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Dear Old Carlton Cole, he of the famous 'smokin' head' post match interview, seems to have been smoking something else if his collaboration with Talk Sport is to be believed. The Hammers stalwart is quoted as saying why Ozil would be a good acquisition "West Ham have always liked those kind of players, those magician-like players. Arsenal would have benefited from having him in their squad, but he clearly doesn’t fit in at the moment.”

On what must be one of the rare occassions in a long managerial career, Hammers' boss David Moyes has an unusual dilema to resolve, namely how to keep everyone happy in a squad from which only 18 players can be involved on match days. Of course his squad is perilously short of numbers in certain areas, but he is able to select an incredibly impressive bench to support the starting eleven, and as all Hammers fans know, if there is an injury to be had, usually long term, then West Ham will be the most likely destination!

West Ham striker Michail Antonio is still waiting for his first cap for England but he has only been called up to the national team squad on two occasions. Former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce named Antonio in his squad for a World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in 2016, where he didn't make the bench. More recently, Antonio was also included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for games against Germany and Lithuania. Unfortunately, he was forced to pull out after picking up a hamstring injury.

Over the years many observers from outside of the West Ham family have mocked or questioned the very existence of the 'West Ham Way', new signing Saïd Benrahma knows the West Ham Way before even kicking a ball for the club.

Tottenham: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Reguilon, Ndombele, Sissoko, Hojbjerg, Bergwijn, Kane, Son. Subs: Hart, Doherty, Davies, Winks, Moura, Vinicius, Bale.
West Ham: Fabianski, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Cresswell, Coufal, Rice, Soucek, Masuaku, Bowen, Antonio, Fornals. Subs: Randolph, Fredericks, Diop, Noble, Snodgrass, Lanzini, Yarmolenko.

Having just been acquainted with the weird and wonderful world that is West Ham United, new signing Said Benrahma's standing has been boosted before he even kicks a ball! Hammers fans have always appreciated a 'trier', not only that though, fans also expect their players to have off field qualities, and Benrahma hasn't disappointed.

The drama surrounding Benrahma has continued at a pace, the on off deal is on again, but now the player is arriving on loan instead of on a permanent basis, but with an obligation to buy.

Having completed the first part of his medical ahead of joining West Ham United, and already having agreed personal terms, Said Benrahma's transfer seemed just a matter of dotting the i's and crossing the t's, however, an issue has arisen from the second part of his medical.

In the last couple of seasons we have featured a 'view from the other side' exchange with Andy and his pals at www.spursforlife.com, as one of their contributors Ryan Curtis most eloquently writes below, the fiercly contested rivalry both on and off the pitch between Tottenham and West Ham will be sadly missing without the crowds in attendance.

West Ham United are expected to officially announce the signing of Said Benrahma from Brentford FC on a five year deal with an option for a further two years, there is some debate, as is often the case, over the fee and the ubiquitous add ons that are now part of 'big' transfer deals.