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Reading al the post below, without a doubt there a lot of you thinking Zola has a lack of competency and experience. Some of you though think he is the man in the right position.
But let me make this clear: it doesn’t matter if he is good enough. When the team, the club, the players and the fans are going through such a negative period, radical action is required to turn the tide:
- New coach
- Buying new players
- Selling lacking players
That is the only way to cope with a situation like this. We need some sort of a drill instructor, who does the dirty work and makes the team win points again.
I am starting to sound like Obama (as we all know a big WH fan), but…..
They're not excuses for the managers, just rational explanations.
We're 4 points off mid table with a fixture list where most of our easier games will come at the end. We will not end up in the bottom 5.
The management has had its players sold, is coping with a massive injury list, in an atmosphere of financial uncertainty that hangs in the air.
Sacking Zola now would be like tying GFZ's arms behind his back and then saying "oh look he's not moving his arms." Constructive dismissal effectively.
Personally anyway, I'd rather see us come 12th at 4 or 5 goals a game than 8th at 1 goal a game. There's reasons I'm a Hammer and pretty football as an artform is one of them.
Green. Pathetic. Doesn't inspire the defenders. Doesn't say anything. Doesn't command the box. Let him go. At this rate he won't make the WC squad, although Stech shipped 5 at Bournemouth the other night!!
So, there you are. It's not Zolas' fault it's all down to individual mistakes. Rubbish.
We play pretty football, lose the ball and concede goals – a recipe for relegation.
Perhaps part of the 5 year plan is to go down first and then start from there?
Dont make me laugh. Stoch might be on a high because of playing his first few matches, but it will take him about 5 years to become as consistent as Green.
Yes Green had a terrible night yesterday, but do keep in mind he had a lot of fantastic saves this season.
I think the time for panicking is fast approaching, if not already here. At the moment we do look like a relegated team, the defence is a shambles. However there's still time for another "great escape". Trouble is, at the moment, I can't see where the inspiration is going to come from.
Replacing Zola may or may not be part of the solution, I'm undecided, but at the very least it is certainly impractical. Buying out his contract will cost money, and where is that going to come from? Certainly not our current owners. And any new manager is still only going to have the same players to deal with, you can't see the current board parting with much (if any) money for new players without some sort of major investment arriving.
As for ownership of the club. What IS going on? If Straumer/CB Holdings are holding out for someone to meet their valuation of the club and withholding further investment, they're soon going to see their valuation drop dramatically if we're in the Championship and our best players depart.
Maybe they need to do something now before it's too late, even if that means accepting some bids that might have been unpalatable if we were further up the table and not in danger of relegation.
On sky sports news this morning and in the times that Arry Redknapp is after Scott Parker this January.
What is it about Redknapp? Does he get a perverse pleasure at dismantling former clubs. He might as well light a torch to the stadium. This is a club which he has always talked of how much he loves but then tries to get our only performing player on the cheap…for £6 million!!!!
I've had all I can take with Redknapp trying to grab our players on the cheap. That's all we need right now up until February is Spurs hovering over us trying to unsettle our best players.
If we get rid of Parker in January, especially for a pathetic £6 million, we will go down. It wont be up for argument. We will go down.
With the current financial crisis caused by the banks it appears that all these bankers are not very bright at all.
If straumur think by allowing all this negative press talk, speculation, not backing the club,selling off our best assets for way below market price, and causing relegation would be the best policy to incrase market value then well, I must be a banker.
Good post Devo.(apart from the Dyer bit)
For People still making excuses for Zola nani and Co here this.
This is basically the same team that finish 10 th last season apart from Neill Collins and Bellamy.
Now Bellamy was always going to be hard to replace unless Z and Co were given 15 to 20 mil,but I reckon any half decent manager wouldn't of gone for Jimenez and savio to fill that void,no one knows exactly the coast of savio,3 to 9mil maybe.
Neil had his fair share of roastings last season and needed to be replaced,
but no, Zola and Co identify Faubert and Spector as adequate cover even thou Behrami had played fullback all his life.
Collins who was to slow on the turn was replaced by Da Costa who I don't think is that bad, jumps like a salmon never gets a game now, at the back anyway, Infact he's now Identified as a striker!
Now Kovac (who gets outplayed by the ref) was a panic buy, as Z and Co couldn't attract anything else, 3mil down the drain worse player since mike small.
A decent British manager would of looked at premiership fullbacks not getting a game, IE Hutton and tested the water with 5mil (savio money)
A decent manager would of looked at loan deals with top 4, IE Vela Arsenal instead of Jimenez who's never played here before.
But for me the switch from 4 4 2 to 4 3 3/4 5 1 is the real reason we are a shambles, from the moment we started playing Zola's new system you new It wasn't going to work and we've never recovered from its loses.
We are on our way down probably,to have any chance of survival our january buys/loans if any have to be spot on,Beattie and Harwood would be my targets incase of the drop, along with Campbell,but more importantly right back,
Megson targeted faubert when he switched the chinese fella to that flank , it won him the game,that's proper managment Zola.
please no more excuses for this mob.
ChrisChris, I have to say I have thought you were a harsh man, particually when I was away … however I was at the Reebok lastnight and have seen plenty of games since my return home and I am firmly swaying in your direction …
However I do not totally blame GFZ for this mess … he trusted the board to deliver and between Nani and co thay have severely let him and SC down. You are only as good as the tools given …
My thoughts are he plays this 4 3 3 because we have nothing left footed left. It hasn’t been just Bellamy onwards that has caused the problems … Bowyer ? an attaking midfielder with guts and determination driving forward offloaded because of his wages … Mullins for Kovac ? Matty Etherington for who ? the list is endless … we have offloaded and entire first team capable of mid table mediocraty and replaced them with a core of youth and sub standard cheapies and expected Green, Upson, Parker and Cole to carry them …
I firmly believe the four names above will be gone come the end of January because they can see beyong a shadow of doubt what is going on here ….
When we get relegated Straumour will pocket the TV money, take the parachute payments and have sold most of the talent comming through … they will then sell the club for peanuts having recouped there losses … we are in a very deep hole here and it isn’t going to get any better soon ….
My biggest concern is we do not have a guiding light to lead us out of this tunnel, there is nobody in that squad who can single handed, inspire the rest. Remember we had the Tevez factor last time.
Would it be ironic if last game of the season, at home, Tevez scored the winning goal that relegated us…..aaaahhhhhh too much
Roshi – during that period it was far more than Tevez that kept us up. Green was fantastic (remember the match at the Emirates?), Zamora weighed in with key goals and ran his socks off, Neill wasn't captain (it was Nigel Mediocre) but was the real leader on the pitch and Collins and Anton also had really good games. That's just some examples but the biggest difference between now and then is that the whole team seemed to play for each other and the attitude was spot on.
Kimse3. I agree with you. I would love to see Sir Trev installed right now but it wont happen because we would need to pay off Zola and Clarke. West ham just dont have the money to do that. I would love to see it though. Because of that we just have to get behind the team as much as possible and try not to let the press unsettle us as they are trying. They are feeding off it right now – just look in the Mirror and Daily mail- every day there is a negative story about the club.
As for the b*llocking I am receiving from some of you for having the temerity to say we should get behind the players then I'm sorry. I thought we were west ham not spurs. If anyone has read any of my post lately I have been critical of Zola about his formations and starting 11 but also counter that with the reality of who he has to pick from. He doesnt have many players to pick from thanks to the board and injuries. All ive been saying is it is not totally his fault.
And yes. I do support Green. He has been bloody brilliant for us for years now and the first small bad patch he gets in we turn on him?
So yes. Lets sell all our best players this January-sell Green, sell Upson, sell Illunga, sell Noble(as so many want him out), lets see where that gets us.
Ive been going to west ham since i was 4. I couldnt sleep at the excitement of going a few days before. My favourite players were brooking, pike, bonds and devonshire. I love my club and what it stands for. I love the youth policy and the way we play football. I loved how we stuck by the manager through thick and thin and always continued to play the right way.
My favourite player over the last 20 years has been paulo di canio as he had real skill and passion – a proper west ham player.
Successive boards have undermined our managers and sold off our assets. Im just pointing out what is the blo*dy obvious. Our management are being undermined by the board – we should get behind the players and zola right now as it wont help the club!
My last post as Im getting agressive posts now because im saying all this.
looks like Adriano's not coming,ohhhh there's a surprize,I suggest everyone greets people like Beattie with open arms ,don't score much,no neither did Hartson before he saved us from the drop.
OK, it's all very depressing at the moment and some have even suggested that, after last night's result, it is the worst they have ever felt during their time supporting West Ham. You don't have to look very far back for a worse situation than this and that is when we lost 6-0 at Reading on New Year's Day two years ago. That was the poorest performance I've ever seen from a West Ham team and the most depressing. Any of you who were there will remember it and have nightmares. I've never seen so many people leave a game at half time.
Hope thats not the case Sunday,l really do feel we will get a hidding. To be honest l don't feel like going,but its cost me over £500.00 for this game.
This is the poorest team by far because the manager has them playing out of position with no experience in their roles.
I guarantee they will be lucky to pick up another point this year.
