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Despite a distant affection for Celtichammer, the Headmaster et al, I stopped posting on this site after the purile ‘interview’ with Duxbury. To remind you all Duxbury lied to the arbitration hearing and is the main culprit in us owing Whinge Utd 20+ mil, couldn’t read Curb’s contract and cost us another few and was fully behind the Egg Head’s crazy spending on wasters like Ljunberg and Dyer. He is a paid up Manure season ticket holder and is supposed to be a contract lawyer (ha!).
In my humble opinion Dux is the person mainly responsible for our near bankruptcy yet many posters on this site bought into the ‘project’ which, in real terms, meant spending nothing, relying on Carr and selling our best youth players when we could get top dollar. Meanwhile, with the notable exception of Valon and Illunga (who will probably both play for someone else come February) Zola/Nani have bought real crud like ‘The Wizard’ (sic) Jiminez.
Frankly if Napoli still want the little Chelski fella, Nani and Duz then I’ll chip in for the airfare. I support our players 100% even if they don’t reciprocate, but I don’t support those running our club at all. When Iain questioned Dux he didn’t raise any of this stuff despite the 50mill + loss he is directly accountable for. Political journo? If it was a Labour MP I’m sure things would’ve been different.
So returning to the site I read infighting which sums up our annual malaise. I don’t care about success, I just want to keep our own players and be run by our own people. Send the Chelski and Man U season ticket holder back where they belong. I don’t want to be their experiment or their learning curve. Get real, they don’t care, we do.
Sorry but I’ve travelled 1000 miles the last few weeks to see us squander a couple of 2 nil leads and I earn 250 quid a week. Did you Iain?
Just a thought but what about ilunga left mid and gabs at left back,we really lack balance at times with right footers on the left,stan cuts in to much narrowing the play,why does he never play right mid?
out wide i can't think of anyone who's nailed it.
parker Collison looks a good partnership in the middle to me.
I wonder If there would be any takers for Noble,I still rate him but he's surplus to me.
I don't think Noble is surplus, Im sure Zola will be working with him to help him improve. If he can improve him the way he has helped Cole than we have a lot to look forward to. I think Noble is still only 21 and has played a lot of games already this season. He needs time to develop why get rid of him only for him to fulfill his potential elsewhere.
Also everyone seems confident we are going to get buyers for upson,really!
I wouldn't ship anymore defenders out regardless of their situation we've lost to many,i still think Campbell and Upson would be a good partnership,Sol may have lost a bit of pace but he's strong in the air and vocal and would bring respect.
Why do you want to keep a player who clearly has no interest or respect or loyalty to the club. Upson refuses to sign a contract, is one of our worst players this season and is a disgrace as captain.
Yes Chris I accept you as everyone has their own opinion __however you do not say who you would bring in if you had the choice.__you just say that Zola should go. If anybody took over now this would not produce instant positive results more than likely negative ones and we would find ourselves in more difficult position than we are now in.__Zola will stay.
I dont what the answer is mate,I just don't rate Zola I Havent done for ages,he makes to many mistakes.Sometimes a change of manager can have a positive effect,so you think we should stick with him right to the very end yes? your with him even if we are relegated yes?
Agree we need a voice at the back either centre back or right back. Have to say though our attacking play and general passing and movement is really good, it's almost like the team is in a transitional period, we have become more attack minded but are struggling to come to terms with defending as a team. Nothing a good leader would not sort out!
Why do we have to look at Sol campbell ,tomkins is ok, sol was finished a few years ago when we went to Arsenal and the likes of Reo- coker skinned him please change the mentality think younger and better for West Ham if we are ever to get better we seem to get the cast off,s well past their sell-buy dates surely they are just mercenaries who should draw their old age pension,s?
Mate I value your knowledge of everything and support what you write 100% you are never gonna make friends with everyone and you know you dont need everyone,keep going my son!
Give me a break.
He is the reason that I and a lot of others have left. his posts are some of the most boring i have ever read and i have never come across such an ignorant nob in all my life
if you left why have you being waiting around reading posts to make a sudden come back now?
As for what I know, seems to me mate Ive been pretty much on the money!
What no witty rejoinder? God what a loss your intellect is to this site, how have we struggled on without you?
As for Upson are you capable of intelligently defending him or are just taking an opposing side to me?
If I was responsible for you leaving this site then please let me know how because I would be only too happy to do the same again.
If you created a persona just to have a go at me then whats your original persona because if its Iron_man, which I am guessing it is then how could "you too" leave the site because of me you mug!
Mullins would be a backward step, but what is it with Bowyer??…scored goals everywhere except his beloved Hammers. Almost every time he got a shooting chance for us he fell over! We don't half know how to suffer don't we! For crying out loud, we must win on Saturday or I'll be worrying too Matt!
I know, did you see Boyers goal on Sat? Was a gooden!
He had some good games for us but ultimately he wasn't really part of our plans!
