West Ham United, the board and fans, were rocked again yesterday with the news that Soccernet and WestHamOnline self-styled pundit Billy Blagg, is set to sue the club for an undisclosed sum following the two years wrangling over the Carlos Tevez affair.

This follows earlier news that ex-Sheffield United boss Neil 'Nice Guy' Warnock, several United players who suffered the pains of relegation in 2007 and Leeds supremo 'Cuddly' Ken Bates, were considering their own legal actions against the East London club.

As the Carlos Tevez affair appears set to rumble on, the latest set of claims from people seemingly unconnected with the incident, only opened up further complications for the beleaguered Hammers. Leeds United's claim stems from the fact that Elland Road outfit sold several players to their Yorkshire rivals as the Blades bought desperately in an attempt to stay in the Premiership. When Sheffield were relegated on the last day of the 2006/07 season, Leeds suffered financially from the contingency elements of the transfer deals that would have allowed Leeds a greater share of the transfer profit had Sheffield United survived.

"When Sheffield United got relegated on the last day of the season we missed out on a substantial sum" said Bates "That's what we lost and if they are being compensated for their loss we believe we should be compensated for our loss. There are other clubs in the same boat who have similar claims."

When asked to explain his involvement in the Tevez saga, Blagg was adamant his claim was 'not a joke'. "I've spent a great deal of time writing articles and gossiping on the Internet chat forums about Tevez; I've had to endure hours of typing as I've been answering idiots who email me about the whole mess. People think I get paid for this but it's just a labour of love for me."

Blagg went on "I think I should be able to claim some compensation from some of the costs lost when we failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2006/07" When asked to explain his baffling remarks, Blagg explained: "We went into the 2006/07 season as unlucky losers in the Cup Final and European football beckoned. We started the campaign well with a squad of young players and a manager reckoned to be one of the best up and coming bosses in the Premiership".

Blagg continues "Had Tevez and Mascherano not joined, then the money could have been spent on other players more in keeping with those already at the club, and the dressing room spirit and the Cup Final experience would have acted as a springboard to give us our best ever Premiership finish".

Asked to explain his wild assumptions, the ex-North Bank boy explained; "I've discussed this with both Lord Griffiths, Henry Winter, Graham Taylor and Frank Clark and we spent the whole day re-enacting the season without Tevez and 'Masher' on Football Manager 04 and, when Thierry Henry scored in the 89th minute at Roots Hall to give us a 2-1 win the three points were enough to push us into 3rd place behind Blackpool"

Blagg citied "stress" and "worry" as part of his expected claim against the Hammers and is expected to ask for at least £50k. The part-time I.T. Consultant later explained his reasons for the sum: "My training contract runs out at the end of this week and I'm not going to be earning anything, both Lady B and my cat Paolo di Cattio, are having their teeth done this week and I've got a big gas bill coming in and, without any income, I think Scott Duxbury should put some money my way"

Internet rumours that Blagg was also thinking of suing Henry Winter were later denied although Winter's comments in a Times article that 'Tevez had kept the Hammers up' were thought to be crucial in Lord Griffith's decision to allow Sheffield United's case. Blagg commented "I had to pay Henry Winter for a direct quote that I used in my book, 'Nightmare on Green Street' and I was hoping to get a few bob back - but I've decided I'd be better off chasing West Ham as they have more money"

Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was unavailable for comment.