Even the most begrudging of supporters must surely be giving the Hammers board some credit for the recent business they have recently conducted, the early arrival of Pablo Fornals followed by the record signing of Sebastian Haller is a show of real intent by the club.

Finally true to their word, the Hammers hierarchy have been dragged, mewling and puking, towards becoming a 'professionally run' football club by adroit pressure being applied by manager Manuel Pellegrini and head of recruitment Mario Husillos. The acquisition of Pablo Fornals and Sebastian Haller is a hugely significant statement from the club that along with other shrewd acquisitions might just see West Ham break in to the top six of the Barclays Premier League.

West Ham United's spirited but unsuccessful match against Premier League champions Manchester City ended in a 4-1 defeat, City's full strength team showed exactly why they are the Champions, but if lady luck had been smiling the score line would have been a much more respectable 4-3.

West Ham: Roberto, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Johnson, Rice, Noble, Wilshere, Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Antonio Subs: Martin, Reid, Zabaleta, Cresswell, Cullen, Sanchez, Diangana, Obiang, Snodgrass, Yarmolenko, Chicharito
Man City: Bravo, Danilo, Angelino, Laporte, Harwood-Bellis, Rodrigo, David Silva, Doyle, Bernabe, Poveda-Ocampo, Nmecha Subs: Grimshaw, Walker, Stones, Sterling, Gündogan, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Sane, Bernardo, Touaizi, Pozo, Aleix Garcia, Diounkou, Knight

Hammers take on Manuel Pellegrini's nemesis Manchester City this lunch time in their first fixture of the Premier League Asian Trophy that is being payed at the strangely named Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium (capacity 14,000). City are favourites to be outright winners of the competition that also features Newcastle and Wolves, however the Citizens will feel the footballing gods are against them due to their flight from the UK being delayed TWICE!

Having just got 'the most injury prone forward' in Barclays Premier League history off their books there are rumours that West Ham United want to swap one ex-Liverpool crock for another! Wasn't the 'Andy Carroll Experience' psychedelic enough for the board? Carroll cost the club just shy of £60 Million in wages and fees give or take the odd couple of million, ironically those who sanctioned his purchase had previously highlighted the 'Kieran Dyer' 'shameful experience'!

At the beginning of last season, the Hammers hierarchy knew they had pushed the boat out, laying out close to £100 Million in players acquisitions, but more importantly they engaged a 'proper' title winning manager in the form of Manuel Pellegrini. Despite a woeful start and a dreadful injury list, Pellegrini's team eventually found their feet by playing open exciting football, dare we say 'the West Ham way'.

The weeks leading up to the start of a new Premier League season are always full of anxiety and anticipation. The players, back from their summer vacations, are busy with practices while keeping a watchful eye on the transfers. The clubs are putting in all the efforts to form a team that will take them to the top. The fans, on the other hand, can’t wait to watch their favourite team perform.

Despite appearing to have put all their eggs in one basket in their failed pursuit of Celta Vigo's Maxi Gomez, it is inconceivable that Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos do not have a plan (b), a plan (c) or even a plan (z) ! The most recent, and most intriguing name being linked with the Hammers recruitment team is Eintracht Frankfurt's Sebastian Haller, the 25 year old French striker just enjoyed a prolific season in the Bundesliga, scoring on average a goal every other game.

Having been on the receiving end of being financially out muscled on numerous occasions when it comes to player purchasing, the boot is on the other foot for West Ham United. Despite offering the full €50 Million of Maxi Gomez's release clause, albeit in instalments, and offering twice the wages, the 22 year old Uruguayan striker has chosen to remain in Spain and join Valencia in what is a cut price deal.