Franco is old and slow,Stanislas young and wont make it,Kovac should play in fizzy pop, Green is nervous,Da costa why did he not play or why buy him,Faubert has been crap forever,gabbidon lost his touch,Ilunga lost the plot zola lost in space!
We're shipping 2 goals a game, that means, as we have found out this season, we need to score 3 to win. That is relegation form. Our only saving grace is that the premiership is so poor now there are 4 or 5 teams able to match us in ineptitude.
BTW – can anyone tell me what Bolton bring to the premiership? How their long suffering supporters put up with that bile week in week out is beyond me.
You can add Blackburn to that, Devo. Every year I go to both of those places and come out wondering why. We know exactly what we're going to get but at least we don't have to go back there for another year. Have you noticed that a large proportion of people in Bolton and Blackburn have a crick in their necks. I used to think it was something hereditary but it's all down to watching the ball.
Devo-we are shipping goals coz our game plans so negative.
We are sitting back 4 5 1 waiting to be taken.
last night soon as Bolton scored diamanti came off the left wing and joined franco in a 4 4 2 brought dividends straight away infact we were the best team at that point then green boobed.
Devo why do we never start in a positive 4 4 2.
Even suggestions of 3-5-2 last night with Da Costa at the back and Faubert & Ilunga further forward would have been better. And yes, we were the best team in the 2nd half until the blunder, but that just papers over the cracks, we concede too many chances too easily.
Devo, it may be bile … but it keeps them up and survival for us at the moment is not something we can take for granted …
The current squad needs more than two or three players to get us out of trouble in January … more like five or six …
A right back ? a centre half, Cambell as skipper? a left back Shorey? a left midfielder Giggs for christmas! and a proven goalscoring centre forward …
Coles injury doesn’t sound like it is one that is going to go away … just a measaure to get him to the WC in South Africa … so maybe add a James Beatie to the list …
It might be wishfull thinking but I am sure Nani will have some freebies from the lower Italian leagues up his sleeve that would jump at the chance to quadruple their wages for six months …
If you look at who has left in the last twelve months and see where they are playing now it just says it all …
I believe Staumar are stripping the asset and will take the parachute payments and the money from selling off Green, Upson, Parker and Cole … with Collison Noble also going …
We are in a big hole here and to me Straumar are going throw us to the Lions because there is more money for them that way …
May I add that I believe GFZ and Dux know this and thats why they are hoping to hold on as long as they can … that way there was supposed to be all the TV monies available to GFZ in the summer …. however I don’t think they predicted the injuries and the mess we are in would occur.
By selling off the cream of the squad for £40 million and then seliing the club for a further £60 million they would then more of less have covered there debts … then run with the parachute payments and they are in a comfy little profit …. why would they ever care about anything else …
but if they stay up and we dont ….who's playing the right way and who's playing the wrong way. To be honest its not the style, its the attitude and fighting spirit and playing for the shirt. Thats the difference…only some give 100% and they all need to do it.
At birmingham the tackle count in the guardian or times was……..us 8 v birmingham 21. That says it all….they simply want to win more than our lot do and are prepared to work harder for it.
I posted a month ago stating that these past four weeks would determine Zola's position and if you had told me then that we would lose badly to Birmingham and Bolton I wouldn't have believed you.
How the team performs against Chelski and Portsmouth is paramount. Glad to see Clarke take some heat off of Zola but if we don't beat Portsmouth then there cannot be any arguement against Zola going. It will be very unfortunate and in a perfect world…. But this time West Ham cannot, in any way shape or form, afford to slip back into the championship.
broganq- we are not going to beat them either,expect square pegs in round holes Kovac to do nothing and anyone with an eye for goal to be positioned as far away from as possible,and spector to come in at right back,
or will it be fauberts turn for that match!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A couple of thoughts on last nights game;
First half was dire, two very poor teams. If I remember correctly we had our first corner and shot in the last 5 minutes. Once again, we did not go for the win, Franco was far too isolated up front. Some pretty football, but no penetration.
Second half we started a lot brighter and did not deserve to go behind. Parker had a great run and shot, unlucky not to score, that could have given us the impetus to go on and win. Even after they scored I still felt we could get something out of the game and when we equalised hope was rekindled. Then Green's dreadful mistake just completely knocked the stuffing out of the team. Heads went down and there was no way back. Why though did GZ not bring on Nouble? I just don't understand some of his tactics.
Overall though this was a poor game between two poor teams. I only marked Parker, Gabbs, Franco and Kovac (who IMO had a reasonable game) with scores above 5.
We desperately need a leader in defence, as apart from Gabbs, the rest were poor.
Kovac and Parker did ok in the middle, but Colly, Dyer and Stan didn't do a lot.
Franco looks a real intelligent player, but lacked support.
Diamante tried some outrageous stuff, which would have been great if we were 3-0 up, but wasn't good when what we needed was a battling performance from him.
Still, on a positive note it was great being alongside Hammers fans from Barrow, Germany and Preston! What great support we have.
Finally, taking up Devo's point. I was chatting to a Bolton fan on the way back to the car. He agreed that it was a poor game, but wished his team had lost, as that way the would get rid of Megson and hopefully bring in someone that tries to encourage decent football; and we want to get rid of Zola!!!!
Bilic or di canio (like both) will not save us…they have the same problem as zola..no league management experience. If we change manager, we need a real 'alan bastard' no nonsense manager with experience in our league system.
Also a knowledge or history of the club would help…sorry the only person who can pull this off is the bloke many of you wanted out…thats curbishley.
He is the only obvious choice i can think of and i challege anyone on here to come up with a realistic alternative.
i suggested bringing in venables to help zola and it was not well recieved.
worthington has no link to our club either. Pardew i could stomach and understand to a point, but he was a disaster at charlton…and the fans (cafc) still hate him with real relish. Doing ok at soton though, espec given points deduction.
Despite the result I slept like a baby last night…………………I woke up ever hour crying!
I agree that its good that Clarke has come out and demanded more of the players. Personally I would of to have been dragged off half of them if I was in that dressing room. Rob Green has been prominent in his media quotes this season, funny how last season he kept his mouth shut and actually played well. Right now he is as far away from an international keeper as you are likely to see. Its tough to recall many performances this season that are on a par with last yaer.
Dyer, pick up your carriage clock and your pension check and allow us to get on with life with out you. How you have the nerve to pick up your wages every week is beyond me, I would be to ashamed to even accept payment for playing a couple of hours a season.
It will be interesting to see if Upson makes an appearance next weekend or if his "injury" will keep him out until the window opens. Once the window is open I would throw him out it and take the cash. Gabbs and Tomkins dont work together simple as that, I dont really care which one is dropped but DaCosta has to start from now on. If Upson is fit then he starts as well, even disinterested he is less error prone than Gabbs and less lightweight than Tomkins (for the love of God someone get that boy on the Guiness diet so he doesnt get blown away in every 50/50 header he goes for).
Behrami fit goes to right back, yeah yeah he is great in midfield but we are crap at full back so he plays there. Ilunga needs a spell on the bench to remind him he hasnt got a devine right to start no matter how bad he plays. Daprela has impressed for the reserves and been outstanding in his international games so give him a go, he literally cant be any worse. Kovac, I will personally carry him on my back to Heathrow and pay for his one way ticket to somewhere very far away.
Collison needs to find some form, I know he has had a terrible year personally but right now his club needs him to be the player we all know he can be.
Stan bust a gut last night and for effort alone he deserves to start. Diamanti is a game changer if you set up to let him play where he can have an impact. Franco needs someone to play off as doesnt lead a line well but picks up the pieces brilliantly around the box.
Scott Parker; if we had two more of him we would be midtable if we had 9 more of him we would be title winners. I would sell every player in the team, the reserves, I would flog the youth team to work in a HongKong sweat shop, I would sell the Bobby Moore Stand, burn down the Sir Trev Stand for the insurance and pass the hat amongst the fans before I would sell this guy. £6M ha! I wouldnt let him go for £16M, he goes we go down! Simple.
We play our best stuff in a 4-4-2 diamond right now so thats what we do against Chelski.
GK Green (no choice really)
RB Behrami if fit N'Gala if not
CB Upson
CB DaCosta
LB Daprela
DM Parker
CM Collison
CM Stan
AM Diamanti
FW Franco
ST Dixon (we need someone who can hold the ball up)
Subs: Any keeper, Noble, Nouble, Tomkins, Ilunga, Montano, Eyjólfsson or Grasser
Go at em hard from the get go and if we are going down then lets go down swinging!
l think that there has already been a deal done with Upson, it's been so quiet on his front, there has been quotes at different games from different individuals but our so called captain hasn't opened his mouth!!!! he has said nothing, absolutely nothing ! even tho he hasn't played, he could still have passed some sort of comment about the team, l think that he is being kept fit and ready for the transfer window in January! I might be totally wrong, perhaps he will play on Sunday, but l doubt it. He went to the game at home last week, because l saw him with his family, but l have just got this feeling that we will be loosing him, is this a morale problem that we have with the team? as they all know that all our British players are being flogged off!
Gabbidon has been our best defender since his return and kept davies very quiet last night. Upson had a torrid time with him last season, but last night he was anonymous – even his trick of backing in and holding on to the defender failed.
