The tabloids are reporting that Alan Pardew is making a move for former Hammer Shaka Hislop, who has been released by Portsmouth. I, for one, would love to see ole Shak back at the Boleyn - but not really for footballing reasons. He is still quite a good keeper, though probably not as good as when he was last with us. The problem is what happens now to Steve Bywater? The youngster really stepped up to the plate after David James left, and now it looks like he will fade into the background again, especially with Carroll in the team and then when Walker recovers. Football is harsh, I know, but surely he deserves a bit more of a chance. Surely Shaka won't sign just to play in the reserves or get loaned out - he would want to be on the bench at the very least. At any rate, if Bywater doesn't get into the first team this season, I hope he goes on loan (say, to a Championship club) but sticks with West Ham. I like the lad and think he will have a lot to offer us in years to come.

In other news, Marlon Harewood, like everyone involved with West Ham, is looking forward to the new season. "There's a buzz around the place and the spirit is fantastic," he told the Club's website. "The lads have been great in training, everyone is looking forward to the start of the season and you can feel the excitment around the Club. We feel that we've got a squad capable of doing well in the Premier League. Our first aim is survival, but the manager has made it clear that he wants more than that and there is plenty of belief in the squad that we can achieve a good finish. It won't be easy, it's a long season playing against some of the world's best players. But when you look at last season we always really enjoyed ourselves on the big occasions and put in some great performances against the top sides. This season every game will be a huge occasion and I think that will bring the best out of this squad."