It's wierd, this time 2 months ago I was worried because we weren't scoring goals, then we started to knock them in! And now I'm getting worried cos we can't defend! lol! Why can't we just have stability all over the field?
I'm not pulling my hair out yet but if we are in the bottom 5 in January, I will be! Our run after Christmas is not an easy one!
And Sat against Burnley (even at home) is no given!
I know what your'e saying Matt…How poor are we defensively?…sorry but what are we paying Clarkey for?? I know it's still down to the players but every time we concede a free kick I'm cacking it. If we can sort out the defence then we should be Ok but we haven't seen any evidence so far this season and if we dont start defending soon we are in trouble. As for the grief on the site, there are many well known writers who clearly know what they are talking about, and viccy vercy. Try not to get too hung up on the latter. Best wishes
Personally I don't blame SC for our defense, I actually lay most of the blame on Upson! He has be diabolical this season and he is no leader! Dacosta is coming good and even Spector is putting on a good show!
A lot of our defensive problems this season (not all of them) have been down to Upson and Green!
Oh I know there are a lot of good posters on here mate but the fighting is becoming a bit tedious
Agree with the fighting Matt – very tedious – but not entirely with your blaming of Upson for our defensive problems. Of a poor back four at Hull he was probably the best. Whilst Faubert can sometimes be effective going forward he is no defender and Ilunga has had a poor season when he's played so far. Da Costa, defensively, was awful on Saturday and his distribution was one dimensional (i.e. the big boot) although I do think he will be OK. Our biggest problem seems to be giving away too many free kicks in and around the box. The number of goals we have conceded from these this season is very worrying.
Agree 100% about Ginge, but not sureabout either of the others. I always liked Mullins for his professionalism, but I don't think his abilities were enough. An excellent Fizzy Pop league player, but just a mediocre to good prem player. Ethers wasexcellent on song, but his off the pitch problems meant he wasn't often on song.
For the love of lard!! This place is turning into a Boxing Ring! Why can't we just all get along????
People we all have people we don't get along with! In life AND here! But if you don't like someon#s post, then don't bloody read it or reply to it!
Even with the disagrements, it's still a public blog and people of ANY age can read it!
There have been quite a few regular names becoming increasingly scarce lately and I can see why!
We have some posters posting their hatred of the management over and over and over and some posters posting their same old opinions even more!
Come on guys (and gilrs) we're ALL here because we have at least one thing in common, we are ALL West Ham United fans!
It's important to realise that we all have our own opinions and we also have the right to air our views without fear of being ridiculed! Just because someone doesn't agree with someone else view, it doesn't make that view wrong!
Lol you wanna give me the Noble prize??? You mean the prize that means I can't pass for squat and makes me make some horendous errors? And then lets me take the oodd penalty so that it looks like I'm doing something??? lol
Well played Matt, I was one of the original posters on here along with a few others and basically helped get the site working for Iain, but you're right there is not much sign of the old gang now for the very reason you stated.
Well said Matt. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and should be free to express them here. If people disagree, then say so but do so in an amicable way, without personal slurs or insults. Save them for the spuds & others!!!!
Ok – once again I have left it 24hrs before i give my (definitive) view on proceedings;
Scoring goals? no problems – despite the pre-season believes of myself and nearly every other pundit that 'sans Cole' we would struggle to hit a cow's arse with a banjo, we have actualy hit the net with wonderous repetition so far.
Keeping clean sheets? Not a hope in hell – i've got more chance dialling any 11 random numbers in order and getting a direct line to Keira Knightely than we have of keepin the ball away from the back of our net at the present.
Let's face it – your average 15yr old boy is more likely to get a clean sheet than we will!
So who's to blame? Well i'm sorry to state the obvious but if ANY other manager were in charge, we'd all be spitting blood right now and calling for changes. Rumour has it that in training SC takes the forwards and GZ takes the defence – i sh*t you not! Anyone else spot the blatant flaw in the training schedule?
I DON'T want a change at the top yet, but i would like to see a clean sweep at the back – come January i would flog Upson for whatever we can get for him and purchase a new CH and a defensive minded RB – no disrespect to JF who's been great this year but we NEED 4 defense minded defenders at this mo.
I said at the start of the season – you SHOULD only need 1 goal to win a game, sadly for us at the moment we probably need 4.
If what you say about GZ and SC swapping roles is true, it would definitely explain a lot! It would actually pin point that maybe, just maybe, SC is in the wrong job! Maybe he should be No1 (and I don't mean Goalie! lol)
I think if Upson sods off in Jan, and we get a decent replacement, we should gel at teh back with a decent captain!
Look at our last 11 games – 24 goals conceded. I'll say that one more time for the cheap seats – 24 goals conceded in the last 11 games!!! Last season? 24 goals conceded in our last…..26 games!!!! Between Mar 1st and May 2nd we played 9 games and concede just 4 goals!
