Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! The club need to learn from today’s unfortunate events and learn quickly! The principle lesson being that you cannot conduct your club’s affairs via the media in this way. They may have got away with it in the relatively calm regional backwaters of Birmingham, but this is a high profile London club that (especially in recent years) is in the constant glare of media attention.
Both Gold and Sullivan seem to have publicly backed off from the earlier reported comments, with Sullivan acknowledging the fact that players are contracted and you cannot not just rewrite the salary levels guaranteed by those contracts. So, just what has this episode achieved, apart from causing uncertainty, internal division and discontent! Absolutely nothing!
I tell you what, it makes you appreciate the influence that Duxbury previously exerted at the club. I know that he was not universally popular and that as CE he probably must take some responsibility for the financial state of the club. However, subsequent events have shown that Duxbury skillfully walked a tight rope in the last couple of seasons. He faced massive pressure and a virtual vacuum at board level. Yet he managed the situation, ensuring that, in spite of the media feeding frenzy around the club, things were kept under control. Duxbury knew that the club could not afford for it to be publicly acknowledged that the club’s financial affairs were as bad as they were. He bought time via ‘creative accounting’ and consistently projected the ‘Party line’ that the club was financially stable and self-sustaining. This bought us time and crucially kept the PL ‘fire sale’ vultures at bay.
Duxbury kept his nerve in the face of intense pressure from the banks, preserved the integrity of the squad and dealt well with incidents such as Bellamy’s transfer request. I think that in retrospect, and under these difficult set of circumstances, Duxbury holding things together was a near miracle and was to his credit. Yes, he was implicated in the farce around the Tevez affair, but he was obviously acting under instruction . Also, it is conveniently forgotten by some that the PL/FA joint investigation found that there was no evidence of the club breaking rules after the first PL Tribunal decision. This was a vindication not only of the club, but also of Duxbury himself.
As for Zola, well done for telling it the way it is at the pre-match press briefing. He was absolutely right to criticise any media comments that unsettle the players and undermine his preparation of the team for this vital game. It has to be acknowledged that there are certain lines of demarcation between the board and management that must always be observed. One of these is that nothing that the board does should interfere with the manager’s pre-match preparations.
The club need to cut out lose comments and unnecessary speculation. Media statements from the board need to go via one person, probably the very personable David Gold, and be guided by a communications professional and a overall strategy to proactively use the media, rather than being used by it!
I think that it is generally recognised that tomorrow night could be a season defining game. The PL results tonight mostly went our way (Burnley’s limitations being cruelly exposed!) and we must get a win to get out of the bottom three and follow that up with the defeat of Hull City on Saturday. If we can go into the Man Utd away match on 27 points, losing that match will not be a total disaster, as long as we then pick up the pace against Bolton. It is all to play for and we can get out of this hole if the tactics, team selection & player attitude and application is right.
I sincerely hope that Zola and Clarke can gee that players up and get them in a combative mood for the match. We need to treat the game like a cup final and blow Birmingham City away with a passionate, fiery and committeed display of attacking football. We so desperately need one of those inspired matches under the floodlights at Upton Park that we have all experienced and enjoyed over the years. And we fans need to play our part by creating a ‘red hot’ atmosphere on the night.
Zola should have kept the players back after training this week to show them inspiring footage of previous relegation battles. Matches like the 4-2 defeat of Man Utd in the last match of 1976-77, the famous ‘obscene effort’ 1-0 defeat of Man Utd at the end of 1990-91, the victories over the likes of Villa, Blackburn and Liverpool in 1994-95 and the Hartson-Kitson inspired revival of 1996-97. It would show them the desire and skill that they will need to emulate in the coming weeks!
COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
Can't be there tomorrow, I'll still be here in California, but flying over on Friday for a week or so, so I'll join in the vociferous support at the Hull game. Tomorrow is a huge game, let's hope the players are up for it.
SJ I agree with you about Dux. I think he did admirably, and also glad the ever nice Zola didn't take those comments lying down. When did they fire the PR guy? Looks like a bad decision.
Great post, if only their was a clause in Straumers handing over that if they felt sullivan and co were co-coordinating bad business practice they could buy back and sell on to a 3rd party (Fanandes) with Immediate effect, but to be honest I said right from the get go on another West Ham site that sullivan and Straumer were in co hoots or why didnt they let Fernades take 100% control if there wasnt some future investment for them out of it? I didn't like hearing the initial news of sullivan taking over and I like it even less now, my prediction is, Upton Park torn down, sullivan makes a huge packet on development properties by renting space over Green Street or selling it, he rents Olympic stadium sells his 50% shares of west ham after he gains 100% for the cost of 100% meaning he gets 50% for free and in the mean time fills the club with loanee signings and short term contracts until he can sell his stakes for a further killing, the guys a crook, I wish something could be done to oust him right now, or maybe there can be, maybe the government can step in if his practices become so obvious that no one can ignore, I just hope something is done to stop this charade to save this club and prevent Zola from leaving. I got a song for sullivan Your the Devil in disguise
Do you honestly expect someone with the integrity of Zola to be party to some tawdry pathetic publicity stunt?
