Clarke to Replace Zola

It was difficult to ascertain which of yesterday's West Ham stories were meant to be April Fool's jokes. The Daily Mail story of next season's West Ham kit being modelled on an Ann Summers outfit clearly wasn't to be taken seriously.

I was hoping the news that West Ham had lodged a complaint against Fulham fielding a weakened side against Hull might have been a joke. But it appears to be true and stands no chance of being upheld.

The Daily Telegraph's story about Steve Clarke being lined up to take over from Zola was also not intended to be a joke. The Telegraph say that if West Ham remain in the Premier League then Steve McClaren is the man the owners want to replace Zola.

However if West Ham are relegated then Steve Clarke will be asked to take over.