The long wait

I will be glad when this week of international play is done and even more glad when West Ham take the field at the Boleyn Ground against Middlesborough. I understand that England have underachieved and are in danger of missing out on the finals of Euro 2008. But I've had enough of the complaining about the team's performance in the national newspapers. I can see why England had to go to "Second-Choice" Steve McLaren as the manager. What manager secure in his club job would want the England position?

The only thing for West Ham to do is tend to their injured players and hope that key players such as Welsh striker Craig Bellamy don't add to the injury woes during international play. The side was bolstered at the very end of the summer transfer window with the permanent signing of Newcastle midfielder Nolberto Solano, a Peruvian, and the signing on loan from Wigan Athletic of Senegalese striker Henri Camara. Solano, who will turn 33 in December, had wanted a move to the London area to be closer to his family, much like the former Newcastle player whose injury necessitated his purchase -- Kieron Dyer. Camara, 30, was apparently surplus to requirements at Wigan, perhaps not clicking with new manager Christopher Hutchings.

It will be quite interesting to see the new signings and some of the injured players back in the squad. It's starting to get a bit crowded in the midfield, if Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg return to fitness, but if there are too many healthy at once, that will be a new and better problem to have. There's always the January transfer window to relieve the pressure, too, especially if Julien Faubert looks ready to return around that time.

One last bit of news to catch up on: West Ham drew home to Plymouth Argyle of the Championship. The Pilgrims, from England's southwest coast, advanced to the third round with a 2-0 win home to League One's Doncaster Rovers.