Soler power replaces JWP's set-pieces

Well, a late flurry of activity as the transfer window closed. It was surprising to see James Ward-Prowse loaned to Nottingham Forest. He scored seven and assisted seven goals in the league and assisted another four goals in cup competitions last season. James might not have been a starter under Loppy, and he generally played it safe as a central midfielder, but he never gets injured and would have been a great option to bring on and fling in set pieces when chasing games. 

More positively Lopetegui has managed to sign Carlos Soler on loan from Paris Saint Germain for the season and he clearly rates him above JWP. Soler has 14 caps for Spain, a hipster beard and a couple of title medals with PSG so he's obviously a handy player. And this is probably a signal that J-Lo no longer wants West Ham to be seen as a set-piece side. Though having failed to see Ward-Prowse score with a free kick all last season what are the odds that he bags one in his first game for Forest?

Nayef Aguerd has been loaned out for the season to Real Sociedad. There's clearly a lot going on behind the scenes and presumably Nayef hadn't settled in England. But Moyes loved him when he arrived and it seems too soon to give up on a £30 million player who makes fewer mistakes than the promising but raw Dinos Mavropanos.

The other departure is Maxwel Cornet to Southampton, which will leave my pal Matt gutted. Cornet looked a good player at Burnley and scored some cracking goals, but never got going at West Ham after an early injury, though he did a good job of gatecrashing the Europa Conference League celebrations.

But overall it's been a good window with the squad left stronger after Tim Stedten's work. WHU have signed Kilman, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka, Soler, Rodriguez, Guilherme, Fullkrug, Foderingham  and Summerville, while Ward-Prowse, Aguerd, Cornet, Johnson, Ogbonna, Benrahma, Kehrer and probably Zouma have departed. Now Lopetegui just has to mould this lot into a team, 

Bowen's handy goal sees off Cherries

West Ham 1 Bournemouth 0 (Carabao Cup)

We're down to the diehards in the Billy Bonds Stand. Lisa has arrived from a lonely vigil in the Best Cafe and Nigel, who has been busy researching his list of top ten pubs in the world, is present with his giant sausage. Matt is working from home with one eye on the score and Michael is away with his folios.

Aaron Cresswell is injured in the warm-up so Coufal is back in and Wan-Bissaka plays left-back. The new signings all get a run out but West Ham struggle to break down a neat-passing Cherries side as Hill heads wide for Bournemouth early on. 

The annoying fan behind us gives a running commentary on the game and already seems to have it in for Fullkrug. The big German looks isolated, as were Haller and Scamacca, but he does fire wide a long range effort early on. He then gets his head on a corner, but Soucek hits the half-chance over.

Wan-Bissaka looks like he could become a bit of a cult figure, defying his Man United critics by getting  forward well from the unfamiliar position of left back and combining well with Jimmy Summerville. The Irons' best move sees Kilman and Fullkrug combine to release Summerville. But Crysencio slices over when he should score. Before the break Bournemouth almost take the lead as Quattara's brilliant heel-flick is superbly saved by Fabianski.

It's not been a great half. The most interesting thing is the half-time mascot race between Hammerhead and Teddy Bear. And the fact that Summerville is in gloves - in August.

Summerville cuts inside to shoot just wide, but Bournemouth then start to dominate the second half. Mavropanos is on for Todibo, but he loses Evanilson, who gets behind the Greek to scuff wide when he should score. Tavernier hits the post with a free kick and then gets behind Dinos again only to shoot wide when he should have squared it. "Get Dinos off!" messages the getting angry from home Matt.

Dinos then does some good stuff at the other end, intercepting well to set up Bowen for a shot that is parried by Neto. By now Loppy has been forced to bring on Paqueta and Kudus in an effort to avoid penalties. This raises the crowd as does a great tackle from Wan-Bissaka.

With 88 minutes gone Paqueta dinks it into the box. Bowen is tackled but the ball falls to Kudus. Mo's drive hits Bowen and is deflected into the net. Jarrod runs to our corner as the Bournemouth players claim for handball. Luckily there's no VAR in the Carabao Cup as the ball does appear to hit Jarrod's arm. though it was impossible to tell in real time.

