A game of two scarves

West Ham have made a bit of history by banning half and half scarves from the game against Spurs. I'm not sure they would cause too much trouble since wearing one marks you out as a tourist who doesn't support either side, though Mo Kudus might like one. Would any real fan ever wear one? Though should we ever play Millwall again it will be interesting to see how sales of those half and half scarves go...

Window shopping: Igor in, Aguerd, Emerson and Cornet out

Well, the transfer window has turned out better than it seemed a week ago. The key thing was getting in two young energetic 21-year-old midfielders in Fernandes and Magassa and that gives the season a much more optimistic hue. Potter also brought in Igor Julio from Brighton on loan, who was very Igor to join us having played against West Ham for Fiorentina in Prague. That move also scuppered Crystal Palace selling Guehi to Liverpool. If he's a big bruising centre half who can win balls in the air then that's what we need against teams like Sunderland. 

Nayef Aguerd has gone to Marseille for a reported £20m which isn't bad business even if it was £10m less than we paid for him. I always thought he was a good player who would eventually adapt to the Premier League, but the three games he played this season showed he was still struggling. Emerson has also gone to Marseille for a very low £900,000. You can only assume the club was desperate to get his wages off the books. The 31-year-old Emerson completed the set of European trophies with West Ham and overall did pretty well in his three seasons. While lingering like an odd sock at the bottom of the drawer we have also loaned forgotten Maxwel Cornet to Genoa. 

Potter and Macauley have certainly been hampered by the club being obliged to buy Todibo for an overpriced £36m and then thanks to last summer's spree and the PSR rules having to sell Kudus for £55m before we could buy. Diouf and Hermansen have come in for £20m each and Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson arrived on frees. A lot of fans deplored the Wilson signing but for a season-long deal I think he's a bargain if we can keep him fit. As he showed at Forest he's a really good player.

The other plus is that Lucas Paqueta really did throw his phone away at Forest. The one area where Potter hasn't acted is in signing a young striker, though Fullkrug, Wilson, Bowen and Marshall offer some depth for this season. Overall a lot of older players have been moved on such as Cresswell, Coufal, Ings, Fabianski, Zouma, Antonio and Emerson, while Alvarez has been loaned out. We've spent around £133 million and recouped around £76 million while probably saving a bit on wages. The main aim was to reduce the average age of the side and that has been achieved. Potter now has seven of his own signings in the squad so let's see what he can do with them.

Three-nil to the Cockney Boys!

Nottingham Forest 0 West Ham United 3 (three)

I'm in a breakout group with daughter Nell at the Racehorse pub in Carshalton for this Sky game, while Matt and Nigel are at the Wellington in Waterloo wondering what could possibly go right. Potter has made big changes. We're playing both the Greek Bloke and Mads Hermansen, who must surely have PTSD after his eight goals conceded in two games. The gaffer has abandoned five at the back and dropped three members of our porous defence in Aguerd, Todibo and Wan-Bisakka, while new signing Mateus Fernandes comes in to midfield. It's certainly a brave selection, but after Chelsea something had to be done.

It's a scrappy game, yet from the outset West Ham look a much more determined side with Fernandes adding some speed and tenacity to midfield. A cross from Ndoye goes across goal and behind Wood, Walker-Peters does well to tackle Hudson-Odoi in the box and that's about it. Even Hermansen is confidently catching crosses. Towards the end of the half the Irons create the best chance so far as Diouf and Fernandes combine to set up Paqueta for a shot that Sels does well to tip over.

Fullkrug, set up by Fernandes, has a low shot saved, but the main question after the break is can West Ham hold on for a gritty goalless draw. Potter makes a change bringing on Wilson for Fullkrug after 64 minutes. The former Newcastle man immediately looks more mobile than the big German taking players on and getting a defected shot away that Sels has to tip over. Next he takes on three defenders and shoots from a tight angle to inspire another save.

JIMMY JIMMY

The crucial change comes when Summerville arrives after 82 minutes. Paqueta nicks the ball to Jimmy who takes on two men, rolls the ball to Bowen who shoots first time and bends it into the corner before doing a knee slide to the West Ham fans. Blimey. Two minutes later Paqueta wins a block tackle, the ball breaks to Summerville in his own half and the revitalised winger races into the box to be brought down by Sangare. 

Lucas Paqueta takes a stuttering penalty and having sent the goalkeeper the wrong way gently rolls the ball into the net. Lucas runs to the away fans, makes a throwing his phone away mime and clutches his Hammers badge. Either he's having problems with his mobile phone provider  or this is a sign he intends to ignore Aston Villa's deadline day call. Paqueta has been superb throughout and is a new player now he's free of FA charges.

On WhatsApp Michael the Whovian and Big Sam both wonder if there is a connectivity problem at Sky as West Ham appear to be winning. What sort of thing is happening here? One minute into added time Summerville finds Diouf whose inviting cross is headed down and in by Callum Wilson. Three-nil! Nigel says we can thank Mystic Matt for this one as five minutes earlier Matt had predicted that Wilson would never score for the Hammers.