I supposed the West Ham Olympic crap from Brady was a publicity stunt as well was it?
And how about having a go at Clarke's salary in the press was that a publicity stunt as well?
You credit David Sullivan with far too much intelligence and Gianfranco Zola with far too little integrity if you think that.
Thats the best you have? A little girl hissy fit!
Now that you've stamped your feet and said shit up it all makes such perfect sense, alienating your entire coaching staff, demotivating your whole team and telling your best players that no matter how well the play you're taking away a quarter of their salary is absolute commercial genius. I am surprised it hasnt caught on more amongst the captains of industry, all the money they waste in rewarding their staff, all the incentives they have to make them work harder and feel part of the team.
The should have just slagged them all off in the press, told them they were going to take their money away and sat back and wait for the Wall Street Journal to come calling for a photoshoot for their man of the year award!
Tell you what why dont you explain it to me and everyone else on this team what exactly would convince a man like Gianfranco Zola to go along with this? Or do you think that Zola is happy to play the part of Golivans dancing monkey?
You still havent explained why they came rushing out with a shambling retraction after Zola's comments making them not only look shambaloic but also weak? Obviously I missed the subtle masterplan in that one so feel free to explain that to the rest of us as well!
well said celtic
Blimey celtichammer give it a rest.
you can criticise what people think but cant take it if someone disagrees with you
As usual this website has its finger on the pulse. Sadly our new owners have learnt their trade at the wrong end of town. All the talk of the old east end when their behaviour is pure west end- soho !!
We need support from our owners, they keep asking it from us, and we try to give it but the enduring story of how poor we are is now wearing thin, even if it's true.
I expected standards of cleverness, of guile, shrewdness and ability, what we got was an embarrassing chairman whose motivational skills are as Herod and babysitting ! Come on you Irons , no sexuality implied !
To be fair Mr Gold appears to be wiser but I do wonder if they play good cop bad cop ! I do hope that they realise they are messing around with a Sicilian and a jock not the best opponents up a dark alley. Best wishes to Ian in his quest this week, and best hopes for finishing off Birmingham !!
If I was the owner of West Ham and we could not beat Pompey,Blackburn and Burnley and get 4 poxy wins all year my finger and anger is directed at the person or Duo responsible for these crap excuses and joke results,and they are milking the money out of a club that has been run as a charity that has become a daily joke and if the owners do question the whole staff well good for them cos the majority are taking the absolute proverbial based on the History of underachieving they have called results this season.
Gold and Sullivan will take no prisoners and pull no punches get these lame ducks out of their comfort zones they obviously enjoy,50 years I have listened and watched crap now 2 people want to ruffle feathers and give us some power back well go for it guys too many employees at the club should know the owners are on a mission go for it boys makes us Champs!if you dont like home truths go,NOW!
Agree with your sentiments, however, G&S should be telling the people concerned to their faces and not pillory them in the press, just doesn't make sense.
Never been a Zola fan sorry.
After all this time he still doesn't know his best team nor formation.
He's never addressed the width problem therefore we don't score enough and hes purchases(if hes) have been poor.
couldnt agree more, inept tactics,formations and motivation and the table doesn't lie, we're down there for a reason
chrischris arnt you a little bored writing the same sad rant on every blog,cos most of us are.
no
Also square pegs round holes,and can't win a game,draw with 4 5 1 yes,but lacks tactics to get the 3 points.
We couldn't win a game as we didnt have any forwards. The three we brought in look good. Give them a chance to settle in and watch the goals come.
If i was zola i would go for it tonight.
4 3 3 is his favored formation, maybe with Ilan and mido It might click(maybe)
also I watched the fulham burnley game, burnley are crap! just shows how bad we really are.sorry its true guys.
Sullivan reckons he is not backing down with his comments, should be fireworks on the pitch and off it tonight.
One fellas hit the nail on the head.
Zola had a chance to study Birmingham on sunday,but didn't bother,he went to the Chelsea game instead,no point studying that one mate.
Chris it shows he must aspire to get us winning like Chelsea And Playing like Arsenal,not Brum!
Let’s face it, they are porn barrens.
And also owned the Sunday Sport. They live in that tacky tabloid world, and love the attention. And there are 3 of them – even Brady has a regular weekly column in the Sun, so we can only expect more of this sort of thing. Times 3.