We'll take the win though. We head off to Ye Olde Black Bull for Brixton Pale Ale and Diet Coke, anticipating the draw for the next round. But in a shocking disregard of the spirit of cup competitions, this year the big teams in Europe are kept apart in a separate pool, and all seem to get drawn at home too. 

As soon as Liverpool comes out of the bag we know what's coming next. "Liverpool ffs" is Matt's cryptic message. This happened last season too.They really shouldn't have the draw immediately after a hard-fought win. Let us savour the game for a day before announcing we're drawn away to Liverpool or Man United, as is always the case. Infamy, infamy.

The Cup Final breakfast at Nigel's gaff in Kew Gardens isn't looking very likely, but at least it was a good run-out for the new boys and a very decent crowd of 47,000. Next comes the small matter of Manchester City.

PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski 7; Coufal 6, Kilman 7, Todibo 6 (Mavropanos 5), Wan-Bissaka 7; Soucek 5, Ward-Prowse 5 (Rodriguez 6), Alvarez 6 (Paqueta 6); Bowen 7, Summerville 6 (Emerson 5), Fullkrug 5 (Kudus 7).

Hammers storm Palace

Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 2 (two)

It seems a strange team selection from Lopetegui, with the gaffer selecting the same side that lost to Aston Villa. The bench looks stronger than the first team, featuring new signings Fullkrug, Summerville, Todibo, Wan-Bissake and the returning Alvarez.

Kudus fires just wide early on after a surging run from Bowen, but Palace have the better of the first half. Areola makes a good low save with his foot from Eze. Wharton sends Edouard clear but the striker scuffs it wide. Considering West Ham were 4-0 down after 30 minutes last season it's a great relief to be level at the half-hour stage, with Kilman having a very solid game at the back. Before the interval Eze fires a languid shot against the bar from a corner routine.

The Irons improve after the interval, particularly when Wan-Bissaka and Fullkrug come on. The breakthrough arrives after 67 minutes. Palace old boy Aaron Wan-Bissaka wins the ball and hurdles two tackles before racing over the half-way line and cleverly flicking to Bowen with the outside of his foot. Jarrod finds Paqueta whose effort is blocked. Fullkrug competes for the loose ball and it falls to Super Tomas Soucek to stroke home. 

Tomas, who is making himself undroppable, wheels away doing his trademark twirling celebration and dreaming of potato salad. As he does so in front of the celebrating West Ham fans an electronic hoarding collapses and a Palace ball boy is almost flattened under the weight of several big blokes from Billericay. Luckily Soucek and Bowen act quickly to rescue the boy and prevent him turning into Flat Stanley. Super hero Jarrod even gives the lad his shirt after the game.

It gets better as Max Kilman wins a tackle, advances past two Palace players and plays a lovely ball out to Bowen on the right. Jarrod cuts inside his man and fires home, running to the away fans tapping his captain's armband.

Theres still time for Sarr to rather fortunately deflect the ball with his thigh on to Areola' s post but the Irons see out the game fairly comfortably. A great away win and the first clean sheet since winning at the Emirates at the end of December. 

Perhaps Lopetegui does know what he's doing and integrating the new signings slowly has worked. To some extent we've been lucky in that Palace have sold the influential Olise, Andersen and Ayew, but it's still a massive improvement on last season at a ground where we normally struggle. This victory was quite Moyesian in feel in that WHU only had 41 per cent possession, but the defensive resilience and speed on the counter was impressive. 

Another 37 points and we're safe. Irons!

West Ham need to sell before getting Soler power

Jacob Steinberg in the Guardian reports that the Hammers are now after midfielder Carlos Soler of Paris Saint Germain, but must first sell before they can buy to keep within the FA profit and sustainability rules. 

Kurt Zouma is one obvious player on big wages the Irons have been trying to sell but any move to UAE depends on him passing a fitness test or coming to a pay-as-you play deal. Danny Ings has spent a season and a half mainly on the bench and is another player the Hammers could unload. Despite several serious injuries his career goalscoring record would surely attract some suitors despite only three league goals for West Ham. The problem is that Ings in on big money so a loan deal might be more likely, with the club subsidising some of his wages.

