Please click HERE to rate the player performances against Sunderland. Only vote if you were there or viewed the whole game live on a stream or on TV abroad.
Please click HERE to rate the player performances against Sunderland. Only vote if you were there or viewed the whole game live on a stream or on TV abroad.
Well the ref was poor to say the least,Illunga's actions in getting jones sent off were not what I want to see. Collison was fantastic the substitutions were made to late. But we did score 2 goals and looked like we could have scored more Kovac should Not have been sent off and sunderlands second was down to poor defending. Ginge should never have been sold our defence last season was what gort us through I feel this year it could be our down fall,Green seems to me to have lost it cofidence is shot partly down to the England mess up and the main reason IMO not happy with the 4 he has in front of him. Stiil 1pt is better than none. I had a good day COYI!!!!!!!
if the Irons win on wednesday against Villa, out of the bottom 3, then we can kickstart our season
For all my worry about not enough goalscorers, it looks like it's the defence that needs an overhaul. We need a Right Back and one Centre Half – and Left Back not exactly rock solid at the moment. Bring on the takeover!
I don't know what to say! I really don't! The game against Arsenal gave me a lot of hope!
The second half yesterday we were apalling! Ilunga was embarrassing! What the hell was that! Kovac was his usual crap self! And Noble needs to either buck his ideas up or sod off! He was terrible and has been for a few months now!
We had that game to give away and that is exactly what we did! When Franco scored, I thouht oh nice! Then when Cole scored, I thought YES wea are back! Then we just did what everyone was scared we were going to do! We turned back into that Sunday pub side!
We were 2-0 up against a 10 man Sunderland! That game was OURS! I know there was some very dodgy refereeing but you can't blame the ref for what we did!
We are only off the bottom because of goal difference!
Christmas is 8 weeks away and if we are not careful, we will be stuck where we are at xmas, and we all know what that means!
well what a shamble this all is. I question why Diamanti didn't start as he seems to work his socks off like cole and what about the rest. GZ has got to sort this out. We have lost some key players over the years and were replacing them with players who only want the money. For god sakes Duxbury and Nani sort this out. Even if we have to sell to buy i personly would like Zamora back. He will give his all and would be brilliant along side cole. West Ham have got to get this right soon or will be in trouble. The football is good but we are lacking in finishing the game off and taking more chances.
Come on West Ham, lets sort this mess out.
I just don't understand why Zola continues to start Noble and Kovac week in – week out! Kovac is terrible! He is Ipswich standard at best! Why on earth did he resign him FOR MONEY????
Noble has become a liability! I keep hearing "oh giove him a chance, he's class" He's NOT class, he's crap! He and Kovac pretty much lost us that game yesterday!
Ilunga is a shadow of the player he was last season! We have 3 class players that could score goals and Zola never starts 2 of them! He needs to sort himself and his tactics (or lack of) out!
If we don't improve by January and if CBH don't give us some cash OR we have a new owner, then it WILL be championship football and we will find it nearly impossible to get back up with no players and no cash!
Way out of line Matt, Noble is very far from crap. He isnt playing his best football at the moment but to say he is crap is wrong. Kovac, yes I completely agree the guy looks like steve lomas without the talent.
I understand the idea of having a hard man in midfield but Kovac cant even kick someone with any realy conviction.
Lol why is it out of line??? It'smy opinion! I don't like the bloke and I don't think he's a good enough player for the Premier league! That is my opinion and for anyone to say it's out of line is subjective at best!
You went through a phase of feeling the same about Cole! That was your view and no one should have been aloud to say that was out of line!
What makes us human is our ability to construct an opinion and view about something, our OWN view! Not everyone has to agree
There are probably a lot of people out there that like Kovac, personally I think it would be cruel to the donkey race to call him a donkey! But I don't think other people are "out of line" for liking him!
As far as Noble is concerned, this isn't a new found hatred for him, I have never really rated him and the fact that he is "West Ham through and through" isn't enough in my opinion to let him throw games away week in week out.
Peace!