I appreciate you rate Stanislas. I don't share your optimism that he will make the England world cup squad and I find him a little limited. he did, however, put in a better shift last night.
Our current first XI is good enought to survive. The question is, will they ever all be fit and how many will we lose in January.
PS. Your bench looks like relegation fodder to me!
Illunga MUST be dropped and Deprela given a chance, Behrami MUST play right back with Faubert at Right Mid and Parker goes over my dead body! We MUST play 442 but not diamond – basic simple 442 with 2 central and 2 wide. And I will, take ANY manger at this moment over . I'm sorry but i just dont think he can cut the mustard at this level.
Also its no good changing manager after the window closes, cos the new bloke will be stuck with zola's new year wish list of players…he may not want. Zola/clarke must go now for the sake of the club and the new manager given cash to spend on the players he wants in the window. Signing new players is going to be difficult, who wants to join a relegation struggle, with a team in a mess and a manager in total meltdown.
I honestly believe that the clubs financial situation has improved a lot and funds will be available for buys. I believe strumar will support a manager with a cash investment, plus the premier league cash (around 10 mill), plus the Ashton insurance payout. If we do loose players that must be re-invested back into the team aswell. A new manager and new players will give everyone a lift and shake up the remaining players…and give them hope. Yes we must support the team and players..as always…but to get out of this we need new leadership, ideas, new players, stabilty on/off the pitch and our injured players to return. Also the dead wood in the squad must be sold.
Tony, i agree with you mate. I dont like whu changing managers, but we are in a very serious position now. Ideally id like zola to turn it around, but, Curbushley is a good shout. Maybe let zola go and have clarke in charge ? ive always believed the players come for zola and get coached by clarke. Zola in effect undermines clarke. Mr zola do the right thing please
pardews a choice to consider cos he loves the club. Think curbs is best bet and could be part of court settlement agreement.
Also possibly roy keane…he hates losing and would not take any rubbish…been totally ruthless at ipswich and now is turning them around.
Tony I whole heartedly agree with you, however I feel we have been saying this for 18 months now and the money keeps disapearing.
I wrote above about how many players have left and that I honestly feel the most beneficial option for Straumar is to fleece the club rather than invest. For them it would be a disaster for us to stay up as they will be seen for what they need to do … business is businees and that means money drives … they will take £40 million for the cream of the squad plus the parachute monies and sell the club for £50 and comfortably make there money … as it stands no one will come near us with that sort of money … Hence thats why I reckon Dux, GFZ and Nani have invested in youth so much because they know what the game plan is …
As for dead wood … did you see the bench lastnight ? I would rather we were relegated plating Daprela, N’gala, Tomkins and Eyjólfsson at the back than the guttless performances we have seen so far.
Why do people want to blame the board?
Do the board take training?
Do the board organise the defence?
Do the board choose the formation?
Do the board give the half time team talk?
The team we put out against Bolton (substitutes aside) was more than good enough to get a point and Green in goal, Faubert/Illunga/Tomkins and Gabbidon with Parker and Kovac in front are more than good enough to concede 1 goal or less.
That is why ALL the blame must be levelled at Zola and Clarke.
And THAT is why they have to go………
If I may … it is the board who have continually stripped the club to the bear bones and not replaced them with similar or better quality …
The manager is only as good as the tools he has and most of his first choice have been injured. without the depth of what he inherrited we are going to struggle
On paper does not win football matches … there is just something more sinister going on at boardroom level
First of all have you noticed that there has been a deathly silence from Straumur regarding the selling of players. Will all the rumour Andrew Bernhardt could have come out with a statement of intent. Nothing. Players will leave and the money(a very fraction of it) – will go on a few loans- and the fanfare will ring out for our wonderful new signings.
Don't be suckered in. We sold ginge and got nobody. There is no evidence to the contrary that anything will change. Upson was going to liverpool too until liverpool pulled out last minute.
We are a selling club, we have no money- and until straumur accept money from someone with decency and credibility and cash -end of.
It would be far more realistic to expect upson, green, and parker to be sold in january all to get a little revenue for the banks.
Zola will probably leave then, and you will all get your wish. What none of you have actually come up with is a jobless manager who will work for free and with (as we have no money) and envied CV.
Paulo Dicanio and Bilic would be an even bigger risk. As much as we loved them as players – they were barking mad
Yes that's right players will be sold, then hopefully zola nani and co will sling their hook,perfect excuse for them to leave
"yes players are being sold under my nose i have no option but to leave"
Annd y- i don't want Di canio as legendary status aside he has no top flite mgmt experiacne – classic out of the fire situation.
Bilic however is proven at international level and would command a salary identical to GZ or even possible less. I beleive his salary at Croatia is around £150-200k per year so he would JUMP at the chance to manage the hammers – furthermore he has history at managing young players (look at the average age of the croatian team at Euro's) and he undertand the concept of 442. BILIC IS THE MAN FOR THE JOB.
But if not Bilic then who you ask?
Well how about (in no particular order);
Lars Lagerbach
George Graham
Glen Hoddle
Darren Ferguson
George Burley
Paul Hart
Paul Jewell
David O'Leary
Lawrie Sanchez or
Peter Taylor – all presently out of work or availble if asked!
george graham is too old really like venables….unless short term. He also had bertie mee to coach the arsenal def…then was dissap without him at spurs….also not worked since?
ferguson has just got sacked…but we could get some of dads fringe players on loan/cheap.
burleys just been sacked etc…….
they are all out of work for a reason!!!!
curbishley or pardew are probably our best bets….they both know the club and curbishley knows how not to loose…even if its not pretty.
Tony – every manager eventually gets sacked. Brian Clough was sacked from Leeds, Derby and Brighton – i don't remember him being that bad……….
That said, Curbs does at least know how to win ugly and we'd save a few quid on his tribunal fee!!!!!
Apparently at half time in the pool v arsenal match, wenger blew up and told them they were not fit to wear the club shirt…he got the reaction he wanted and they turned it around. If zola was arsenal manager 1..would he of said it and 2.. would they have responded for him like they did for wenger.
just a thought for people to consider.
Two points, if Zola goes, who realistically is there to take his place I just can't think of anyone apart from what has already been said Curbs…doubtful and Pardew…unfinished business? remember what he took on at Charlton and Southampton.
Which leads me onto who should we go for in January, the best thing Pardew did for Charlton was to buy Nicky Bailey from Southend. Tiger in midfield and scores goals, a player who gives 110% he would make a great foil for Parker or dare I say replacement if he goes.
i think the problems are simple,we had far to many kids out there last night and this season,we used to bring these players in to the team towards the end of the season when not much is at stake but due to a depleted squad were playing inexperienced lads and it shows! as for bilic and di canio……ide rather have pards back,at least he had some success at the club and boy did he show some passion !!!
Iain – do you have to put the goals up from last night whilst the wounds are still fresh?
A phrase i NEVER thought i would say but………
"CAN I HAVE HITLER BACK PLEASE?"
What we need now is a statement of intent from Straumur and/or Duxbury. Giving the uncertainty in our performances and the nervy nature of all fans at the moment, they must communicate how the club plans on approaching this next transfer window and the remainder of the season.
Maybe sir trev could save us, then again anyone who plays 442 and drops kovac, faubert,ilunga and tompkins would improve us. That was the defeat that sent us down last night, almost half way through the season and we have 14 points picking up 3 wins along the way.We have to double that tally at least to stay up in the new year with no parker, upson,cole or green. Sorry Lads WHU RIP
You are not down till you are down! We were worse off january 07 and we stayed up. No one is papering over the cracks but we do not need defeatist attitudes so if thats all you have to say how about you dont say anything at all.
Tell me what saying "we are doomed we are relegated" does to contribute to this or any other site? We know we are in touble no one is denying that but listening to someone eulogising us with more than half the season left to play just gets on my wick.
thats my opinion, this is the worst west ham team i can remember in over 20 years of following the hammers. You have your opinion and i respect that, lets just hope your optimism pays off. COYI
I like the idea of having specialist coaches…i suggest following set up.
head coach – curbishley or pardew.
gk coach – miklosko
def coach – a.martin or t.gale
midfield coach – mad dog 'martin allen'
wide coach – k.keen
strikers coach – jimmy quinn (most underrated str we ever had imo)
This would also allow us to dispense with current zola/clarke on cheap…cos the position of manager / assistant manager would no longer exist and so redundency totally acceptable cheap option.
They all have a west ham link and care about the club. That will filter through to the players. We also during our stable periods appointed from within our own people. Zola/clarke have no history associated with us and no deep feeling for the club.
Specialist coaches works in other sports…why not football. its no different to how chilldren do in classrooms…a large class under performs due to no one on one tuition. Pupils do better in small classes where the teacher can devote each pupil more time…thats a fact. So therefore it makes perfect sense to try it.
no im not on anything, just trying to think of a way out of this mess we are in like everyone else.
yeah curbs cares so much about the club he sued it because they got upset after he blew 50M quid of the chairmans cash and saddled us with a wage bill that nearly crippled the club.
You got to see curbs legacy when Dyer walked down the tunnel after 20mins last night.
