On Saturday I sat in the BMS experiencing a depressing sense of deja vu whilst watching West Ham’s latest abject capitulation to Bolton Wanderers. If anything the performance was even more spineless and lacking in cohesion and purpose than other recent defeats to our nemesis.
The cohesion that we saw against Brum and Hull was missing, as was the vital work rate and commitment. When you play Bolton you know beforehand that the game is going to be physical and aggressive. You must match that and then go on to play your football. As it was, the team failed to turn up from the kick off and we were quickly out fought in midfield and overran at the back.
As I watched events on the pitch unfold, my mind drifted back to a memorable and hard fought West Ham win, when the team’s guts and aggression carried the day. Bolton play a certain way, but the old Wimbledon FC were the original masters of that style. I well remember the League Cup (or whatever it was called at that juncture) 4th round tie at Upton Park against them in 1989-90. We won 1-0 with a Martin Allen goal, but the match itself was a running battle from start to finish. Wimbledon came to intimidate and strong arm us, but the West Ham of the era of Dicks, Ward and Martin Allen stood up to the physical challenge that evening and won through.
If only we had shown a bit of that fighting spirit against Bolton, then they would not have walked all over us. But it is old fashioned grit that this team appears to lack and Bolton exposed that yet again. Lee Chung Yong’s play down the right flank troubled us and Davies and Elmander absolutely ran amok. The early surrender by the Hammers midfield did not exactly help our centre-backs, but admittedly both Tomkins and Upson were poor on the day.
The fact is that Owen Coyle got his tactics spot on and we failed to make the changes necessary to try to counter Bolton’s early ascendancy. We were clearly, yet again, vulnerable to attacks down the right side. As I previously suggested after the Man Utd match, Zola had the option of trying to counter it by playing Daprela in front of Spector and moving Diamanti inside to support Cole. But there was no reaction from the bench after Bolton’s first goal, when it was apparent that we needed to make changes. After we conceded the second it was virtually game over! I am generally supportive of Zola-Clarke, but I found their delay in acting inexplicable.
We started the match by trying to play our usual passing game, but all to no avail. Bolton’s pressing tactics broke up and frustrated our forward play. I thought that Cahill’s absence would prove a bonus for Carlton Cole, but in truth Bolton did not even need him. Cole and Franco’s immobility up front made it far too easy for Zat Knight and co.
This season, the crowd at Upton Park have grown increasingly frustrated at the number of square balls and back passes. Usually the player on the ball incurs the crowd’s wrath. Yet, might it be the case that that our strikers are not working sufficiently hard off the ball to create the improved options for the forward pass? Strikers need to make intelligent runs to dislodge defenders and create options and space. Anyone lucky enough to have seen Geoff Hurst play will know that he was a master at this. Hurst consistently worked hard off the ball, making powerful runs in and around the box, pulling opposing defenders out of position and creating valuable space for himself and his team mates.
Of course, the lack of real pace amongst our current strikers does not help. The injured Zavon Hines is genuinely pacey and, of the others, Ilan is reputed to be quick in the final third, although we have seen precious little evidence of it so far. However, we do miss having the option of playing the ball over the top for a pacy Bellamy type to run at and expose opposition defences.
The performance against Bolton was, indeed, abject. There can be no excuses made. On Saturday we saw one side of the West Ham coin, their predictable inability to deal with a team like Bolton’s aggressive playing style. The other side is the corresponding trait to play well and pull off unlikely results against the top PL teams.
Now would undoubtedly be a good time for that latter tendency to reassert itself, with the tough Arsenal and Chelski away games coming up. Will the team heed Valon Behrami’s clarion call to sort themselves out and put in some timely performances? We can only hope that they do?
Beyond Arsenal and Chelski, Wolves await in a genuine ‘must win’ fixture! In truth we probably need to win a minimum of four points from the next three matches to get firmly back on track.
SJ. Chandos.
I was born in West Ham, supported the hammers for 50 years and used to stand in the chicken run…one of the old chicken run choir! I still love and support my team as much now as ever and have been able to follow them through pay tv and have watched virtually every game home and away for the past 3 seasons…mostly at 2am ..the game against Bolton was one of the worst displays I have seen…surely GZ and Sc knew all about them..we do! He really needs to shape them up and pick players that want to play for us as some (Upson, Cole , Green…our England heroes!! I think not) Reading some of the comments, we all have an opinion..mine is that Upson should have been the leader..he is the experienced CH and should be helping Tomkins…Upson should have taken charge of Davies and snuffed him out but he didn't and he looked totally disinterested and was lazy in shutting down players.
Davies outmuscles Upson every time they face each other, aussie. That's why he chose to "mark" Elmander. He is a an awful captain and an overrated centre back. I can't wait for him to go.