Maxwel Cornet is another player the club wants to shift. He scored some fantastic volleys for Burnley, but his career has gone badly awry at West Ham after his early injury two seasons ago. Maxi is said to be on £65k a week so again might be difficult to sell if he wants to see out his contract.

Nayef Aguerd is also up for sale, though in my opinion it would be a mistake to sell him. He might have made a few mistakes but Nayef played in the Europa Conference winning side and has a cultured left foot. Should WHU write off a £30 million signing and star for Morocco so quickly? Mavropanos also makes errors, but looks to be part of J-Lo's plans.

The other possible sale mentioned by Steinberg is Michail Antonio. It would be sad to lose Micky after his goals, celebrations and of course crashing a car while dressed as a snowman have left us so entertained over the years. He could still do a job as an impact sub, though his physicality would certainly appeal to some of the newer Premier League clubs or a Championship side.

It would be a mistake to become like Chelsea and just buy players because they're available. If WHU can't shift any of the above then it might have been better to keep George Earthy rather than loan him out to Bristol City for the season. As it is the club still have Paqueta (if he's not suspended), Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez and Alvarez as options in central midfield, with youngsters Potts and Orford also worth looking at. Whatever happens, the days before the window closes on August 30 should prove interesting. 

Duran brings Hammers down to Planet Earth

West Ham 1 Aston Villa 2

Football returns to a balmy London Stadium. Nigel and myself have opted for shorts, while Matt is in his final game at the Boleyn t-shirt. Lisa and CQ make up our number with Michael the Whovian away polishing his Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT anecdotes. Matt and are already mainlining football, having seen the West Ham Under-18s lose to Arsenal in the morning. 

The big miss for all us is Fraser, who has departed for the great pub-rock gig in the sky. As a Moyes sceptic he would have appreciated seeing the first game of a new gaffer.

Meet the New West Ham, same as the old West Ham. The line-up is a bit disappointing, featuring only Kilman and Rodriguez of the new signings. 

It's a poor start as Soucek miscontrols to give away a needless corner after four minutes. From the resulting corner Onana loses Antonio and heads home far too easily. West Ham look sluggish. Is it too soon to say "Lopetegui out!" we wonder. It's almost two for Villa as Rogers wriggles through to force a fine low save from Areola. Plus we've got the sun in our eyes.

A simple ball over the top sees Bailey get behind Emerson, round the onrushing Areola and hit the post, put off a little by a good recovery from Kilman. Then it's McGinn's turn to fire just wide from the edge of the area. Bowen can't get in the game and Antonio is struggling up front, though Kudus does impress with some mazy dribbles. The bloke behind us says his under-ten side can pass it better than this lot. Strange the board haven't appointed him as gaffer.

West Ham receive an unexpected lifeline when Paqueta chips into the box. Soucek goes down like a felled conifer under a challenge from Cash and after a VAR check the penalty is given. Nigel suggests it's a "penalty Czech". It's very soft as Cash has got a toe to the ball. Paqueta does his usual stop-start jump and skip and fires home a calmly-taken spot-kick before giving thanks to the heavens. At the end of the half Emerson goes close with a low shot that Martinez has to turn past the post.

West Ham start the second half with greater intent as the crowd fire them up with "West Ham are Massive!" Coufal gets in a fine cross but Antonio heads over when well-placed. 

When Emery brings on Duran for Villa, whom West Ham have been trying to sign, Matt suggests we know what's going to happen next. Lopetegui acts after 73 minutes bringing on on Fullkrug, Summerville and Ward-Prowse. The fact J-Lo takes off Bowen and Paqueta shows he's not scared of subbing big names.

GOALS ON FILM

But it's the Villa subs who have the greater impact. Duran has already fired into the side-netting. On 79 minutes Maatsen gets away down the left with Coufal not tight enough on him. He plays it first-time to Ramsey who sets up Duran. The Columbian striker, presumably still Hungry Like the Wolf, fires through Areola's legs with a crisp finish. No sign of a crossed Hammers gesture as he celebrates.

Lopetegui brings on Todibo (who looks like a man mountain) and Danny Ings with five minutes to go. 'Jimmy' Summerville is a real danger on the left, taking men on and getting in a fine cross for Ings' header to force a flying save from Martinez.