IF we can sort out the chaos at the back, we will comfortably survice this season and may even find oursleves fighting for a european place. IF we don't – we'll then we are screwed – bound for the fizzy pop (or whatever it will be called next year) league.
IF the unthinkable happens and we fail to beat Burnley on Saturday, well, then I think we have to face facts – GZ will be on his last legs and may be facing his final curtain. I said before the present run of games that failure to take 5 points or more from Everton/Hull/Burnley would mean that we are in big trouble – well we ARE in big trouble
As for the Hull game? A synopsis of our season so far in a single 90 minutes! Great going forward, hapless at the back, Incapable of holding a lead but too dogged to give up and go quietly into the night. Ultimately not good enough to find a winning goal.
i think if we lose too many more he'll leave himself. I feel he still has most of the players support but that can only last so long before they turn in favour of a change.
i personally hope he and the team get through this as it will only make us stronger.
For the record – our presnt defencsive record is our worst since the end of the 2007/8 season where under Curbs we totaly capitulated at the back end of the season – conceding 27 goals in our final 12 games picking up just 9 points 9still 10th place was safe eh!)
On a positive note,I have been impressed with franco,i dont know if he's got loads of goals in him,but he's touch is great and he plays with passion,after seeing him a few times the fella looks like he really does care.
Upson has not been in great from and he doesn't appear to have natural leadership qualities. Given this though I don't quite understand why he has become the scapegoat for our poor run of results. He wasn't to blame for cole's unlucky own goal, nor did he pull someone's shirt back to give away the free kick for the second, and he wasn't involved in the penalty. (Though he could have given away another later in the match).
When Neil left it appeared very obvious to me that the captaincy should go to Parker, a natural leader, an inspirational player, and importantly loyal to the cause! So why did it go to Upson? Was that Zola's decision? Or did it have something to do with Upson being capped for England and so therefor more marketable?
I don't think getting rid of Upson in Jan is the answer unless we are forced to financially. Both himslef and Green are looking to have improved contracts but due to the Hammers situation neither have been offered new bumper deals. It is no surprise if both are wondering what the future may hold for them. New owners would quickle change that – like a lot of things!
Broganq: In reply to your reply yesturday come January Upson WILL LEAVE
like it or not he is the most likely to go as he still has not signed new contract and will not giving us at least £10m+ to buy a couple of quality defenders.
The next 4wks will tell us where in takeover and whether it is a medium or long term intiative for the club. Despite the reluctance of the club to sell it will be a formality. Upson was given the captaincy over Parker as an enticement to keep him m& sign a new contract. In my opinion he will go if not January definately Summer after WC along with Green.
We can all hope that sufficient investment will be made to strengthen the squad in the JTW.
I enjoy this site but it is very unappealing when posters get aggressive. Such things should be reported and then ignored. For the most part everyone is very respectful and we must try to keep it that way.
And I forgot to say how happy I was to see Collison get that goal. You could see how much it meant to him and he's developing into one hell of a player.
Our best hope would be playing that bright orange clad Wigan every week; they conceded four to Pompey and 9 to Spurs wearing that kit. We will need to wear our blue kit for April 24's 6-pointer!
Anyone who thinks Steven Taylor is the answer to defensive problems should really stop posting. You know less about football than my gran, and she’s been dead since 1980
Day off today Yipee!!!!!!!
Reading the papers Zola says Gabbidon was outstanding,so will will see Ilunga Left mid! Why not Faubert's been backwards and forwards.
I agree with posters on Da Costa – he seems very composed and positions himself well – but he needs more of an anvil-headed bruiser to partner him, our equivalent of the Terry/Vidic/Dawson half of the partnership. James Collins with half a dozen more yards of pace perhaps!
calros has got to get used to sitting on the bench at city i read today ? come home little one and play every minute of every game and be loved like no other !!
Watched the Hull game for the second time and Da Costa is the main culprit defensively in all their goals Faubert is a geat supplier of right wing crosses but cant tackle well enough to defend he is not a natural and there seems to be no one organising the defence at set pieces you could drive a bus through the gaps.
Collinson and Parker are sensational Hines and Stan are maturing but there is no general on the pitch.
It is funny watching Zola,s attempt,s to talk with the fourth official it is very meek and mild.Overall we have half a side but we lack a professional quality.
I seriously reckon it will be a nice quiet wake if we go down no fuss, no emotion just like now no more hard luck and Zola will be thought of as a nice guy who cant manage to save his life shame really he is too straight to do a tough job!We expect better.
roshi your kidding right ? mr back stabber and "i dont tap up players honest "is not what we need.he had his chance to come back and said he wanted a bigger club so he can stay with his spudlies and rot.as for mullins earlier ,kovac or mullins? oh come on ! thats a no brainer !
I wouldn't take Hairy Redneck back if you paid me a hell of a lot of money! He is a lying slimey mercenary! I hate the bloke! Would rather have Roeder or Curbs!
