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While West Ham's need for an out-and-out striker is blatantly obvious, the club's search for additional players seems focused on acquiring a centre back, or several as the Press point out. Liverpool's Nat Phillips is the latest in a long line of potential defensive targets.

Having recently been 'shown the Love' by his manager David Moyes, Hammers maestro Saïd Benrahma has finally started to show the dazzling ability he has, both going forwards AND more importantly for his coaches, tracking back as if his life depends on it!

Hammers outplayed Atalanta to win the Betway cup 2-0 at the London Bowl, this was a more than decent work out against a very good team, the visitors are renowned for their fast paced attacking play, but were nullified by a stalwart and well marshalled defence.

The fans returning to only the 2nd home game in 18 months that they had been allowed to attend were treated to a decisive, clinical performance with many of the players deserving special credit, none more so than Said Benrahma, who bewildered the visitors midfielders and defenders with his balletic footwork.

Anton Ferdinand has 'come out' in his support of PAI(n)'s proposed take over of West Ham, Rio Ferdinand's younger and much less successful brother has wholeheartedly backed the potential investment suitors, but then again Anton has been really, really busy recently 'raising' his media profile, this raised presence couldn't be because he is running out of cash could it?

We are not quite sure as yet, as these things can be altered right up until the last minute, but if you are unable to attend Hammers Betway Cup friendly against Atalanta at the London Bowl this afternoon, you may well be able to see it on line instead.

This facility, which we are yet to confirm is available via Bet 365, the only snag being you need to have an 'active' account with them, essentially if you don't have an account, you have to open one with a £5 minimum deposit....this is NOT an advertorial or 'sponsored' link.

Hammers have, according to the media, tabled a plethora of bids for defenders from across Europe during the last few days, the club having apparently tabled enough bids to open an outdoor restaurant! It really has become a case of journalists looking at who is vaguely available and then associating them with a club that is desperate to make signings, it makes for easy copy.

PAI's interest in buying West Ham owners out of the club has garnered more than a few headlines in the last few days, most of them 'divisive', there is nothing the media and opposition fans love more than to see a club in conflict, especially just ahead of a new season, especially if the club is West Ham!

The deeply hoped for arrival of Hammers 2nd 'proper' signing, Nikola Milenkovic, has been made more possible by the fact that the Serbian gets on famously with Hammers Czech Republic contingent of Tomas Soucek and Vlad 'the impaler' Coufal.

Just when you thought things couldn't get much worse for West Ham's transfer aspirations, another unwelcome competitor for the club's targets have just been handed enough money to 'blow any Hammers' bids clean out the water. Barclays Premier League rivals Aston Villa's sale of Jack Grealish for an eye watering British record £100 Million to Manchester City, has put them firmly in the driving seat for any transfer target they wish to aim for.

The chances of Hammers signing Jesse Lingard are rated at less than 10%, according to club sources, or is it according to Ex-Employee?, it is hard to tell sometimes, with no disrespect intended.