The Irons very nearly force an undeserved point at the end of added time. Summerville chips across the box to Kudus, whose cross is met by Soucek's header. Konsa manages to block the header but the ball spins to Soucek again, who swivels to fire over under pressure from Konsa.

We trudge off to the Eagle, where Sinead has East London Pale Ale, Corona, John Smith's, non-alcoholic Guinness and Tayto crisps ready for us. At least the jukebox caters for fans of a certain age, though thankfully there's no Duran Duran. Rod Stewart is followed by Nigel's second favourite Dire Straits song Telegraph Road. As Back in the USSR comes on the jukebox CQ tells us that Paul McCartney wrote it as a parody of the Beach Boys, the Californian outfit who famously sang "Birmingham's a s***hole I wanna go home" (or something like that) on Sloop John B. 

Nigel is reluctant to leave while Metallica is playing but has introduced us to some world class trivia, asking which goalkeeper has played for both Bury and Bury St Edmonds? It is in fact Nick Pope. All of this is better than thinking about the game.

It's only one game in but it's never good to lose your first match. This looks like a season too far for the 33-year-old Antonio and Fullkrug needs to start. Lopetegui should also bring in Wan-Bissaka and Todibo if that's his favoured defence, while Summerville looks too good to leave out. We've missed the injured Alvarez too. Let's see what happens when the new signings are better integrated, but a rapid improvement is required. 

PLAYER RATINGS: Areola 6; Coufal 5 (Todibo 5), Kilman 6, Mavropanos 5, Emerson 6; Rodriguez 5 (Ings 6), Soucek 6, Paqueta 6 (Ward-Prowse 5); Kudus 7, Bowen 5 (Summerville 7), Antonio 5 (Fullkrug 5). 

Captain Jarrod

Jarrod Bowen is the right choice as West Ham captain. He may not be that much of a shouter on the pitch, but Jarrod's set an example through committing himself to West Ham for life with a seven-year contract. His work-rate should inspire others too, plus the fact that he ran through potato fields to get fit for the Premier League. It's difficult to lead from the front but Jarrod will be helped by the other players with experience of captaincy, such as Max Kilman, James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek. Plus he'll be able to dispense tactical advice from both Danny Dyer and Dani Dyer.

Aaron's a Hammer

Yet another signing. Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks a tidy bit of business at £15 million. A player who is a fine one-on-one defender and likes a tackle should be what the WHU defence need. Coufal is 31 and better at assists, but we now have the option of starting with Wan-Bissaka and bringing on Vlad of we are trying to break down teams. He's only 26 and was Crystal Palace's player of the season before joining Man United five seasons ago. At Old Trafford he's won the League Cup and FA Cup and played in a Europa League Final, so plenty of big-game experience. 

Quite where this leaves West Ham in terms of financial fair play is unclear as we've spent a lot of money (£130 million plus while recouping £40 million) and some sales surely need to be made. The selling situation hasn't been helped by the news that Kurt Zouma, who is on big wages, has failed a medical to join UAE side Shabab Al-ahli. Hopefully the clubs can  sort out a pay-as-you-play arrangement.

But in terms of squad strength, the arrival of Wan-Bissaka plus Fullkrug, Summerviile, Rodriguez, Kilman, Todibo and Guilherme is looking really exciting.

First trophy of the season

West Ham 2 Celta Vigo 2 (Betway Cup) 

(West Ham win on penalties 6-5)

Well, the first trophy of the season has been won. Not too much to glean from this judging by the live feed. The crowd was certainly thin, thanks to calls to boycott the game over WHU's removal of concessions in some parts of the stadium. 

Bowen was on target again after a great through ball from Paqueta. Lucas later scored a lovely dinked goal after an intricate move. Both Celta Vigo goals benefitted from deflections, though the pairing of Kilman and Mavropanos didn't always look watertight. Tomas Soucek had a robust game, suggesting he'll not give up his place easily. While 'Jimmy' Summerville, coming on as a sub, was always trying to take players on and make something happen.

Mystic Matt was there and reports that we have signed "the only German in history who can't take a penalty" having watched sub Niclas Fullkrug's effort saved in the shoot-out. Still, at least we won it on pens and a good moment for young Guilherme (a big lad who looks older than his 18 years) to score the decisive pen. Although the trophy presentation to new skipper Jarrod Bowen didn't quite rival Prague. Useful for match fitness, but next week the real stuff starts against Villa.