They are in it as a business venture, and also cos they are WHU fans, but alos because they love the attention and publicity.
But it doesn’t necesaarily hace to be detrimental to the club. Lots of successful clubs around Europe have presidents who loce shooting their mouths off. We’re just going to have to get used to it, and so will Zola (if he stays)
It’s difficult to gauge whether Sullivan’s comments yesterday were just his usual shooting from the hip remarks, or whether they are part of calculated strategy to get Zola to resign / cut his wage (Sullivan certainly won’t want to sack him and pay up the remainder of his lucrative contract)
They are media whores, and that will be irritating – personally I’m not that enamoured that we have a couple of attention seeking porn barrens in charge, but that doesn’t mean to say they are wrong – there are too many people milking money out of the club and the players, management, medicfal team, Nani are all on too high wages. The Premier League has got to wake up to economic relaity.
Sorry SJ Chandos – I just cannot agree with your defence of Duxbury and his ‘creative accounting’ as you call it. Basically, you are defending lies, and defending deceiving the fans.
WHU did not release their accounts for 2 years running under Duxbury. And yet I’ve seen you before, call for more transparency on here (something I wholeheartedly agree with)
Duxbury and himself and his cronies all driving around in flash cars at the club’s expense, and he has paid the manager, assistan manager, Nani and the medical team over the top wages. He extended Ashton’s contract, paying him big wages, when he wasn’t properly recovered from injury. Why? (we were thinking aboiut claiming insurance from the FA for Ashton’s retirement through injury but you only get 2 years to make a claim and this expired sometime agao)
But worst of all, Duxbury also was a media whore, using his favoured journalists to put Curbishley down with snide remarks about his personality while he was still manager (worse than what Sullivan is doing now)
aq
Hey Iain, SJ, lads and ladies. Long time no posting, been keeping my eye on the site but aint had much positive thoughts to provide after our disastrous season so far. Talking about not knowing what you have till it's gone I fear that will be our situation in regards to the Prem if we don't pick our act up.
@Ironman100 your obviously new here and have a bit of a chip on your shoulder, I'm just gonna say this site is for people who love the Hammers and want to discuss, debate and provide their opinions on our great club, It aint a site that tolerates people slagging off others views and generally bringing the place down with their negative attitudes many like you have come and gone. Grow up mate.
Well said m8, and welcome back, tonight is a key game for us and i am hoping and praying we can scrap out a win. Brum have beeen doing very ell this season but looking at there team, we must use the wings to great effect and also some over the top through balls could get them undone tonight.
Also well said on the immature posters, if you are here to just slag comments off and put thumbs down on people you really need to grow up and get lost, your not wanted on here.
Some of the worst offenders with regards to slagging off are those that have been here the longest, and the clique defending them gets bigger by the day.
I find it more insulting to read a post by someone saying “the new posters need educating” than a post calling someone a mug. I’m not sure some posters realise exactly how arrogant they sound.
I’m not one given to name calling myself – I find it unnecessary, but I appreciate the right to an opinion. I don’t agree with most of the stuff posted on here, but instead of getting embroiled in a row I choose to ignore certain posters. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for more to do the same occasionally.
Some of the worst offenders with regards to slagging off are those that have been here the longest, and the clique defending them gets bigger by the day.
I find it more insulting to read a post by someone saying "the new posters need educating" than a post calling someone a mug. I'm not sure some posters realise how arrogant they sound.
I'm not one given to name calling myself – I find it unnecessary, but I appreciate right to an opinion. I don't agree with most of the stuff posted on here, but instead of getting embroiled in a row I choose to ignore certain posters. It wouldn't be a bad thing for more to do the same occasionally.
I agree to some extent with your post SJ and we must credit Duxbury with keeping the club a going concern, but both the Davids have now explained how bad a state we are in financially and it would have been only a matter of time before Duxbury and the board were found out and we could not have kept going in such a state for long. But, I am concerned, like others here with their 'open mouth before thinking' approach to management, although they are keeping us in the news, sometimes that is not want you want, especially after all the bad press we have had for so long! All of our games are must wins, regardless of who we play now – we are in not state to pick and choose who we win against. Foolish? No, you go out to win the game not play for a draw or think 'well, maybe we could beat this team instead'. It will be very tight and we will just about stay up, in my opinion. Burnley are a tricky side at home and Birmingham playing very well and aiming for Europe, which is possible as I see Spurs dropping too many points from now on to gain a place. I will be happy with a draw, but all out for a win – but it will be tough!
IF Zola goes who will The Tits (double D) get in ?
Curbs ? hope not
Pards ? who has said he would love to come back and finish the job.
