Update-Andy Carroll Suspension

West Ham's Andy Carroll was given an 3 match ban after being sent off against Swansea city. West Ham appealed it but it wasn't over turned. After threatening to take legal action against the FA the football association decided to look at the incident again. West Ham agreed not to take court action if the Fa looked at the incident again. Many people disagree with Carroll's sending off. Swansea ex manager Michael Laudrup and Dean Ashton, Wets Ham's retired striker, both decided it shouldn't have been a sending off.

Match Review-West Ham United 2-0 Swansea City

Possibly one of our best performances all season! Andy Carroll was back to full fitness and he was on fire! two assists in the first half meant he was in pole position for Man Of The Match. Unfortunately every good thing has to come to an end eventually and Carroll's sending off was just that. Swansea were poor defensively and up front and the hammers took full advantage.

Our first goal came in the 26th minute. George McCartney's inch-perfect cross was knocked down to by Andy Carroll who laid it into the path of Kevin Nolan who volleyed it into the bottom corner. Swansea were really poor in the air and couldn't stop Andy Carroll from picking up almost every ball. On the stroke of half time a good corner from Downing was met by the head of Andy Carroll who played it across goal to 'Captain Marvel' Kevin Nolan who slotted home what was West Ham's first headed goal this season from three yards out. We were playing out of our skins.

We came out in the second half much like we had ended the first, still attacking. A ball launched up front to Andy Carroll was met by Chico Flores who climbed on top of Carroll. As he came off Carroll's back Carroll swung his arm in Flores' direction and just missed him but Flores hit the floor rolling around in a Neymar like fashion as you do in football these days. Howard Webb was quick to intervene and sent Andy Carroll off. This was a pretty tough decision for the referee. Carroll can claim he didn't know where Flores was and that he didn't make any real contact but if he attempted to hit him it will make no difference.

After the sending off as you would expect Swansea had all the possession. Carlton Cole replaced Jarvis to give us a man to launch the ball up to and who can hold it up.  Swansea were poor upfront and lacked a real attacking threat. The Welsh side took twenty shots but didn't get one on target! In the 79th minute Winston Reid made his first appearance since November when he replaced Matt Taylor who had a very good game. Swansea hit more and more balls into West Ham's box but our three centre-backs did well to keep the ball clear.

The matched ended 2-0. A big win for us but if Carroll is banned we could be in trouble. One would hope we will appeal the decision. Other results didn't exactly go our way after Stoke beat Manchester United so we are still 18th unfortunately. Another huge game away to Aston Villa next week could be winnable. Aston Villa are in a poor run of form and are poor at home this season. My Man of the Match has to be Kevin Nolan. 2 crucial goals helped us win today but he wasn't alone as Andy Carroll set both goals up but his sending off denied him from getting Man of the Match

COYI!!

January Transfer Window-Full Review

Player In

It has been a busy transfer window for West Ham. Players have been going in and out with some possible big signings. Allardyce went for a lot of loan deals so he won't have to sell them on if we do get relegated (touch wood!).

One of the best players we signed was Pablo Armero on loan from Napoli.  The columbian has played 49 times for his country in left-back, his preferred position. Armero can also play left midfield if we need him to.

Another deadline day signing was Abdul Razak from Anzhi Makhachkala. The fee payed for Razak is undisclosed but the BBC Sport website stated he was signed on a short term contract. Razak, aged 21, has played for his country Ivory Coast 5 times. Razak is centre midfielder and could possible progress into a really good player.

West Ham really went for the Italians this transfer window. West Ham signed Roma striker Marco Borellio,aged 31, and AC Milan midfielder Anotonio Nocerino,aged 28, on loan until the end of the season. Both players are Italy internationals, with Borriello having won seven caps and Nocerino 15. 

As i mentioned in a previous post we signed Roger Johnson on loan from Wolves and we Gave Carlton Cole a new contract lasting 18 months. 

Players out

Many of our youngsters went out on loan to lower league clubs. Blair Turgott went on loan to Rotherham, Moncur went to Partick Thistle, Paul McCallum went to hearts and Jordan Spence went to MK Dons.

 Late in the day Modibo Maiga went out on loan to Harry redknapp's QPR. Probably a good deal for us, Maiga never really was at Premier League standard. 

Finally Sam Allardyce decided to pay off full back Razvan Rat. He was huge wages and wasn't really doing a huge amount for us.

Summary

All in all this was a good transfer window for West Ham. Some players we did miss and really should have signed. A lot of good loan deals could really help us for the rest of the season especially the Italians. we did well not to sell players such as Ravel Morrison and off loading rat was a good idea. 

Match Preview-West Ham United v Swansea City

This game is definitely a winnable one for both teams but in my case I hope West Ham will be victorious. A big point against Chelsea will provide huge motivation and give a general moral boost in The West Ham camp.

Winston Reid could make his return against the team from Wales. Our injury list is decreasing, Carroll will soon be up to full fitness and we have two centre backs! guy Demel should still be out injured but we do have Matt Taylor who can play full back if required. Diame is out injured after a fall against Chelsea. Rat is no longer a West Ham player so McCartney will play left back. Ravel Morrison is likely to be left out of the starting 11 once again but The italian Nocerino will most likely make his first start. Joey O'Brien is likely to be out for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

New signing Pablo Armero will possible be on the bench as we are low on defensive personnel But he hasn't trained with us yet.

This is definitely a big possibility of three points and we really need to take it. There is a small gap forming between us and 17th so we need to close it quickly! Should be a good game.

COYI!