To those of a certain age in the UK the name Lionel was synonymous with light entertainment in the form of the multi talented and thoroughly nice guy Lionel Blair, his soft shoe shuffle and treacly tones entertained the masses on Saturday nights during an era when there were only four TV channels to view in total! How have things have changed?
Now that the World Cup is drawing to it's conclusion with the final between Argentina and France to be held at 3PM GMT, focus will invariably shift to players' domestic responsibilities. Most people have been pleasantly surprised with how WELL the Cup has gone in what is after all a Pariah State that has a dreadful human liberty and human rights reputation, perhaps the Legacy of the Qatar World Cup of 2022 will be that tolerance is NOT a one way street.
No, the Hammers manager hasn't gone for some Pubic restyling while he is away with his managerial cronies on their Footie 'observational' Jolly, he is currently 'lapping it up' with 'Den' Haag, Ancelloti and ironically the manager the club might look to replace Moyes with, Tomas Tuchel.
Udinese: Silvestri, Ehizibue, Bijol, Perez, Pereyra ©, Ebosele, Walace, Lovric, Samardzic, Beto, Success Subs: Padelli (GK), Piana (GK), Guessano, Buta, Arslan, Jajalo, Pafundi, Nestorovski, Cocetta, Abdalla, Russo, Centis
West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna ©, Emerson, Downes, Souček, Fornals, Benrahma, Scamacca Subs: Randolph (GK), Hegyi (GK), Johnson, Scarles, Forbes, Laing, Coventry, Ekwah, Lanzini, F.Potts, Antonio, Swyer
Seeing Nikola Vlašić playing for Croatia has prompted many fans to question what exactly happened regarding the 25 year old's transfer from CSKA Moscow to West Ham. Vlasic is currently on loan at Torino and went there in a deal that could be made permanent for around £15 million, he has already shown enough while at the Italian club to be a bargain buy for the price on offer, one which Hammers committed themselves to when sending the forward out on loan.
West Ham United's 26 year old Morocco International centre back Nayef Aguerd is facing a lengthy spell out of the game following the injury he sustained playing against Spain in the Qatar World Cup. Aguerd was on the receiving end of some 'tough but fair' challenges during the game before finally having to leave the field following a desperate last gasp saving tackle.
West Ham United majority share holder David Sullivan has regularly vented his spleen in public about the 'outrage' that is currently in place whereby other clubs can sneak in and 'steal' academy players that the club have spent huge amounts of time and resources training up for the possibiity of the youngster representing the first team, only for Spuds or Leeds or particularly Watford to offer 'excessive' wages to the boys parents or greedy agents.
Hammers have been given an 'uncomfortable tie for this year's third round FA Cup tie, an away fixtute against Thomas Frank's Brentford at the GTech Stadium, probably one of the few venues that West Ham supporters really dread, despite it's relative close proximity!
The full draw is as follows:
West Ham United have confirmed that Kurt Zouma has had surgery on the knee injury that has been troubling him for several seasons, the French defender will now continue his rehabilitation at Rush Green with the Club’s medical team. It was decided that the break for the Wash Cup was an ideal opportunity to fix Zouma's long term knee issue which he had coped with for years, but had started to impact on his match day performances.
England continue their World Cup campaign when they take on the United States of America at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Friday night. The Three Lions got off to the perfect start with a hugely impressive 6-2 demolition of Iran on Monday afternoon. Youngsters Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham starred during the victory, while Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford also got their names on the scoresheet.