Defoe suffers at picky media

Isn't it nice to hear the FA haven't decided Jermain Defoe's nibble at Javier Maccherano is worthy of more than a three-game ban, as would have been the reason should they have acted.

Nevertheless, Defoe's actions have earned an incredible reaction - just as Joey Barton pulling his shorts down attracted calls for limitless bans - simply because such an action has not been witnessed for so long. I doubt it will catch on with other players, as most enjoy a full allotment of handbags, and nor was it a red card offence.

There are solid arguments that Steve Bennett should have yielded the red instead of yellow, but then the reaction would have been far different - 'nanny' referees and all the rest. Instead Defoe has had to release a statement, via his paid agent, defending the nibble as a facet of his character.

The Argentine was shocked more than hurt by the vicious doggish attack. Mascherano probably believed the days of feral football hooligans had been left behind with the Torneo Apertura in South America, but the juvenile attack may just spring him into life, along with colleagues and under-pressure manager.

Alan Pardew will not be sacked in the next month unless more than losses arise from the dressing room walls, and although some have said the trip to Chesterfield in the Carling Cup is a one they could have done without - for obvious reasons - a victory would end the seven-match rot and hopefully realise West Ham's true potential.

Dean Ashton is a figure being hugely missed, but the Hammers have enough quality to recover and finish inside the top half once again. A home tie against Blackburn on Saturday will be a crucial match-up, and one worth betting on in West Ham's favour - if only draw no bet.