Football is not about personal likes or dislikes its about winning, and Harry knew how to win, mostly in some style.
He still does. It may cost a kings ransom, but thats where the game is at and Harry delivers. Like him or not.
There are very few in our team today who would get in Harry's later WH
teams, and relative to the money that Curbs spent, Harry was miserly.
Sorry mate but niot for me it's not! If it was all about just the wining for me, I'd support Chelsea or ManU! For me it's about pride seeing attractive football!
There are MANY MANY MANY managers that can deliver that better than Harry! Just to look at the scum bag now makes me want to punch him! That's not how I want to feel every Sat mate!
Sorry matt, but I dont see what Harry has done that has so insensed you, other than managing Tottenham. Lets not forget he is there because he got fired from West Ham !
I also dont agree that Harry's teams dont play football as in my veiw having seen the vast majority of Harry's games as West Ham manager he did, so its nonsense to say that many managers would produce better teams.
His West Ham teams were consistently entertaining, just look at the players he both signed and blooded.
When Harry was at Pompey, he was linked with us and he said he'd never leave leave Portsmouth unless it was later on in his career and an established top for club came in for him, so he could end his career at a "big club".
A few months later, Spuds came in and offered him stupid money and it was bye bye Portsmouth and "Oh sorry about the mess I've made here, but I'm off" and THEN he took or tried to take most of their decent players!
Sorry but that is not a man with integrity! He has NO respect for anyone he works for and will probably do the same to The Spurts!
In my opinion, he's not a great manager! To me a great manager is someone who is able to spot talent and take chances on young and new potential stars! All he ever does is bring in established players that he's either managed before or players that have a proven track record.
It's the same for Mark Hughs! My nan could manage that team he has!
This is what makes people like Ferguson great managers! Always looking around for new talent and 99% of the time is successful (Ronaldo, Vidic and Rooney etc…)
I know not everyone sees it the same way but for me that's what makes a manager! Something Zola is trying but unfortunately his inexperience is showing through!
100 per cent behind you Roshi. I'd vote Harry our best manager since Greenwood.
Too many people fail to recognise Harry's meticulous planning, tactical know how and knowledge of the transfer market.
I am not interested in stupid, ill-informed character assassinations favoured by so many people. Football is a results and budget business….not a popularity contest.
Spot on Lofty. There are so many people who "hate" anyone who leaves our club. It's an irrational hatred in most cases. Harry put together a very good team who played attractive football and even Roeder got a 7th place out of them in his first season. If Harry has stayed another season we could well have got into the top 4.
Its the young players that are losing us the points. Against Everton Hines missed three relatively soft chances, at Hull Da Costa let the guy run off him to score Hulls only legitimate goal-the others being a fluke free kick and gifted pen. Stanislas missed a free header six yards out to win the match at Hull you cannot miss the guilt edged chances we created in both games and expect anything, even against a dire side like Hull.
The positives currently are that we are scoring for fun and Parker is playing like a man with a point to prove. If Cole and Upson take Parkers lead we will be OK. But Upson doesnt seem to be the same player without Collins whose do or die, get something in the way of the ball attitude has not been replaced.
We need an old head at right back, but with Faubert in combo with Da Costa we lack old fashioned bloody mindedness and guile down the right side, which is what Neal, had allied to that Aussie win at all costs mind set.
Agreed that it was bad days work when Harry got the Spanish.
There are a lot of teams trying to commit Hari Kari down there.
Wigan have clearly joined the party along with Hull, Wolves, Bolton and Pompey. Burnley aren't out of it yet either.
So I don't think we're going down but I think top ten is optimistic because top 8 was always out of the question in my view. We just need the same points as threee of them assume we dont get a hiding somewhere along the way.
I don't know what is meant by "we need". We certainly "need" to stay up but anything else seems to imply a sense of entitlement too far.
I'd be disappointed with 17th but not unhappy. 18th would be a disaster.
Despite a distant affection for Celtichammer, the Headmaster et al, I stopped posting on this site after the purile ‘interview’ with Duxbury. To remind you all Duxbury lied to the arbitration hearing and is the main culprit in us owing Whinge Utd 20+ mil, couldn’t read Curb’s contract and cost us another few and was fully behind the Egg Head’s crazy spending on wasters like Ljunberg and Dyer. He is a paid up Manure season ticket holder and is supposed to be a contract lawyer (ha!).
In my humble opinion Dux is the person mainly responsible for our near bankruptcy yet many posters on this site bought into the ‘project’ which, in real terms, meant spending nothing, relying on Carr and selling our best youth players when we could get top dollar. Meanwhile, with the notable exception of Valon and Illunga (who will probably both play for someone else come February) Zola/Nani have bought real crud like ‘The Wizard’ (sic) Jiminez.
