Welcome back Carlton Cole. Boy how we have missed you. I’m assuming that Frank Nouble will drop to the bench, with Diamanti playing in a forward midfield role, although personally I’d like to see a 4-4-2 formation with Nouble and Cole playing together up front. Just as big a welcome back has to go to Scott Parker who really is without doubt our top player this season. Interestingly, Mark Noble took on his role against Portsmouth and played a blinder according to reports. Let’s hope they both do this afternoon.
I don’t think Herita Ilunga will figure, but he may well be back next week. In the meantime I’d quite like to take another look at Daprela, who was very impressive in his only appearance so far, againt Arsenal. I expect Zola will continue with Spector, though.
After the disappointment of only a point at Portsmouth just think what a kick start a win would give us today. We’d get to 23 points and possibly 13th please. I think I need a lie down.
I haven’t got the stats to hand but I think we normally do quite well against Blackburn at home. We really need that trend to continue today.
My expected lineup…
Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Collison, Noble, Parker, Behrami, Diamanti, Cole.
It would be nice if diamante had any sort of right foot he has to work hard to shoot left footed
nice work by sears and parker no one for parker to score
why wasn’t anyone reading that from Scotty? Shame
waiting for the sucker punch, now, eh?
Should have let Behrami on, this is the part of the game where he is a massive influence as other players tire
How are you feeling about Upson at the moment, by the way? I am thawing on him. Seems to be playing quite well recently.
As a defender he has improved as a captain, no change!
I agree. Should've been Noble or Collison to come off for Parker.
Yes, should probably have taken Collison off. He loses influence usually as the game goes on.
Collison has been below par
I hate Gabby Logan!
At least the other games are going for us…
Hull and Wolves drawing… Bolton losing… Wigan losing….
Good news: Brum equalized with Spuds in stoppage time!
Good news!
another draw! another game with no goals. 1 goal in 3 games and that was from a defender. No lack of effort from the players but if Sullivan and Gold think they can sort that out with a poxy 2million quid they are worse than I thought they were and thats saying something!
Bad result. Wonder who G&S are lining up to take over from GFZ? Must have the feelers out for someone.
Dire stuff. Zola must take the blame for such a defensive set up and why are westill passing around the centre circle with a minute left?
Jeez.
negative negative
no flair no creativity no game plan
no will to win
nervous
left footers on the right rightfooters on left
No bodys in the box.
more points dropped
COMPETE ENEPT MANAGMENT TEAM
worse football ever at westham.
COME ON EVERYONE START YOUR EXCUSES
LOFTYPERCH WRONG AGAIN I SUPPOSE!!!!!!!
You must be a youngster if that's the worst game you've ever seen, lol
Another 0-0!
So judging by all these draws, if we had a scorer we could be winning!
Sure G&S MUST see this?
Keane or Beattie with Cole or Benni with Franco subbing could be the front line that saves us!
MATT ITS NOT THE STRIKERS ITS THE MANAGMENT AND THE WAY THEIR USING THEM
I agree, we are not playing that badly, certainly not great, but it must get tiring when you have no-one likely to score. I'm guessing that Parker wasn't fit enough to play and was on the bench as a last resort if needed. You know he would be playing if he was fit. Cole didn't start simply because we can't afford for him to break down, simple as that, but what a change when he came on. So for the next game I would hope we are in a better place, and boy do we miss Franco
poor result at home to a poor team. tattics all wrong,DD need to get the cheque book out b4 its to late.at home we should batter these teams and go for it from the start.zola needs to be brave and give it a go b4 we end up with no confidence.
That is as bad as i have seen in a long time!
people say we’re going to be fine, and that we have a run of games we can win to get out of trouble. But we didn’t beat pompey nor blackburn, so we’re not beating the teams below and around us. So can someone tell me where we are going to get our points from? I’m worried folks
Dreadful result, didn't look inventive and our best effor came from a free kick, No wonder why G&S said we are in desperate need for 2 new strikers, i think this resut said it all, Parker and Cole should have started, simple as, Parker changed the game whe nhe came on as he drove us forward, Both faubert and Spector played very well but i am gutted with this result.
Hi Celtic mate, I agree with quite a bit of what you say but I have to say I think Sullivan and Gold are doing a good job. The main thing is we are hanging on to our main players- Because of them, the likes of Green (who had a great game today) Upson, Cole, Behrami, will not be sold and they are trying to get a couple of players in.
It's not really their fault that Redknapp and Gudjohnsen have little respect. They both shame themselves.
Not nearly as bad a result as most of you are making it out to be. We were clearly the best team and did not play poorly at all. Cole will probably be available to start the next match and we can play a 4-4-2 with him and Nouble up top.
Out of the relegation zone and things aren't nearly as bad as some seem to think.
CLUTCHING STRAWS MATE
Oliver. Why would you start with Nouble up front.What have you seen in him to think that the lad can score freely?
I think he is a tremendous prospect and in a couple of years could be a major asset for us, but he is not ready. Zola knows it, Sullivan and Gold alluded to it.
I assume we will start with Benni McCarthy alongside cole
It's not so much that Nouble is a great player right now but that he's the only option. I suppose Sears could be the man playing off of Cole but I just don't think he's got as much quality. Until Franco returns it has should be Nouble/Cole up front, for me at least.