Even sub Jesus has failed to lay on any crosses for the stuttering home side. It's almost four when Bowen slaloms though the Forest defence for what would have been the goal of the season only to see Callum Wilson take the ball off his toe and fire at at the keeper. Luckily the pair do eventually share a laugh about this, Callum a little more than Jarrod.

What a performance and let's have a word for the Greek Bloke. Instead of a mistake waiting to happen Dinos Mavropanos has played like the Colossus of Rhodes and alongside Kilman he's made the defence look a lot tighter. Even Mads is looking less like he is fresh from the Battle of Passchendaele. Potter got his selection and subs right this time. Obviously none of us have ever doubted him or the team (much). 

We head off to the CAMRA Greater London pub of the year, the aptly-named The Hope for connoisseur's halves of Black Isle, Mild and Ash and Elm real ale. Football, eh? International fortnight is going to be a lot more comfortable after this. Irons!

Double swoop gives Hammers new hope

You wait all summer for one midfield signing and then two come along at once. Mateus Fernandes has signed from Southampton for £38m plus £4m in add-ons. I'm slightly wary of signing players from relegated clubs (Fernandes, Walker-Peters and Hermansen so far) since their confidence will be low and ultimately they couldn't keep their team up; but Fernandes at 21 was certainly one of the Saints' best players last season and picked up valuable experience, playing 36 times scoring twice and assisting four times. The Portugeeezer looks a busy player who can both create and get a tackle in. He's previously played for Sporting Lisbon and on loan at Estoril and is an Under-21 international.

While the Irons have also now just completed the signing of 21-year-old defensive midfielder Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco for £17.5 million. Can Maga make West Ham great again? If so he'll be the ultimate populist. This could be the most vital signing of the summer since the Hammers have never really replaced Declan Rice and a defensive shield would surely make the three centre backs look a little better. He can also play at centre back himself. Magassa is six foot two so hopefully will be an intimidating presence with more pace than Rodriguez, Soucek or the departed Alvarez.

Signing a couple of promising and 21-year-olds gives the side a lot more energy and hope for the season and there are also rumours of a third midfield signing in Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber, who wood do nicely. Here's hoping all his transfer activity kick-starts our season.

Concentrating on relegation?

Wolves 3 West Ham 2 (Carabao Cup)

It's off to the World's End with Matt and Lisa for this one, an apt pub to choose though the nearby Faltering Fullback would also have been suitable. Potter picks a conservative side with a back five and only rests Kilman, Wan-Bissaka, Fullkrug and hapless Hermansen. He doesn't play any youngsters like Scarles or Potts and Bowen is employed as a lone striker, depriving the side of our best crosser. We're up against what is basically a Wolves reserve side with only pints of Hep Cat to help ease the pain. There's no sound on so we watch the match accompanied by heavy metal songs like Smoke on the Water, which would please our pal Nigel.

The Hammers have the better of a poor first half. After some fine control by Bowen Soucek does well to get a shot away that is saved by the legs of Sam Johnstone while Bowen fires against the keeper in a one-on-one. Encouragingly Paqueta has set up both chances. 

But just before the break Rodriguez is tempted to tackle in the box, Bellegarde goes over after a slight touch and it's a penalty. Hwang Hee-chan's penalty hits the post but Gomes shoots home the rebound with Soucek and Aguerd both slow to react. Paquerta then fails to head on target  after a decent Ward-Prowse cross 

Things appear to be improving after the break as Walker-Peters does well to spin and get in a great cross that Tomas Soucek heads home. "If Fraser was here he'd be saying where are the strikers," suggests Mystic Matt just as Bowen crosses for Paqueta to be in the box and score with a fine diving header. Two-one up after 63 minutes. Surely we can see this one out.

Wolves bring on five substitutes including the in-demand Strand Larsen while Potter seems paralysed with indecision. His only change is to swap Kilman for Todibo."Come on lads, let's lose the ball and invite pressure," says an exasperated Matt as Potter's men get pressed back. Surely bringing on Wilson or Fullkrug would give Wolves something else to think about.

NOT HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLVES

On the pub sound system Mick Jagger is singing, "you'll make a grown man cry..." After 82 minutes it all goes very Pete Tong. A wrong-footed Areola saves a deflected shot with his feet but the ball falls to Strand Larson who reacts quickest to wallop it home.Two minutes later Wolves are ahead. Areola saves with his feet again, deflecting the ball wide to Tchatchoua. Diouf isn't tight enough and Strand Larsen rises like a great Norwegian tree above Rodriguez and Mavropanos to score with his head. 

Potter brings on Fullkrug and Wilson after 86 minutes which is way too late. Paqueta volleys over a decent cross from Diouf during added time and Strand-Larsen almost scores another as Lisa muses that perhaps we sacked Lopetegui prematurely. 

At the final whistle the players go to the West Ham fans and to round it off Jarrod Bowen has to be held back after someone says something. Whatever the side's problems Bowen is not one of them.