Frankly if Napoli still want the little Chelski fella, Nani and Duz then I’ll chip in for the airfare. I support our players 100% even if they don’t reciprocate, but I don’t support those running our club at all. When Iain questioned Dux he didn’t raise any of this stuff despite the 50mill + loss he is directly accountable for. Political journo? If it was a Labour MP I’m sure things would’ve been different.
So returning to the site I read infighting which sums up our annual malaise. I don’t care about success, I just want to keep our own players and be run by our own people. Send the Chelski and Man U season ticket holder back where they belong. I don’t want to be their experiment or their learning curve. Get real, they don’t care, we do.
Sorry but I’ve travelled 1000 miles the last few weeks to see us squander a couple of 2 nil leads and I earn 250 quid a week. Did you Iain?
Just a thought but what about ilunga left mid and gabs at left back,we really lack balance at times with right footers on the left,stan cuts in to much narrowing the play,why does he never play right mid?
out wide i can't think of anyone who's nailed it.
parker Collison looks a good partnership in the middle to me.
I wonder If there would be any takers for Noble,I still rate him but he's surplus to me.
I don't think Noble is surplus, Im sure Zola will be working with him to help him improve. If he can improve him the way he has helped Cole than we have a lot to look forward to. I think Noble is still only 21 and has played a lot of games already this season. He needs time to develop why get rid of him only for him to fulfill his potential elsewhere.
Also everyone seems confident we are going to get buyers for upson,really!
I wouldn't ship anymore defenders out regardless of their situation we've lost to many,i still think Campbell and Upson would be a good partnership,Sol may have lost a bit of pace but he's strong in the air and vocal and would bring respect.
Why do you want to keep a player who clearly has no interest or respect or loyalty to the club. Upson refuses to sign a contract, is one of our worst players this season and is a disgrace as captain.
Its alright gettin rid of all these players but they have to be replaced,I dont think he's performances have been that bad.
Yes Chris I accept you as everyone has their own opinion __however you do not say who you would bring in if you had the choice.__you just say that Zola should go. If anybody took over now this would not produce instant positive results more than likely negative ones and we would find ourselves in more difficult position than we are now in.__Zola will stay.
I dont what the answer is mate,I just don't rate Zola I Havent done for ages,he makes to many mistakes.Sometimes a change of manager can have a positive effect,so you think we should stick with him right to the very end yes? your with him even if we are relegated yes?
Agree we need a voice at the back either centre back or right back. Have to say though our attacking play and general passing and movement is really good, it's almost like the team is in a transitional period, we have become more attack minded but are struggling to come to terms with defending as a team. Nothing a good leader would not sort out!
Why do we have to look at Sol campbell ,tomkins is ok, sol was finished a few years ago when we went to Arsenal and the likes of Reo- coker skinned him please change the mentality think younger and better for West Ham if we are ever to get better we seem to get the cast off,s well past their sell-buy dates surely they are just mercenaries who should draw their old age pension,s?
Oh look someone clicked the thumbs down on one of my posts! Moron! What a sad little life you must lead!
Mate I value your knowledge of everything and support what you write 100% you are never gonna make friends with everyone and you know you dont need everyone,keep going my son!
Give me a break.
He is the reason that I and a lot of others have left. his posts are some of the most boring i have ever read and i have never come across such an ignorant nob in all my life
take the hint celtichammer. noone likes you
if you left why have you being waiting around reading posts to make a sudden come back now?
As for what I know, seems to me mate Ive been pretty much on the money!
What no witty rejoinder? God what a loss your intellect is to this site, how have we struggled on without you?
As for Upson are you capable of intelligently defending him or are just taking an opposing side to me?
If I was responsible for you leaving this site then please let me know how because I would be only too happy to do the same again.
If you created a persona just to have a go at me then whats your original persona because if its Iron_man, which I am guessing it is then how could "you too" leave the site because of me you mug!
Just ignore 'em CH. Best way of dealing with the wind up merchants.
the 3 biggest mistakes that have been made are as follows,
selling ethers,ginge and mullins.
ethers is on fire at the moment,ginge on his day could be world class and we miss his heading ability big time.
and as for mullins, would you not bring him on in front of our dodgy back 4 to break up play when were 2 up away from home?
for me these are the best people that just havent been replaced with better people.
Agree mate! Maybe not Mulllins but always loved the other 2! I think The back 4 will sort itself out when Upson politely moves on
Even blimmin' Bowyer is doing well! lol
Mullins would be a backward step, but what is it with Bowyer??…scored goals everywhere except his beloved Hammers. Almost every time he got a shooting chance for us he fell over! We don't half know how to suffer don't we! For crying out loud, we must win on Saturday or I'll be worrying too Matt!
Hello Ray mate!
I know, did you see Boyers goal on Sat? Was a gooden!
He had some good games for us but ultimately he wasn't really part of our plans!
It's wierd, this time 2 months ago I was worried because we weren't scoring goals, then we started to knock them in! And now I'm getting worried cos we can't defend! lol! Why can't we just have stability all over the field?
I'm not pulling my hair out yet but if we are in the bottom 5 in January, I will be! Our run after Christmas is not an easy one!
And Sat against Burnley (even at home) is no given!
I know what your'e saying Matt…How poor are we defensively?…sorry but what are we paying Clarkey for?? I know it's still down to the players but every time we concede a free kick I'm cacking it. If we can sort out the defence then we should be Ok but we haven't seen any evidence so far this season and if we dont start defending soon we are in trouble. As for the grief on the site, there are many well known writers who clearly know what they are talking about, and viccy vercy. Try not to get too hung up on the latter. Best wishes
Personally I don't blame SC for our defense, I actually lay most of the blame on Upson! He has be diabolical this season and he is no leader! Dacosta is coming good and even Spector is putting on a good show!
A lot of our defensive problems this season (not all of them) have been down to Upson and Green!
Oh I know there are a lot of good posters on here mate but the fighting is becoming a bit tedious
Agree with the fighting Matt – very tedious – but not entirely with your blaming of Upson for our defensive problems. Of a poor back four at Hull he was probably the best. Whilst Faubert can sometimes be effective going forward he is no defender and Ilunga has had a poor season when he's played so far. Da Costa, defensively, was awful on Saturday and his distribution was one dimensional (i.e. the big boot) although I do think he will be OK. Our biggest problem seems to be giving away too many free kicks in and around the box. The number of goals we have conceded from these this season is very worrying.
Agree 100% about Ginge, but not sureabout either of the others. I always liked Mullins for his professionalism, but I don't think his abilities were enough. An excellent Fizzy Pop league player, but just a mediocre to good prem player. Ethers wasexcellent on song, but his off the pitch problems meant he wasn't often on song.
For the love of lard!! This place is turning into a Boxing Ring! Why can't we just all get along????
People we all have people we don't get along with! In life AND here! But if you don't like someon#s post, then don't bloody read it or reply to it!
Even with the disagrements, it's still a public blog and people of ANY age can read it!
There have been quite a few regular names becoming increasingly scarce lately and I can see why!
We have some posters posting their hatred of the management over and over and over and some posters posting their same old opinions even more!
Come on guys (and gilrs) we're ALL here because we have at least one thing in common, we are ALL West Ham United fans!
It's important to realise that we all have our own opinions and we also have the right to air our views without fear of being ridiculed! Just because someone doesn't agree with someone else view, it doesn't make that view wrong!
Just bloody get along!
Peace!
well said Matt,Noble prize for you fella!!
Lol you wanna give me the Noble prize??? You mean the prize that means I can't pass for squat and makes me make some horendous errors? And then lets me take the oodd penalty so that it looks like I'm doing something???
lol
Hehehehehe
Thanks mate!
Nobel, sorry
Well played Matt, I was one of the original posters on here along with a few others and basically helped get the site working for Iain, but you're right there is not much sign of the old gang now for the very reason you stated.
Well said Matt. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and should be free to express them here. If people disagree, then say so but do so in an amicable way, without personal slurs or insults. Save them for the spuds & others!!!!
Ok – once again I have left it 24hrs before i give my (definitive) view on proceedings;
Scoring goals? no problems – despite the pre-season believes of myself and nearly every other pundit that 'sans Cole' we would struggle to hit a cow's arse with a banjo, we have actualy hit the net with wonderous repetition so far.
Keeping clean sheets? Not a hope in hell – i've got more chance dialling any 11 random numbers in order and getting a direct line to Keira Knightely than we have of keepin the ball away from the back of our net at the present.
Let's face it – your average 15yr old boy is more likely to get a clean sheet than we will!
So who's to blame? Well i'm sorry to state the obvious but if ANY other manager were in charge, we'd all be spitting blood right now and calling for changes. Rumour has it that in training SC takes the forwards and GZ takes the defence – i sh*t you not! Anyone else spot the blatant flaw in the training schedule?
I DON'T want a change at the top yet, but i would like to see a clean sweep at the back – come January i would flog Upson for whatever we can get for him and purchase a new CH and a defensive minded RB – no disrespect to JF who's been great this year but we NEED 4 defense minded defenders at this mo.
I said at the start of the season – you SHOULD only need 1 goal to win a game, sadly for us at the moment we probably need 4.
If what you say about GZ and SC swapping roles is true, it would definitely explain a lot! It would actually pin point that maybe, just maybe, SC is in the wrong job! Maybe he should be No1 (and I don't mean Goalie! lol)
I think if Upson sods off in Jan, and we get a decent replacement, we should gel at teh back with a decent captain!
Look at our last 11 games – 24 goals conceded. I'll say that one more time for the cheap seats – 24 goals conceded in the last 11 games!!! Last season? 24 goals conceded in our last…..26 games!!!! Between Mar 1st and May 2nd we played 9 games and concede just 4 goals!
IF we can sort out the chaos at the back, we will comfortably survice this season and may even find oursleves fighting for a european place. IF we don't – we'll then we are screwed – bound for the fizzy pop (or whatever it will be called next year) league.
