The Hammers will field a strong Development Squad U21 side when they take on Sunderland U21’s at the Boleyn Ground at 7pm tonight including first team players Kevin Nolan, Matt Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te.

Hopes are reasonably high that Mark Noble will win his fitness race for the match against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.

It looks like Modibo Maiga misery is continuing as he was an unused substitute for Ligue 1  team  FC Metz who enjoyed a 3-0 home victory over Reims without his services over the weekend.  Maiga has made just two appearances for the French side since joining but has failed to make a break through and hold down a permanent position in the first team.

We all thought Kevin Nolan had equalised in the 89th minute at Old Trafford  in dramatic fashion and I found myself celebrating the goal that never was along side 2,500 Hammer fans much to the amusement of the Manchester United fans pointing to the linesman flag.

One of the surprises that went largely unnoticed on Saturday at Old Trafford was Winston Reid’s leadership qualities. Many Hammers fans were surprised when Alex Song was named as captain in place of the injured Mark Noble who has picked up a calve strain.

A Manchester United fan in the disabled area collapsed in front of the 2,452 West Ham away fans on Saturday after suffering a suspected heart attack at Old Trafford.