Brady's sideswipe at ex-captain

Vice-chair Karren Brady took subtle digs at two former Hammers in her column for a tabloid newspaper today.

Brady, who is back writing her weekly slot after an extended summer break had a pop at both Benni McCartney and former captain Matthew Upson, a player with whom she has shared a certain degree of animosity since their days together at Birmingham City.

Remarking on the impressive way in which new captain Kevin Nolan has begun his career at the Boleyn Ground, Brady said: "These days footballers are so well rewarded there's an impression that they're all overpaid, under-employed, out-of-touch clubbers.

"It isn't true, anyway, but in Nolan's case it's slander in the first degree. I also respect him for insisting that he writes his own comments on our fans' website. Now that is unusual."

Also on the receiving end was South African lardarse Benni McCarthy; commenting on Blackpool striker Kevin Phillips' body fat content count of 8.6 per cent, Brady said: "I had a player once whose body fat was three times that. Altogether he cost West Ham about £5million and he didn't score once. Answers please on a postcard!"