Please click HERE to rate the West Ham players who played tonight at Bolton. Only do so if you were either at the game, saw it on TV or on the internet.
Please click HERE to rate the West Ham players who played tonight at Bolton. Only do so if you were either at the game, saw it on TV or on the internet.
bore off bubble blower go kiss someone else's arse
I'm not kissing anyone's arse you clown.
I'm just fed up of reading the same whinging rubbish from the same whinging posters.
However I thankyou for your comment – very erudite.
What gets me most about the whinging posters is when they do the "I'm entitled to my opinions" lines ( Er yes Sherlock) and then they tell you to shut up or go away because they haven't worked they have to extend the entitlement principle to you as well.
Tells you everything really.
Having had time to review and reflect on last night's 'performance', I am able now with clarity to express how i feel. And how i feel is very, very ANGRY!!!!
First let's cut the crap – we will not be relegated and for 2 simple reasons;
1. There are 3 worse teams than us – Pompey, Brum and Hull.
2. We won on the opening day – I mentioned this in a previous post but NO team has ever been relegated form the PL after winning on the opening day. Look back in history and you'll find that any team that had a 'miraculous' survival (Us, Pompey, WBA, Fulham, Hull, etc) all won on the opening day of the season).
So – no relagation, but certainly a scrap. Too many people were far too pomp at the season started talking utter tosh about how we would finish top 7. As i said then – Who were we going to finish above? MUtd, MCity, Arse, Liv, Spuds, Chelski, AVilla, Everton? (Thats 8!). Then I said "What about Sunderland and Stoke and other teams that were splashing the cash?
The VERY BEST we can hope for this season is 10th…. but after 5 games i think that even this is being overly hopeful.
The facts are sadly obvious –
We have no money to strengthen the team.
We lack a proven goal scorer – If CC isn't scoring there just aren't any goals in the team. At the Napoli game i pointed out to a friend with me that the team that started that game had less than 20 goals for the club! The entire squad (excluding CC) had less than 60 senior goals lifetime!
In defence, far too many people have been banging on about how great Tompkins is or is going to be. I think he WILL go on to play for England but at present he looks poor – he was at fault for both Torres goals and continues to make basic schoolboy errors at every game i see him.
Illunga looks a shadow of the player we saw last year and as good as Faubert has been this year, I still think Lucash is better!
Despite the introduction of Jimmy in midfiled we still play far too narrow and still lack creativity when in possession. GZ's continues insistence of playing 2 holding midfielders is really starting to anger me especially when (as against Liverpool repeatedly) it still doesn't stop players running 40yds with the ball straight down the middle of the pitch!!
quick point Jolly, I think with Jimmy fit Zola will play him in the middle 3 of the formation and that the extra holding midfielder is simply a case of what options he has at the moment.
And finaly the big formation debate……
I don't care what formation other teams play or how they set up – our best performances, our best teams, our best results have all been found whilst playing 442 – it doesn't make me a tradionalist or old fashioned to bang this drum, it just makes sense to play the way that suits the players we have.
I think the 451 / 433 formation that we have been playing recently has been used for 2 reasons;
1. We only had 1 striker in CC and
2. It's what Clarke used at Chelski – that's fine if your front man is Didier Drogba and you have wide players like Joe Cole, Jose Bosingwa or Salomon Kalou – we have Junior, Dyer, LBM and Collison. Chalk and Cheese.
So….. in conlusion – Stop dreaming of Europe and get realistic – in our current economic crisis 11th would be a fantastic result.
Hope that GZ looks behind the sofa and finds the 442 formation he was using last year.
Get behind what we have – CC may not be Didier Drogba but he may be all that stands between us and 17th!
As always, time will tell who is right! And I will have no hesitation admitting on here that I was wrong if we finish outside the top 10. No doubt you will do likewise, Jolly, if West Ham exceed your expectations?
I would be delighted to be proven wrong SJ. In the event of a top 10 finish I would happily succumb to the devious forefits bestowed upon my by my learned posters!
Can we sign Sol Campbell? he would be a good replacement for Collins.
Tomkins is good but to raw,Da costa untested and Gabbidon's a sicknote.
40 grand a week for a lumbering prima donna might be too rich a gamble for us.
His Lordship probably would't think our facilities were up to his lofty standards anyway.
Would love Harry to send half of north London into histrionics by signing him.
Chris – a terrible idea for 2 reasons. 1 -he's shot and 2. Both the EPL and the league say he can't play for another team until January.
Jolly I agree we are best suited for 4 4 2, as people have said 4 3 3 is to demanding, when you have world beaters like Drogba in your team you can play anyway you like,it's not the formation that's producing it's the individual quality.
Diamanti parker Behrami collison/Dyer/Hines even
…………Cole…..Hines/Franco……
this team looks well balanced and good even take a city side all the way.
Completely off topic but I got an extremely nice surprise today. I really don't like working at Exhibitions but today I went to Wembley to do an BT IT show and met, amongst others, Alvin Martin. What a really decent, top bloke. Completely made my day. Got his autograph for my boys and chatted to him for some time about growing up near Manchester Supporting West Ham. I thanked him for 1986 when I was able to lord it over the Man Utd and Man City fans that I knew.
On top of that I got stuck in to a Head Tennis competition. Unfortunately I got paired with Paul Merson and, therefore, only managed 20 but Alvin Explained to the audience that it was Merse who messed up which was probably due to him "Never Liking West Ham." I got a better score than Merse on the Penalty taking machine that was at the show too. Then to top it off Alvin Martin came top in that competition ahead of Kerry Dixon, Frank Stapleton, Paul Merson and Ray Houghton.
I also had a chat with Ray Houghton who told me a bit about his time at West Ham and being let go by the club really knocked him back. Another decent fella I reckon.
I'll try putting the photo I got with Alvin Martin on my intenese debate profile but am not sure how it will come out.
Sounds like you had a good day, Gav!
Not a great lover of name dropping, though. In fact, I was saying as much last week to Barack Obama.
Back on topic – I view things this way – To be a West Ham fan you need a thick skin and an Indomitable Spirit. You never say die and you never give up no matter how hopeless things become. Personally I can't understand quitters or people who start hitting the panic button the moment things don't go to plan. You stick to the plan and get through it – otherwise you spend your existence as under-performing wannabees like Tottenham fans have been for so long.
Let's be real. This is a blip. We will soon be back to winning ways and climbing the table. We've got way too good a squad and Managment team to stay where we are.
West Ham's plan is a good plan. We are making strides towards building a terrific Premiership team full of a mix of youthful talent and good, experienced professionals.
In Zola we trust? More like in the Plan we Trust.
Well said Gav! Sonds like you had a great day! Mind you it doesnt sound like you did a whole lot of work! That probably added to the quality of the day!
Lol! Right now you couldn't be more on the mark CH. Anything that takes me away from work makes me happy at present.
Goaty…but where's the fun in being nice and positive all the time?
A tad American for my liking.
Far happier bitching and moaning by day, and dreaming of claret and blue glory by night. Night workers are allowed to transpose the position
Keep the faith.
COYI
Perfectly entitled Horters. In the interests of balance – It'd be pretty boring if we agreed about everything wouldn't it mate.
I do try and be realistic. Maybe I should raise my expectations in the short term but I don't think we'll be up with Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Man City for another couple of years. One thing's for sure – I'll never lose the faith.
On the Campbell thing,I was only thinking about he's ability in the air,must admit I have not seen him play for years, I'll take your word for it,just a thought.
Shame Zola didn't have any money to spend,he want's to play a free flowing attacking game but just does not have the quality needed for that system,as some one has already pointed out, we could end up like west brom playing nice football but losing,and then come christmas your down south and your best players want out.
Not looking forward to January. If things continue the same result wise and with a lack of buyers we're losing Green and Upson for sure. We can't or simply 'won't' replace them. With such a woefull scoring record our decent goals against tally is the only thing keeping us in with a chance. I hate to think players opinions of us changed after the Millwall events but I think we need to be impressing players like green in a big way for them to extend and going out to Bolton isn't gonna do it, not when clubs in the top 6 are gonna be banging on his door in the new year.
Tony I have decided to post this comment on its own as if the replies kept going the post would be so narrow it would only be a single letter wide. Do I think BG could get the club back? Honestly? Yes.
BG is above all a survivor. he has come through some tough scrapes before and he will this time. You have to look at the actions of BG and Thor directly after the collpase in Iceland. Before Landsbanki was nationalised BG was actually approached to take over Glitnir, as the situation internationally deteriorated so rapidly it was not possible to do the deal. The government took the decision then to nationalise the entire banking indistry in order to control the outflow of cash from Iceland by overseas depositors withdrawing funds. During these few days, Thor disposed of a couple of european telco assets he held and pumped the money into the Icelandic banking system to increase liquidity and restore some measure of confidence in the countrys financial institutions. My estimates put it at over a quarter of a billion dollars, but it could have been more.
Its highly unlikely that he woud do that if the government there was about to leave his father destitute. When the decision to nationalise Straumur was announced it seemed odd as at the time the bank was satisfying the word banks requirements for assets to loans ratio and had already undertaken a major adjustment of its balance sheet, written down loans, switched its focus and changed a lot of its positions to long, going as far as to lose money ditching some of its short positions.
BG and Thor owned roughly 70% of Straumur through two holding companies, when the bank is returned to private ownership its shareholdings will have to be restored to pre nationalisation status or the original shareholder will have to compensated. BG and Thor lead Icelands surge towards prosperity, it makes sense that they would be consulted about how best to return the country to the good times.
Thor owns Activas, one of the largest generic drugs companies in the world. Part of its shares are held by Novator, which as a private company is hard to get much info on. My belief is that it also holds shares on behalf of BG as a kind of safe haven till he is able to sort things out. BG moved to reduce or write off a considerable part of his personal liabilites, his petition to the icelandic courts for bankrupcy protection was part of that process.
I dont want to go into long detailed and some would say boring post about this but as I have always said wait and see what happens with Straumur and dont count BG or Thor out yet. Thor is still the single largest shareholder in Straumur so he is therefor the biggest single shareholder in WestHam
Celtic – What is the White Book investigation? I think that has more to do with BG and not Thor correct? You could very well be right as it has always been looming in the papers that Thor was the footy fan anyway.
The White Book investigation from what I can see of it is simply an excersize for the media and public in Iceland. It is meant to look at the actions of those at the top of the banking and finance industry in the country and is to be headed by Eva Joly the famous magistrate based in Paris.
The investigation is supposed to focus on the fact that almost half of loans made by Icelandic banks were made to holding companies and the practice of loaning individuals money in order to fund them purchasing shares in the bank. Although there is proof this has happened with Glitnir and Kaupthing there is no evidence as yet that it happened with Landsbanki.
I think as the country returns to financial stability the more likely the investigation will be scaled down or possibly dropped. The government may be under pressure to take action against those who have been guilty ot acting in a reckless manner but they must weigh up the benefits of this against damaging renewed confidence in the countrys banking system.
As Thor was involved only with Straumur I am not sure how he can be investigated for the lending practices of its commercial banks.
The investigation was initially supposed to include politcal figures in Iceland in its scope but this seems to have been dropped or at the very least shifted from the main focus of the investigation.
As for Thor the guy certainly has the financial clout to own the club outright and debt free if he so chooses.
Thanks for your help, much apprec.
Whoever started this 'in zola we trust' stuff needs flogging, if it all goes pear shaped what a bunch of idiots we will look.
Sounds like he is the messiah for gods sake!
http://theboleyninheritance.wordpress.com/
In Zola I Trust! Anyone who wants to give me a flogging is welcome to try but I really wouldnt recommend it!
At last the truth!!!!
I'll be happy to be holding the whip when the flogging starts.
Not even if it was Sharon Stone in a PVC catsuit doing the flogging?
Guys! I don't think we will be relegated! At least I hope not! But if the worst should happen and we do, that will be it for us! We will have to sell ALL our half decent players and I wouldn't mind betting that we wouldn't see ANY of the fees!