IF the unthinkable happens and we fail to beat Burnley on Saturday, well, then I think we have to face facts – GZ will be on his last legs and may be facing his final curtain. I said before the present run of games that failure to take 5 points or more from Everton/Hull/Burnley would mean that we are in big trouble – well we ARE in big trouble
Sorry mate but the unthinkable isn't really THAT unthinkable is it? Burnley are no mugs!
I have been saying all along that we will be in trouble but EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE just shot me down!
I can see no more than a point on Sat! I hope so much that I am wrong though!
Matt, Burnley's away from this season – Played 7, Lost 6, Drawn 1 – GF 7 GA 23……….
IF we don't win this one then i'm afraid my support for GZ will start to wain.
As for the Hull game? A synopsis of our season so far in a single 90 minutes! Great going forward, hapless at the back, Incapable of holding a lead but too dogged to give up and go quietly into the night. Ultimately not good enough to find a winning goal.
If we lose to Burnley should Zola go yes or no guys?
Nope!
i think if we lose too many more he'll leave himself. I feel he still has most of the players support but that can only last so long before they turn in favour of a change.
i personally hope he and the team get through this as it will only make us stronger.
No. It would create even more turmoil and who would we be likely to get?
NO!
For the record – our presnt defencsive record is our worst since the end of the 2007/8 season where under Curbs we totaly capitulated at the back end of the season – conceding 27 goals in our final 12 games picking up just 9 points 9still 10th place was safe eh!)
On a positive note,I have been impressed with franco,i dont know if he's got loads of goals in him,but he's touch is great and he plays with passion,after seeing him a few times the fella looks like he really does care.
And he has great touch – his cross for Collison's goal was terrific.
So I think we are all agreed. Sort out the defence, and we'll be OK.
Fair enough. Let's start on Saturday then!
Upson has not been in great from and he doesn't appear to have natural leadership qualities. Given this though I don't quite understand why he has become the scapegoat for our poor run of results. He wasn't to blame for cole's unlucky own goal, nor did he pull someone's shirt back to give away the free kick for the second, and he wasn't involved in the penalty. (Though he could have given away another later in the match).
When Neil left it appeared very obvious to me that the captaincy should go to Parker, a natural leader, an inspirational player, and importantly loyal to the cause! So why did it go to Upson? Was that Zola's decision? Or did it have something to do with Upson being capped for England and so therefor more marketable?
I don't think getting rid of Upson in Jan is the answer unless we are forced to financially. Both himslef and Green are looking to have improved contracts but due to the Hammers situation neither have been offered new bumper deals. It is no surprise if both are wondering what the future may hold for them. New owners would quickle change that – like a lot of things!
Broganq: In reply to your reply yesturday come January Upson WILL LEAVE
like it or not he is the most likely to go as he still has not signed new contract and will not giving us at least £10m+ to buy a couple of quality defenders.
The next 4wks will tell us where in takeover and whether it is a medium or long term intiative for the club. Despite the reluctance of the club to sell it will be a formality. Upson was given the captaincy over Parker as an enticement to keep him m& sign a new contract. In my opinion he will go if not January definately Summer after WC along with Green.
We can all hope that sufficient investment will be made to strengthen the squad in the JTW.
I enjoy this site but it is very unappealing when posters get aggressive. Such things should be reported and then ignored. For the most part everyone is very respectful and we must try to keep it that way.
And I forgot to say how happy I was to see Collison get that goal. You could see how much it meant to him and he's developing into one hell of a player.
I agree mate! It's becoming a free for all! Too many idiots that seem to think only their [usually ridiculous] opinion counts!
Our best hope would be playing that bright orange clad Wigan every week; they conceded four to Pompey and 9 to Spurs wearing that kit. We will need to wear our blue kit for April 24's 6-pointer!
Anyone who thinks Steven Taylor is the answer to defensive problems should really stop posting. You know less about football than my gran, and she’s been dead since 1980
Day off today Yipee!!!!!!!
Reading the papers Zola says Gabbidon was outstanding,so will will see Ilunga Left mid! Why not Faubert's been backwards and forwards.
I agree with posters on Da Costa – he seems very composed and positions himself well – but he needs more of an anvil-headed bruiser to partner him, our equivalent of the Terry/Vidic/Dawson half of the partnership. James Collins with half a dozen more yards of pace perhaps!
calros has got to get used to sitting on the bench at city i read today ? come home little one and play every minute of every game and be loved like no other !!
Watched the Hull game for the second time and Da Costa is the main culprit defensively in all their goals Faubert is a geat supplier of right wing crosses but cant tackle well enough to defend he is not a natural and there seems to be no one organising the defence at set pieces you could drive a bus through the gaps.
Collinson and Parker are sensational Hines and Stan are maturing but there is no general on the pitch.