Who is out there who is better and would be happy to work for low wages ?
Hughes ? don't think so
can't see the point in getting rid of Zola and Clarke we may as well run with it, IF we go down then so be it, we will sell and change the manager and start again.
Not ideal but hay what choices do we have
_E1 you are right, I know there are some who do not support Zola and Clarke and there are good reasons for that I accept, but changing the manager now would be certainly a bad idea at best, possible relegation at worst. And who is there to come in? We had one of our best starts to a season when Zola came in, but a change was needed and it was a brave choice, you have to credit the board with that. But with the club the way it is now, I am not sure who would want to come in – the D's have certain made the club a very unattractive prospect, even for additional investors! But, Zola and Clarke need to get the team ready for some battling games and to get results – no more 4-5-1, not with the choice of strikers we have! 4-3-3 has its support, but so would 4-4-2, either way we play better with width – see how Faubert kicks up the chalk at times, Collison too can do that and I want to see us work the channels and whip in some crosses to unsettle defenses and score some goals! Well, see what happens tonight.
My little girl must have kept me up all night more then i though coz i must be seeing things……SJ…you are seriosuly defending Duxbury!!?!? The bloke has had a large part in nearly burying this club and you defend him, talk about double standards, people were moaning on here that he never said a word on so many issues and now we have Ronny and Reggy spouting nonsense people are still not happy, the Tevez affair alone should be enuff, then throw in how much they are paying Zola and the other inept siginings and there wages and the hangers on all brought in under Duxbury's CEO reign and you defend him. Utter nonsense.
I dont believe Duxbury can be blamed for the inept signings that Mr Egghead brought in and it is difficult to ascertain whether he is to blame for the Tevez affair. But what I do believe is he has done a good job keeping the club afloat without a fire sale of our best players. He also had the intelligence to keep his mouth shut and not destabilize our players like our new owners seem intent on doing. It is hard to believe that they ran a football club for 17years with some of the stuff they come out with.
I know this may sound a bit silly but i don't suppose we could talk about tonights game,i know we normally have to many other things to debate other than football but i don't think we've had a more important than we have tonight for many years. It's vital that what ever team the manager puts out there weather you a fan of his or not gets our full backing ,THE FANS HAVE TO BE BEHIND THE TEAM.!I don't care what the chairman has said ,our focus must be on the team tonight and not on Zola or the Chairmen i'll be there and i'll be right behind them from the of it's up to us to lift the team i think we can go up to 14th if we win.COYI!!
and before anyone says..'yeah but he kept us afloat with creative accounting' oh did he..we're aflot are we…even the band carried on playing when the RMS Titanic went down.
In Zola we trust today.
Zola will play 4-2-4 all out attack. Get the 3pts then we move to 14th and then we push on to top 10.
In Zola we trust.
you're obviously not serious are you??
I dont have a choice but to believe we will get the 3pts tommorow. I have to believe in Zola's regime. Dont have a choice.
I would take a dodgy 1nill win any day fo the week. 4-2-4 won't happen
its not the 3 points shout its the fact you said top 10…not a hope in hell..
anythings possible in football. A good run of form and we will be top 10. Anyone from like 10 down can go down.
A good run of form?!?!?!? where is that coming from then?
the only answer i can give u is:
In Zola we trust!!!
then we really haven't a chance if you're pinning your hopes on that bloke
games tonight mate lol
for me in New Zealand its tommorow
McLeish, who admitted that he had crossed swords with Gold a few times during his time at Birmingham, should be motivated further after his former chairman said that he wanted West Ham to “whack” his team tonight. “I’ll pin it up,” he said. “They’ve done my team-talk for me.”
Enough said
More hyperbole. Birmingham spend the week preparing for a game against their previous owners’ new club and then change their mind about the approach because of something said in the paper?
What normally happens is the manager will state “they did the team talk for me” AFTER the game. This sort of stuff is neither worth reporting or commenting on.
From today's Guardian
Alex McLeish thanks former owners for providing easy team-talk
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/10/al…
"I'll pin them up," said McLeish. "They've done my team-talk for me. Thanks a lot the two Davids."
I normally agree with everything that Martin Samuel says – even though he now writes for the Daily Mail. But I haven't read such a load of codswallop for a while.
He goes on to rake up the past ownership issues and then slate Zola's record this year and compares with previous relegation campaigns. He argues that Zola is too nice.
Now, this is wholly unfair considering that Zola's position has almost been untenable from day one. Capello would have struggled with the off-field problems. Now Zola has to put up with these two jokers coming in, who have only managed to rile the manager, the coach and playing staff in one fail swoop, whilst also doing Alex McLeish's team talk for him.