I have no complaints about anyone else you propose to bring in, and have always believed that having former players involved in the backroom set up is a good thing for a club but not curbs, never curbs, that guy is a traitor to the club pure and simple.
i only said him or pardew, cos they are the most popular on here. I agree with what you say about curbishley……im just struggling to think of someone acceptable to most fans. Best choice would be Trev in charge, but doubt he would leave FA. That is someone we could all unite behind…it would be great. Cheer up you seem down today…more than the rest of us.
I dint drink or take drugs. If i am on anything its a hill in spain after moving here 8 years ago. I retired at 27 and was able to do that cos im prepared to take risks (i was also a successful gambler) and try something different. Euro clubs have head coaches not managers at a lot of clubs and specialist coaches..its not a new idea. So makes perfect sense to try it.
I can't believe that some of you here are calling for curbishley to be reinstated. It was a breath of fresh air when he left. I would love to see Tony Gale or Billy bonds in charge again but that could be disastrous. Even having Trev back may blow up. Trev is the only option if Zola was to walk out as he would hold the fort and allow us to get a proper manager after the season.
Zola is not going anywhere so lets not even discuss it! We dont have the money
As for free transfers and loans – there's just next to nothing available at the moment as is always the case this time of year.
The only player I can imagine, who we could bring in is Sol Campbell to offer a bit of experience – and possibly replace departing Upson.
Try to see the positives.
Carlton cole's injury is not as bad as expected.Might be back january
Diamanti is looking better by game
We are not expected to get anything from chelsea- so what if we did get something- it could be a springboard
Behrami – will be back fairly soon
Noble will be back next game
we will have more options for the chelsea game
green
Faubert
gabbidon
upson
Da costa
illunga
noble
parker
Collison
Diamanti
Franco
that is a pretty good team- illunga and faubert bombing forward when necessary plus insurance of 3 at back. Makes only sense as we have no other options
andy you can't be serious about Faubert he's unplayable,i've said this for months,we have to play 4 center backs at least.
Chelsea game one off choice…..
…………Green……………
Tomkins….Dacosta….Upson….,Gabbidon
collision….Parker…..Noble……Ilunga…
………..Franco………..Nouble……….
chelsea play 4-diamond mid- two strikers. I believe in 442, but not against them…they beat 442 regularly. We must match what they do and make it 10 v 10 battle. Let diamanti play in his best position behind franco and nouble…it may cause them probs and be unexpected….giving us a edge.
Gotta be worth a try….we must take the game to them and attack.
So all the people on here having a go at gold/sullivan over the business they made money in
Have never been in a sex shop.
never bought sextoys from a shop or over internet.
have never been in soho etc..and gone in any establishment there.
never gone to amsterdam for the weekend with some mates.
Have never watched porn on the internet
never bought or read a porn mag
never watched a porn movie anywhere or would ever
never been with a prostitute or would
unless you can answer no to all the above….your being a hypocritical.
imo…your also living a very dull and sheltered life and should retire to a monastery at once
LOL
Monastery life is wonderful, Tony…come and join us.
I don't give a monkey's how the Porn Twins made their dough, however.
Just see them as a couple of shysters who will do nothing to push our club forward.
I have yet to find one Brum fan who would give them an endorsement.
Sorry, I don't buy into this local lads stuff with Sullivan and Gold.
If they cough up £50m, they will spend the first three years cleaning out the safe clawing back the money.
Then they'll cash in by flogging us off again.
no thanks…did most of the above at some time and loved it!!!!!!!!
Also went out with a famous model, who got jugs out in those type of mags…..and she was hot!!!!!!!
Church….only on photo shoots!!
Not healthy really….the downside to that industry and lifestyle can take a toll…i know from personal experience with her.
eyesight…funny enough…no its not, i now where glasses!!!
lol
i put the above just to make a small point and partly as a joke…its not over serious or worthy of starting a fallout over. We are just all down at the moment…everyone needs to lighten up.
Things may look better at the end of jan with a few good signings.
I dont think getting rid of zola is the answer. Yes we are playing awful in defence right now but some things need to be changed. Tomkins and Gabbidon are awful at the back, they lack the leadership qualities that Upson and Collins do. Da Costa looks like the real deal, he's young, strong and of course he has made a few mistakes but he looks like a better bet than the Tomkins Gabbidon pairing.
The team looks very low on confidence, Collison, Illunga, Noble dont look like the same players they did last year, but a new manager is not the solution. We need to stand behind zola, he pullled it out the bag last year and with a few signings in January and hopefully keeping Cole, Upson and Green. Parker is the 1 player that cannot go, he is solid and cant see a team working without him.
mark mate,__your loyalty is to be applauded…but you also highlight his failings that concern others.__if we are awful in defence its his fault…his team,his player choice, his formation. he is also responsible for keeping morale up.__he picks tomkins and gabbidon…he sold collins.__he does not pick da costa…his choice….ps i like him aswell.__if he did not play people out of position, play wrong formation etc…we may not have a confidence problem.__Parker is been vg this year….i agree on that.__its not all zola's fault, but our situation is bad and getting worse every week. If we dont act soon, it maybe too late. A change of manager may focus the players and improve things. Its not we dont like him, everyone is shocked and worried our bad things have got.
appreciate your views and you're right, he makes too many mistakes, steve clarke should know better too. we'll see what the board do, our club is far has far too much instability in it right now to get rid of a manager and get new owners in, we don't want to end up like Portsmouth, we shall see. Survival is the main priority, defiantly wasn't expecting that at the start of the season
none of us were expecting this nightmare…i thought 10th, a few cup runs and the blooding of some youngsters in a secure mid table side playing well….giving hope for the future. A lot of us are down and divided on the best way out of this mess. Just support the team and hope.
It doesnt really matter about Gollivan at this point. Straumur were granted their extension to their moratorium, not that there was ever any doubt it would happen. This means that their creditors have backed their plan. One positive thing for the club is that in light of this we can consign all the wild rumours (many pushed by Gollivan) concerning our imminent financial doom to the bin where they belong.
There is no way a rationalisation plan would have been approved had one of the most high profile assets that Stramur own was going down the tubes.
I have no doubt that the red tops will find somemeans to make this sound like a disaster for the club but rest assured it isnt.
It doesnt mean that the club wont be sold, simply that it wont be sold on the cheap to a couple of shonky second hand car dealers who got lucky!
celtic,
Will they invest some 'new' cash for players beyond the premier league cash jan payout (7 to 10 mill approx) and the ashton insurance payout (7 mill approx)…do you think????
I have a whole list of potential vg cheaper foriegn players we could sign. if we had some proper funds available…..we need to shuffle the pack.
The Online Daily Mail are currently running a poll which asks: Should Zola be sacked?
Current voting:
Yes 28 per cent
NO 72 per cent
That seems a fair reflection of how most sound-thinking Hammers fans are thinking.
Obviously there are a few panic merchants around, but thankfully they are in the minority.
In Zola we Trust….for now
[...] Vote: WHU v Bolton Player Performances « West Ham Till I DieWest ham just dont have the money to do that. I would love to see it though. Because of that we just have to get behind the team as much as possible and try not to let the press unsettle us as they are trying. … [...]
I too never wanted Pards to go !! Thought he did well overall, and IS a great up and coming young English coach. OK, apparently he lost the dressing room towards the end of his stint, but I blame the Bentley boys for that NOT him.
Would have him back tomorrow personally with perhaps some input from Sir Trev.
I also believe he was so passionate about us he would come back.
Top of my list for managers though is Murinho……. Not happy at Inter and wants back in the PL, big thing is though, could we afford him and would he want to work with no funds???????
mourinho…simple answer no he wouldn't.
Also they may of bought bentleys…but he bought a ferrari. A little success went too many heads….but in a interview i read, he said he regretted the ferrari and would do things differently….eg he has learnt from his mistakes. That is the mark of a man….he also said he would like to come back one day.
Reading al the post below, without a doubt there a lot of you thinking Zola has a lack of competency and experience. Some of you though think he is the man in the right position.
But let me make this clear: it doesn’t matter if he is good enough. When the team, the club, the players and the fans are going through such a negative period, radical action is required to turn the tide:
- New coach
- Buying new players
- Selling lacking players
That is the only way to cope with a situation like this. We need some sort of a drill instructor, who does the dirty work and makes the team win points again.
I am starting to sound like Obama (as we all know a big WH fan), but…..
WE WANT CHANGE!
They're not excuses for the managers, just rational explanations.
We're 4 points off mid table with a fixture list where most of our easier games will come at the end. We will not end up in the bottom 5.
The management has had its players sold, is coping with a massive injury list, in an atmosphere of financial uncertainty that hangs in the air.
Sacking Zola now would be like tying GFZ's arms behind his back and then saying "oh look he's not moving his arms." Constructive dismissal effectively.
Personally anyway, I'd rather see us come 12th at 4 or 5 goals a game than 8th at 1 goal a game. There's reasons I'm a Hammer and pretty football as an artform is one of them.
Green. Pathetic. Doesn't inspire the defenders. Doesn't say anything. Doesn't command the box. Let him go. At this rate he won't make the WC squad, although Stech shipped 5 at Bournemouth the other night!!
So, there you are. It's not Zolas' fault it's all down to individual mistakes. Rubbish.
We play pretty football, lose the ball and concede goals – a recipe for relegation.
Perhaps part of the 5 year plan is to go down first and then start from there?