Nice work to sign Todibo

Yet another signing is through the door. Jean-Clair Todibo has been signed on an initial season's loan from Nice, with an obligation to buy for £34m next season. French international Todibo appears a very promising defender and had been interesting Juventus. He also adds to WHU's list of unusual first names, with Jean-Clair joining Maximilian, Crysenco and Konstantinos. Not too many Bobbys or Geoffs in this line-up.

Todibo's signing is also set to signal Kurt Zouma going to UAE side Shabab A-ahli on a free. Kurt has a year to run on his contract and releasing him now will save the club an estimated £5 million in wages. Zouma gave good service for his three seasons. His best moment was probably that headed goal against Liverpool in the 3-2 win a couple of seasons ago, though he also contributed useful headers against Luton and Everton last season. And of course Kurt played his part in the 2023 Europa Conference League Final, before going off injured in the second half.

For a long time he was West Ham's best defender and bravely played on through a series of injuries. But by the second half of last season Kurt's running looked heavily impaired and if Lopetegui saw the 5-2 defeat at Palace it probably made up his mind. There was also catgate of course, one of West Ham's more bizarre scandals. Zouma was foolish, but perhaps the following week's invasion of Ukraine by Russia put his offence in perspective.

We've exchanged an ageing centre back with injury problems for a younger player of promise. This looks like further progress, even though Steidten does have to ensure we have bought a team rather than a set of star names.

World Cup winner Guido arrives

Phew, another signing. Guido Rodriguez is a World Cup winner with Argentina and arrives on a free from Real Betis. The defensive midfielder should be a clear upgrade on Flynn Downes and Soucek and has the advantage of having already played alongside Edson Alvarez for Club America in Mexico. Along with Fullkrug he's another older player in his thirties, but hopefully that is balanced by the youth of Summerville and Guilherme. Let's hope Guido can start some bonfires in midfield. Credit to Tim Steidten for getting so many deals done already. Kilman, Guilherme, Summerville, Fullkrug and Rodriguez leave the WHU squad looking much stronger.

Fullkrug time!

The signing of Niclas Fullkrug has finally been announced. He's expensive at £27 million for a 31-year-old, but his performances at the Euros and in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund have been impressive - a no-nonsense battering ram of a centre-forward who can also make goals. He's also played in a Champions League Final for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid, where he hit the post. 

West Ham fans will like the way he's come up through the lower leagues and was the oldest player ever to make his debut for Germany. He could well become a bit of a cult figure at West Ham, but after Haller and Scamacca we should perhaps be cautious. Bizarrely Niclas is now WHU's youngest central striker, behind Antonio, 34, and Danny Ings, 32. Let's hope he's the Fullkrug Monty.

Here comes the Summerville

It's happened at last. After seemingly never-ending negotiations Crysencio Summerville has signed from Leeds for £25 million, possibly rising to £34 million after add-ons. At 22 the Dutchman is a good age and looks a really exciting prospect coming in off the left flank. This has been a problem position ever since Benrahma lost form last season and Summerville looks a clear upgrade. Summerville scored four goals in the Premier League as Leeds went down (including the winner at Anfield) in 2022-23 and then bagged 21 goals and ten assists last season in the Championship.

He's also very possibly the first player at West Ham to be called Crysencio, though my fellow season-ticket holder Matt says several West Ham players have made him cry. Tim Steidten seems to have hit on a successful strategy of targeting 1980s pop stars. The Irons have already tried for Duran Duran, we've now got 'Jimmy' Summerville, who is definitely not a Smalltown Boy, though Leeds fans presumably said Don't Leave Me This Way. The Hammers may well be after Howard Jones and Nick Kershaw at this rate. We're also possibly signing Fullkrug, who sounds like the sort of heavy metal band my pal Nigel might have seen at Donington Park.  

Should the Hammers manage to follow Summerville with the recruitment of Niclas Fullkrug, World Cup winner Guido Rodriguez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka then the squad really would be significantly strengthened. Despite the pre-season defeats, we're in danger of feeling optimistic.