We'll find it very difficult to get back up!
Charlton, Southampton and…..LEEDS!
Matty, I agree if the worst comes to the worst so be it. This was one cup that we had hoped this year we would at least get a run from but to no avail. We still have 30+ games in the PL this season so the omens look good on paper at present but if a club like portsmouth can score in a cup game then why cant we??
Each year is the same old story why do we not score goals.
I still feel that GZ will get the balance right in the team but each time we lose we all feel that it is another nail in the old coffin syndrome.
I know its easy for us to sit here and say how we feel when everything is not going right and say PATIENCE X3 Keep the Faith etc but that is what we have to do and leave GZ to work in out with the players on the training grd and on the pitch for the next match up.
We played well against Lpool and were unlicky not to get a point we just hope that we can do the same against city monday as they are not playing that well not to get at least a point from that game if not all 3
We have to remain optimistic and not be pessimistic. I know its hard but we have to hold on as we always do as hammers fans. Lol!!!
Matt isnt it a bit early to start discussing whats likely to start discussing what is likely to happen should we get relegated. It simply wont happen.
No mate, I don't think it's too early, I did say that I didn't think it would happen but I said the same thing (and I'm SURE you did) is 2003!
All I am saying is that IF it did happen, it would be a whole different kettle of fish that what it was back then!
Also if the unthinkable happens this will not do anything for our icelandic owners but in another way it might wake them up to a problem and realise that they may not get as much as they would like if we did go down and give us the backing we need to stay up
Matt
I think we are in a mess and im worried, but i dont believe we will be relegated. I cannot believe our players cannot turn this around and things improve. We are simply not one of the 3 worst teams in the division.
I believe our formation is the problem and nothing more. I said we would prob finish 10th at start of season and even after a bad start, i still think it could be poss if we can get a good run going.
Things just difficult at moment and we are all down.
just trying to post a comment peeps – having a few probs with the intense debate thingy!
Won't be relegated – see reasons above!
Bubbleblower
What you've said is not *crap*, it's a perfectly valid point of view, I share for one.
I don't think its self-righteous either to wonder why so called "supporters" don't seem to understand the meaning of the word "support." I despair of certain attitudes prevalent on this site recently that seem the antitheses of what I feel.
It's not exactly the first time we've lost at Bolton but the toys are flying out of the pram as if it's never happened before. You lose an equalizer in the 86th; you're likely to lose ET. Especially if you're us. It's all in the mind. That's football. It's not a crisis.
COMPLETELY off topic – Steve Bull (yes – THE Steve Bull!) has just requested to become my friend on Facebook – how cool is that!!!!
Ask him if he fancies playing upfront with Carlton Cole against citeh!!
We could use him for sure.
Jolly – ask him if he is doing anything on saturday afternoons?
Zola's been on radio this morning talking about the teams finishing,he quotes,we are paying the price for not investing in strikers.
The painful truth of the matter is, the club has been a selling club for the past 4 or 5 transfer windows. Collins being just the latest example. Yes, we have sold some deadwood, but we have also sold important players we are really missing and have gone no-where near replacing. We are told that, (if you believe the spin) that players like Savio will be the next greats, then they are sold almost without mention because their nowhere near good enough. The so called project is a very decent concept, and would work given time. But Duxbury is using this as a smoke screen to enable him to sell each window.
There is a good reason why players are on a free. If they was half decent, the bigger clubs would snap them up.
Duxbury is and has been mugging us up with Carlos Kickerabouts, no-one has heard of and then leads us to believe they are really really good players even though they have spent all there time playing at sub levels. We won't go down, but we are not progessing either.
I think we are missing the influence of Neill and the heading ability of Collins. We seem very lightweight across the whole team at present. Whilst it's too late to be worried about relegation dogfights, we need to get key players back from injury, in particular Upson and Behrami.
We clearly don't have any money and Ashton has played his last game, so as we all knew in the summer, we won't be strenghtening the forward line anytime soon.
