Either oar situation

Interesting piece in tonight's Evening Standard reveals that West Ham fan and Olympic Gold Medal winning rower Mark Hunter was invited to give a talk to the players before the Blackpool game.

Sam Allardyce had asked him to give the talk with the aid of a flip chart on how to achieve success and how to overcome setbacks. Hunter says, "I was amazed how responsive the players were afterwards".

Quite apt really, as we were up s**t creek without a paddle last season. Let's hope we swim rather than sink at St Mary's tonight.