Dont make me laugh. Stoch might be on a high because of playing his first few matches, but it will take him about 5 years to become as consistent as Green.
Yes Green had a terrible night yesterday, but do keep in mind he had a lot of fantastic saves this season.
Green is very poor at the moment he resembles 'Careless Hands' Gary Sprake the old Leeds keeper.
An amazing admission from Steve Clarke saying because Zola is a novice manager he should have protected him more,very odd?
I think the time for panicking is fast approaching, if not already here. At the moment we do look like a relegated team, the defence is a shambles. However there's still time for another "great escape". Trouble is, at the moment, I can't see where the inspiration is going to come from.
Replacing Zola may or may not be part of the solution, I'm undecided, but at the very least it is certainly impractical. Buying out his contract will cost money, and where is that going to come from? Certainly not our current owners. And any new manager is still only going to have the same players to deal with, you can't see the current board parting with much (if any) money for new players without some sort of major investment arriving.
As for ownership of the club. What IS going on? If Straumer/CB Holdings are holding out for someone to meet their valuation of the club and withholding further investment, they're soon going to see their valuation drop dramatically if we're in the Championship and our best players depart.
Maybe they need to do something now before it's too late, even if that means accepting some bids that might have been unpalatable if we were further up the table and not in danger of relegation.
On sky sports news this morning and in the times that Arry Redknapp is after Scott Parker this January.
What is it about Redknapp? Does he get a perverse pleasure at dismantling former clubs. He might as well light a torch to the stadium. This is a club which he has always talked of how much he loves but then tries to get our only performing player on the cheap…for £6 million!!!!
I've had all I can take with Redknapp trying to grab our players on the cheap. That's all we need right now up until February is Spurs hovering over us trying to unsettle our best players.
harry cannot buy unlesss he sells…chairmen said so. It may mean player swaps taking place in january, cos most clubs dont have any money to spend.
If we get rid of Parker in January, especially for a pathetic £6 million, we will go down. It wont be up for argument. We will go down.
With the current financial crisis caused by the banks it appears that all these bankers are not very bright at all.
If straumur think by allowing all this negative press talk, speculation, not backing the club,selling off our best assets for way below market price, and causing relegation would be the best policy to incrase market value then well, I must be a banker.
Good post Devo.(apart from the Dyer bit)
For People still making excuses for Zola nani and Co here this.
This is basically the same team that finish 10 th last season apart from Neill Collins and Bellamy.
Now Bellamy was always going to be hard to replace unless Z and Co were given 15 to 20 mil,but I reckon any half decent manager wouldn't of gone for Jimenez and savio to fill that void,no one knows exactly the coast of savio,3 to 9mil maybe.
Neil had his fair share of roastings last season and needed to be replaced,
but no, Zola and Co identify Faubert and Spector as adequate cover even thou Behrami had played fullback all his life.
Collins who was to slow on the turn was replaced by Da Costa who I don't think is that bad, jumps like a salmon never gets a game now, at the back anyway, Infact he's now Identified as a striker!
Now Kovac (who gets outplayed by the ref) was a panic buy, as Z and Co couldn't attract anything else, 3mil down the drain worse player since mike small.
A decent British manager would of looked at premiership fullbacks not getting a game, IE Hutton and tested the water with 5mil (savio money)
A decent manager would of looked at loan deals with top 4, IE Vela Arsenal instead of Jimenez who's never played here before.
But for me the switch from 4 4 2 to 4 3 3/4 5 1 is the real reason we are a shambles, from the moment we started playing Zola's new system you new It wasn't going to work and we've never recovered from its loses.
We are on our way down probably,to have any chance of survival our january buys/loans if any have to be spot on,Beattie and Harwood would be my targets incase of the drop, along with Campbell,but more importantly right back,
Megson targeted faubert when he switched the chinese fella to that flank , it won him the game,that's proper managment Zola.
please no more excuses for this mob.
ChrisChris, I have to say I have thought you were a harsh man, particually when I was away … however I was at the Reebok lastnight and have seen plenty of games since my return home and I am firmly swaying in your direction …
However I do not totally blame GFZ for this mess … he trusted the board to deliver and between Nani and co thay have severely let him and SC down. You are only as good as the tools given …
My thoughts are he plays this 4 3 3 because we have nothing left footed left. It hasn’t been just Bellamy onwards that has caused the problems … Bowyer ? an attaking midfielder with guts and determination driving forward offloaded because of his wages … Mullins for Kovac ? Matty Etherington for who ? the list is endless … we have offloaded and entire first team capable of mid table mediocraty and replaced them with a core of youth and sub standard cheapies and expected Green, Upson, Parker and Cole to carry them …
I firmly believe the four names above will be gone come the end of January because they can see beyong a shadow of doubt what is going on here ….
When we get relegated Straumour will pocket the TV money, take the parachute payments and have sold most of the talent comming through … they will then sell the club for peanuts having recouped there losses … we are in a very deep hole here and it isn’t going to get any better soon ….
My biggest concern is we do not have a guiding light to lead us out of this tunnel, there is nobody in that squad who can single handed, inspire the rest. Remember we had the Tevez factor last time.
Would it be ironic if last game of the season, at home, Tevez scored the winning goal that relegated us…..aaaahhhhhh too much
Roshi – during that period it was far more than Tevez that kept us up. Green was fantastic (remember the match at the Emirates?), Zamora weighed in with key goals and ran his socks off, Neill wasn't captain (it was Nigel Mediocre) but was the real leader on the pitch and Collins and Anton also had really good games. That's just some examples but the biggest difference between now and then is that the whole team seemed to play for each other and the attitude was spot on.
I realise that Roy, That's what I said,
nobody in that squad who can single handed, inspire the rest.
Kimse3. I agree with you. I would love to see Sir Trev installed right now but it wont happen because we would need to pay off Zola and Clarke. West ham just dont have the money to do that. I would love to see it though. Because of that we just have to get behind the team as much as possible and try not to let the press unsettle us as they are trying. They are feeding off it right now – just look in the Mirror and Daily mail- every day there is a negative story about the club.
As for the b*llocking I am receiving from some of you for having the temerity to say we should get behind the players then I'm sorry. I thought we were west ham not spurs. If anyone has read any of my post lately I have been critical of Zola about his formations and starting 11 but also counter that with the reality of who he has to pick from. He doesnt have many players to pick from thanks to the board and injuries. All ive been saying is it is not totally his fault.
And yes. I do support Green. He has been bloody brilliant for us for years now and the first small bad patch he gets in we turn on him?
So yes. Lets sell all our best players this January-sell Green, sell Upson, sell Illunga, sell Noble(as so many want him out), lets see where that gets us.
Ive been going to west ham since i was 4. I couldnt sleep at the excitement of going a few days before. My favourite players were brooking, pike, bonds and devonshire. I love my club and what it stands for. I love the youth policy and the way we play football. I loved how we stuck by the manager through thick and thin and always continued to play the right way.
My favourite player over the last 20 years has been paulo di canio as he had real skill and passion – a proper west ham player.
Successive boards have undermined our managers and sold off our assets. Im just pointing out what is the blo*dy obvious. Our management are being undermined by the board – we should get behind the players and zola right now as it wont help the club!
My last post as Im getting agressive posts now because im saying all this.
Andy I don't want to get rid of Z&C – just think Sir Trev could give them a hand
I'm not sure he could unless he resigned from his job at the F.A.
looks like Adriano's not coming,ohhhh there's a surprize,I suggest everyone greets people like Beattie with open arms ,don't score much,no neither did Hartson before he saved us from the drop.
OK, it's all very depressing at the moment and some have even suggested that, after last night's result, it is the worst they have ever felt during their time supporting West Ham. You don't have to look very far back for a worse situation than this and that is when we lost 6-0 at Reading on New Year's Day two years ago. That was the poorest performance I've ever seen from a West Ham team and the most depressing. Any of you who were there will remember it and have nightmares. I've never seen so many people leave a game at half time.
Hope thats not the case Sunday,l really do feel we will get a hidding. To be honest l don't feel like going,but its cost me over £500.00 for this game.
This is the poorest team by far because the manager has them playing out of position with no experience in their roles.
I guarantee they will be lucky to pick up another point this year.
Franco is old and slow,Stanislas young and wont make it,Kovac should play in fizzy pop, Green is nervous,Da costa why did he not play or why buy him,Faubert has been crap forever,gabbidon lost his touch,Ilunga lost the plot zola lost in space!
We're shipping 2 goals a game, that means, as we have found out this season, we need to score 3 to win. That is relegation form. Our only saving grace is that the premiership is so poor now there are 4 or 5 teams able to match us in ineptitude.
BTW – can anyone tell me what Bolton bring to the premiership? How their long suffering supporters put up with that bile week in week out is beyond me.
You can add Blackburn to that, Devo. Every year I go to both of those places and come out wondering why. We know exactly what we're going to get but at least we don't have to go back there for another year. Have you noticed that a large proportion of people in Bolton and Blackburn have a crick in their necks. I used to think it was something hereditary but it's all down to watching the ball.
I know what you mean, Roy and the common denominator? Alladyce.
The ground was half empty as well, just like Boro last season, the Premiership needs clubs with proper support like Leeds and Sheff Wed
Devo-we are shipping goals coz our game plans so negative.
