Matt Jarvis shows Attitude

Matt Jarvis has flexed his pecs and appeared in skimpy shorts on the cover of Attitude, showing a toned body not unlike those of Matt, Nigel, Fraser, Michael and myself in the East Stand. Though strangely Attitude has passed on Big Sam in his Speedos for a cover shoot. Although he's married and not gay himself, Jarvis has expressed his support for gay footballers coming out. Yes, gay footballers would probably receive some abuse from the stands, but then so does John Terry for the sins of his parents and David Beckham used to get all sorts of suggestions about Posh Spice. We've surely had plenty of gay footballers at West Ham and these days you'd hope no-one cares about a player's sexuality as long as they can tackle or put the ball in the net.

Jarvis joins the Common People

So we've finally signed Matt Jarvis from Wolves for £7 million upfront, in a deal that could end up at £10 million with add-ons. Big Sam has paid over the odds for an English player with one cap, but on the other hand a winger who can cross for Cole, Maiga and Vaz Te could be the key to surviving a very competitive Premier League. Jarvis has always looked useful when at Wolves and last season scored eight goals in a struggling side which is a sign of character. Big Sam also says Jarvis "has good stats", making him sound a little like a contestant in a 1970s beauty contest. Overall, the £18 million outlay on Jussi, Diame, Diarra, Collins, Maiga and Jarvis certainly strengthens our squad, as it should. Not since Mattie Etherington departed have we had a conventional winger who could cross. And interestingly both Jarvis's parents were table tennis champions...
Meanwhile Sam Baldock and his cunning plans have departed for Bristol City for an an unspecified fee. I'm a little sad to see Baldock go, as his five goals last season, especially the pair against Leicester, suggested he's a fine finisher when confident, though he never looked the same player after his injury. He's a victim of our promotion and was never going to get many games once Maiga came in. Think he'll do quite well at City. Meanwhile it's an early morning start for my train to Swansea tomorrow...

Will Jarvis join the Common People?

"Hammers offer Jarvis a lifeline," reads today's Sun. Initially I thought this might be an offer to Jarvis Cocker to warm up the Common People aided by Jeremy Nicholas. But turns out it's Matt Jarvis. The paper claims we've made a £4 million offer for the Wolves winger. We need a wideman and he's a decent crosser who scored eight goals in a rubbish team (apologies to Nigel's mate and HITH follower Adrian but they were pretty shambolic after McCarthy was sacked) last season. Suspect we may have to raise the price a bit, but I'd be reasonably happy to see him at Upton Park.