Alsop's Fables: Hammers win the deadline day scrum

Former Robins' striker Julian Alsop's weekly column:

WELL, the transfer window shut last week and the overrated Premier League spent another load of cash on either panic buys or what they see as good investments.

The one that stands out for great business is the Andy Carroll loan signing to West Ham.

Eighteen months ago, Liverpool paid £35 million now: he's out on loan with a fee of £1.8 million with the deal in place to sign him for £18 million should they stay up.

Well if you fancy a £5 bet placing West Ham finishing in the top eight will not be a bad bet at all, especially the way they put crosses in and the physical style Andy Carroll plays.

It might not be pretty but the results will come.

Over in Manchester it looks like United have found the perfect goal-scoring machine in Robin van Persie.

Any young striker wanting to get on in the game should watch the way he gets in front of the defender to score goals.

The way RVP conducts himself is also a great credit to him. People say he's going to United for the money and trophies: well what else was he going for this year?

United must be favourites for the Carling Cup at least.

I bet there's a few United fans biting now, I am only pulling your leg – I don't think you're favourites at all!

Well this week starts the long trip to Rio for the World Cup... now can someone explain why the same old faces are still in the squad?

Just get rid of them all and get the kids in.

If we don't qualify, so what – we will be bang-on for the Euros in four years.

Or will we go to them with the same old players that are really not that bothered about playing?

The team for the road to Rio needs to be built around men like Jack Butland, Danny Rose, Thomas Ince, Tom Cleverley, Nathaniel Chalobah, Scott Sinclair, Daniel Sturrridge and Danny Welbeck.

This is a young group but at least we might start to see a side the country just might get behind.

Just look how we all got behind the Olympics and Paralympics.

HOME COMFORTS COULD SPUR GLOUCESTER UP PYRAMID

IT is great to see two of my old sides at the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier League and fingers crossed that both Newport County and Forest Green Rovers have a great season.

I really enjoyed my time at both of these great, family-friendly clubs.

The Conference is a great league and I think this year no one team will run away with it. I also want to wish Gloucester City good luck with their quest to move back home.

If they do, I don’t think it would be too long before they are promoted and their old support-base comes back.

I would not be surprised if they challenged for the League in five years’ time.

But in the meantime, all the best with the project.

I have just received an email from Stu Baike from Total Ltd inviting myself, the Lord, Rodders, Giuseppe, Polish and a special guest Gerald to an evening with Paul Gascoigne the bloke was a legend when I was in my teens and just hope he’s not been on one of his benders before he does the evening. A big thank you for the invite Stuart and to Total ltd for what I’m sure will be an interesting evening. Right, just off now to play Finners at Table tennis. The big time Charlie has only gone and got a cover for his bat. Young Duffo has seen how much fun we’ve been having with this table tennis lark and wants to start joining in – once he’s fit!

SCHOOLS BACK IN...

I HOPE all my readers are well and for those of you with children going back to school, yes we did it!

Six weeks of kids arguing, shouting and all that stuff that comes with being parents is now being handed back over to the teachers who have been on a jolly-up for the last six weeks: and before you teachers bite I am only being serious!

A NIGHT WITH GAZZA ON THE CARDS

I HAVE just received an email from Stu Baike from Total Ltd inviting me and some friends to an evening with Paul Gascoigne.

The bloke was a legend when I was in my teens. A big thankyou for the invite for what I’m sure will be an interesting evening.

Right, just off now to play Finners at Table tennis. The big-time Charlie has only gone and got a cover for his bat.