Cork City 2 West Ham United 6

Lucy Woolford at Turner's Cross

@lucy_whufc

A crowd of over 4000 witnessed an eight goal thriller at Turner's Cross in Cork yesterday evening. Despite the lack of Andy Carroll power up front, Big Sam put out a strong squad and a few new faces. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Titus Bramble in the No. 9 shirt as he continues training with the Hammers to improve his fitness ahead of the new season, and by the looks of his efforts, he's playing to keep that shirt. 

As was Alou Diarra, back from his loan spell at Rennes, where he had been since January. He put the Hammers 1-0 up with a header after five minutes, and his efforts didn't dwindle in his first half showing, playing a part in Joe Cole's neat finish before Cork responded before half time to make it 2-1. 

A much changed team came out for the second half, with run outs for youngsters Paul McCallum and new signing Danny Whitehead, as well as another returning loanee Ravel Morrison, coming back from a productive spell at Championship outfit Birmingham City. Local boy Mark Noble missed a penalty just after half time, before Matt Taylor powered a strike in from 25 yards.

A Ricardo Vaz Te looked a little frustrated but helped to set up Whitehead who crossed for McCallum to head in impressively. Noble atoned for his earlier poor penalty with a second chance from the spot after a blatant handball by a Cork defender, and Morrison then finally got his shooting boots on to make it 6-1. 

Dan Potts also deserves a mention. He played 90 minutes, the only Irons player to do so and his efforts were noteworthy, especially going forward.

Cork played well in the second half and their hard work was rewarded with a second goal which was cheered by all of the ground which consisted half of Cork and half West Ham fans. It was easy to lose count, but the PA kindly told us that the final score was 6-2. 

Great start to the pre-season calendar!

Mo's the job for Martinez: Everton tail Diame

A fresh Mohammed Diame transfer saga has erupted after reports this afternoon that new Everton manager Roberto Martinez is set to bid for the West Ham star.

Martinez worked with Senegal international Diame at former club Wigan, from where Diame moved to Upton Park last summer and, according to Sports Direct News, is ready to activate the midfielder's release clause-  which has believed in the past to be £3.5m but according to club sources, is actually nearer to £5m. 

Diame was the subject of sustained interest from Arsenal and Tottenham in the January transfer window, and Hammers chiefs are reportedly ready to offer the 26 year old a new contract on improved terms of £50,000 a week, and, having failed during the last transfer window to persuade Diame to remove the release clause in his contract, will instead try to raise the value of the clause. 

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Toon chase Tomkins: he's yours for £6m say Hammers

James Tomkins could be leaving the Boleyn Ground this summer after the club quoted a price for the defender to Premier League rivals Newcastle, the Chronicle report.

Basildon-born Tomkins was in and out of the West Ham team last season after losing his place at the heart of the Irons defence to James Collins, and also struggled with shin problems which limited him to just 21 starts- meaning that any move from the Magpies would be seen as a significant financial gamble on a player who is not yet entirely proven in the Premier League.

Newcastle's priority is thought to be the acquisition of a new centre forward so will likely attempt to haggle the price for Tomkins down.

However, the 24 year old is believed to be on top of manager Alan Pardew's transfer shopping list this summer. The former West Ham boss worked with Tomkins during his time at the club and is a big fan of the Essex boy, having originally tried to bring him to St James' Park in January 2012.

Tomkins himself is thought to be open to a move to the North East, with the obvious attraction of regular Premier League football and according to sources, has openly discussed the prospect with his Hammers team mates.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

In a Bramble patch? Allardyce eyes defensive reinforcements as Sunderland flop given Hammers chance

More signings look likely for West Ham before the end of summer- the bad news is that Sunderland flop Titus Bramble could be one of them.

The 31 year old, who also gained notoriety for his error-prone footballing nature in previous spells at Wigan and Newcastle, is currently training with the East London side in order to get his fitness levels up following his release by Sunderland in May, and started yesterday's 6-2 friendly victory over Irish outfit Cork City. 

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is believed to be in the market for a centre half as he does not, Blowing Bubbles understands, hold Academy graduate Jordan Spence in particularly high regard and may well look to move him on this summer.

The club's other back-up option in central defence, James Tomkins, was in and out of the team last season after losing his place to new signing James Collins following a late return to pre season training last summer after starring at the Olympics for Team GB and is unlikely to be first choice when the season begins again in August.

Hammers coach Ian Hendon said that Bramble would be given a couple of games to prove himself after which Allardyce would make a final decision on whether to sign him. The 57 year old is known to prefer experienced players to young prospects, as his signings of James Collins and Jussi Jaaskelainen last summer showed and experience is one thing that Bramble does not lack. 

However, the prospect of signing the free agent is not, seeingly, one which appeals to Irons fans, with many taking to Twitter to voice their disapproval. 

"Titus bramble playing for west ham today what a joke don't want this player at our club," tweeted one fan, while another tweeted Bramble directly to register his antipathy at the prospect of the club signing the former Ipswich starlet, saying: 'west ham fans don't want u at the club so leave and don't come back'.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Irons to zap up Zapata: deal for Colombian starlet edges closer

West Ham look set to sign another striker, with reports coming from Argentina that negotiations with Estudiantes for the forward Duvan Zapata are at an advanced stage.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is an admirer of the 22 year old, who has attracted interest from the likes of Porto, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund in recent months, and last week agreed a £6.7m fee with the Argentine side for the young Colombian.

Zapata moved to Estudiantes in 2011 from Colombian outfit America de Cali, and last season scored 13 times in 31 appearances.

The only stumbling block to a move for the Colombia U20 international is securing a work permit later this month. Once that has been confirmed, it is believed that the East London side will offer Zapata a four-year contract with an option of two further years.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Allardyce to continue summer spending and eyes one more star signing to 'make a real difference'

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will continue with his spree of summer spending as he looks to add to his squad ahead of the new season. 

The 57 year old today told West Ham TV that the success of his signings made last summer have shown him the importance of strengthening his side to maximum effect in the summer. 

He said: "We will look to add one more player at least- you always want that little bit more and you are never satisfied as a manager."

"What I want in that one player is top quality. I want that player coming in to challenge the players already here for their place immediately and keep it."

"The players we brought in [last season] made a massive difference. That took us to the next level and led to us having a fantastic season and finishing 10th. If we can secure that one player, that will probably be it."

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Swans target lunchtime Bony deal as Hammers look set to miss out

Swansea look set to wrap up the signing of Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony today after agreeing a fee in the region of £13.7m with his club, Vitesse Arnhem.

A whole host of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham had been linked with the 24 year old hitman but the Welsh side's chairman, Huw Jenkins, today told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that there 'are only a few details' to finalise now. 

West Ham co-chairman David Gold last week stated his intention to sign Bony, telling Sports Direct News that he was eager to end the "selling club" image that has dogged the club in recent years. 

The Swansea squad are currently in Holland on a pre season training camp and negotiations have been progressing swiftly as the side prepare for the new season. 

Jenkins said: "Until it is signed we cannot speak about an agreement, but there are only a few details now."

"We want it done by lunchtime [on Monday or so. We have the last few details to sort out with his representative but that won't be a problem." 

"He will have his medical in Holland before joining up with the team."

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling