I did a pre season questionnaire for the ESPN website, which has gone live today. I thought I would share it with you.
What is the best / worst your club can achieve this coming season?
The best is a top six or top seven finish, but our whole season rests on whether we can get in two decent strikers. If we don’t, we will have to settle for mid table mediocrity.
Who is your key player?
If Carlton Cole can continue to improve his scoring ratio, he will be our key player. He was superb last season, but still needs to score more goals.
Who is the unsung hero in your team?
Mark Noble is a midfield powerhouse who never gives up and is skilful with it. He can also score goals. If Scott Parker stays fit, this could be one of the key midfield partnerships in the Premier league this season.
Who is a waste of space?
Most of our ‘wastes of spaces’ have departed. I would normally be tempted to nominate Luis Boa Morte, but he’s out injured for six months and it’s not nice to kick a guy when he’s down. To be fair to him he did very well in the last few games of last season.
Describe your best moment of last season.
The sublime Carlton Cole goal against Wigan. Great one two passing and a superb finish from an in-form striker.
Is your manager the right person for the job?
We have a new mantra at West Ham. “In Zola We trust”. He plays the West Ham way and has been vital in allowing players to believe in themselves. He alone is responsible for Carlton Cole developing into the player he is now.
Which area do you think your team needs strengthening?
We need to get in two strikers before the deadline – one needs to be an out-and-out goalscorer. I think we try to pass the ball into the net too often. We also need some width.
Young player to look out for?
Jack Collison. Remember his name. I am tipping him to be the Hammer of the Year. Pity he already plays for Wales, as he would be a dead cert England international within a very short time.
Where will your club finish this season?
Seventh.
How long have you supported West Ham?
Since 1972.
Who is your all-time favourite player/s at the club?
Paolo Di Canio. I don’t think I will ever see such a skillful player or such a character at the club.
Which three teams will be relegated this season?
Burnley, Portsmouth and Birmingham
Mark Noble unsung hero?
Sorry, unsung because he’s not good enough.
We definately need strikers.
Boa Morte was pretty good towards the end of last season and I think gave his all (I always thought he was excellent at Fulham).
Top man? Geoff Hurst.
If I were a gambling man, I’d say your answers are a safe bet.
The only question I would differ to (and only just) is that I think James Tompkins will be the young player to look out for. I really believe he will be a future England captain.
Great answers Iain! It gets on my nerves when other Hammers fans who complete these types of questionnaire run the club down.
Iain,
Agree with most of your comments, although in my eyes no one better than Bobby Moore.
I’ll think you’ll find you have linked to the ESPN website for asia. Only have TV listings for asian countries. Their website for UK ESPN.co.uk is really only a subscription taker at the moment.
listening to the radio and some people have us down for relegation.Oh dear,cant agree with that.like I said earlier, massive season for Noble,this season will make or brake him,If he does not cut it we could well see collison move inside.
It would pretty much have been what I would have said Iain.
My only comment is your statement about needing two strikers – whilst we obviously have to have cover Cole is a certainty to play (sorry CH!) which would necessitate just one or the other with Jiminez playing behind. We have been linked with Toni and Gudy but can’t see either would settle for a place on bench. I would prefer one (not sure who would be best alongside Cole) with perhaps a young player to come in when necessary – Andy Carroll?
I am not sure what team Scott watches but I agree with all comments about Mark Noble. I thought that he had a really good season last season. He is most certainly good enough for the West Ham midfield, and also the midfield of other PL teams who would naturally finish higher next season. If he stay fit could well become hammer of the year and an outsider for the England squad
Lets hope one or two of our youngsters can develope into a new Di Canio type player. Its a crying shame to believe that we wont ever have such a player again.
Was Di Canio better then the likes of Brooking or Devonshire? As you have been supporting the Hammers for as long as I have, you should be able to remember how good they were…
What will kovac add to our side please explain?
For the record I am with Iain on PDC – the question was not about the best player but the favourite and for sheer entertainment he was unbeatable – I will never forget the game v Bradford when we were 2 – 4 down and PDC was pleading with ‘arry to take him off then he got stuck in and singlehandedly turned defeat into victory. I will always remember him snatching ball off Lampard when we got penalty – pure genius!
I have been lucky enough to see Peters, Moore, Hurst, Brooking, Devonshire, Cotee, Best, Lampard (Snr), Bonds, Ferdinand (Rio), Devonshire, Alvin and Joe Cole, all of whom I’d rate above Paolo.
You’d have seen them all too, except Peters; then again Paolo did bring out the dichotomy in people; I remember a full blown fight in the East Stand between his admirers and critics. Personally, loved him, but wouldn’t have him in a squad of West Ham players since my first game in 1969, never mind pick him as an “all-time favourite”
Biggest waste of space? I really hope it’s not Jimenez or Savio.
Young player? There are lots of them, but this season it’ll be Stanislas.
Best ever? Bobby Moore, always.
Well said Stellios J. Di Canio was a great player but the all time greatest? Iain mate, get real
Nice answers except for comment re Collison being the next big thing for England…if only he wasn’t Welsh…and if my auntie had balls she’d be my uncle!
Any ideas on a good pub tomorrow near Molinoux tomorrow anyone what to meet up?
We aren’t saying PDC was the best but our favourite – there is a huge difference! Tomas Repka was my favourite RB but I can’t pretend he was the best……
Favourite player doesn’t mean the best – in the 70′s my fav player for a couple of seasons was Pat Holland! – all time fav. has to be Sir Trev
I go back to 1963, so was lucky enough to see all those mentioned by Stelios above. Favourite depends on your own point of view, but having seen the likes of your Moores and Bonds getting us out of trouble so often back in the day, that meant they stayed in my heart for ever like nobody else. Also, how many games did PDC play again? 2-300? Bonds, Sir Bobby, Sir Trev and Lampard senior all topped 600 if my memory serves me well.
I’ve also been watching West Ham since 1963 and seen all the C&B greats but I’m pushed to think of one more skillful than PDC. They had other attributes that could arguably make them greater players overall but for sheer technique there have been none better at West Ham in my time. Not even TB or Devo could turn a defender like PDC (he once turned Maldini, Baresi and Costacurta all at the same time!). And he scored so may brilliant goals. A true West Ham great and one of my favourites too.
We are lucky to have had him as long as we did. Without a doubt ‘Arry’s greatest achievment.
Wowser Iain! – have you been reading my mind? I would have answered the same to nearly every question except where we will finish – 9th actually and Julian is my favourite player.
I still think It was stupid not having purchased any strikers ready for the wolves game.
I go back to 1953 & thought as a kid we would never get up to the first div(premier)in 58 we did & imo the greatest player ive seen was Bobby Moore, saw his debut in a 3 2 win over Man utd.A player from the 60′s who does n’t get a lot of recognition on here is Johnny Byrne!a british record fee when we bought him from Palace,
- What is the best / worst your club can achieve this coming season?
It’s a tough one before window closes, so as the squad is right now. BEST 9th WORST 17th
- Key Player
I actually think Behrami is the man. When he was injured we just wasn’t the same team, that guy is an engine.
- Unsung hero
Collison nuff said.
- Waste of Space
COME ON! Quashie! have we short memories?
- Best moment
Forgotten everything from last season, I have a terrible memory and that’s normal living in Amsterdam.
- Is manager right man for the job?
This season will really test him, I’ll let you know end of this season.
- Where to strengthen.
We all know where.
- young player to look out for
Collison
- Where will we finish
As the squad stands about 14th
- How long have you supported WHU
since 1985
- All time Fav player
Stuart slater
- Portsmouth, Hull & Burnley
Chris. Tomorrow we will find out just how stupid that was.
I’m worried it could be a Man C type opener again, but more worrying it’s a championship side.
I go back to 1958 and it will be no surprise to anyone who recognises my name on this blog that I am with Bernie on the great Johnny Byrne.
But for injury sustained with England he would have been in the 1966 squad probably at Geoff Hurst’s expense.
As for PDC I certainly consider him in my all time favorites
‘Stupid’? So you think they don’t realise this and haven’t been trying to sign someone? You might accuse them of not trying hard enough but to call them ‘stupid’ is just, well, stupid.
Budgie,you even use his nickname!like it,he had so much skill & was the first English centre forward to play deep & confuse the c h,do you remember Jack Charlton screaming to Revie on the bench what do i do!!as we beat them 7 0 what a night!if i’m aloud a few fav’s PDC,Devo,Booking, & Bonzo would all be on my list,but there are so many!! tomorrow a 1 0 win Carlton to score!COYI
That should be Brooking of course, back to Budgie Byrne again, he like Hurst scored a hat trick V Portugal in 64 & your right he would ‘ve been in the 66 side with Hurst in place of Hunt lol.
The board have been stupid not Zola.
Chris we must get the 2 strikers in before we play the yids!& 2 days after them the othere scumbags!
Hate the mantra “In Zola we trust”…..sick of hearing Arsenal & Liverpool fans write similar lines regarding their managers!
Carlton’s goal at Wigan was a beauty, I was stood behind the goal and it was simply fantastic to watch……….
Trevor Brooking is my all time favourite player, as he was master of the reverse pass and oozed class.
Young player to look out for this season will be Frank Nouble, if he gets his chance in the first team.
What is the best / worst your club can achieve this coming season?
6th with added strikers / 12th without!
Who is your key player?
I would like to think that Jiminez will be our key playmaker, turning midfield flair to potent attack
Who is the unsung hero in your team?
Valon Behrami – the midfield engine, though unlikely to be top scorer, will instigate many of our most successful strikes.
Who is a waste of space?
Few left now to fill this spot. Quashie
is least likely to feature. For his bust up and competition for CB places, Davenport is also surplus to requirement
Describe your best moment of last season.
That Carlton Cole goal against Wigan. Great finish to a great build up, epitomised all that GZ and SC worked hard to achieve,resurrecting the WHU way to play
Is your manager the right person for the job?
Has the potential to rival the very best managers we have ever had. Given time could be put up there with Greenwood and Lyall
Which area do you think your team needs strengthening?
Proven goal scoring forwards. At least two short at present. If money no object a well experienced RB too (so no RB purchase then!)
Young player to look out for?
We have many to choose from. Hines if no striker is bought in, from midfield Collinson will build on his great start.
Where will your club finish this season?
7th / 8th
How long have you supported West Ham?
Since 1964.
Who is your all-time favourite player/s at the club?
Booby Moore, Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds. difficult to stop there!
Which three teams will be relegated this season?
Birmingham, Burnley, Hull
——————————————————————————–
-Supported West Ham since the early 90′s.
-My all time fav player is Di Canio.
(watching him as an adolescent convinced me to quit playing rugby league and play football).
-Behrami our key player.
-Finish around mid table.
I’ve never supported a second team in the premier league but I will be definitely supporting Burnley this year (apart from when we play them of course). I admire their manager and loved it when they beat Sheffield in the playoff final, I hope they stay up.
There are so many, John Sissons – remember him? Favourite backs are Billy Bonds and Julian Dicks with Tony Cottee, Brooking and Moore and Devonshire and -yes-Paulo DeCanio plus so many more. Hammers to finish 7th if Ashton can make a comeback.
I hope Boa Morte stays around the camp and games supporting the team. He looks like he has a good attitude in the sheds and from what i’ve seen he is very willing to congratulate goal scorers.
It’s sad that he was booed for so long, but it is also good that he was cheered on at the end of last season.
2-0 West Ham. (Cole, Noble Pen.)
DaDon.
They are trying to sign players which are out of the clubs price range so that’s why we have been pissing around for months and getting nowhere.
Guddy and Toni earn FAR MORE then we can ever pay and why they ever thought Bordeaux would sell for 5million is beyond me.
So now the penny has dropped, they realise they have a couple of weeks to sort out two strikers that can actually score goals (unlike Di Mistake and Tristan) But I fear yet again they are going to have to settle for a couple of last minute loans AGAIN.
Lets hope I’m totally wrong about this and Toni & Co coming walking through those gates….
Good interview in the Daily Snail with GZ and SC together.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1206631/Dynamic-duo-Gianfranco-Zola-Steve-Clarke-insanity-rescue-mission-West-Ham.html?ITO=1490
There can be a big difference between “best” players and “favourite” ones.
Best must be Bobby Moore with Bonds, Brooking and Byrne behind him. Hurst maybe.
Favourites for me certainly include Di Canio, Byrne, Brooking and Devonshire – all of whom could do things that just made you smile at the skill. Equally, favourites include Julian Dicks who could also make me smile for different reasons.
On a different subject; With regards to Mark Noble. He seems to polarise opinion on this blog but I reckon he comes in for a lot of undeserved criticism. Those who do criticise him should think back to the last part of last season when we were without both Behrami and Parker. Noble took on a lot of responsibility and was not found wanting. He never hides and always makes himself available. He has decent skills and good vision although I would admit that he could use an extra yard of pace, something you either have or not.
Zola obviously rates him and so does Stuart Pearce. We, of course, are all better judges of a player thyan him which is why we spew our opinions on a blog and they only run professional football teams.
Noticed on my ticket for the Wolves game that, from when we were last there, the away supporters area has been moved from behind one of the goals to the side. This seems to be happening at a few grounds (e.g. Villa). Villa’s reasoning was that it meant that, whatever way they were playing, they attacked an end full of their own supporters. I reckon this might become more common.
I think we will see one or two of the younger players break through again this year just as Stanislas, Collison and Tomkins did last year.
My tips this time are Spence, Hines and Dixon.
I would like to see a top ten finish, and to be honest, as we are still building for the future with our ‘project’ I would be content with a top 12 finish, and a nice run in either of the cups. League cup or whatever it’s called now is a sneaky route into Europe and I believe this is where GZ will look to go.
A backdoor route into Europe will increase our chances of attracting higher quality players and our young guns will be a step nearer.
Would love a win today, but think a drwa is most likely. As long as we play the West Ham way.
As everyone on here knows, we do need a goal scorer, not sure if we will get our wish this late, but this may just give a chance to Hines, Nouble, Dixon or another of our forgotten diamonds….. Dean Ashton.
Hope spirngs eternal, we are hammers after all. I predict a sparkling return for Deano and then see him push for a place in next years world cup squad.
Now that’s my head firmly on the block and now wait for the snipers to pick me off.
COYI
Pual M,Well said mate i love your optimism,no sniping from me, COYI
Anyone got a stream for todays match PLEASE, thanks in advance,COYI
My Dad always used to tell me how good Johnny Budgie Byrne was, and how he should have been in the World Cup finals. He was just a little before my time but I accept that he was a great, without doubt.
Brooking, Bonds and Devonshire was my heros as I grew up, I only got to see Moore for a season before he moved to Fulham and remember crying when he left. It was weird to see him play against us in the 75 final.
Brooking and Bonds are Mr West Ham, they conduct themselves in a manner the great John Lyall, Ron Greenwood would have approved of and are the main reasons I fell in love with West Ham
Paul M – give your address and I’ll post a tin helmet to you!
I totally agree with your all your hopes… but Deano for England? If this comes true I will eat that tin helmet!
Even GZ could only say “as far as I know, Dean is working on his fitness” (as quoted yesterday). If GZ cannot be definite about that what chance of seeing DA anytime in the next few months at best?
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see a fuly fit DA knocking in the goals but that now seems a distant prospect.