HAMMERS SPEND MONEY

West Ham United spent huge money on England international Andy Carroll to sign him from Liverpool on a permanent basis. The striker spent the last season on loan at Upton Park. Even though he did not score a bucket load of goals, he was extremely influential for the club in terms of the style of play. As a result, West Ham decided to spend around £ 15 million to sign him from Liverpool. The striker had cost the Merseyside club £ 35 million only two years ago, but he has been a major disappointment since making the move to Anfield.

He, however, has been showing signs of getting back to his former self during his time at West Ham. It looks like the striker may have to be content with making a first-team appearance for the hammers as their own player only in November. This is because Carroll is currently on the treatment table and manager Sam Allardyce does not expect him to be back until the season is a few weeks old. West Ham will be starting the new season with a home match against newly promoted Cardiff city. Sam Allardyce knows all about the enthusiasm within the newly promoted teams and reckons that this will be very tough match.

“Andy is making good progress and doing some running. We will look at things over the next week but considering where he is in his preparation, I would have thought that we’re looking more realistically at the match following the international break, which is Southampton away  on September 15,” said the former Bolton and Newcastle United manager. West Ham do have options up front especially with the presence of Ravel Morrison. The youngster is still very raw, but he is regarded as one of the finest talents in English football right now.