So long Marouane…

We've got our transfer window business in early, which is a positive sign. After signing Joe Cole and teenage Waterford striker Sean Maguire, West Ham have acquired Arsenal's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh on loan until the end of the reason. He's been something of a flop at Arsenal, but at Bordeaux scored a goal every three games. Worth a gamble, as it puts pressure on Cole and Carroll to score goals and gives us the option of two up front with Maiga away in Africa for a month.

Meanwhile it's a little sad to see Yossi Benayoun return to Chelsea as he put in real effort for the side before his injury, flying into tackles, which you don't see many players of his type doing. An interesting piece from Jacob Steinberg in today's Guardian wonders where we'll play Joe Cole, as the position behind the striker is taken by the undroppable (to Sam) Kevin Nolan. Cole feels he's had too many knee injuries to play on the wing but may have to revert to competing with Jarvis, Vaz Te and Taylor on the wings, or become a super sub. It's exciting to see him in a claret and blue shirt again — I just hope the medical team have done their homework on an injury-prone player.