We are sitting back 4 5 1 waiting to be taken.
last night soon as Bolton scored diamanti came off the left wing and joined franco in a 4 4 2 brought dividends straight away infact we were the best team at that point then green boobed.
Devo why do we never start in a positive 4 4 2.
Don't ask me, mate.
Even suggestions of 3-5-2 last night with Da Costa at the back and Faubert & Ilunga further forward would have been better. And yes, we were the best team in the 2nd half until the blunder, but that just papers over the cracks, we concede too many chances too easily.
Devo, it may be bile … but it keeps them up and survival for us at the moment is not something we can take for granted …
The current squad needs more than two or three players to get us out of trouble in January … more like five or six …
A right back ? a centre half, Cambell as skipper? a left back Shorey? a left midfielder Giggs for christmas! and a proven goalscoring centre forward …
Coles injury doesn’t sound like it is one that is going to go away … just a measaure to get him to the WC in South Africa … so maybe add a James Beatie to the list …
It might be wishfull thinking but I am sure Nani will have some freebies from the lower Italian leagues up his sleeve that would jump at the chance to quadruple their wages for six months …
If you look at who has left in the last twelve months and see where they are playing now it just says it all …
I believe Staumar are stripping the asset and will take the parachute payments and the money from selling off Green, Upson, Parker and Cole … with Collison Noble also going …
We are in a big hole here and to me Straumar are going throw us to the Lions because there is more money for them that way …
May I add that I believe GFZ and Dux know this and thats why they are hoping to hold on as long as they can … that way there was supposed to be all the TV monies available to GFZ in the summer …. however I don’t think they predicted the injuries and the mess we are in would occur.
By selling off the cream of the squad for £40 million and then seliing the club for a further £60 million they would then more of less have covered there debts … then run with the parachute payments and they are in a comfy little profit …. why would they ever care about anything else …
but if they stay up and we dont ….who's playing the right way and who's playing the wrong way. To be honest its not the style, its the attitude and fighting spirit and playing for the shirt. Thats the difference…only some give 100% and they all need to do it.
At birmingham the tackle count in the guardian or times was……..us 8 v birmingham 21. That says it all….they simply want to win more than our lot do and are prepared to work harder for it.
Here’s a thought …. if the sold players were to play the current squad … who do you think would win ..
Sold players
Wright
Neill
Ferdinand
Collins
MaCartney
Mullins
Etherington
Bowyer
Pantsil
Zamora
Bellamy
sales worth approx £45 million
Current team
Green
Faubert
Gabbidon
Tomkins
Illunga
Stanislas
Parker
Collison
Kovac
France
Diamanti
Take Green and Parker out of the equation and you would struggle to get £10 million …
I posted a month ago stating that these past four weeks would determine Zola's position and if you had told me then that we would lose badly to Birmingham and Bolton I wouldn't have believed you.
How the team performs against Chelski and Portsmouth is paramount. Glad to see Clarke take some heat off of Zola but if we don't beat Portsmouth then there cannot be any arguement against Zola going. It will be very unfortunate and in a perfect world…. But this time West Ham cannot, in any way shape or form, afford to slip back into the championship.
broganq- we are not going to beat them either,expect square pegs in round holes Kovac to do nothing and anyone with an eye for goal to be positioned as far away from as possible,and spector to come in at right back,
or will it be fauberts turn for that match!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A couple of thoughts on last nights game;
First half was dire, two very poor teams. If I remember correctly we had our first corner and shot in the last 5 minutes. Once again, we did not go for the win, Franco was far too isolated up front. Some pretty football, but no penetration.
Second half we started a lot brighter and did not deserve to go behind. Parker had a great run and shot, unlucky not to score, that could have given us the impetus to go on and win. Even after they scored I still felt we could get something out of the game and when we equalised hope was rekindled. Then Green's dreadful mistake just completely knocked the stuffing out of the team. Heads went down and there was no way back. Why though did GZ not bring on Nouble? I just don't understand some of his tactics.
Overall though this was a poor game between two poor teams. I only marked Parker, Gabbs, Franco and Kovac (who IMO had a reasonable game) with scores above 5.
We desperately need a leader in defence, as apart from Gabbs, the rest were poor.
Kovac and Parker did ok in the middle, but Colly, Dyer and Stan didn't do a lot.
Franco looks a real intelligent player, but lacked support.
Diamante tried some outrageous stuff, which would have been great if we were 3-0 up, but wasn't good when what we needed was a battling performance from him.
Still, on a positive note it was great being alongside Hammers fans from Barrow, Germany and Preston! What great support we have.
Finally, taking up Devo's point. I was chatting to a Bolton fan on the way back to the car. He agreed that it was a poor game, but wished his team had lost, as that way the would get rid of Megson and hopefully bring in someone that tries to encourage decent football; and we want to get rid of Zola!!!!
Bilic or di canio (like both) will not save us…they have the same problem as zola..no league management experience. If we change manager, we need a real 'alan bastard' no nonsense manager with experience in our league system.
Also a knowledge or history of the club would help…sorry the only person who can pull this off is the bloke many of you wanted out…thats curbishley.
He is the only obvious choice i can think of and i challege anyone on here to come up with a realistic alternative.
Pardew,worthington,venables.
i suggested bringing in venables to help zola and it was not well recieved.
worthington has no link to our club either. Pardew i could stomach and understand to a point, but he was a disaster at charlton…and the fans (cafc) still hate him with real relish. Doing ok at soton though, espec given points deduction.
Despite the result I slept like a baby last night…………………I woke up ever hour crying!
I agree that its good that Clarke has come out and demanded more of the players. Personally I would of to have been dragged off half of them if I was in that dressing room. Rob Green has been prominent in his media quotes this season, funny how last season he kept his mouth shut and actually played well. Right now he is as far away from an international keeper as you are likely to see. Its tough to recall many performances this season that are on a par with last yaer.
Dyer, pick up your carriage clock and your pension check and allow us to get on with life with out you. How you have the nerve to pick up your wages every week is beyond me, I would be to ashamed to even accept payment for playing a couple of hours a season.
It will be interesting to see if Upson makes an appearance next weekend or if his "injury" will keep him out until the window opens. Once the window is open I would throw him out it and take the cash. Gabbs and Tomkins dont work together simple as that, I dont really care which one is dropped but DaCosta has to start from now on. If Upson is fit then he starts as well, even disinterested he is less error prone than Gabbs and less lightweight than Tomkins (for the love of God someone get that boy on the Guiness diet so he doesnt get blown away in every 50/50 header he goes for).
Behrami fit goes to right back, yeah yeah he is great in midfield but we are crap at full back so he plays there. Ilunga needs a spell on the bench to remind him he hasnt got a devine right to start no matter how bad he plays. Daprela has impressed for the reserves and been outstanding in his international games so give him a go, he literally cant be any worse. Kovac, I will personally carry him on my back to Heathrow and pay for his one way ticket to somewhere very far away.
Collison needs to find some form, I know he has had a terrible year personally but right now his club needs him to be the player we all know he can be.
Stan bust a gut last night and for effort alone he deserves to start. Diamanti is a game changer if you set up to let him play where he can have an impact. Franco needs someone to play off as doesnt lead a line well but picks up the pieces brilliantly around the box.
Scott Parker; if we had two more of him we would be midtable if we had 9 more of him we would be title winners. I would sell every player in the team, the reserves, I would flog the youth team to work in a HongKong sweat shop, I would sell the Bobby Moore Stand, burn down the Sir Trev Stand for the insurance and pass the hat amongst the fans before I would sell this guy. £6M ha! I wouldnt let him go for £16M, he goes we go down! Simple.
We play our best stuff in a 4-4-2 diamond right now so thats what we do against Chelski.
GK Green (no choice really)
RB Behrami if fit N'Gala if not
CB Upson
CB DaCosta
LB Daprela
DM Parker
CM Collison
CM Stan
AM Diamanti
FW Franco
ST Dixon (we need someone who can hold the ball up)
Subs: Any keeper, Noble, Nouble, Tomkins, Ilunga, Montano, Eyjólfsson or Grasser
Go at em hard from the get go and if we are going down then lets go down swinging!
Best post you've ever written.
l think that there has already been a deal done with Upson, it's been so quiet on his front, there has been quotes at different games from different individuals but our so called captain hasn't opened his mouth!!!! he has said nothing, absolutely nothing ! even tho he hasn't played, he could still have passed some sort of comment about the team, l think that he is being kept fit and ready for the transfer window in January! I might be totally wrong, perhaps he will play on Sunday, but l doubt it. He went to the game at home last week, because l saw him with his family, but l have just got this feeling that we will be loosing him, is this a morale problem that we have with the team? as they all know that all our British players are being flogged off!
Have to disagree on a couple of points, CH.
Gabbidon has been our best defender since his return and kept davies very quiet last night. Upson had a torrid time with him last season, but last night he was anonymous – even his trick of backing in and holding on to the defender failed.
I appreciate you rate Stanislas. I don't share your optimism that he will make the England world cup squad and I find him a little limited. he did, however, put in a better shift last night.
Our current first XI is good enought to survive. The question is, will they ever all be fit and how many will we lose in January.