I shocking PR disaster and one that surely can not be defended by anyone. Martin Samuel has not only tried to defend Sullivan and Gold but has come out in praise of them.
He is a West Ham fan, and so surely wants what is best for the team. It defies belief that he can think this was a positive statement to be made before the eve of our biggest match for years.
The most telling comment here is winning 4 out of 24 – as much as everyone hates it that is relegation form.
The antics of double D are not going to help anyone – keep trap shut time! is that what they did at Birmingham?
A win tomorrow and there is hope, a loss and we are gone.
All a loyal fan can do is support the current management as I'm sure they are trying their best.
COY!!!
So what next?… Judging by the masses, G & S are finished….
Lets get the Icelanders and Duxbury back…. All is forgiven…
Let's get this into prospective, It was twisted attempt to give everybody a kick up the backside and maybe it's back fired…
The press are loving every minute of this – our Chairman and Manager are now having a conversation / argument through the media – lets be grown up about this, Sullivan and Zola need to take this 'debate' behind the scenes, win a couple of games and make West Ham 'old news' for the media. Currently the press have every excuse to drag this out until the end of the season. It was important that S & G made a big noise early on, but now please go about your business quietly and efficiently.
Rangi games tonight mate lol
I think it is way too early to be drawing conclusions on the strategy of S&G. I understand that everybody has prejudices about the abilities and mentality of both Sullivan and Gold, based on their work at Birmingham as well as their 'unethical' commercial background.
HOLD YOUR HORSES!
It is unfair to judge now, let G&S do their job, have patience.
And moreover, don't mix up short term issues (getting 3 point out of next game and prevent relegation ASAP) with long term targets (stadium, debts, academy, etcetera). We should be judging these long terms plans separately from today’s concerns
Hi Dutchhammer.
Believe me us West Ham fans are a very patient and understanding bunch. After all we've had Terence Brown and the Icelandic Banks.
Zola was right when he said we should all be concentrating on the game with Birmingham. The owners have only succeeding in causing a rift in the camp, negative press, uncertainty amongst all the staff, including the manager and players, and providing the opposing team all the motivation they could ever wish for – there really can't be any strategy here to speak of.
It really comes down to them both loving the sound of their own voice a little too much. I wouldn't call that a strategy.
Also, by questioning the players' wage structure and singling out Dyer and Behrami, the likes of Parker will be affected who are on a similar wage.
There really is no strategy and no good to come from it.
I am now a little fearful of tonight's game, where before this article I was very optimistic of a much needed win
I agree with you about the patence of the WH fans, historically we are very patient indeed. But isn't patience by definition the opposite of judging new owners within 2 weeks after their appointment?
I personally am really appreciating hearing more from our board after the uncertain silence during the last half year. Wether it is good or bad, I really enjoyed the enthousiasm of Sullivan in the Hardtalk interview.
The situation of West Ham is very much comparible with Feyenoord in the Netherlands. Once a fierced club winning the UEFA CUP, now in big debts and fighting to come back to the top. What we do have in comman is a fighting spirit and very loyal fans. The difference is that Feyenoord decided to cut costs, even if that means that they will loose connection with the top for some long years to come.
IMHO, that is the only way up. And that is something G&S are making us aware of. There is only one way of solving the problem at West Ham, and that is the long term approach.
I agree with you about the patence of the WH fans, historically we are very patient indeed. But isn't patience by definition the opposite of judging new owners within 2 weeks after their appointment?
I personally am really appreciating hearing more from our board after the uncertain silence during the last half year. Wether it is good or bad, I really enjoyed the enthousiasm of Sullivan in the Hardtalk interview.
The situation of West Ham is very much comparible with Feyenoord in the Netherlands. Once a fierced club winning the UEFA CUP, now in big debts and fighting to come back to the top. What we do have in comman is a fighting spirit and very loyal fans. The difference is that Feyenoord decided to cut costs, even if that means that they will loose connection with the top for some long years to come.
IMHO, that is the only way up. And that is something G&S are making us aware of. There is only one way of solving the problem at West Ham, and that is the long term approach.
Also you say avoid relegation. Even if we do avoid relegation, most of the playing staff will want out due to the disrespect the owners have for them. Why should the likes of Carlton Cole, Parker, Collison, Behrami and Green want to stick around when they are being disrespected in the press, and having their wages slashed.
It really is unforgivable.
I like Zola, a good man who has both honesty and integrity and more class in he's little finger than a lot in football but and heres the but..he currently has the misfortune to hold the worst win rate in the history of any WHU manager, i'm not one for stats but that speaks volumes to me, i'm not blaming him as such although he has been very poor this season but we have put faith in someone with no managerial experience and someone with a dream…this dream is slowly turning into a nightmare..i honestly think the job is too big for the man… just my opinion.