So it's 11 goals conceded in three games and out of the Carabao Cup. Barring a miracle in the FA Cup it's another trophyless season and a fight to stay up. It's not just the manager as there's no plan at boardroom level and too much interference in transfers from Sullivan, but the analytical Potter is looking increasingly like the wrong fit at a club that needs emotion. The wing-back system isn't working and we have six days to save the season by signing two midfielders. The possible arrival of Magassa from Monaco might be a start but the club should have signed some athletic midfielders at the start of the summer. We're already getting sucked into a vortex of no-confidence and losing leads. Something needs to change and quickly.

Hammer horror show continues

West Ham 1 Chelsea 5

In the Best Meze Cafe Matt has been served two-thirds of a pint of rosé wine, which is probably just as well allowing for what is to follow. Michael arrives wearing a cryptic t-shirt reading "Underestimate Me" and as the falafel and haloumi mushrooms arrive we commiserate with Big Sam on his misfortune in buying a season ticket. In the stadium we find CQ and Nigel, wearing a Helsinki t-shirt purchased on a train holiday around Finland.

The crowd seem up for it at the start and Cole Palmer has been withdrawn after the warm-up. Surely we can't be as bad as at Sunderland? After six minutes Estevao plays a loose ball, Diouf feeds Paqueta who isn't challenged and races towards the box to send a brilliant swerving shot into the top of the net past a despairing Sanchez. That's more like the old Lucas.

It's the perfect start as the crowd tell Chelsea where to insert their blue flag. Now we have something to defend, only that's the problem. Nine minutes later Chelsea get a corner. Cucurella gets above Paqueta ro flick on at the near post and Joao Pedro rises above Todibo and Fullkrug to head home. Its a simple set-piece goal that we just shouldn't concede. The defence is still not doing the basics.

West Ham's response appears to be good as Todibo plays a one-two with Paqueta to get down the right and cross. Kilman fires into a defender but Fullkrug gets the rebound and slams the ball past Sanchez. Cue sodding VAR and Todibo being adjudged offside by a toe.

West Ham then concede another sloppy goal. Diouf plays a difficult ball to Paqueta on the edge of the box, Lucas falls over and claims a foul but Chelsea play on. West Ham don't, and Joao Pedro crosses for Neto to get behind Wan-Bissaka and volley home. We're not good enough to play it out from the back

Soucek and Ward-Prowse are being by-passed in midfield as Chelsea dominate. Brazilian wonderkid Estevao skates through our defence and past Soucek to cross for Hernandez to score. Again Wan-Bissaka, a talented player having a terrible game, has let his man get in front of him.

Nigel eats his lucky banana at half-time, though we are sensing that having produced only one trophy in 45 years it might be losing its power. Potter takes off Todibo for Freddie Potts and Fullkrug for Wilson.

It doesn't get better. From a Chelsea corner Hermansen flaps hopelessly at the ball and pals the ball to Caicedo who shoots home.Four minutes later another Chelsea corner sees Hermansen bullied out of it, admittedly not protected much by his defenders, and is on the ground as Chalobah scores. We start to remember the days of Roberto and Allen McKnight. It was a mistake to bring Hermansen in so soon after signing and he has to be dropped now for Areola. His confidence is shot and it won't have been helped by the crowd giving ironic cheers late on when he does catch the ball. 

CHELSEA DAGGER

Five-one down after 58 minutes, with three goals conceded from corners. Luckily Chelsea decide to ease up and bring on some subs. West Ham do make a few chances. Kilman and Aguerd head over from corners, Potts has a shot well-saved by Sanchez and Wilson dawdles instead of shooting, opting to pass to Walker-Peters who has a low effort cleared from in front of the line. 

Michael looks mournfully towards fourth official James Mainwaring and declares, "We're doomed, we're all doomed!" Matt agrees that at least the ref had a good game. West Ham leave the pitch to boos from those fans left, though Nigel does at least spot his West Ham pal from the Hawkwind concert.

Ye Olde Black Bull is clean out of whisky and revolvers but does have some cold Brixton Pale Ale to help us as the TV plays Jamie Redknapp and Robert Green on Sky dissecting our frailties. Potter hasn't made any difference in eight months and can't get his team doing basic defending. On Sky Robert Green suggests that he plays three centre-backs because he doesn't trust any of them. Eight goals conceded in two games and Potter is in big trouble. Should we lose to Wolves, Forest and Spurs Potter might, like Nigel and CQ in Helsinki, be expecting the Finnish. 

But it's not just the manager, the club is suffering from years of bad decisions made by the owners. We still don't know why Moyes didn't sign that new contract in January 2024 with West Ham sixth, but those fans who appeared on phone-ins saying Moyes was holding us back are looking pretty silly now.

Just to round it off the Mildmay line train is full of horrible Chelsea fans singing "Three more years, three more years Graham Potter!" to round off the pain. The world is bad enough without this. West Ham urgently need a leader on the pitch, someone who can defend corners, two athletic midfielders and a manager who can inspire much better performances from a still-talented squad. Apart from that everything is fine.