It is funny watching Zola,s attempt,s to talk with the fourth official it is very meek and mild.Overall we have half a side but we lack a professional quality.
I seriously reckon it will be a nice quiet wake if we go down no fuss, no emotion just like now no more hard luck and Zola will be thought of as a nice guy who cant manage to save his life shame really he is too straight to do a tough job!We expect better.
You've got it wrong there JontheLesbian, there seems to have been one almighty mistake made years ago, the day we got rid of Harry!
roshi your kidding right ? mr back stabber and "i dont tap up players honest "is not what we need.he had his chance to come back and said he wanted a bigger club so he can stay with his spudlies and rot.as for mullins earlier ,kovac or mullins? oh come on ! thats a no brainer !
I wouldn't take Hairy Redneck back if you paid me a hell of a lot of money! He is a lying slimey mercenary! I hate the bloke! Would rather have Roeder or Curbs!
Football is not about personal likes or dislikes its about winning, and Harry knew how to win, mostly in some style.
He still does. It may cost a kings ransom, but thats where the game is at and Harry delivers. Like him or not.
There are very few in our team today who would get in Harry's later WH
teams, and relative to the money that Curbs spent, Harry was miserly.
Sorry mate but niot for me it's not! If it was all about just the wining for me, I'd support Chelsea or ManU! For me it's about pride seeing attractive football!
There are MANY MANY MANY managers that can deliver that better than Harry! Just to look at the scum bag now makes me want to punch him! That's not how I want to feel every Sat mate!
Sorry matt, but I dont see what Harry has done that has so insensed you, other than managing Tottenham. Lets not forget he is there because he got fired from West Ham !
I also dont agree that Harry's teams dont play football as in my veiw having seen the vast majority of Harry's games as West Ham manager he did, so its nonsense to say that many managers would produce better teams.
His West Ham teams were consistently entertaining, just look at the players he both signed and blooded.
It's ok mate! We're entitled to our opinions
When Harry was at Pompey, he was linked with us and he said he'd never leave leave Portsmouth unless it was later on in his career and an established top for club came in for him, so he could end his career at a "big club".
A few months later, Spuds came in and offered him stupid money and it was bye bye Portsmouth and "Oh sorry about the mess I've made here, but I'm off" and THEN he took or tried to take most of their decent players!
Sorry but that is not a man with integrity! He has NO respect for anyone he works for and will probably do the same to The Spurts!
In my opinion, he's not a great manager! To me a great manager is someone who is able to spot talent and take chances on young and new potential stars! All he ever does is bring in established players that he's either managed before or players that have a proven track record.
It's the same for Mark Hughs! My nan could manage that team he has!
This is what makes people like Ferguson great managers! Always looking around for new talent and 99% of the time is successful (Ronaldo, Vidic and Rooney etc…)
I know not everyone sees it the same way but for me that's what makes a manager! Something Zola is trying but unfortunately his inexperience is showing through!
I don't care what his pedigree is, the bloke is 100% better than anybody else who has managed us. Think of what he has done since he left.
100 per cent behind you Roshi. I'd vote Harry our best manager since Greenwood.
Too many people fail to recognise Harry's meticulous planning, tactical know how and knowledge of the transfer market.
I am not interested in stupid, ill-informed character assassinations favoured by so many people. Football is a results and budget business….not a popularity contest.
Spot on Lofty. There are so many people who "hate" anyone who leaves our club. It's an irrational hatred in most cases. Harry put together a very good team who played attractive football and even Roeder got a 7th place out of them in his first season. If Harry has stayed another season we could well have got into the top 4.
Its the young players that are losing us the points. Against Everton Hines missed three relatively soft chances, at Hull Da Costa let the guy run off him to score Hulls only legitimate goal-the others being a fluke free kick and gifted pen. Stanislas missed a free header six yards out to win the match at Hull you cannot miss the guilt edged chances we created in both games and expect anything, even against a dire side like Hull.
The positives currently are that we are scoring for fun and Parker is playing like a man with a point to prove. If Cole and Upson take Parkers lead we will be OK. But Upson doesnt seem to be the same player without Collins whose do or die, get something in the way of the ball attitude has not been replaced.
We need an old head at right back, but with Faubert in combo with Da Costa we lack old fashioned bloody mindedness and guile down the right side, which is what Neal, had allied to that Aussie win at all costs mind set.
Agreed that it was bad days work when Harry got the Spanish.
There are a lot of teams trying to commit Hari Kari down there.
Wigan have clearly joined the party along with Hull, Wolves, Bolton and Pompey. Burnley aren't out of it yet either.
So I don't think we're going down but I think top ten is optimistic because top 8 was always out of the question in my view. We just need the same points as threee of them assume we dont get a hiding somewhere along the way.
I don't know what is meant by "we need". We certainly "need" to stay up but anything else seems to imply a sense of entitlement too far.
I'd be disappointed with 17th but not unhappy. 18th would be a disaster.