Good afternoon Hammers. Here is today’s lunchtime round up.

Slaven Bilic has played down remarks from frustrated West Ham chairman David Sullivan. (Sky Sports)

I don’t like it when they play down each others comments etc, it just makes me think there are problems behind the scenes that we don’t know about. I hope I am wrong, but who knows?

Jose Fonte has spoken about how he has flourished in his latter years as a player. (Daily Mail)

He has been a brilliant defender for Southampton over the years, but he hasn’t shown that quality for us just yet. I do hope that he can pick up form and be as good for us as he was for Southampton.

Andy Carroll has been left out of the latest England squad by Gareth Southgate. (Evening Standard)

Good. I am glad Andy won’t be in the squad, because we cannot afford for him to get injured again. We need him to be fit until the end of the season, and he has a massive part to play for us.

West Ham have added Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel to their summer shopping list. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham are again targeting Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe in the summer. (Ninety Minutes Online)

He has a cheap release clause in his contract I believe, I think it depends on Sunderland going down too. I think they will get relegated, and if he is available on the cheap then we have to get him. He may be old, but he is a proven goalscorer.

James Collins is being tipped to replace Jose Fonte in West Ham’s defence on Saturday. (HITC)

I love Ginge, but I don’t think Leicester is his type of game. I would stick with Fonte and Reid because I think they can still form a solid partnership, but it is just our right back where we are weak.