West Ham Hoodoo Strikes Again!

Typical. With the whole place buzzing and a stunning three nil victory under our belts, along comes the news that Carroll could be out until mid October. If the figures are right, that will mean we will pay him a cool 600k to sit on his arse.

But what's new? We paid Ashton 60k a week for the best part of 18 months for doing nothing, Quashie 20k a week for two years praying he would never be fit enough to start, Ljungberg four million to go and play in the States and Dyer 80k a week for three years to play pre season friendlies! Such is life at Upton Park!

Still, in Carroll's case, the psychological boost of his signing may mean we get a return even whilst he is sat on his arse in the stands. Who knows, the competition may shake Carlton up a bit and he could go on a goal scoring run.

Well, we can dream can't we?

Credit where credit is due! And lots due at Upton Park!

I've expressed my doubts. I've been a critic. I've issued dire (or Dyer) warnings. I've done my best to be a thorn in the side of the new regime. But boy does it look like I was wrong!

The move for Carroll? Publicity stunt to sell season tickets, nothing more; as if we would pay £100k a week given the new £40k per week pay structure. Wrong!

No chance of signing a flair player with Allardyce in charge. Yossi? Not a cat in hell's chance! Wrong!

A season of depressing lump ball football ahead, utterly attritional stuff; get ready for a neck brace. Wrong!

There will still be miseries out there moaning that Carroll isn't worth the money but that misses the point. His signing gave the entire club a lift - like Nolan's signing last season. Suddenly the management, the players and the fans are looking forward optimistically, not looking backwards in terror. Six points in the bag already. Six precious, precious, precious points. And apart from at left back, we have competition for places!

It will not be an easy ride, nobody would be stupid enough to suggest that, but at least we are now at the races, and the squad Allardyce has assembled is at least the equal of, and almost certainly better than, the squad Pardew had when he led us to ninth place and an FA Cup Final. No predictions, they are dangerous, but for now, at least, we can dream!

By the way, where are Tottenham in the table?

West Ham 3 Fulham 0 - WTF?

I am in Heaven! Two hours ahead in Bucharest and, if honest, I had forgotten all about the game! New apartment but no internet access yet and no TV connection either, thus the silence on TGGC.  Logged on in a mate's apartment and saw the score. Then read the report and swore. Andy Carroll joined!

Amazed. Staggered. Astounded. And 3-0! I'm having another five Ciucs at 50p apiece to celebrate! See you under the table!!!!!