I don't hate Noble. I think he gives his all in every match. He simply stopped improving. His free kicks and corners have not been great (which is why West Ham improves so much when Diamanti comes onto the pitch), with some exceptions. He simply doesn't have the vision when passing that an EPL center midfielder should have (e.g. Parker). Cole has clearly been improving week by week; Noble is not. Those are the facts at the moment. (Or at least my opinion
Hi David, I don't actually hate Noble(I couldn't think of a better word in my last post, maybe dislike would have been better) I just don't think he has what it takes to cut it in the EPL!
I agree, he was good for a while, but good isn't enough! He never got great! He is an OK midfielder, well I've seen worse! But he just isn't OK enough for West Ham! He is more suited to a Championship club!
Cole has been improving, I agree! And I also agree that Diamanti is great for us, I just can't understand Zola's choice of when to play him!
Zola's tactic when Behrami went off was to play Diamanti there,what's that all about? collison should of switched to help spector who was roasted all day,another reason why I dont rate Zola,sorry but I'm fed up of the excuses for this man,complete rookie.
There's only one other option left at right back and that's Tomkins.If Gabby is fit he should return to the center of defence,he's vocal and an organizer,sorry Spector had he's chance and blew it,he didn't show any desire to get goal side of Richardson which lead to him scoring.
Parker Collison Behrami are our only consistent Midfielders,jack is wasted on the left he should replace Noble ,Left midfield is a problem but we do have a left footer in Diamanti.
As i see it Zola's only to choice's left.
Green
Tomkins Upson Gabbidon ilunga
Behrami Collison Parker Diamanti
Cole Franco/hines
OR
Tomkins Upson Gabbidon Ilunga
Behrami Parker Collison
Diamanti
Cole Franco/hines.
Tomkins is a Championship level center back. He cannot play right back. He may very well improve to be an EPL-level center back, but not now. His defending for the equalizer was woeful yesterday. Yes, Spector was beaten for pace again, but watch the video (i've seen it 4 times, plus again 3x on MOTD. Tomkins stands there and does nothing. Green did not scream at Spector, he screamed at Tomkins. He's just not ready.)
If we stay up, this may be a great year of education for TOmkins. England is having an extremely poor spell for center backs at the moment. Ledley King was the worst player on the pitch yesterday and gave Arsenal all 3 goals. Upson has been awful. Ferdinand has had howler after howler. Terry has been fine, though I think he gets beaten for pace against the faster World Cup sides. Zola must not like Gabbidon's height or something.
Chris can you give the Zola bashing a break, its starting to get on my wick. What cost us yesterday was a stark lack of leadership on the ptich. Zola cant captain the team from the dug out and Upson is rapidly becoming the worst captain the club has ever seen. Funny how you never talk about him though, its all Zola's fault, yet the comeback against Arsenal when Zola's 2 subs turned the game and yet you give him no credit for that.
You actually make some interesting points about football but no one bothers to read them as all your posts are associated with you calling for Zola's head. See if you can make a constructive point without Zola bashing and people might bother to read it!
Celts…my wick was exhausted weeks ago. Talk about a toothache.
Why don't you crawl straight up he's backside fella.
You make no football sense most of the time anyway.
Chrischris everyone on this blogs understands you do not rate GZ. We would just like to read some informed comments from you on another aspect of the team and it's performance. It has become especially boring for most since your other rant of let's play 4-4-2 has been silenced by the manager changing his tatics. Perhaps GZ reads this blog and has listened to you. Please give him something else constructive to think about.
I am tired of looking at games and thinking, if Lucas was still captain we wouldnt have lost that. We want to save our season then Upson has to go in January. As a centre half he is decent, I wont argue that. As a captain he is a disgrace and as a defensive organiser he is utterly useless.
Personally I would start Gabbs and Tomka ahead of him. That way you have more pace and still have a natural left footer in Gabbs who can also organise a defence. I would also bring in DaCosta at right back. Spector got shredded time and time again yesterday and once Behrami went off he had no one to cover his mistakes and reid and richardson strolled past him. He was completely at fault for the equaliser, he cant clear his lines, he cant cross a ball and he gets turned like a revolving door.
Parker must be made captain. Our team is desperately lacking unity on the pitch and he is the only player who can give it. At times yesterday we played superb stuff, Collison was pulling the strings like a master, Behrami was raiding forward, Noble was finding his passes and Cole was making bits out of the Sunderland back 4.
Then in the second half they had a few early chances and we went to pieces. Not once did I see Upson put his foot on the ball and call on the players to calm things down. Not once did he look for the side ways pass to ensure we held possesion and settled into a rythym. Not once did I see him approach the ref and ask why Cana was allowed to stay on the ptich after repeatedly trying to break the ankles of a number of Hammers players.
Instead rushed clearance after rushed clearance went straight back to Sunderland who said thanks very much and attacked again. We dropped deeper and deeper which meant the front 2 were completely isolated. Upson should have been screaming at Kovac and Noble to push out, but did he? Nope not a word. There are trappist monks who are more talkative than him.
All those who are slamming the club for selling Ginge are the very ones who were clamouring for Upson to be made captain. Well one of them had to go and you backed the wrong horse so there is no point in blaming Zola, Dux, Nani or anyone else, you got what you wanted and what has it got you? A string of sub par performances from a Captain, who wont sign a contract, doesnt give a toss about the club, thinks he is a top 4 player and couldnt organise a booze up in a brewery.
We have all clung to the "we have a game in hand" mantra, well guess what, after wed we dont have that anymore and if we dont beat Villa then we are in the bottom 3 and will have played as many games as everyone around us. Luckily our goal difference is considerably better than those around us so a win will move us up a few places.
My team for the Villa game would be
Green
Ilunga (no other option unfortunately)
Gabbs
Tomka
DaCosta
Parker
Bahrami
Collison
Diamanti
Franco
Cole
Subs
Any keeper (none of them are premiership material)
Noble
Deprela
Hines
Stan
Jimmi
Upson
Saying Upson is a disgrace is out of line!
lol
Celtic, In Agreement we also should have sold Upson in Summer & not Collins as Upson will now go in January. Why he was not sold is beyond me but any player who is not prepared to sign a new deal and stay and fight for their club is better out of the picture so we are able to bring in more reliable players who want to play for us. Green likewise and Dyer ASAP.
Celtic you can never bring yourself to pointing the finger at the manager for some reason,you telling me that Zola was right, to not make a change to central midfield.
Against Arsenal Zola got it right and made the change that got us back in the game,this week back to bad management,sorry he's to inconsistent and way out he's depth for a prem manager.
As for wanting to drop Upson well you've just shown everyone that you really are a rugby man.
So you being an oracle of footballing knowledge reckon we should keep a captain who cant lead a team, cant inspire a team, thinks he deserves better and wont sign a new contract! Outstanding!
If thats the opinion of a self confessed footballing legend I am glad I played rugby. One thing I did learn in rugby is that it takes a captain to lead a team.
Collison looked inspired to me,same for Behrami, Cole and Parker looks inspired when he plays,come on fella stop pointing fingers at player's the game was lost in center mid, at around 67 70 mins,both kovac and noble were gone.
Cashing in on Upson might seem good business but no one of quality will fancy a relegation scrap,maybe Campbell if you pay him enough.
I've mention this before but West Ham supporters have to have a little patience. Why is it the new generation of hammers fans seem to think we'll be up there with the top 6??? As Redknap once said, with Moore & Peters in the side they were in the bottom half of the old first division more often than not! What I saw yesterday was a team that's finding it's feet and still low of confidence and self belief. Remember how Tvevz started for us to how he finished? I think Noble is a top young player who's having a bad time of things at the moment but do people think slagging him off will help? I think it's the same with Green & Upson good players don't become bad players over night and although I think footballers wages are obscene, I don't think they enjoy playind badly. What would you rather…they go and play for a top 6 team and become better players ( Lampard, Joe Cole, Benyoun ) and come back to haunt us? Sack Zola before he's had more than 1 season to then see him go on to become one of the games top coaches which I'm sure he will??
Please guys,West Ham have almostalways been perpatual underdogs, yes it hurtswhen they don't play well but it's great when they do. It's the lave of the club,not the results that have kept me a hammer for almost 35 years now. If you want to win evey week then try Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, sorry the constant sack him, drop him comments are getting tiresome, support means giving something so someone to boost confidence when needed, hence support, all these comments do is undermine what little confidence there is. Hopefully the takeover will happen soon and then we can see a brighter future. Hopefully we'll see a win soon, I don't think it's far away, when that happens it will be interesting to see how many of the same people screaming for sackings today will then be expecting european football t the end of the season! COYI!
