin tack. In a week that saw THREE Premier League managers, Farke, Smith and Santos get their marching orders, David Moyes oversaw his 1000 game during the week, followed by possibly one of the stand out games of his career in management, the 3-2 defeat on Sunday of Jurgen Klopp's all conquering Liverpool side.

West Ham: Fabiański, Johnson, Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Fredericks, Coufal, Masuaku, Dawson, Diop, Král, Noble, Lanzini
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson (c), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Diogo Jota, Mané Subs: Kelleher (GK), Williams, Tsimikas, Konaté, Phillips, Morton, Thiago, Minamino, Origi

There are many annoying aspects to modern life, including those generated by the 'policing' of sports clubs, particular the governance of elite football teams. Much like the ever changing off side rules, the definition of 'tapping up' is open to various interpretations and is NOT fit for purpose.

With all the build up to Thursday evening's game focusing on David Moyes' 1000 game as a manager, it was perhaps easy to overlook how determined Genk would be to put right their 3-0 defeat at the London Bowl earlier on in the competition.

Genk: Vandevoordt, Munoz, Sadick, Lucumi, Arteaga, Heynen (c), Thorstvedt, Ito, Hrosovsky, Paintsil, Onuachu Subs: Chambaere (GK), Leysen (GK), McKenzie, Bongonda, Tresor, Tomas, Eiting, Ugbo, Oyen, Preciado
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Noble (c), Rice, Benrahma, Lanzini, Masuaku, Antonio Subs: Fabiański (GK), Randolph (GK), Fredericks, Johnson, Zouma, Ogbonna, Baptiste, Souček, Král, Chesters, Fornals, Bowen

When he first arrived at the London Bowl, David Moyes was there to ensure West Ham's Premier League survival which he did, he was rewarded by promptly being informed that his services wee no longer required as the board decided to have a bromance with a 'sexy' Chilean rather than the dour Scot, and we all know how that ended don't we?

Unusually the club chose to include Vlad 'the impaler' Coufal along with David Moyes in it's pre-match presser ahead of the tie away to Genk tomorrow evening, clearly Vlad has done his English homework as he responded to questions without an interpreter or a prompt sheet, his presence couldn't have had anything to do with a certain Czech investor could it?