Jose Mourinho has generally always been at clubs with deep pockets and expects the Manchester United board to reinforce their central defence in the January transfer window after their failure to clinch a defensive signing in the summer, Mourinho has continued to discuss the centre-back issue in front of colleagues after United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was unable to conclude a deal for one in the last window.
West Ham United: Adrian, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Obiang, Rice, Anderson, Antonio, Diangana, Hernandez. Subs: Fabianski, Balbuena, Coventry, Snodgrass, Powell, Arnautovic, Perez.
Tottenham Hotspur: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Sanchez, Foyth, Walker-Peters, Wanyama, Winks, Eriksen (C), Son, Dele, Llorente. Subs: Vorm, Eyoma, Marsh, Skipp, Sissoko, Nkoudou, Lucas.
Starved of success for too many years, the fans of both West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are guilty of a serious case of denial this season. In the case of West Ham new manager Manuel Pellegrini the levels of expectancy went through the roof when the 'world class' man arrived and splashed out more money than Hammers fans and just about everyone else in football could ever have imagined.
The tragic events of the last few hours really do put things into perspective when it comes to lamenting the conceding of an injury time equaliser away to Leicester City, we had planned to do an article criticising the actions on the pitch of Hammers captain Mark Noble by comparing his approach and style of football to that of the old victor character Alf Tupper, the
Leicester City: Schmeichel, Amartey, Soyuncu, Maguire, Chilwell, Ghezzal, Iborra, Ndidi, Maddison, Iheanacho, Albrighton. Subs: Ward, Evans, Gray, Okazaki, Vardy, Mendy, Pereira.
West Ham United:Fabianski, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Noble, Masuaku, Anderson, Rice, Snodgrass, Diangana, Chicharito. Subs: Adrian, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Fredericks, Antonio, Powell, Coventry
Irrespective of who is in charge of West Ham United's medical team, and they've tried a few, the results still seem to be the same. Perpetually injured players have become part of the club's DNA but who is to blame? There are several choices as to who or what is responsible, the Rush Green training facility has come under close scrutiny with many believing that it is not fit for purpose despite it being a major upgrade from the old Chadwell Heath site.
One of two players who had successful loan spells at West Ham United but currently find themselves out of favour with their own teams could potentially make a return to the club.
Despite the obvious disappointment of losing 1-0 to much disliked London Rivals Tottenham at the London Stadium, many Hammers fans are relishing the 'bigger picture' and confirmation that at last the club has a centre back pairing every bit as good as the Ginger Pele and Winston Reid when in their pomp.
West Ham United: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Noble, Snodgrass, Yarmolenko, Arnautovic, Anderson. Subs: Adrian, Fredericks, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Dianang, Antonio, Perez.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Dier, Winks; Son, Eriksen, Moura, Kane. Subs: Lamela, Wanyama, Walker-Peters, Llorente, Gazzaniga, Davies, Skipp.
The Barclays Premier League is essentially made up of three groups of teams, the Best, the Next best and the Best of the Rest, Tottenham are probably up in the Best and West Ham are currently in the Next best category, but these assesments can change quickly, for example a victory on Saturday at the london Stadium would propel the visitors well up in the Best of teams stakes, whereas as a similar result for the home team would reinforce their position in the Next best league table slots.