Hi Digger
I know what you are saying, but I don't think comparisons can be drawn between Zola and any other Manager's time here.
First of all, Zola is having a lot more to cope with than any other Manager in West Ham's history. The financial strain is totally unprecedented. Threats of fire-sales and possible administration,Sheff Utd saga, Former Manager's going to the courts, massive injury problems. We hoped that now the new owners have come in, it would improve but unfortunately for him, he and his playing staff are now being victimized via the press. Capello would struggle to get a win in these surroundings.
For example. You can point to the fact that Zola has a slightly worse record than even Glenn Roeder. If you at it at face value, that would certainly be a damning conclusion. BUT, Glenn Roeder, presided at a time when we had players such as Paulo DiCanio, Trevor Sinclair, Glen Johnshon, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Freddie Kanoute, Jermaine Defoe, David James.
Stats simply do not do Zola Justice. He needs to be judged on how he performs next season that is providing he is still here next season. If I was Zola I would walk away in the summer as quite frankly I'm sure he doesn't need the hassle. Life is too short and he should have to stand there and be undermined at every turn.
fair point Andy and i've taken it onboard, my issue is the players we have on paper we should not be bottom 3, the results have been poor you cannot get away from that, ok so we do play some nice football but we cannot get the balance right, dont get me wrong its a massive improvement on the turgid nonsense under curbishley but i am still left wanting. after a defeat i dont want to see my manager on the tv smiling, i want him to refuse to do interviews like others do when they lose, show some grit Zola and realise we seriously ARE NOT TOO GOOD TO GO DOWN like you think we are…
Digger – I have also criticised Zola AND Clarke throughout the season for their selections & formations but there is no doubt that outside influences haven't helped.
You are right to say our team is far too good to be fighting relegation, so they must shoulder the blame, too.
The saving grace for me, is Zola, the person. He is a West Ham type man, in the mould of Greenwood & Lyall. I would like him to grow with the club.
good point and well said Devo
no I agree Digger. I think we are in no way too good to go down. We went down before with fantastic players – better than we have now so I wouldn't bet against it. But undermining the staff, players and Manager and Coach is not the way to go about it.
I think Zola can end up being a great Manager for us if allowed. I just hope he gets the chance to prove himself when we dont have outside influences
wtf you on ironman? do you even understand the word or is it you cannot accept a view contrary to yours?
Sorry Ironman, will try to make this easy for you as I noticed that not one of your five words had more than four letters in it…. go back to your comics and keep up the pills as I am sure one day you will grow up to be a fine example (sorry for the tough word) of a human being. Would say I was being sarcastic but I am afraid you may sprain your wrist, eyes or brain looking for a dictionary, never mind looking up the words. Sorry to everyone else and I know I should act better than this spanner but I refuse to let this git away with the kind of abuse I've been getting..
Ok just realised it's now 3.50am and that gits post is still up so if anyone gives out to me, it's not my fault, accordong to the log it's been up on site for at least 8 hours
We may not be able to stop the new owners blathering to the press but we can at least show our support for Zola.
The Hammers fans should sing Zola's name all night long. Zola will hear we are supportive of him and the fans will appreciate that we are behind the manager and what he is trying to do- under very difficult circumstances.
How about something like this!
You’re just too good to be true
Although you’re five foot 2
Why don’t we get a room?
You can bring Steve Clarke too!
Let’s all go out for a meal
We can have jellied eels
We’ll leave the wives all alone
Just don’t tell Terry they’re home
La La La La La La lalala
La La La La La La lalala
La La La La La La lalala
La La La La La La LAAAAA
We love you Zola
More than Gollivan
We love you Zola
Because we are West Ham
We love you Zola
Trust in us when we say
We love you Zola
More than Gollivan
We love you Zola
Because we are West Ham
Yes we love you Zola
Yes we love you.
andy zola's record's terrible lets be honest,the table don't lie,i know he's a likeable chap but he's minging!!!!
Haha, i will join in on this one for sure, lets all get behind Zola, he is having a tough time and i hope he gets it tacticaly right tonight, G&S need to shut up now, they are boring. Same old finaancial crap everyday, we don’t care about that anymore, just sort that out and get behind zola to help the team.
Green
Faubert Upson Tomkins Ilunga
Kovac
Behrami Diamanti
Parker
Cole Ilan or Mido
COYI!!!!!
Great stuff Andy…you are a wasted talent.
why thank you sir
It’s the managers job to protect his overpaid, highly pampered under performing squad from criticism. If he is unable or unwilling to do that then he needs to look at his own position.
A metaphorical kick up the arse doesn’t do anyone any harm. Proposed paycuts and the like aren’t coming in overnight. A manager can only pick a team, send them out and hope that what he’s told them is enough. Now is the time for the team to say “stuff the new bloke. We’re supporting our manager by giving our all and getting 3 points. We don’t want a paycut that comes with relegation”
It's difficult not to like Zola and the football he try's to get the team playing. I think both Cole and Upson to name but two have improved on an individual basis because of him. After Curb's turgid reign he has been a breath of fresh air. I felt under Curbs we were very effective but very negative and I didn't always look forward to attending home games. Blackburn was dire but most of the other home games have been entertaining. I didn't think Zola should get appointed because he was too unproven. Now we have him I hope he proves me wrong and we can play winning and entertaining football. It's not his fault he got offered the job or that he is over paid. Sullivan needs to keep his thoughts inside the club for now and deal with the issues he can affect rather than show his frustration at those he can't. COYI
For me has to be 451 to start – keep it compact and stay in the game early doors to be changed in the second half
We can't give away an early goal in this one as Birmingham will just shut up shop and they have proved very good at doing so against all teams this season
This is a must not lose game – not quite a must win just yet as it's so tight down the bottom – but granted with the away games we have left we must be taking advantage of our home fixtures
I think Zola will go with:
Green
Ilunga
Tomkins
Upson
Faubert
Berhami
Parker
Kovac (resting collison)
Noble
Diamanti
Cole
Frankie I wouldn't be too upset with your suggestion but I would like to see a 4-4-2 relatively early in order to crank up some pressure. Birmingham have one of the best defensive records and outside of Cole the only goal threat looks like Diamanti from free kicks.
I just think we need a stable base to start with then look to attack later in the game with Stan / mido / Ilan etc
If we play too openly and concede – and judging by recent gaffs by Upson and green it's likely… our heads will go down with what's been said in the media in the last few days and its game over before we've even got going
I would love to see faubert smash one in tonight and french kiss the badge off his shirt ha ha!! He deserves one for his recent performances
COYI!!!
agree with most of that and what you're saying but we've now got more strikers than Arthur Scargyle and to only play 1 upfront in a team that is struggling to score seems negative to me, i cant believe i'm agreeing to bring in that useless lump Kovac but he has to play and Jack needs to be rested you are spot on there, i'd also think about Pepperami in the middle with Scotty..just a thought….
Agreed, we cannot play 4-5-1 at home when we are struggling to score goals. Cole becomes isolated and frustrated. We must trust our defense and with behrami just in front of the back four it gives us a good platform to go forward. I believe the key is using the width getting down the flanks and producing crosses that cole and ilan/mido can attack
Frankie I will go with that to start and your point about 4-5-1 is worth a throw, but this is where Zola can truly show his worth – changing the tactics to win the game and being able to draw on striker options – we never had that for a while! Don't agree about the draw – all games, must win. A draw, considering the table at the moment will be 2 points lost not one point gained, imho!
I only said a draw because of Birminghams form and thats looking more likely than a win, but of course i know how much we need this win – just being realistic son
Off topic but i see Nouble got 75 minutes for West Brom last night i reckon this could be a great move for the lad,he'll get some good competitive football without the pressure he was under for us.Should come back a better player.
I really rate the guy and what a steal from chelsea. He has the makings of a great centre forward and having cole to look up to and learn from can only be a good thing as they are very similar. He must be high in confidence after the performances he put in for us and I agree that it will be an invaluable experience challanging for the championship with west brom as long as he continues to get game time.
You never know what you have till it is gone?I miss the fighting spirit of the squad of players in the great escape under Curbs but every season we get involved in a relegation fight it is the only thing to keep us involved until May!I loved the season we nearly won the League 85/86 we kept on winning and winning loved going to work loved going down the pub loved life for the season Thanks Jonny Lyall you never knew how great a thrill that was until next year we sold all our best players but the wow factor off the Richter Scale by immense proportions,Memories!
Is it true zola can't be sacked?
If Zola loses tonight's game surly he should resign.
Er….No!
Here's all you need to know about Sullivan's intentions, in an interview with Mihir Bose….
"My man Christian Benitez has scored for Birmingham," he tells me. "That is the last player I bought. That is my team."
Enough said.
I suggest you take your vitriol elsewhere
Crumbs.
I feel sorry for Mido. He'll be on £750 a week next season.
Nice one, getting closer to the fans all the time.
nice one
Team tonight:
Green
Spector Tomkins Upson Daprela
Faubert Behrami Parker Stanislas
Cole Mido
Interesting post SJ, reading the comments on the site over the last while, would it be fair to say the majority of supporters on this site:
1) Are in support of Zola and Clarke, and see no benefit in changing at this stage, albeit we are slightly disappointed with some of the results?.
