“The starting point of this club should be the academy. That’s where we should start, our recruitment, everything I will be speaking to Mark Noble and Mark Robson.” - Graham Potter. I like his messaging. ⚒️

West Ham are behind Brighton, Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth. How can that be? ⚒️Recruitment malpractice 🚨What IS the playing style? 👀How can it be fixed? @thesharpeend.bsky.social reports Niclas Fullkrug sums up why West Ham have fallen behind Brighton & Co mol.im/a/14215483

Football in 2024. “Are they hot?” “Yes”. They weren’t. £22 for four. West Ham. 0-0 half time.

Sad news but I am proud to have been asked to write this tribute about the wonderful Jack Steggles for the Football Writers’ Association. footballwriters.co.uk/news/jack-st...

I know Odegaard is coming to WH on Saturday but he’s one of the players you can admire and respect no matter who he plays for. Salah another. Quality. A reminder from the days when my Grandad would queue across London for a chance to see top players, no matter the colour of their shirt ❤️

From @dominickingdm.bsky.social on Arsenal and Odegaard last night. “One pass to Saka left you thinking of Ronnie Sullivan extricating himself from a snooker at The Crucible, the ball slicing and spinning around obstacles before nestling safely at its intended target.” ✔️ mol.im/a/14129645

Enjoyed Michael Carrick interview in the Sunday Times. Seems like a manager at the right club… for now. Not fashionable to hire English managers but he’s one to look out for. Forged in claret and blue too. Just saying.

We know Arne Slot the manager, here is Arne Slot the man: 🤔 His curious superstition 📖 Childhood rich in religion 💍 Family first 🤓 Always studying 🔴 How he’s falling in love with #LFC and fans reciprocating feeling Long Saturday read 👇🏼 mol.im/a/14115185

A Welsh manager in charge of the Welsh team. It will never catch on. Something infectious about Bellamy. Wishing him the best of luck.

💥💥 CHRISTIAN HORNER exclusive 💥💥 Bombshell first interview since the scandal, with @oliverholt22.bsky.social: ❤️ how Geri got him through the dark times 🤬 the 's***-talking' rival he won't forget 🤕 who kicked him when he was down Mail+ sale - just 99p a month: mol.im/a/14113977

And talking of strong and powerful sports writing. Mike Atherton on Viv Richards and his swagger in today’s @thetimes.com ✔️✔️✔️. Viv’s cap, Brazil’s yellow, Ajax untucked, Borg’s Fila. Soundtrack of my sports viewing youth.

The pay-off line at the end. “Colin and Tony Rosler. How can that not make you smile?” It made me smile. Hope it makes you smile too. Love this story of connection to a club. Ian Ladyman column. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba...

🇵🇹 Young stars on the trail of CR7 🇵🇹 ✈️ Winger to follow Amorim to #mufc? 🇳🇴 Football Manager legend #nffc #nufc 👑 The heir to Gyökeres #mufc #afc 🟢 Portugal 🔜 Premier League ⚽️ t.co/WwsLkrEqRb

❓ My Toon Teaser is in the Newcastle Confidential column every Thursday. I enjoyed this week’s… ⚒️ Name the 19 players to have played for NUFC & West Ham since 1992…

If you know any school-leavers looking to break into journalism, this is a fantastic opportunity. The i newspaper is once again running its apprenticeship. The details are here. sandsmediaservices.blogspot.com/2024/11/grea...

This may feel like a whisper from the corner of the room, but newspapers are marvellous. I still have them delivered, I still devour them, I still embrace and enjoy the intimacy of something that is “yours” to own. Digital publishing brings much joy, but ❤️ newspapers. Especially the sports pages.

Too soon to write off Harry Kane IMO. So much more to offer. Not everyone agrees. @craighope-dm.bsky.social is one of them. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba...

Heralding post Carsley England (the Afterlee) with a new platform and here’s my Monday column ⚽️⚽️⚽️ It’s on Joey Beauchamp and how Oxford United are turning a tragedy into a force for good 💛 And some other things too… hello everybody ⬇️ mol.im/a/14092985

Sent by a friend. Congratulations to Jarrod Bowen. Not many Hammers in this list of England goalscorers, though you will spot the most important ones 😀