PLAYER RATINGS: Hermansen 3; Wan-Bissaka 3, Todibo 3 (Potts 5), Kilman 3, Aguerd 3, Diouf 4; Soucek 3 (Walker-Peters 5), Ward-Prowse 3, Paqueta 6; Bowen 4, Fullkrug 5 (Wilson 5).

Stuck in the middle

West Ham have been linked with more midfield players than you can shake a rolled-up contract at. This was always the area most in need of attention and the club has been linked with a plethora of talent this summer. Douglas Luiz always seemed unlikely, as did Jacob Ramsey who has since gone to Newcastle and also Jack Grealish, who is now on loan at Everton along with the Grealish sniper. 

The Hammers have recently had a £30 million bid for Southampton's Mateus Fernandes knocked back, with the Saints saying they value him at £50 million, which seems far too much for a player from a relegated side. The club has since come back with an improved offer. 

Meanwhile we seem to have had 57 varieties of bids elsewhere, with a reported £45million bid for Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos. Another name in the frame is Lille's Ngal'ayel Mukau (the real Mukau?) and also Barcelona's Marc Casado, though whether he would want to leave Las Ramblas for Westfield is questionable.And now the Evening Standard adds Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid and Lens midfielder Andy Diouf to that extensive list. While we're still waiting on Godot from Beckett FC. The pessimist in me is already thinking we won't get any of them. What is clear is that the next 11 days of the transfer window are vital to the Potter project. 

It looks like Edson Alvarez is about to be loaned to Fenerbache to free up space and Rodriguez could be going to Saudi Arabia. For all the pessimism the Irons have some classy attackers in Bowen, Fullkrug, Paqueta, Summerville and Callum Wilson. But we desperately need that midfield energy to supply them. Is it too late to put out a call on LinkedIn? Or perhaps entice Billy Bonds out of retirement?

Hammers mauled by Black Cats

Sunderland 3 West Ham 0

It's always dangerous listening to games on the radio at home as we inevitably lose. It's a case of meet the new midfield, same as the old midfield. Potter opts for Rodriguez, a player the club is trying to offload, Ward-Prowse and Paqueta in front of the five-man defence when surely Soucek or Alvarez would be better for a game against a feisty newly-promoted side. Hermansen gets the nod in goal ahead of Areola.

Early on Bowen does well to fire a shot against keeper Roefs' legs and the speedy Diarra has an effort well-saved by Hermansen. The full-backs don't really get forward much apart from Fullkrug setting up a fine goalbound effort from Diouf, which is saved by a block from Ballard.

You expect West Ham to step it up after the break but it's Sunderland who take the lead. It's a fairly simple cross that sees Mayenda get in front of Aguerd to loop his header into the corner. Could the keeper have got across his goal quicker? The ball seems to go in in slow motion.That gives the home crowd a big boost. 

It's two when the towering Ballard meets another cross by out-jumping Paqueta. We've spent £110 million on our three central defenders and shouldn't be conceding headers like these.

Potter acts too late, bringing on Wilson and Soucek before finally abandoning the five-man defence by taking off Todibo for Andy Irvine in the final ten minutes. The Portobello Pirlo does put in a decent free kick that flicks of a Sunderland defender and has to be tipped over by Roefs.

With the Hammers forced to press Sunderland get a third in added time from a West Ham corner. Isidor breaks at speed, Diouf doesn't get in a challenge, Hermansen gets a hand to the ball without stopping it and and it's three-nil. 

You've got to feel sorry for Big Joe who is at the match reading his copy of Granta among the Makems. To make it worse Kudus has made two goals for Spurs. Still, as my pal Matt suggests, it could all be a masterclass from Potter designed to convince Sullivan to spend big on a new midfield. Paqueta has been anonymous despite his FA charges reprieve. Does he want to go or stay?

Are we in for a relegation struggle after one game? This game was always going to be difficult but West Ham shouldn't be getting walloped by a newly-promoted side full of new players. The side is looking stale and the build up us still one-paced. A big big improvement is required against Chelsea.

First trophy of the season!

West Ham 1 Lille 1 (West Ham won on pens 5-4) (Boyle Sports Cup)

Well, at least we've reached a cup final. Watching the Boyle Sports Cup on the WHU feed reveals a few pointers on how Potter might approach the season. As on the US tour he's gone for three centre backs and it's good to see Nayef Aguerd back at the club. Generally the defence looks a lot more solid without the Greek Bloke, though with good coaching perhaps Potter can help eliminate the mistakes in Dinos's game.

The downside is that Lille look the better side in the first half and the midfield is outnumbered. Freddie Potts is neat and defends well but doesn't look as yet what we need in the Premier League, while Ward-Prowse goes close with one shot and takes a lot of free kicks but is not really the answer either. Paqueta picks up a silly booking and never gets going as West Ham show a reluctance to play the ball forwards. 

Bowen fires against the keeper's legs but West Ham prove they are still adept at conceding before the break. Wan-Bissaka plays Olivier Giroud onside and the former Arsenal man chests it down to volley home a fine goal.

