Not many would argue that the arrival of Tomas Soucek was the moment – although we didn’t know it back then – when West Ham became a very different football club.

I remember at the time talking to a very much ‘in the know’ individual at the London Stadium about Jarrod Bowen’s arrival and he said: “The Czech lad is going to amaze everybody – both here and across the Premier League.”

Tomas has certainly done that and as I have written a few times now is, for me, the best signing we have made in many years with Bowen and Vladimir Couval close behind.

His energy, enthusiasm and abilities at the back, front and in the middle is something this club hasn’t had for years and whoever scouted him deserves every accolade going.

Now David Moyes – who is quickly making this club his own – has spoken out on a man who is now the firmest of favourites and major influence alongside Declan Rice.

The manager said speaking at https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/january/15-january/david-moyes-covid-19-protocols-staying-unbeaten-burnley-tomas: “Tomáš Souček is our top goalscorer with five in the Premier League this season, but I don’t think there is a secret to his success in front of goal.

He had a good goalscoring record before we brought him in. We knew he had scored goals in the Czech Republic and that was part of the reason for bringing him in.

We didn’t know if he’d get as many goals here, but he’s come into the team and looks as if he’s capable of scoring and more importantly, he’s been a great member of the squad and a real team player for us.

His goals have been important, but his attitude and commitment every week have been first-class.”

The importance of local knowledge can’t be underestimated in football or any other walk of life.

And David Moyes clearly believes that could well come into play this afternoon when Burnley visits the London Stadium.

The manager spent years in and around the north-west and sometimes that count for a bit as you learn the footballing culture of a specific area.

And talking to reporters Moysie said following his pre-match presser:  “I know the area well, I know, I know what it’s like up there, you know what to expect and I think I probably can add, I think Sean Dyche has done a really good job.

You know, I think given a little bit more to spend he can continue improving them. But, you know, it takes time to really change the culture.”

I think if you want to turn Burnley into Arsenal or Chelsea, I certainly don’t think that that’s going to happen. “

David Moyes refuses to settle for the currently improved West Ham – he has much nbigger plans in hand for this club.

Nor will he be rushed into buying a striker although he is known to be tracking several as the window days tick by.

Victory over Burnley and West Brom will take us to 32 points and we may even be daring to dream of the Europa League.

Following that we face Crystal Palace before a clash with Liverpool, there is a real chance for the Irons to climb the table and put themselves in the Europa conversation.

Moyes, though, is not satisfied with settling for where the Irons are and believes they can still improve in a number of areas.

Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s clash with Sean Dyche’s Clarets, he said: “I want us to improve in all aspects. I want us to, I want to score more, see more shots on target, I want us to cross more, concede less goals. So I want us to pass it better. So that’s my message to the players here. I’m not settling for where we are. I want us to find another level and go again.”

Of course, the departure of Seb Haller leaves a hole in the club’s squad, and there have been plenty of links with new forwards.

But Moyes says the club will not rush into a deal for a forward and will only strike when they feel it is right.

He added: “I think it’d be seen as the biggest priority. But I think, you know, we’ve got one or two other areas, if the right thing comes around or if we got a loan player we may consider.

“But as I said before, you know, it’s always the same, you know, there’s always a lot of talk and of interest. But no, I think the biggest interest is how we make our players better, get more, demand more, try and get them to improve the performance. Instead of talking about what might happen somewhere else.”

West Ham are heading in the right direction as the season continues, according to boss David Moyes.

The club are currently 10th, just six points off the top four ahead of a relatively kind run of games.

Moyes likely to name strongest team

This weekend, the Irons face Burnley before games against West Brom and Crystal Palace.

Three wins from three would undoubtedly see the Hammers propelled into the conversation for European football.

And Moyes believes that the club is doing all the right things, both on and off the pitch, as they bid to reach the next level.

He told reporters ahead of the clash with Burnley: “Everybody in the club is pulling in the right direction, from the top down to me to the players as a club at the moment. I am really enjoying it.

“I am enjoying it because I know that I can help the direction as well and I hope it continues.

“We will have days when it’s not great, or times when it doesn’t go always right, but I think and hope that we’re going the right way now.”

David Moyes insists he wants West Ham to go in a “completely different direction” when it comes to the club’s recruitment policy

The January transfer window is currently open, of course, but there has yet to be a senior arrival.

It does not appear to be a major priority, and Moyes insists that he has earned the trust of the fans and the board when it comes to making tough decisions, particularly when it comes to potentially replacing Seb Haller with a different striker in this window.

But Moyes says that the club, which he describes as a “monster” in terms of its size, are beginning to turn a corner and chart a new course.

Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s clash with Burnley, he said: “It’s something which I always needed to get. I think all managers need to get a level of trust there, whether that be from your board or whether it be from supporters, I think all managers need that level to do the job well. You don’t always get it.

“Maybe I have had to keep the team up twice to get to gain that. I think also with recruitment, I want to go in a completely different direction, I want to sign, and I’m not saying that won’t happen in this window, but the truth is, we’ve got something else we’d like it to look like. But we are trying our best to make sure we turn a corner.