But guys lets keep the faith!
what have i learnt from the last 2 games. If we had someone on the back post for a corner, then we have a point in the bag and through to the next round of the cup
Completely off topic i played golf on a charity day yesterday, Ashton was there with Noble. Deano has a limp worse than long john silver. there is absolutly no way he can be doing any kind of training that involves running, it was very sad to see. The club keep saying that he is following his own personal training programme this cannot be true. it appeared that he is amillion miles away from match fitness.
WHTID
Sounds like the papers are right then. Was hoping it was all talk, but it appears not. Prob an insurance job like was suggested then.
Yeah I think that could well be if for Deano. What a shame. I just don't believe he has the "Philip Olds spirit" to make himself walk again, too fond of his bacon butties. I'd love to be wrong about that but it's talent that's carried him rather than endurance and rigour.
I think we fans, particularly the fairweather brigade and the format fetishists, should prepare for us to still be in the bottom 5 at Xmas. However that is simply the consequence of our fixture list which leaves our more winnable games til 2010.
I don't believe we'll be relegated or even come lower than 12th but it won't look like that at Xmas.
I hope the dip that's staring us in the face is in everyone's plans because if hysteria destabilises the club just because people can't follow the roadmap it would make things worse.
I was thinking about the 'Lucas' factor earlier today – he wasn't anyones favourite but maybe he was the leader on the pitch and we're now missing that – a brash Aussie approach.
I'm not panicking just yet but I'm not sure that there aren't some paralells with the Roeder year – no striker cover? losing games against teams we shouldn't? always thinking the next game will be the one where things turn around?
Let's face it as a Hammers fan we want to 1) play well and entertain 2) bring through our own 3) get a cup run
We are miles away from being anywhere near to top 6 I think.
We seem very disjointed just now – lots of changes to the team – some key injuries – Ilunga, Behrami, Collison and an out of form Noble. When we were playing well last season these 4 were key along with Upson and Parker.
So I think there are some key games coming up Fulham, Stoke, Sunderland, Hull, Burnley – all before end November – by then we'll know if it's to be a relegation battle or mid table mediocrity.
Kingy's post re Ashton, if true, just makes me so angry at the club
Just been a bit strange that they never seemed to know what the situation was, no progress reports or anything. Just that he was working with his own people all the time and a were hopeful message. Looks like a insurance job and this could take ages. Takng into account Eng Inter, age, contract etc…we will prob want 20 mill. They wont fancy that and so it will prob end up at tribunial.
If it sorted by jan, it would be useful cash to get replacement. Insurance will prob want to drag it out till after window closes. So we panick and accept less than real value.
i am not saying he is finished just that he looks as if the plaster was taken off last week. He was palying golf and using a buggy but general walking was a real problem.
I think end of November will be the key point – we play Fulham, Stoke, Sunderland, Hull and Burnley by then. When we went down with Roeder we kept losing games (or not winning) and kept thinking the next game would be 'the one'. I don't think we'll go down but it'll either be a scrap or mid table mediocrity. As ever for us the MAIN thing is playing well and entertaining – we ain't gonna be a top six club anytime soon.
You reckon Ashton would retire gracefully and save us 60 large a week but who offered him a 5 year new deal,The Dux,what a guy!
whu have insurance and they pay a % of the wages. Not sure of figure.
If he retires we should be able to claim also for the loss of the player. Due to the length of absence the club will be looking into this already (according to some press reports this already happening). Just a big shame cos we have really missed him. With him being a Eng Inter and one of our best players only natural if we wanted to keep him, to offer a vg contract. Bit unfair to blame dux for that, i would of done the same. No one knew this would happen after all.
it seems to me peoples expectations for this season are way to high , this season is and was all about maintaining prem status , we have no funds and wont have til next year , we have a squad which can achieve this , but not alot more , i will be happy for survival this season and push on the next when this squad has time to gel a bit , in my opion ,(hammer for 40 yrs) Zola happens to be the best thing that has happened to our club for many a years
I’ve got the same problem as you,
I’m thinking about making my own case but I have a question.,lucy
I located lots of great data right here.