What the hell happened from the Brum and Hull games….I accept the Mnaure result although we could have done a bit better there as well…but it has got to be sorted real quick…I would like to see Daprella..I was impressed with him against the gooners…anyway i could write a book about it…but sort it out or get out GZ ( and I like him!)…COYI two 0-0 draws coming up then two home wins!!
I think, to be fair to Bolton, that they have changed the way they play under Owen Coyle. Whilst they still are aggressive and competitive, they play far better football than they did under both Allardyce and Megson and don't resort to the long ball all the time. In Lee and Wilshire they have two players who are comfortable on the ball and who can pass it well. They also seemed to be set up well and played together as a team with everyone knowing their role. Davies and Elmander are more mobile than a lot would give them credit for and both provide good outlets.
However, we let them play and they got hammered at Sunderland last night so we should have no excuses.
The truth is we have players who would not cut it a division below and if we survive which we will cos Hull and Burnley are crap then overhaul the whole set up as is currently being done by Karren Brady management and players.Lot of ex-Londoners in Australia is it the new Costa del Sol?
I don't know if i am on my own on this one but i am not actually to worried about the relegation battle as i genuinly don't think we will go down, i don't think i have got blinkers on and am missing something because Hull and Burnley are going on a real bad patch, okay burnley beat us but i don't recall them winning since then, they were good at home to start with but now are very poor both home and away, Hull to be honest are just very poor, some good players but just nothing going for them, okay fair enough we have a tough run in but i feel we can get points from all our home games, maybe not man city but we are at home so you never know, and away from home, we must look at getting points at liverpool, everton and fulham, yes all quite well organised sides but can all be broken down. Chelsea on saturday will be very tough, keep the front to quiet, shut off the wings and we have a chance. We will see.
Braderz, there's more chance of keeping ChrisChris and Celtic quiet than Drogba and Anelka… don't fancy our chances…
Well we did keep them quiet at home and we should have won after they got a penalty which shudn't have been and the ref didn't give us a penalty when carvalio blatently jumped all over franco but anyways that game is gone, we do have a chance as we always seem to up our game when we play the 'big 4', keep the faith m8.
Going into the next 2 games 4 5 1 would be stupid,4 4 1 1 yes,Chelsea and Arsenal are the highest scoring teams in the prem,their going to score in any formation you play,we must take the game to them.
If spector and Kovac play we lose both are to slow and carried by other players.
Watching Arsenal last night worried me to bits – can you imagine Walcott one on one with Spector?
I agree, chris, that Kovac has to be dropped for this one and bring back Collison. With Faubert out, at least Spector will be on the right and Daprela left.
I'd go something like:
Green
Spector (possibly Behrami?)
Gabbidon
Upson (unfortunatley)
Daprela
Stanislas
Behrami (or Dyer of Berhami at RB)
Parker
Collison
Diamanti
Cole
Diamanti free role on behind Cole and plenty of pace on show, something we have been sadly lacking recently.
Thoughts?
Can't argue with that devo,I'm not a big fan of right footers on the left as they narrow the game,but If Deprela plays I suppose I could swallow it,Diamanti I guess will drift over if Stan or colly cut in which will give some Balance i suppose,Its the defence that worries me thou,
Think about it Deprela plays a blinder against Arsenal gets dropped then might start against chelsea!! madness.
Arjen Robben last night showed what a winger playing on off-side can do for you! Brilliant.
Nothing wrong with playing wingers off-leg, but you need to have your team defense right too. Which the Hammers def did not against Bolton.
1 wonder goal great.
I wouldn't have spector at all, my team from now on will be:
Green
Behrami Upson (not that i want him) Gabbidon Daprela
Dyer Parker Stanislav
Diamanti
Cole Franco
we could of got wiltshere and hes left footed,no we got the fatties!!!
sunderland 4 Bolton 0,that just shows you how bad our team and manager are,he must be sacked asap,he's tactically way out of his depth,infact give Brooking some kind of control then maybe Zola might resign saving us money,
COME ON DAVIDS DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE WOLVES!!!!!!
Wishful thinking mate the poor sod does not know how much he earns, what hope of organising a winning side!I wonder if he has the balls to punch the air if we go 1-0 up against his beloved Chelski?your meant to be one of us but I dont think you mean it!
I think the SAFC result is more of a reflection on how much Bolton raise their game against us than anything else. They have a long unbeaten run against us and they know it.
Now is not really the time to turn on the manager. He won't get sacked now and Gollivan would (quite rightly) be heavily criticised for doing so it this stage in the season. Interesting to see how fickle some fans are though. Just who would we get to replace Zola and Clarke anyway?
What's needed in our squad is a right royal rollocking of the players not pulling their weight and a restructure of the starting lineup, the first change being Dparela on for Spector. I have lost count of the times Spector has been outpaced and outplayed in the LB position this season.
We do have some real grafters in our current team, probably not in the same mould of the brilliant Billy Bonds or Alvin Martin. But when you look at the likes of Scott Parker and Behrami they show real grit and determination and always get stuck in.