2) Optimistic ( with good cause ) we can get a run of wins and remove the threat of relegation?.
3) Quite pleased with the Dave's so far, but wish they would "shut it" on the media front?.
4) We prefer to be optimistic and debate with like minds rather than pesimistic dark thinkers?
5) We all support this great club and know by now, its not an easy experience, but we'll always support?
Big game tonight I will be listening on internet radio far away but feeling every bit as nervous as the lucky people at the game COYI
Crickey discobiscuit you are very unhappy with nearly everybody on this site. I am not sure if you are suggesting that only people from London should be allowed to support the Hammers? As you know Celtic is well able to stick up for himself so having a go at him in the post to me is a bit weird.
Assuming you are a supporter, I hope you enjoy the game tonight COYI
Ideal scenario tonight? 3-0 win Cole, Mido and Faubert, Zola rips up a copy of the sun / razzle, cups his ears towards Elmer Fudd and Gold…. then moon walks down the tunnel……….legendary
ha ha ha, brilliant!
I would love to see anyone score for us tonight, but a long-overdue Faubert goal would be lovely indeed.
COME. ON. YOU. IRONS.
I think that the only two mistakes that Sullivan made was the timing and the method. The reasoning for stringent cuts are totally logical given our parlous state but those mistakes were extremely stupid and I can't see any way his actions have helped anyone at the current time. For starters he has alienated a large chunk of the fanbase and the manager as well. Not well thought out.
It looks like the penny has dropped for Sullivan. On Sky Sports he is saying he will give Zola 100% support and will not be doing any more interviews until the end of the season. I doubt that will happen but the contrition is welcome.
We must attack Brum tonight. If we try to hit them on the break it won't work. Their starting point will be not to get beaten – which they have become very adept at. for all their wins this season, none of them have been by more than one goal and their success (relative) is due to good organisation and, fortunately, a very settled side. Every player knows his job and they don't lose their shape. I watched their game against Wolves at the weekend and, even when they were a goal down, kept playing in the same way that has worked for them this season.
They are also an example of how you can find good players from lower down the leagues. The two central defenders (Johnson and Dann) came from the championship and are a really effective partnership. Those who saw our game at St Andrews earlier in the season will know that.
So, for me, it's attack and try to use the width of the pitch. although Faubert has been doing a good job at full back in recent games I would like to see him given a run wide midfield (like others on here) because, if we don't do that, we will be far too narrow again and just play into their hands.
Finally, I really hope everyone gets behind the team so they know that they have our support following the chaos of the last couple of days.
OK have tried to remain calm about this but that comment is way out of line and I find it along with your other benign and mostly insulting comments to be devoid of any common sense.
Firstly, Racism, sexism and anti-semitism are not widely used on this site, you more suggest they are rather than say it,
Secondly, Such remarks, if they are made are removed and usually pretty quickly.
Thirdly, I don't necessarily agree with all Celtics posts but at least if I have a differing viewpoint I will share it without the personal assassination, something you and a few others seem incapable of.
Why don't you go out the back of the bike shed for a smoke with the other school kids.
As for your idea of finding a site to suit you…try this one…should be up to your level of debate
http://thegamesgonecrazy.blogspot.com/2010/02/res…
Iain, something needs to be done about this biscuit-case
Shouldn't you be sorting out the Olympic stadium, Karen?
I thought I would mention a few parallels with Lazio.
Although a bigger club than us – they won the Scudetto in 2001, they are suffering like us this year.
They are in the bottom 3, third from bottom. Their Owner Claudio Lotito who like ours does not own the club outright but has controlling say on all matters.
This Chairman also has a history of speaking openly about his dissatisfaction of some of his players- 2 of his better players were frozen out and Goran Pandev and cristian ledesma took him to court, and as a result Pandev won, and was released from contract- on a free transfer.
Although it should be said Lotito froze out the two players, whereas Dyer has not specifically been frozen out – although he is being targeted because of his wages and injury problems.
Pandevs price would have been in the region of £10M.
Baladini the Manager of Lazio finally came out with a statement after the latest loss, stating that he knows how to do his job, but the President is not helping.
Now there is plenty of talk in Italy, that the Manager is going to be given the sack. The fans are absolutely up in arms about it, as they realize the Manager has been dealing with extreme outside influences.
Pandev is now playing for Inter Milan and is being their star Player.
I am using this as an example of how disruptive it can be when chairmen get too involved with football matters. Any good chairman needs to address the financial side should never speak out against the team and the players. Lazio's are an example of what can happen to a team when this does happen.
Believe me, if a big club like Lazio can be undermined there is no reason why West Ham won't suffer the same fate