Things improve a bit in the second half as Diouf and Wan-Bissaka get forward more and the side shows more aggression. Todibo and Kilman make things happen a couple of times stepping up from the back most notably when Kilman's run sets up Bowen to pull the ball wide.

It's a decent test against a side that finished fifth in the French league. Aguerd heads over from a corner. Fullkrug has a header tipped away by Bodart and a training ground free-kick routine sees him fire over. Bringing on Walker-Peters, Rodriguez and Soucek makes a difference.

With three minutes left the big German is not to be denied. Some diligent pressing of the keeper sees Walker-Peters and Bowen win the ball back and feed Soucek, who pulls back for Niclas to score. The cup dream remains on.

In the shoot-out Fullkrug hits the first penalty too tamely, having also had one saved in the Betway Cup last season, prompting Matt to quip that we have signed the only German striker not to be able to take a penalty. Everyone else scores though and it's left to Alphonse Areola, looking increasing like one of the Three Musketeers with his new Barnet and 'tache, to make a couple of smart penalty saves. That will do his confidence some good in the battle for the no 1 spot with Mads Hermansen. Kilman scores his penalty and we've won the cup. 

So a slightly sheepish-looking Jarrod Bowen picks up the Boyle Sports Cup and Diouf gets to pick up a trophy before he's played a league match. The quadruple remains on!

Hammers opt for Mads man in goal

West Ham's offer of £18 million has been accepted by Leicester City for goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. The club were said to be about to sign John Victor from Botafogo, though clearly you don't get many Victors at West Ham. The Hammers are opting for a few years of living Danishly with Lucasz Fabianski gone and Hermansen always appeared to be Potter's first choice. He will surely challenge and possibly replace Alphonse Areola. 

Hermansen certainly had a fine game when Leicester beat West Ham 3-1 in Ruud Van Nistelrooy's first game in charge, making great saves from Bowen and Kudus (but then every new signing has invariably done well against us). Mads got plenty of practice with Leicester as they went down with a whimper, but still managed to look a decent keeper. He also played in their Championship winning side. At 25 he's a good age for a goalkeeper and is thought to be better with his feet than the Fonz. 

Meanwhile Michail Antonio has been released, which always seemed inevitable. He was a fading force even before his terrible car crash and it seems unlikely he'll play at the top level again, though it would be nice to see him retained at the club in some other role. Still, we'll always have those carpet-stroking goal celebrations. Antonio at his best was at times unplayable and has been at West Ham since the Bilic season at Upton Park when we finished seventh. He played with the enthusiasm of a man who'd come up from non-league football and really blossomed as a converted striker under David Moyes. No-one ever knew quite what he'd do next, including both fans and defenders. Micky will be missed.

LUCAS PAQUETA IS INNOCENT, OK?

So finally after two years we have a verdict and Lucas Paqueta is innocent. Shame no-one placed a wager on it. There is still the threat of sanctions over two charges of not co-operating with the investigation, which the player denied but was found guilty of. Tnough the big charge is unproven. Most of the evidence was circumstantial and if there was major corruption going on then surely the bets coming from Paqueta Island would have been for more than sums ranging from £7 to £400? 

Perhaps the locals knew Paqueta was a bit of a hothead and always likely to get booked in certain matches against rough opponents with lenient refs. Rather like the way we can predict when fellow season-ticket holder the Vicar's Son will lapse into ungodly language aimed at the referee (usually about the 12th minute against teams managed by Eddie Howe).

It's cost West Ham and Lucas a lot. Paqueta's form has clearly been affected for the last two seasons with the threat of a lifetime ban hanging over him. Let's remember that West Ham had just won a trophy when this all exploded. Paqueta had a move to Manchester City for £85m lined up and it was said the Irons were after Cole Palmer as a £40m replacement, which wouldn't have been too bad. The FA's tardiness in releasing the verdict has also been very effective at sabotaging West Ham's planning for the transfer window. West Ham must surely have a case for compensation. 

Meanwhile will Paqueta stay or go? It might be understandable if he wanted a new start in a different country. Encouragingly he's thanked God ("if he's found God it must have been one hell of a pass"), West Ham and the fans. That sounds like he wants to stay. If we could get the Paqueta back of two years ago then it could transform WHU's season.

Walker-Peters is a decent squad signing

Does Walker-Peters count as two signings? West Ham have hijacked Kyle Walker-Peters' move to Besiktas and on a free transfer he's a good bit of business for basically a reserve right-back now Coufal has left. He'll be a decent addition to the squad particularly as Wan-Bissaka and Diouf could be off to the Africa Cup of Nations in December. 

Walker-Peters has plenty of experience with ten games for Spurs and 169 games for Southampton. Don't be fooled by Southampton being rubbish last season, he's played in plenty of seasons where the Saints have prospered in the Ralph Hassenhuttl years. The 28-year-old is also two-footed and can play on the left as well, so is a handy squad player with an England Under-20 pedigree and two full caps. Not every signing has to be worldbeater.

What we really need now is midfield and forward signings, though much will depend on the Paqueta verdict. The latest rumour is a Jack Grealish loan, though we'd have to sign the Grealish sniper too for him to be effective. Another rumour is Bournemouth's Tavernier coming to the London Stadium. The next few weeks should be interesting.

