Last night's comprehensive UEFA Europa League cup victory over Genk gave fans a further glimpse of two thirds of West Ham's back line French triumvirate that could be in place for years to come, as Alphonse Areola kept a clean sheet behind a defence superbly marshalled by Issa Diop, and 'Les' Dawson. Diop is now showing signs that he is rekindling the stunning form he showed when he first arrived at the London Bowl!

West Ham: Areola, Johnson, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Rice (c), Souček, Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Vlašić, Bowen
Subs: Fabianski, Randolph, Fredericks, Ashby, Masuaku, Zouma, Ogbonna, Noble, Fornals, Chesters, Benrahma

Genk: Vandevoordt, Preciado, Cuesta, Lucumi, Arteaga, Heynen (c), Thorstvedt, Hrosovsky, Ito, Bongonda, Onuachu
Subs: Chambaere (GK), Leysen (GK), McKenzie, Sadick, Tresor, Toma, Geusens, Eiting, Ugbo, Oyen, Paintsil, Nemeth

The valuation of professional football players has always been a bit of a mystery, none more so than in the case of West Ham's Michail Antonio. According to transfer market Antonio is valued at £10.8 Million, at that price Hammers should snap him up!

Hammers fans have historically dreamt of having the sort of 'fixture congestion issues' that now face the club, not since the halcyon days of 1964-1966 has the club been actively pursuing success on FOUR different fronts! Of course with achievement comes responsibility, that particular burden rests on the shoulders of David Moyes who, much like the club, is enjoying an invigorating renaissance at the London Bowl despite operating with a metaphorical hand tied behind his back due to the chronic lack of funding at his disposal.

Crowded Schedule?

Andriy Yarmolenko cost Hammers £17.5 Million when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, he was given an astonishing four year contract at an eye watering £115,000 PER WEEK! What is truly amazing is that Yarmo already had a poor fitness record when he was signed, a fact that manifested itself only too quickly as the 'striker' was sidelined with an Achilles injury almost as soon as he arrived at the club.

The news regarding Vladimir Coufal's injury is bad news for David Moyes, He is quoted as saying: “Vladimir has taken an injection, he had a bit of discomfort in his pubis. He has had an injection in there, he got the injury in the Man United cup game, and he has been carrying it for a few weeks.”

Genk visit West Ham on Thursday evening for their Europa League group match off the back of some recent poor performances, however their players are really looking forward to playing the Irons ahead of the game according to their manager.

This game is by no means a gimme, and David Moyes will be only too aware of how an underdog can bite, after all he has been in charge of underdogs for most of his managerial career!

Everton: Pickford, Coleman (c), Godfrey, Keane, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Townsend, Iwobi, Rondon Subs: Begovic (GK), Tyrer (GK), Kenny, Holgate, Mina, Gordon, Gbamin, Davies, Dobbin
West Ham: Fabiański, Johnson, Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Ashby, Masuaku, Dawson, Diop, Baptiste, Lanzini, Vlašić, Yarmolenko

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand came through the ranks at West Ham before earning what was a record transfer for a defender when he moved from the club to Leeds United in an £18 Million transfer, he later moved on to Old Trafford for £30 Million. Under Alex Ferguson Fredinand became a top player, with some suggesting he was the best player in his position in all of Europe.

Watching Declan Rice it is hard to believe he is only 22 years old, he plays with a composure and ability way beyond his years but perhaps needs to be reined back. Rice's more recent advanced role may be pleasing on the eye but there is a growing opinion that the team suffers as a consequence.