West Ham Online

Alvarez out injured for between 3 and 19 weeks with hamstring injury. Fuck! How's are luck? Does this mean Downes stays for defo?

"That's true. You have to say our injury record improved a lot under Moyes where it had almost always been woeful before. However, I don't know how much of that might have been down to better strength and conditioning, or most of the players only covering half the pitch most of the time....."

"All sides get injuries and we have had less than most the past few years, less of the Scouse type drama please."

"It was on that temporary natural grass in Dallas, TX which by all accounts is a shit surface and liability to players. On top of paying for players wages while injured, FIFA should also foot the bill for a replacement. it's ridiculous they can require players to compete on unsuitable surfaces without repercussions."

Reports of 3-10 or 3-19 weeks suggest that those journo's haven't got a fucking clue and are making wild guesses based on very little information.

They are now reporting 3 to 10 weeks (which is alot better than first diagnosis). Likely to be fit at start of or not too far after start of season. Bad injury though and once your hamstring goes once it is never as strong.

Agree 100%

"Regardless of the extent of his injury we need a proper DM anyway (not JWP or Soucek), whether to play alongside Alvarez or as back up when he's not available, so either Downes stays or we need to buy someone. Personally I think we should keep Downes. Home grown, supports the club and we probably won't find better unless we pay a lot more than we could sell him for."