We've signed a player!

For a moment it felt like we’d all spent too long in the sun. But after a summer of inaction it turned out the rumours were true and West Ham really have signed a player. Left back El Hadji Malick Diouf has signed from Slavia Prague for £19 million plus add-ons. The Czech side won the league last season and it’s hopefully a lucky omen that Slavia Prague’s home ground is the Eden Stadium where West Ham won the Europa Conference League in 2023.

Last season Diouf scored seven goals from his wing-back position for Slavia and provided three assists. He also impressed keeping Arsenal’s Saka quiet while playing for Senegal in their recent 3-1 friendly win over England. At 20 he is a good age and could be one El of a player. Diouf’s also shown a lot of character to leave home at a young age, first for Tromso in Norway and then Slavia Prague.

This is a glimpse of the side Potter wants, with Wan-Bissaka and Diouf as forward-thinking wing-backs with three defenders in the middle. The 30-year old Emerson will surely be moved on with Ollie Scarles as the main back-up on the left. What that system will need though is a couple of dynamic midfielders to make it work and another striker to compete with Fullkrug. But this at least feels like progress after the sale of Kudus.

Kudus goes for £55 million

So Mohammed Kudus has gone to Spurs for £55 million. The club could surely have got more money if WHU had waited until deadline day, but thanks to financial fair play fears we needed money in now to make new signings. Chelsea had lost interest, the player wanted to leave and sadly Spurs was the only offer on the table.

There are many standout moments from Kudus's fine first season: his first league goal against Newcastle, a great volley at Brentford, those two crosses that won the game late on at Burnley, a well-taken goal against Arsenal in the League Cup, that fantastic run from the halfway line to score against Freiberg and a superb overhead kick away to Man City.

But let's be clear Kudus had a poor season last time round. That petulant sending off at Spurs and his five-game ban indicated something was wrong. A player of his ability should have scored more than five goals and at times he looked selfish, dribbling and losing possession when he should have played the simple ball. Yes, he had a great game in the win at Arsenal for example, but we didn't see enough of that. Without European football it looked like he was dreaming of another club. 

The other problem is that successive managers never found Mo's best position. If it was on the right wing then that is where Jarrod Bowen plays. And once the club had Bowen, Kudus, Fullkrug and Summerville on the books it was never clear how all four could play together without leaving a severely weakened midfield.

It's never good to see a player of undoubted ability go to Spurs, even if we have made a £17 million profit on Mo, who was signed for £38 million. But Potter desperately needs some powerful and fast midfielders and defensive and attacking reinforcements. The quality of his signings will decide whether this was a good deal or not. But at least with some money freed up we might now see some action.

One Cummings and many goings at West Ham

Well, not much has happened on the rebuilding front so far this summer. The only signing has been 19-year old striker Daniel Cummings from Celtic. He made his senior Celtic debut as a sub against Aston Villa in the Champions League, but is probably one for the Under-21 side this season. Graham Potter has a record of giving youngsters a chance, so perhaps Cummings might be one for the future along with returning loanees George Earthy, Callum Marshall (who scored nine times for Huddersfield last season) and Freddie Potts.

The squad is certainly looking thin with the departures of Cresswell, Ings, Coufal, Fabianski, Zouma, Soler, Ferguson and it seems Antonio. Much seems to depend on selling Mohammed Kudus to free up some cash. Tottenham have had a £50m bid knocked back but if it's upped to £60m plus then he will surely go. It would be nice to sell Mo to anyone but Spurs, though Chelsea seem to have lost interest. 

The fact is Kudus started brilliantly in 2023-24 but then had a poor season last time round and never seemed to recover from that five-game suspension after being stupidly sent off at Spurs. He tried to take on too many players at times and only scored five goals. Mo's undoubtedly talented but his best position is on the right wing where Jarrod Bowen plays. If WHU can get a good price then it makes sense to sell a player who looks like his ambition lies elsewhere.

The best other options for raising cash might be if Emerson or Nayef Aguerd are  sold, though Potter reportedly likes Aguerd and I'd be happy to see him stay. He might have a mistake in him at times, but they're fewer than Dinos makes. Edson Alvarez might also leave, though having just captained and scored for Mexico as they won the CONCACAF Gold Cup you do wonder, like Sgt Wilson, if that's awfully wise.

We thought we'd won the transfer window last summer so let's remember that early signings don't always work out. Though there has to be hope that in their second seasons we'll see improvements from Kilman, Todibo, Summerville and, if he stays, Fullkrug. What is essential is that Potter and co have clear targets once the Kudus money comes in. It may all go down to deadline day, so let's hope Karren Brady has stocked up on her fax paper from Ryman's.  

Iron Maiden's home fixture at the London Stadium

Hammers in the Heart's heavy metal correspondent Nigel Morris reviews Iron Maiden's recent appearance at the London Stadium... 

