13 Jan 2020 08:29:53
So we are now basically two weeks into the transfer window and we haven't signed anyone, but let Holland go on loan which I think is a good move for him!

Do we actually have money to spend? In my opinion players are over priced in January but we need a CM badly, an injury to rice and we will be in all sorts of bother, We need to do some business!
I want to see Sander Berge in the claret and blue but I bet he ends up elsewhere.

{Ed001's Note - I remember Zabaleta playing as a defensive midfielder a fair bit in the past, could he not cover there? When Fredericks is fit obviously. Or is there not a youth player to step up? West Ham used to always have a youngster to cover injury problems.}

1.) 13 Jan 2020
13 Jan 2020 12:00:24
Hiya ED you are the person i know can clear this up if you feel already clarifyed this then i apologise it's about the RICE incident as I'm confused the handball rule on SSN they said as the RICE hand ball lead to a goal it has to be given even though it wasn't intentionally done but then another game there was a handball in the penalty area that wasn't given because it was too close and the player didn't intentionally handle it like RICE didn't the rule if correct needs changing is this the correct ruling please ED. COYI.

{Ed001's Note - it depends, was the penalty area handball done by a defender? For some reason that makes a difference. And it depends on the league it was in, as the English league have a different interpretation, according to whatever Mike Riley has decided. I know in Spain any handball is a foul, which is why you will see a lot of players who have played in Spain put their hands behind their back when facing up a man with the ball.}

2.) 13 Jan 2020
13 Jan 2020 22:24:24
The rule now in the EPL is still intentional handball for all general handballs unless it is leading to a goal and then it is any handball. I think the rule needs to go back to what it was previously where it had to be intentional. This would have rightly disallowed Hernandez goal last season but Antonio and Snodgrass goals would have stood.

3.) 14 Jan 2020
14 Jan 2020 16:33:48
If Rice gets injured and it comes to Zaba filing in in the CM spot is the day we´re officially a banter club!
Don´t get me wrong i love Zaba but he does not have the mobility and dare i say it the experience in the middle of the park.

Can you imagine a Zaba and Noble CM pairing! . i´m not sure i could keep up with the pace of the game! . :)

{Ed001's Note - mobility is not as important as reading the game in the centre. Mobility is far more important on the flanks if anything.}

4.) 14 Jan 2020
14 Jan 2020 20:20:38
If you honestly think mobility is not important in the central midfield position where your area of expanse is 18 yard box to 18 yard box and side to side then i´m stuck on what to say to you!

I played in that position and there is more running and movement involved in that area than any other on the field!

Even to say Zaba could cover there when everybody knows we need a pacy box to box midfielder with energy to burn, then well i´m lost!

{Ed001's Note - a player that is to sit and hold does not need much mobility. I wasn't talking about a box-to-box midfielder. I was talking about cover for Rice and Noble, neither of which are capable of being box-to-box either. And if you think every central midfield player has to cover all that ground, then this is a pointless conversation. Makalele barely moved when he played midfield, he never got near the opposition box. You can play different ways to make the most of the players you have available.}

5.) 14 Jan 2020
14 Jan 2020 20:57:07
I disagree . CM is one of the most demanding positions on the field and to even say why not Zaba cover there is a pointless conversation, i agree with you there!

6.) 15 Jan 2020
15 Jan 2020 04:21:34
Hiya ED thanks for trying to clear up the handball rule the incident I was comparing RICES too was a striker trying to score who handball ed it and the commentator said it wasn't deliberate so would have stood where RICE''S handball which he knew absolutely nothing about was given and not far inside the opposition half I'm not just saying it because I'm a west ham supporter but the rules need changing g and fast but thanks anyway ED. COYI.

{Ed001's Note - it is a mess, it is only in England that interpretation is applied.}

7.) 15 Jan 2020
15 Jan 2020 23:07:18
Thanks once again ED for clearing this one up cheers mate. COYI.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}