LIKE VULTURES gathering around a badly wounded animal, so the Premier League managers look to pick the carcass of West Ham s stumbling, faltering season, writes DAVE EVANS. Second from bottom in the Premier League after Tuesday night s dismal defeat at Bo

LIKE VULTURES gathering around a badly wounded animal, so the Premier League managers look to pick the carcass of West Ham's stumbling, faltering season, writes DAVE EVANS.

Second from bottom in the Premier League after Tuesday night's dismal defeat at Bolton; David Gold's bid to take over the club rejected and now the cherry-picking of the club's best assets.

Scott Parker is a target for Liverpool and Spurs with a �6million price tag apparently all that needs to be paid to haul the former England man from Upton Park.

Robert Green is interesting Aston Villa and Sunderland with an �8million valuation on his head, while Matty Upson could go to Manchester City or Spurs.

Carlton Cole is injured and has already stated that he is happy at West Ham, but that has not prevented him being linked with Liverpool once again this week.

It seems the knives are out for the Hammers and until a takeover is successfully completed, those stories are likely to linger into January and the transfer window.

Perhaps it is not all doom and gloom. If Gold and his business partner David Sullivan return with a more convincing bid, then Icelandic bank Straumur may finally decide to cash in on their asset, before they are relegated and its value plummets.

Straumur have priced the club at �120million including debts, but Stepney-born Gold has offered a deal worth �30million below the asking price.

It would seem that this first official offer from Gold and Sullivan, may be just the beginning of real negotiations between the two parties.

The Icelanders insist they have no reason to sell the club in the current economic climate, and an insider at Straumur confirmed that despite this week's revelations with Gold and Sullivan, nothing has materialised to change that view.

It is understood they are unhappy with the way that Gold and Sullivan seem to be conducting a lot of their negotiations in the media, but Straumur insist it is business as usual.

They have just been given breathing space by the courts to continue putting their house in financial order, but that does not help West Ham's cause.

The uncertainty over the future of star players and the lack of money to spend in the new year, has put the club firmly on a downward spiral and unless something happens, and quickly, that is likely to end in relegation.

Still, there's a nice easy game on Sunday - Chelsea are in town!