I finally made it onto the London Stadium pitch as two of my passions - footballing and musical - collided when Iron Maiden, one of the world's biggest and most enduring heavy metal bands, returned to their roots in the East End.

Fifty years after the band made their first appearance to a handful of punters in the Cart and Horses, Maryland, they played a mile up the road to 75,000 sweltering fans packed into our ground.

The reason? Band leader Steve Harris is an obsessive Hammer, always appearing on stage with the club crest on his bass and with claret and blue guitar straps and wristbands. He invariably sneaks West Ham references onto album covers including ‘Hammers rule OK!’ and the wildly optimistic ‘Latest results … West Ham 7 Arsenal 3’ message on Maiden’s Somewhere in Time record.

At 14, Steve was even spotted by the legendary West Ham scout Wally St Pier and taken on as a club apprentice before dropping out a year later because, “I probably didn’t have enough to make it as a professional”.

So for Harris - and for the hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of fans like me in claret and blue Iron Maiden FC shirts complete with Hammers emblems - it was a double homecoming.

Massive screens promoting Iron Maiden surrounded the London Stadium and - in a clever move - a Hammers-style concert programme detailed the links between the band and club and the group’s love of football in general.

In one feature, Slaven Bilic revealed that growing up in Croatia he first learned of West Ham’s existence from the ‘Up the Irons!’ message on The Number of the Beast album. There’s little surprise that long-haired '90s midfielder Ian Bishop is a fan too.

And Julian Dicks told the 'matchday programme': “I can see some similarities between Maiden concerts and football fans back when I played - very passionate, great energy, they love their team or band, and they follow them all over the country and the world.”

The concert itself? An amazing, emotional evening as Maiden played a ‘greatest hits’ set to fans of all ages, including some of the numbers they debuted almost half a century ago in pubs around the East End.

And when I’m back in my seat next month I’ll remember Steve’s wise words: “Fans of West Ham have got a great sense of humour, but they have to - or we probably wouldn’t survive.”

Animal farm

In the absence of any transfer activity I've been on a trip to the Lake District with my fellow season-ticket holder Nigel, who was making plans for fellwalking. There was quite a lot of West Ham colour. On the train up we met the mum of ace West Ham illustrator Canning Town Len, while Nigel's faded West Ham cap worn on Catbells saw us greeted by a West Ham fan from Billericay. We used our time constructively, of course, not least in thinking up West Ham players associated with animal kingdom. So far we've come up with Brian Dear, Geoff Pike, Joe Hart, Bernard Lama, Demba Ba, Paul Heffer and Razvan Rat. Any more suggestions gratefully accepted.

End-of-season player ratings

ALPHONSE AREOLA
Generally sound but some clangers away to Spurs and at home to Forest. A great shot stopper but Potter should stop asking him to pass out of defence. 6/10

LUCAS FABIANSKI

Did really well to win his place back at 40 and apart from accidentally punching Havertz in the head to concede a penalty was generally sound. He’ll be missed. 6/10

AARON WAN-BISSAKA
An absolute bargain at £15m. Can play both sides and a revelation going forwards with five assists and two goals. Tended to get caught out of position under Lopotegui but has looked really solid under Potter, playing well with Bowen. Made some brilliant last-ditch interventions. 8/10

VLADIMIR COUFAL

Lost his place and some of his pace but played well in the middle of defence and at right-back when called upon. 6/10

MAX KILMAN

A difficult season and struggled to justify his £40m price tag. At times looked accomplished but big errors against Liverpool and Spurs among others. Not helped by frequently changing partners and systems and needs a leader alongside him. 5/10

DINOS MAVROPANOS

Should have all the attributes of a decent centre back but makes far too many mistakes and gives away free kicks in dangerous positions. Can Potter improve his concentration? 4/10

JEAN-CLAIR TODIBO

Unlucky with injuries and still can't last 90 minutes. Looked half-decent in the win at Arsenal but has struggled at times too. Hopefully his second season will be an improvement now he's signed for £32 million. 5/10

EMERSON

Not his best season and has lost his place to Scarles at times. Did score a fine goal against Arsenal but has been affected by Paqueta's indifferent form. 5/10

OLLIE SCARLES

A breakthrough season as Potter gave him several starts. His inexperience showed against the likes of Mo Salah, but a player of some potential and seeing an Academy product raised the morale of the crowd. 6/10

AARON CRESSWELL

When played in a five-man back line he definitely improved the defence. Aaron's experience was invaluable and he'll be pleased to have made more appearances than anticipated. Good luck at your next club, Cress. 7/10

GUIDO RODRIGUEZ

Not a bad player but always looked too slow for the Premier League at the end of his career. At least he got an assist at Ipswich. 4/10

EDSON ALVAREZ

A couple of indisciplined red cards didn't help and hasn't won the trust of Potter. Again lack of pace and youth is a problem. 5/10

TOMAS SOUCEK

Will never be a great passer but did all that was asked of him in both boxes. His nine goals proved invaluable. 8/10

CARLOS SOLER

A major disappointment after his loan from PSG. Scored against Fulham, sometimes looked neat in possession, but never got going in a West Ham shirt. 4/10