Ok Brad and CH there are now three of us. Shall we start a bring back Bobby Z petition?
sign me up!
We could do much worse. He was all over the Livepool defence yesterday. And having met the man I know he loves the club (more than our current captain)
just watching game and its school boy defending.noble just running around like a headless chicken
Kovac really makes my teeth itch!!!!!!!!! I think he is awful,i went to the Bolton game in the carling cup and were laughing at him ,not in spite but in sheer disbelief that he is a pro footballer,i have honestly seen better players on a sunday morning!.GZ and SC must have little gem locked away in the stiffs or youth team that could come in and do a job?,all Kovac does is pass sideways or backwards,he cant even tackle!!!.
Tuesday nights game against Villa is make or break with Everton also at home Saturday with Hull away 2wks later. if we do not make these 3 games count
with Burnley & MU coming to UP for the next 2 wks we might as well shut up shop and start preparing for Championship football next season.
I know it may sound bleak but unless we are able to close teams down and stop conceding and finish the game off it is going to be a long hard winter to get through.
I think Wednesdays game will be better than Tuesdays mate! Cos there isn't onw on Tues! lol
Will anyone join me in totally condemning the disgraceful behaviour of llunga in the sending off of Jones?
No I wont. If jones hadnt struck out then Ilunga would have had no reason to go down in the first place. Ilunga didnt get Jones sent off, he was going to walk anyway so what Ilunga did or didnt do had nothing to do with it.
I will happily join in any condemnation of Cana being allowed repeatedly trying to break our players legs with a serious of two footed horror tackles though!
Just back from North East. I'm not sure what was said at half time but 2nd half was awful – Sunderland hassled, harried and really tried to make up for the loss of a player – we seemed to think that because we had 11 it would be easy.
It should be possible with the extra man to pass it and tire them out – problem is we have NO width in the team and therefore played into a 10 man teams hands by continually passing it through the middle – we must spread the play better.
I think we are also lacking any leadership – we almost need a couple of tried and tested 29/30 year old Prem players to go alongside the youngsters and the foreign imports – we really only have two players – Parker and Upson who you could say have any substantial prem. experience with other teams – this is what we need in Jan!
I'm afraid that I will continue to question Zola's selections and formations until he gets it right. I say this not retrospectively as I always post my views before games.
I said my heart would sink with Kovac in the side and I wouldn't have played Noble, either, although it sounded as though he played better.
Behrami should have been holding with Collison & Stanislas either side.
I'm still flabberghasted by those on here that still think we will go down – it won't happen.
However, if we lost Cole in January……
Well said Devo – let's not forget that Sunderland have a very good home record and I personally would've taken a point at the start of the game.
Looking at the fixture list for the rest of the season and at the way we are improving incertain areas, I really can't see that relegation is an option there are far to many worse teams than us for that to happen. IMO our defence, at the moment lacks confidence and cover at this is were we may faulter IF there is any money in Jan I think we should be looking for replacements/back up in that area,to get us to the summer and IF zola has some money we can strenthen further. we are still only in year 2 of the Project and so far it's going pretty much how we were told it would. Expectation need to be set at a sensible level and the younger players,Zola,Clarke and the club have to be given time.
On a more light hearted note I also got a warning yesterday for celebrating our 1st goal and , so I am told upsetting the Suderland fans in the boxes next to us, Then you can imagine how they felt when the 2nd went in followed by a chorus of bubbles from 4 very happy Hammers.
I STILL SAY THAT WE WILL FINISH TOP 10 COYI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you are right COYI – I think there are too many unknowns to be that confident i.e. who might leave in Jan, what may or may not happen re ownership etc
I also think there are worrying trends – that's the second time we've played poorly against 10 men for 45 mins and won neither game, the lack of leadership worries me also.
chrischris all you do is blame zola for everything,any chance of you in youre infinate wisdom telling us who should replace him and who with no money we should buy to stop the rot.we are all worried about our situation but dont you think the players sould shoulder some of the blame,too many individual errors have cost us so far and that my friend is not down to zola