Yossi Back to The Academy as well – Starting to think West Ham can stay up

Andy Carroll on a season loan was a start. Fat Sam has managed to hang onto players where there was interest from other clubs (Carlton Cole and Mark Noble – the two longest serving first team members) and now, at the 11th hour Yossi Benayoun is back on a season loan with Chelski still picking up most of his wages. Well done Fat Sam.

Apparently a number of clubs were interested but Yossi chose to come back to where he started in British football. Is that because he had a good 72 game run at Upton Park? Because he thinks West Ham might be a good club to play this season? Or because he thinks he will get more starts with us than elsewhere? After Fat Sam’s recent wheeling and dealing I honestly think it is a bit of all three. I really am starting to think that (defensive question marks aside) West Ham have a good enough squad to stay up. I cannot remember starting a season feeling that way for a good while.

And so today we have an early kick-off again, at home to Fulham. Will Carroll start? I hope so. Iain Dale reckons that he will be joined up front by Jarvis and Vaz Te. But my fellow diabetic, Abba loving, West Ham supporting blogger (and there the similarities end) Iain Dale reckons that there is an outside chance of starting Carlton Cole instead of Vaz Te. Jarvis is a given. That West Ham also have another class act up front (Maiga) who is also seriously competing for a place just adds to the fun. I cannot remember having such strong competition upfront (and now also in midfield) for many a year. As ever it is the defence that concerns me a little. Tomkins and Reid are class acts. Demel and Linda (McCartney) could be up to the mark but they need to play rather better as a unit. It would help if Collins found the form of a few years ago – last week’s appearance was a shocker and I agree with Iain that he will not start against Fulham.

This is a winnable game. It is not easy but if West Ham are to aim for a safe mid-table finish this is the sort of match we need to win.