JAMES WARD-PROWSE

Wasted half a season on loan at Nottingham Forest. Needs to play more forward balls but solid enough on his return with a goal at Ipswich an an assist for Fullkrug's goal against Bournemouth. 6/10

LUCAS PAQUETA

His form improved under Potter but was definitely affected by the looming FA betting charges. Made a good fist of playing as an emergency forward but nothing like the player he can be. 5/10

LEWIS ORFORD

Will be pleased to have made his debut though too early to judge fully, but played sensibly in his cameos. 5/10

ANDY IRVING

The cult hero had a decent game at Chelsea and didn't let anyone down when he came on but given few chances. 6/10

LUIS GUILHERME

West Ham overpaid at £20m for an untried youngster. But when he's come on he's troubled defences with his speed and had a few scoring opportunities. He may yet come good. 6/10

JARROD BOWEN

Carried the side at times with his assists and 14 goals. Now he's tied the knot with Dani let's hope he never leaves. Better on the right than as a striker, but gave it everything wherever he played. 9/10

MOHAMMED KUDUS

Never really got going after the five-game ban for his red card at Spurs. Five goals were not enough from a player of his talent, though he did have a really good game at Arsenal and improved towards the end of the season. Potter still has to decide what Mo's best position is. 5/10

CRYSENCIO SUMMERVILLE

Lopetegui didn't trust Jimmy and then he missed half the season with a hamstring injury. Looked exciting when he did appear if a little wayward in front of goal. Scored against Man United and looked promising as a wing-back in Potter's first match. 5/10

MICHAEL ANTONIO

Looked a declining force before his car crash but at least scored against Ipswich. We all hope he'll play again soon but at 35 his days at West Ham are surely over. 5/10

NICLAS FULLKRUG

Very unlucky with injuries but he looked a quality striker towards the end of the season and a real threat in the air. Three goals from not many starts. His rant after the Southampton game was entertaining for us fans but may have alienated Potter. 6/10

EVAN FERGUSON

The loan striker was hardly given a chance but fluffed a big chance at Wolves. Considering how good he was at Brighton two seasons ago he was a big disappointment. 4/10

DANNY INGS

Earned West Ham a point at Fulham and a very dodgy penalty against Man United. Never complained but his best days are gone and he never suited a Moyes side. He'll probably now drop into the Championship at the end of his career. Nice hair transplant. 5/10

Bowen secures 14th place as Irons defeat Tractor Boys

Ipswich Town 1 West Ham 3 

Finally the season is over. In game 38 Fabianski plays at the age of 40 to make his final West Ham appearance. Scarles, Dinos and Fullkrug start with Kudus and Paqueta on the bench. What could possibly go wrong against a relegated side that has lost eight in a row at home?

Ipswich give it a go and Fabianski has to make a great one-handed save to claw away a Broadhead effort. Thankfully the Tractor Boys are still good at self-sabotaging. Morsy plays a weak back pass that is intercepted by Bowen. Jarrod flicks it across goal to James Ward-Prowse who stroke home his first goal for a year.

Can we hold a lead? No, soon after the break Todibo seems to duck out of a tackle and Broadhead fires home a powerful shot into the bottom corner. Thankfully we still have Bowen. Jarrod plays a one-two with Wan-Bissaka cuts inside and hits a sumptuous effort past the despairing Walton. 

Clarke goes close for the home side before our two subs combine for the third. Rodriguez does well to nick the ball off Clarke race forward and set up Mo Kudus for a shot that he curls home. His fifth goal of the season, though such a gifted player should be scoring more.

The win is very welcome as WHU secure 14th place with Spurs getting battered at home and Wolves drawing. As Big Sam says on WhatsApp if we'd have been offered finishing above Man United and Spurs at the start of the season we'd have taken it. Matt counters that we might not have been so happy to finish behind Forest, Bournemouth, Brentford, Fulham, Brighton, Palace and Everton.

Still, this was a decent farewell to Fabianski, Cresswell, Coufal and unused sub Danny Ings. Good to see Cressy get such a good reception from both home ands away fans. A summer of rebuilding awaits. Come on you Irons!

West Ham verdict in the Guardian

My verdict on West Ham's season can be found in today's Guardian, though obviously the big prize of 14th place is still up for grabs on Sunday. Gave the season four out of ten on the grounds that we've stayed up and been unlucky with injuries, though also thought about awarding it 3.5 out of ten. Potter has to improve the side next season.

Meanwhile Jarrod Bowen's not in Thomas Tuchel's England squad which is bizarre. He's scored 13 goals in a struggling team this season and at times carried the side. His brilliant volley against Forest alone should have got him in the squad. A shame as Jarrod had apparently moved his Las Vegas stag do to allow for time with the England squad. What could possibly go wrong with a West Ham stag do in Las Vegas particularly with top geezer Danny Dyer there to ensure order? Rumour has it Julian Dicks, Razor Ruddock, Frank McAvennie, Hayden Foxe and John Moncur will also be there to help ensure nothing gets out of hand.