PS. Your bench looks like relegation fodder to me!
CH – Hallelujah and praise the lord!!!!!!
Illunga MUST be dropped and Deprela given a chance, Behrami MUST play right back with Faubert at Right Mid and Parker goes over my dead body! We MUST play 442 but not diamond – basic simple 442 with 2 central and 2 wide. And I will, take ANY manger at this moment over . I'm sorry but i just dont think he can cut the mustard at this level.
For the record we could have had half a dozen managers last night and they wouldnt have gotten a result from that shower!
Also its no good changing manager after the window closes, cos the new bloke will be stuck with zola's new year wish list of players…he may not want. Zola/clarke must go now for the sake of the club and the new manager given cash to spend on the players he wants in the window. Signing new players is going to be difficult, who wants to join a relegation struggle, with a team in a mess and a manager in total meltdown.
Tony,
What makes you think there is any money to spend in the New Year .. ?
I am with CH on this one … not even Fergie would have got a result lastnight with that lot
I honestly believe that the clubs financial situation has improved a lot and funds will be available for buys. I believe strumar will support a manager with a cash investment, plus the premier league cash (around 10 mill), plus the Ashton insurance payout. If we do loose players that must be re-invested back into the team aswell. A new manager and new players will give everyone a lift and shake up the remaining players…and give them hope. Yes we must support the team and players..as always…but to get out of this we need new leadership, ideas, new players, stabilty on/off the pitch and our injured players to return. Also the dead wood in the squad must be sold.
Tony, i agree with you mate. I dont like whu changing managers, but we are in a very serious position now. Ideally id like zola to turn it around, but, Curbushley is a good shout. Maybe let zola go and have clarke in charge ? ive always believed the players come for zola and get coached by clarke. Zola in effect undermines clarke. Mr zola do the right thing please
pardews a choice to consider cos he loves the club. Think curbs is best bet and could be part of court settlement agreement.
Also possibly roy keane…he hates losing and would not take any rubbish…been totally ruthless at ipswich and now is turning them around.
Tony I whole heartedly agree with you, however I feel we have been saying this for 18 months now and the money keeps disapearing.
I wrote above about how many players have left and that I honestly feel the most beneficial option for Straumar is to fleece the club rather than invest. For them it would be a disaster for us to stay up as they will be seen for what they need to do … business is businees and that means money drives … they will take £40 million for the cream of the squad plus the parachute monies and sell the club for £50 and comfortably make there money … as it stands no one will come near us with that sort of money … Hence thats why I reckon Dux, GFZ and Nani have invested in youth so much because they know what the game plan is …
As for dead wood … did you see the bench lastnight ? I would rather we were relegated plating Daprela, N’gala, Tomkins and Eyjólfsson at the back than the guttless performances we have seen so far.
Why do people want to blame the board?
Do the board take training?
Do the board organise the defence?
Do the board choose the formation?
Do the board give the half time team talk?
The team we put out against Bolton (substitutes aside) was more than good enough to get a point and Green in goal, Faubert/Illunga/Tomkins and Gabbidon with Parker and Kovac in front are more than good enough to concede 1 goal or less.
That is why ALL the blame must be levelled at Zola and Clarke.
And THAT is why they have to go………
Jolly,
If I may … it is the board who have continually stripped the club to the bear bones and not replaced them with similar or better quality …
The manager is only as good as the tools he has and most of his first choice have been injured. without the depth of what he inherrited we are going to struggle
On paper does not win football matches … there is just something more sinister going on at boardroom level
First of all have you noticed that there has been a deathly silence from Straumur regarding the selling of players. Will all the rumour Andrew Bernhardt could have come out with a statement of intent. Nothing. Players will leave and the money(a very fraction of it) – will go on a few loans- and the fanfare will ring out for our wonderful new signings.
Don't be suckered in. We sold ginge and got nobody. There is no evidence to the contrary that anything will change. Upson was going to liverpool too until liverpool pulled out last minute.
We are a selling club, we have no money- and until straumur accept money from someone with decency and credibility and cash -end of.
It would be far more realistic to expect upson, green, and parker to be sold in january all to get a little revenue for the banks.
Zola will probably leave then, and you will all get your wish. What none of you have actually come up with is a jobless manager who will work for free and with (as we have no money) and envied CV.
Paulo Dicanio and Bilic would be an even bigger risk. As much as we loved them as players – they were barking mad
Yes that's right players will be sold, then hopefully zola nani and co will sling their hook,perfect excuse for them to leave
"yes players are being sold under my nose i have no option but to leave"
Annd y- i don't want Di canio as legendary status aside he has no top flite mgmt experiacne – classic out of the fire situation.
Bilic however is proven at international level and would command a salary identical to GZ or even possible less. I beleive his salary at Croatia is around £150-200k per year so he would JUMP at the chance to manage the hammers – furthermore he has history at managing young players (look at the average age of the croatian team at Euro's) and he undertand the concept of 442. BILIC IS THE MAN FOR THE JOB.
But if not Bilic then who you ask?
Well how about (in no particular order);
Lars Lagerbach
George Graham
Glen Hoddle
Darren Ferguson
George Burley
Paul Hart
Paul Jewell
David O'Leary
Lawrie Sanchez or
Peter Taylor – all presently out of work or availble if asked!
george graham is too old really like venables….unless short term. He also had bertie mee to coach the arsenal def…then was dissap without him at spurs….also not worked since?
ferguson has just got sacked…but we could get some of dads fringe players on loan/cheap.
burleys just been sacked etc…….
they are all out of work for a reason!!!!
curbishley or pardew are probably our best bets….they both know the club and curbishley knows how not to loose…even if its not pretty.
Tony – every manager eventually gets sacked. Brian Clough was sacked from Leeds, Derby and Brighton – i don't remember him being that bad……….
That said, Curbs does at least know how to win ugly and we'd save a few quid on his tribunal fee!!!!!
Apparently at half time in the pool v arsenal match, wenger blew up and told them they were not fit to wear the club shirt…he got the reaction he wanted and they turned it around. If zola was arsenal manager 1..would he of said it and 2.. would they have responded for him like they did for wenger.
just a thought for people to consider.
Two points, if Zola goes, who realistically is there to take his place I just can't think of anyone apart from what has already been said Curbs…doubtful and Pardew…unfinished business? remember what he took on at Charlton and Southampton.
Which leads me onto who should we go for in January, the best thing Pardew did for Charlton was to buy Nicky Bailey from Southend. Tiger in midfield and scores goals, a player who gives 110% he would make a great foil for Parker or dare I say replacement if he goes.
Roshi – list provided above
OR….. here's another thought – Why not give the job to IAN HOLLOWAY?
or BARRY FRY
sure if gold sulivan take over……brady would just love having to deal with barry again!!!!!!!!!!
lol
i think the problems are simple,we had far to many kids out there last night and this season,we used to bring these players in to the team towards the end of the season when not much is at stake but due to a depleted squad were playing inexperienced lads and it shows! as for bilic and di canio……ide rather have pards back,at least he had some success at the club and boy did he show some passion !!!
there better than the buys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Iain – do you have to put the goals up from last night whilst the wounds are still fresh?
A phrase i NEVER thought i would say but………
"CAN I HAVE HITLER BACK PLEASE?"
it was a lovely goal we scored though…just watch that bit.
There's no pleasing some people
Iain, what about a phlog or whatever you call them?
Might be a good time to hear your views.
Agree Pardew come back all is forgiven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I never wanted Parker to go !
i know it was just a formality but the straumur moratorium has been extended
That's good news CB.
What we need now is a statement of intent from Straumur and/or Duxbury. Giving the uncertainty in our performances and the nervy nature of all fans at the moment, they must communicate how the club plans on approaching this next transfer window and the remainder of the season.
Maybe sir trev could save us, then again anyone who plays 442 and drops kovac, faubert,ilunga and tompkins would improve us. That was the defeat that sent us down last night, almost half way through the season and we have 14 points picking up 3 wins along the way.We have to double that tally at least to stay up in the new year with no parker, upson,cole or green. Sorry Lads WHU RIP
You are not down till you are down! We were worse off january 07 and we stayed up. No one is papering over the cracks but we do not need defeatist attitudes so if thats all you have to say how about you dont say anything at all.
i normally defend you, but that was not nice and especially to a new(ish) user…..makes you look like a bully.
Tell me what saying "we are doomed we are relegated" does to contribute to this or any other site? We know we are in touble no one is denying that but listening to someone eulogising us with more than half the season left to play just gets on my wick.
thats my opinion, this is the worst west ham team i can remember in over 20 years of following the hammers. You have your opinion and i respect that, lets just hope your optimism pays off. COYI
I like the idea of having specialist coaches…i suggest following set up.
head coach – curbishley or pardew.
gk coach – miklosko
def coach – a.martin or t.gale
midfield coach – mad dog 'martin allen'
wide coach – k.keen
strikers coach – jimmy quinn (most underrated str we ever had imo)
This would also allow us to dispense with current zola/clarke on cheap…cos the position of manager / assistant manager would no longer exist and so redundency totally acceptable cheap option.
I would rather be relegated than let that toe rag curbishley darken the door at Upton Park again.
haha what r u on
They all have a west ham link and care about the club. That will filter through to the players. We also during our stable periods appointed from within our own people. Zola/clarke have no history associated with us and no deep feeling for the club.
Specialist coaches works in other sports…why not football. its no different to how chilldren do in classrooms…a large class under performs due to no one on one tuition. Pupils do better in small classes where the teacher can devote each pupil more time…thats a fact. So therefore it makes perfect sense to try it.
no im not on anything, just trying to think of a way out of this mess we are in like everyone else.
yeah curbs cares so much about the club he sued it because they got upset after he blew 50M quid of the chairmans cash and saddled us with a wage bill that nearly crippled the club.
You got to see curbs legacy when Dyer walked down the tunnel after 20mins last night.
I have no complaints about anyone else you propose to bring in, and have always believed that having former players involved in the backroom set up is a good thing for a club but not curbs, never curbs, that guy is a traitor to the club pure and simple.
i only said him or pardew, cos they are the most popular on here. I agree with what you say about curbishley……im just struggling to think of someone acceptable to most fans. Best choice would be Trev in charge, but doubt he would leave FA. That is someone we could all unite behind…it would be great. Cheer up you seem down today…more than the rest of us.
I dint drink or take drugs. If i am on anything its a hill in spain after moving here 8 years ago. I retired at 27 and was able to do that cos im prepared to take risks (i was also a successful gambler) and try something different. Euro clubs have head coaches not managers at a lot of clubs and specialist coaches..its not a new idea. So makes perfect sense to try it.
Tony,
Your not from the Post office or BA’s negotiating team are you … reshuffle and redundancies ?
I can't believe that some of you here are calling for curbishley to be reinstated. It was a breath of fresh air when he left. I would love to see Tony Gale or Billy bonds in charge again but that could be disastrous. Even having Trev back may blow up. Trev is the only option if Zola was to walk out as he would hold the fort and allow us to get a proper manager after the season.
Zola is not going anywhere so lets not even discuss it! We dont have the money
As for free transfers and loans – there's just next to nothing available at the moment as is always the case this time of year.
The only player I can imagine, who we could bring in is Sol Campbell to offer a bit of experience – and possibly replace departing Upson.
Try to see the positives.
Carlton cole's injury is not as bad as expected.Might be back january
Diamanti is looking better by game
We are not expected to get anything from chelsea- so what if we did get something- it could be a springboard
Behrami – will be back fairly soon
Noble will be back next game
we will have more options for the chelsea game
green
Faubert
gabbidon
upson
Da costa
illunga
noble
parker
Collison
Diamanti
Franco
that is a pretty good team- illunga and faubert bombing forward when necessary plus insurance of 3 at back. Makes only sense as we have no other options
andy you can't be serious about Faubert he's unplayable,i've said this for months,we have to play 4 center backs at least.
Chelsea game one off choice…..
…………Green……………
Tomkins….Dacosta….Upson….,Gabbidon
collision….Parker…..Noble……Ilunga…
………..Franco………..Nouble……….
chelsea play 4-diamond mid- two strikers. I believe in 442, but not against them…they beat 442 regularly. We must match what they do and make it 10 v 10 battle. Let diamanti play in his best position behind franco and nouble…it may cause them probs and be unexpected….giving us a edge.
Gotta be worth a try….we must take the game to them and attack.
So all the people on here having a go at gold/sullivan over the business they made money in
Have never been in a sex shop.
never bought sextoys from a shop or over internet.
have never been in soho etc..and gone in any establishment there.
never gone to amsterdam for the weekend with some mates.
Have never watched porn on the internet
never bought or read a porn mag
never watched a porn movie anywhere or would ever
never been with a prostitute or would
unless you can answer no to all the above….your being a hypocritical.
imo…your also living a very dull and sheltered life and should retire to a monastery at once
LOL
Monastery life is wonderful, Tony…come and join us.
I don't give a monkey's how the Porn Twins made their dough, however.
Just see them as a couple of shysters who will do nothing to push our club forward.
I have yet to find one Brum fan who would give them an endorsement.
Sorry, I don't buy into this local lads stuff with Sullivan and Gold.
If they cough up £50m, they will spend the first three years cleaning out the safe clawing back the money.
Then they'll cash in by flogging us off again.
No but there 6th not bad for a couple of shysters!
I bow to your knowledge of the subject
Word for word I couldnt agree more Lofty! Well said mate!
no thanks…did most of the above at some time and loved it!!!!!!!!
Also went out with a famous model, who got jugs out in those type of mags…..and she was hot!!!!!!!
TJ: But did she go to church on Sunday? Sound like a healthy gal, nonetheless.
Hope your eyesight is holding up!
Church….only on photo shoots!!
Not healthy really….the downside to that industry and lifestyle can take a toll…i know from personal experience with her.
eyesight…funny enough…no its not, i now where glasses!!!
lol
Tony they made their money in an industry that has only one requirement for success, a thorough lack of moral fibre!
Do you actually have a point to make?
Good luck with that!
i put the above just to make a small point and partly as a joke…its not over serious or worthy of starting a fallout over. We are just all down at the moment…everyone needs to lighten up.
Things may look better at the end of jan with a few good signings.
I dont think getting rid of zola is the answer. Yes we are playing awful in defence right now but some things need to be changed. Tomkins and Gabbidon are awful at the back, they lack the leadership qualities that Upson and Collins do. Da Costa looks like the real deal, he's young, strong and of course he has made a few mistakes but he looks like a better bet than the Tomkins Gabbidon pairing.
The team looks very low on confidence, Collison, Illunga, Noble dont look like the same players they did last year, but a new manager is not the solution. We need to stand behind zola, he pullled it out the bag last year and with a few signings in January and hopefully keeping Cole, Upson and Green. Parker is the 1 player that cannot go, he is solid and cant see a team working without him.
couldn't disagree more,do you support portsmouth hull or wolves
the same could be said for you my friend as one of your earlier posts calls for Allan Pardew to come back. So on what grounds do you disagree?
mark mate,__your loyalty is to be applauded…but you also highlight his failings that concern others.__if we are awful in defence its his fault…his team,his player choice, his formation. he is also responsible for keeping morale up.__he picks tomkins and gabbidon…he sold collins.__he does not pick da costa…his choice….ps i like him aswell.__if he did not play people out of position, play wrong formation etc…we may not have a confidence problem.__Parker is been vg this year….i agree on that.__its not all zola's fault, but our situation is bad and getting worse every week. If we dont act soon, it maybe too late. A change of manager may focus the players and improve things. Its not we dont like him, everyone is shocked and worried our bad things have got.
appreciate your views and you're right, he makes too many mistakes, steve clarke should know better too. we'll see what the board do, our club is far has far too much instability in it right now to get rid of a manager and get new owners in, we don't want to end up like Portsmouth, we shall see. Survival is the main priority, defiantly wasn't expecting that at the start of the season
none of us were expecting this nightmare…i thought 10th, a few cup runs and the blooding of some youngsters in a secure mid table side playing well….giving hope for the future. A lot of us are down and divided on the best way out of this mess. Just support the team and hope.
It doesnt really matter about Gollivan at this point. Straumur were granted their extension to their moratorium, not that there was ever any doubt it would happen. This means that their creditors have backed their plan. One positive thing for the club is that in light of this we can consign all the wild rumours (many pushed by Gollivan) concerning our imminent financial doom to the bin where they belong.
There is no way a rationalisation plan would have been approved had one of the most high profile assets that Stramur own was going down the tubes.
I have no doubt that the red tops will find somemeans to make this sound like a disaster for the club but rest assured it isnt.
It doesnt mean that the club wont be sold, simply that it wont be sold on the cheap to a couple of shonky second hand car dealers who got lucky!
Another telling contribution!
celtic,
Will they invest some 'new' cash for players beyond the premier league cash jan payout (7 to 10 mill approx) and the ashton insurance payout (7 mill approx)…do you think????
I have a whole list of potential vg cheaper foriegn players we could sign. if we had some proper funds available…..we need to shuffle the pack.
The Online Daily Mail are currently running a poll which asks: Should Zola be sacked?
Current voting:
Yes 28 per cent
NO 72 per cent
That seems a fair reflection of how most sound-thinking Hammers fans are thinking.
Obviously there are a few panic merchants around, but thankfully they are in the minority.
In Zola we Trust….for now
[...] Vote: WHU v Bolton Player Performances « West Ham Till I DieWest ham just dont have the money to do that. I would love to see it though. Because of that we just have to get behind the team as much as possible and try not to let the press unsettle us as they are trying. … [...]
I too never wanted Pards to go !! Thought he did well overall, and IS a great up and coming young English coach. OK, apparently he lost the dressing room towards the end of his stint, but I blame the Bentley boys for that NOT him.
Would have him back tomorrow personally with perhaps some input from Sir Trev.
I also believe he was so passionate about us he would come back.
Top of my list for managers though is Murinho……. Not happy at Inter and wants back in the PL, big thing is though, could we afford him and would he want to work with no funds???????
mourinho…simple answer no he wouldn't.
Also they may of bought bentleys…but he bought a ferrari. A little success went too many heads….but in a interview i read, he said he regretted the ferrari and would do things differently….eg he has learnt from his mistakes. That is the mark of a man….he also said he would like to come back one day.