Yes I wouldn't play Sears at all.
I thought today that the poor lad was far too distant from the rest of the midfield. He does a sterling job but I wouldn't expect Rooney to score when so cut off from the rest of the pack.
We didn't support him enough. I also believe that cole should have started. We could really have seized on the euphoria of the change of ownership. Still, not as bad a result in the end considering how the other games went
Now that Benni is a hammer we should also look at getting robbie keane in on loan, we are in dire need of prem experienced strikers and these two fit the bill, get both of them along side cole and we actually might score some goals. We need to do some big bussiness in the transfer window after watching that display.
Thankfully other results have gone our way, but it is fustrating that we could be up at around 13th 14th place this evening, as it stands i bleive we are 15th so not to bad but it is very tight down at the bottom. New couple of days are massive as we can see how our team will shape us for the rest of the seaon.
To say I'm pi**ed is putting it lightly. I have not qestioned Zola to date because he has had to work under really tough conditions but if there was ever an opportunity to show G and S just what he was capable of today was it and he really messed it up. We need strikers to hit the ground running and Benni won't be ready for a couple of weeks as he is overweight, so where are the others coming from. Not happy and hope G&S really pull out a couple of rabbits in the next couple of days but fear we'll end up with a decent striker who is not ready to play and that is not what we need.
I will just say something.
We are all west ham fans on here. I think it is pretty poor when one or two of us decide to criticize others for having an opinion. It's different if someone says something highly objectionable then the original poster does not deserve constructive criticism. After all, we are all on here, and each one of us has an opinion.
If you have a certain view then give it but don't be aggressive with it, be constructive.
I seem to have had negative comments today and lots of thumbs down, as some others have too. Why? Well Before the game I voiced my displeasure at the line up as being to negative and giving impetus to Sam Allardyce's team.
It is not just the fact that we had Cole, Parker and Ilunga on the bench but that we also played 4 5 1 at home, and had a young (very talented but inexperienced) player up front, all on his own. Our result 0-0.
If we are not allowed to voice our consternation at a line-up then what is the point of this site?
I feel justified in what I said because of the performance and result.
You would've preferred Sears and Nouble to start up top? Cole wasn't fit to play 90 or he (obviously) would have.
Like wise Scotty, would have played if he was able. You may not like Zola but he is not stupid. I think the guys on the bench were not able to play for the 90 so they didn't. Mind you I would have left Behrami on and taken off Collison
I like Zola a lot. I have always defended him and think he has done very well despite all the outside influences. But he got the line up and tactics badly wrong today I'm afraid.
Saying this does not make me think he is a bad manager. I have faith in him, but I'm perplexed by this game.
Honestly, given the fitness of the players on the bench, and their importance for the season, what else would you have done that would have changed the game? If you start Cole and he is only good for 30-40 minutes what kind of signal do you give when you have to take him off? That's the option, and is he more likely to score against a fresh team or a tiring one? Likewise Scotty. And I don't see what other real choices there were.
I have to agree Andy. This was all against a Blackburn team who haven't kept a clean sheet away from home all season.
I certainly would have started with either Cole or Parker, try to put the game to bed and then take them off when knackered. Coming on after 60 mins to try pinch a game when Blackburn have something to defend (even a point), is never going to be easy… might work against Div 1/2 sides in cup games, but not against premiership teams…
Poor showing from Zola today… especially considering it was Gold and Sullivans first home game…
Just watched Sullivan on SSN and he said Parker and Cole were NOT FIT ENOUGH TO START THE GAME,and Parker actually asked not to start.Come on guys do really think if Zola could of started the both of them he would of .If either of these two had broken down in this game and been put out for X amount of weeks would of been a disaster because their both big players for us.Dissapointing result but not a disaster all the others dropped points,so heads up guys it another point.Sulli also said about a Brazilian coming on Monday any ideas?
ChrisChris, we ALL know you don't like Zola and to be honest mate, your posts about him are getting very tedious! Give it a rest mate!
No sorry mate he has to go
So tell Gold And Sullivan, not us! We already know how you feel!
HammersWest, it's nice to see someone with sensible, level-headed comments in a sea of negativity. Agree with you completely.
Thanks Oliver, appreciate it
mccathy received no17 shirt
we that chelsea sum to win big time after that result today
The uncertainty over ownership has been replaced I reckon with uncertainty over the future of the management team. I think given time Zola will be a good manager of West Ham but I'm not sure G&S have the patience he needs.
Brazilian signing, my initial instic was either Adriano or Alfonzo Alvez, whatever bussiness they do they need to do it quickly.
i will say it again pompey bottom -hull and burnley occupying the other places , on zola iam researving my judgement until after the birmingham game …..parker has just come back so as ilunga and cole so if zola does not play 4-4-2 at the next game and really go for it then iam sad to say my head is starting to rule my heart now . really think zola is sound but we can not afford to drop out of this division at all . i think we should sing 4-4-2 at the wolves game like the birmingham fans did and look where they are at the moment . 4-4-2 is for me the only formation you can play in the prem