West Ham's Morrison in Manc return? Champions City inquire about midfielder

The Daily Mirror are reporting this morning that the Hammers' young midfielder Ravel Morrison, currently on loan at Championship outfit Birmingham City, could be on his way back to Manchester after Premier League champions Manchester City made "discreet inquiries" about the 20 year old's availability.

Irons boss Sam Allardyce signed the explosive young forward from Manchester United in January of last year but did not consider him ready for the Hammers' first team and sent him out on loan to St Andrews, where he has earned rave reviews for his goalscoring performances. 

The Mirror also claims that Morrison is "unlikely" to return to the Boleyn Ground in the summer and may be leaving the club one way or another, meaning that a bidding war for his services is likely. 

All we can say is beware Mancs bearing gifts, Ravel.. City have a history of signing young players but do they offer long term futures? Jack Rodwell has started 4 games this season, Scott Sinclair has started 3. Young Morrison would do better to keep his head down and keep working to get in Sam Allardyce's side. 

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Hammers want Derby star

According to Sky Sports, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is poised to make a summer bid for Derby County full back John Brayford.

The former Crewe defender has starred for the Rams this season in a poor season which has seen Nigel Clough's men slide to 15th in the Championship table, just four points above the drop zone and the Pride Park club will likely have a fight on their hands in the summer to retain the services of the 25 year old.

Newly promoted Cardiff City, and the Irons' Premier League rivals Stoke and Wigan are also rumoured to be interested in signing Brayford.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Rat up for grabs- Hammers move for Romania star back on

Reports are coming in from Romania this afternoon suggesting that West Ham are lining up a summer move for Shakhtar Dontesk full back Razvan Rat, having failed to land him in January.

The 31 year old looked set last month to seal a move  to French giants Marseille, but that deal is apparently far from completed, so Irons boss Sam Allardyce now has the opportunity to steal in and gazumph the French side. He will, however, face competition from Turkish side Besiktas, who have the appeal of European football, with the club currently lying in 3rd position in the Turkish Super League.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Goal hero Vaz Te just happy to be involved

West Ham striker Ricardo Vaz Te has told the Newham Recorder of his delight at scoring the opening goal for the Hammers in last night's pulsating 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground, but says that he is just happy to be playing football again after spending three months on the sidelines injured.

"It was terrific to score but for me, the main thing this season has been the team, I just want to be involved," the 26 year old said today.

"Obviously I am not playing in my normal position which is forward or left winger, so I have had to adapt to the right hand side."

Vaz Te's emphatic header last night was only his second goal of the season and he says there is more to come from him.

"I think I started the season well and I am feeling much more confident in that position on the left wing so so hopefully I can kick on now."

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Full steam ahead for Stratford: Newham councillors back stadium alterations

The Olympic Stadium is one step closer to being West Ham's new home as local councillors backed proposals to transform the athletics ground into a multi-purpose venue fit for football matches, athletics tournaments and music concerts, the Newham Recorder are reporting this morning.

The councillors' official response to the planning application declared that "the design solutions that are proposed to enhance the versatility of the stadium are welcomed, particularly the introduction of retractable seating, which will improve the spectator experience inside the stadium for pitch sports."

The LLDC will now consider the application, with the club hoping that all this procedure is simply a mere formality.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Linesman denied us famous win, fumes Allardyce

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has risked the wrath of the Football Association by blasting the match officials for allowing Robin van Persie's 77th minute equaliser in last 2-2 draw between the Irons and Manchester United last night at the Boleyn Ground.

Television replays showed that the striker was clearly offside when he smashed in the rebound after Shinji Kagawa's shot had struck the post and bounced across goal, and Allardyce was less than impressed with victory being snatched from his side.

"It's a bit difficult to take, after an outstanding performance from our players. It's their (the officials) job to give the offside decisions that appear in front of them and this is a blatant one, he (the linesman) can see Van Persie is offside, he should put his flag up, he doesn't. It's a bitter pill to swallow, to draw this game from a default goal by Manchester United."

The 59 year old was reprimanded  in February by the FA for his comments towards the match officials after the Hammers' 1-0 FA Cup Third Round replay defeat at Old Trafford in January, and could well be in trouble again here.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Taggart getting his knickers in a twist: United boss says Carroll should have been red carded

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been keeping up his legendary standards of whingeing and hypocrisy by bleating to Sky Sports after last night's 2-2 draw with West Ham at the Boleyn Ground that Hammers star Andy Carroll should have been sent off for a challenge on Reds keeper David De Gea.

"It's an obvious red card but the referee has seen it differently," the Scotsman moaned in his post match interview. "We know how West Ham play, they're very, very aggressive so you hope there's a strong referee and I'm not sure we got that tonight."

Ferguson, strangely enough, made no mention of the petulant kick at Carroll by his star striker Wayne Rooney, nor the series of crunching tackles by the former Everton star which somehow, referee Lee Probert did not feel merited a card.

Carroll himself was quick to downplay the incident which occurred just before half time, stating that he "just went for the ball."

"I was running straight through for the ball and couldn't stop at that moment, obviously the keeper has come and won it and I couldn't stop when I was flying through the air," the 24 year old told Sky Sports after the game.

Strong referees, eh Alex? Could have done with one of those when your prodigal son did this a couple of seasons back..

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling