Paolo for Penalties & Get Rid of That Kit...

Paolo takes a penalty again Leicester

Paolo di Canio has been the top penalty taker at Upton Park since Frank Lampard missed in the game against Metz a few years back. The only time (when Paolo was on the pitch) that we have had a penalty since then when Paolo might not have taken it, was in the bizzarre 5-4 victory over Bradford when there was the playground like scene of Lampard and di Canio squabbling over who was going to take it.

Naturally, Paolo won. And he has only missed a couple ever in his career, including one against the now Upton Park keeper, David James - in a Worthington Cup replay.

And, in WestHammersFC's biggest ever poll, you say that he should still be our top penalty taker. But, when he is not available, either Jermain Defoe or Trevor Sinclair are more than adequate stand-ins. Despite Jermain's young age, and relative inexperience (not to mention his penalty miss against Reading last season) he came second in the poll, only marginally ahead of Trevor Sinclair.

Sinclair, who would be my choice, has the experience and temperament to take a penalty, one would feel. And he is an ever-present for West Ham, when fit - which can't be said is the same for either Paolo or Defoe - since it will be a rare occasion when both are on the pitch perhaps.

Fredi Kanoute, who took and missed the penalty against Arsenal that sparked this debate, only gathered a handful of votes - the same number as Repka and James incidentally, and behind both Cole and Carrick.

Jermain Defoe in the club's latest strip

In the other recent WestHammersFC poll, we asked you what you thought of the new away strip - and you clearly aren't impressed to say the least! A lot of fans agree with me in thinking that it is just awful - almost a third of you in fact.

Almost half of you aren't really bothered - either 'It'll do' or 'Hmm, not sure'. Whilst less than a fifth of you think that it is an excellent strip. This is surely an indication of the fans impression of the strip - and one wonders where the club came up with this idea - and who on earth they consulted about it.

I was under the impression that a select group of fans were consulted about such things - but I wouldn't have given it the thumbs up - that's for sure.

The latest Hammers poll (go to the home page to vote) begs the question of how many Hammers will be in the latest England squad for the Portugal match.

Who Should Take Penalties For West Ham? Paolo Di Canio 35.5% Jermain Defoe 24.1% Trevor Sinclair 23.5% Joe Cole 6.0% Michael Carrick 3.6% Fredi Kanoute 2.4% Tomas Repka 2.4% David James 2.4%

What Do You Think Of The New Pin-stripe Away Kit?
It's Awful	32.6%
It'll Do	24.4%
Hmmm, Not Sure	24.4%
Excellent - Full Marks	18.6%