“This is a monster of a club. It really is. And it’s turning, you know, I wish I could turn it really quick, but most of these big, big vessels can’t turn quick, they have to take their time. And we are one of them and certainly try to get back on course.”

West Ham’s squad and all others will come under the spotlight tomorrow (Sat)  as the government’s patience is believed to be running thin with over the top celebrations.

David Moyes has made it clear that players remain nervous of taking covid back to their families after training and games.

Now the  Premier League and English Football League are determined to ensure that players ensure they keep all celebrations within the limits.

When the game re-stared last season celebrations were kept to a minimum but this campaign physical contact has clearly increased.

We understand that the Hammers squad, probably like all others, has been told to ensure there is no  hugging, shaking hands or swapping shirts when they meet Burnley tomorrow and going forward

The top-flight last week issued new protocols, including instructions for players to avoid mass celebrations, hugging, and they are now set to write to referees to instruct them to remind captains before games to stick to the guidelines.

EFL’s new chief executive, Trevor Birch, has written to his clubs to warn of “extreme governmental pressure if we continue to flout rules and guidance”.

By Hughie Southon

West Ham and David Moyes will agree a deal in a few weeks – hopefully when the situation improves with covid 19 .

The club and manager would be happy to do the deal right now but both sides will wait until the club’s finances become clearer in order for the best possible offer to be made.

ClaretandHugh can reveal he will commit to a two or three year deal having made it clear he wants to stay at West Ham.

West Ham have told him they will be offering a new deal but in the meantime the manager remains only concerned  with kicking the club  into the shape he wants.

He sees his job as a major reshaping project and is far more interested in that than worrying about the nuts and bolts of his position midway through the season.

However, he has told the club he is happy to stay and the club have made it crystal that they want him in place at the London Stadium long term.

The club want to offer him the best possible deal but will need to see where the nation is with COVID and when the fans will be back.

These are issues on which they want to be as clear as possible in order to male the 57 year old their best possible offer.

The fact is that the club want him to stay and they and the boss wants to stay so it’s a case of JOB DONE!

David Moyes says he is concentrating on winning West Ham’s next four games rather than obsessing about possible inbound transfers in the winter window.

Asked about his transfer plans by reporters at lunchtime the manager dodged the question saying he was not worrying about other players at other clubs saying his four games in January were his priority and nothing else.

He admitted he would have a look if something else comes along that can help win more games but his current players were much more important right now and building them to become better players.

Speculation is rife with West Ham linked to every man and his dog but if his comments are anything to go by he isn’t spending that much time on his hunt for a replacement striker for Seb Haller

David Moyes told reporters on his virtual press conference from Rush Green training ground at 1.30pm this afternoon

“I’m looking at four wins in the next four games. That’s what I’m looking at, nothing to do with any other players at other clubs, nothing to do with anything else.

Winning the next four games in January if I can and making sure I do as well as I can, nothing else is that important.

If something else comes along that can help us win games then we’ll look at it but the people who are important are the players who are in this building at the moment. “

West Ham fan and rapper DPART is launching his ‘Declan Rice’ rap on Amazon and Itunes in his attempt to top the  charts.

The song first appeared SoccerAM and we shared it on Claret and Hugh shortly afterwards helping the Youtube video receive over 11,000 views.

Speaking exclusively to Claret and Hugh Dpart said ‘ Since you shared the song on your site it went on to do eleven thousand views on Youtube and I’ve had loads of messages from supporters – some who don’t usually like rap – saying they love the song. 

I am an independent artist but because of how much the community has got behind the song I have decided to release it as a single to see if I can crack the charts after 12 years of trying. 

It is available for pre-order now on Amazon or iTunes by searching ‘Dpart Declan Rice’ on either service and is only 50p and it would only take a few thousand to make this dream a reality’

The rapper is also planning a raffle for any west ham fans that buy it for a signed framed picture of Declan Rice if they show him proof of purchase which they can send to him on Instagram @dpartmusic

Declan Rice has already shared the Youtube link and followed the rapper on Instagram.

The song is available for pre-order at Declan Rice by Dpart – DistroKid

Lets try to make his independent artist dream come true and get him to Number one!

Allegations the Irons paid Seb Haller £3 million into making his move to Ajax have been denied by the club.

90Min claimed we forked over  in order to make the deal happen but Claret and Hugh understand that is  inaccurate

We have learned it was the player who took the hit rather than the Hammers whom 90mins claimed paid him off a total of £3 million.

But we understand that West Ham paid zero compensation and it was entirely the player’s decision to take a drop in wages to around £90,000 per week.

Haller joined Ajax for €22m (£20.2m) last week with instalments paid equally over four years.

Haller has made a total of 53 appearances for the Irons and has scored 14 goals, with 10 coming in the Premier League.

The Hammers agreed on a club-record transfer fee as high as £45m with Frankfurt in 2019 with up to £11m still outstanding to the German club.