My feelings are that our captain is too quite and doesn't get stuck in enough himself. Lets look at our ex-captain Lucas Neil. He never shut up and was always pumping up the players (I heard even off the ground he liked to get players and family together). He was always in the refs face. A lot of people criticized him for it but at the end of the day he showed leadership and commitment, something that is currently lacking. Down here in Melbourne many of us follow the Melbourne Victory in our A League who are captained by Kevin Muscat who some of you may remember when he played in England and Scotland. Muscat instills a no loss attitude and leads from the front to the extent that the players always cop a mouthful from him if they do not give the full 100% commitment. He gives it to them when they are found lacking but also pats them on the back when deserving.
This is what we require and I'm afraid to say that from what I see from Upson, he is lacking in this area. Its probably not his fault but maybe next year we need to bring someone in that will instill commitment and fear into the players.
Muscat is a has been thug who ruined Matty Holmes football career he has always been a disgraceful representative to football,I hope Paul Ifill of Wellington Phoenix[Ex-Millwall] show him he should be in a retirement village if they play in the grand final in two weeks!
Admit that he was a hard man in his British days but he has settled down of late. I wouldn't go as far to say that he was a disgraceful representative, that's a bit of an exaggeration. As for Paul Ifill, give me a break!
Do you follow the A League?
There are plenty of managers who could turn the crap style we currently dish out[back pass Green punt upfield] it is worse than the old Bolton style it is scared football no panache just safety first,if we go a goal down we are finished the confidence just drains out of the whole team even warnock,s have been playing with freedom and flair lately, mind you in a division lower you would have time.
The tactics are naive and unfortunately most of the side are second rate no guts or leadership only Parker,where is Billy Bonds when you need him?
I've gone along with all this rubbish for far to long now and it really has to stop. If the management cannot motivate the team to be "up for the game" then the management are not doing their job. The yo-yo performances of this team are appalling and confidence appears to come in waves and then just evaporate up in the roof of the stands.
The body language of Steve Clarke on the bench seems one of a total lack of interest and Zola just looks baffled, and well he might, with the quality he is expected to work with.
Davies is not the finished article or of international standard we are told, but I tell you what, I would rather have a grafter like that in my team than the so called superstars we have.
We have a few decent players and we know who they are, but the rest would struggle to make any other team in the Premiership. Lets hope we hold it together, get a few results to avoid the drop and then get this shambles sorted.
Nice post and some good memories from yester year. However, i’m slightly confused as to whether you think Zola should stay or go? Or are you saying that it has to be 4 points from the next 3 games or then he should go?
two very interesting points you made Sj I'd like to pick up on. I was at OldTrafford for the 3-0 drubbing, mercifully with the benefit of some fine hosopitality, I was merrily half cut so the pain didn't hit til the next day but i was shocked at Cole's lack of mobility and general effort.. he even failed to out jump Vidic over whom he enjoys a couple of inches advantage but more important there are now a few fixtures that we have almost got used to losing.. Bolton , Everton (home and away) Liverpool away of course ( last victory 1964) Spurs home and away. we invariably disappoint away to Wigan and away in the North East be the Toon Sunderland or Middlesboro. Liverpool and Spurs we can possibly excuse; they have demonstrably better teams but the others- Everton over perform or at least play to their ability and last drop of sweat because they get a rocket up the arse if they don't .
I think you underestimate the quality in the Everton side, kevin.
..contuinuing from above .. We know this ; the managment should know this . I know players should be pumped up for every game but I believe it would be handy to identify some key marker fixtures each season and put unusual effort into getting at least the attitude in the games right. I live in the north west and let me say watching west ham is rarely an uplifting experience.. no reason on god's earth why it shouldn't be.
I always believed that bringing Zamora back would be a retrograde step given we were looking to progress into the Champion league (no laughing at the back). Watching his workrate and general play the other night, it was plain to see that he would still be an asset.
Carlton Cole has reverted to the lazy, woe is me, version we witnessed last season. This could be down to him thinking that 5 minutes playing for England puts him above the rest of the side and that they should do his running for him. Alternatively, it may be the fact he has a partner up front, as his best performances seemed to be when he was the lone forward – certainly his workrate was higher.
Cole often remarks that he watches Drogba to learn – I suggest he takes a look at Rooney while he is at it!
Last thought: Bolton went 7 hours football away without scoring until they came to Upton Park – normal service was resumed at Sunderland last night. Says it all.
4 paragraphs, each one spot on 'ol son.
Devo, I'm not sure we could afford Zamora, his recent performances have probably pushed his price tag a tad high for us…
If we're looking for someone with a phenomenal workrate first, and a good goal scoring record second, then Kevin Doyle at Wolves would be a good punt if they go down… I've seen him a few times for Ireland and the lad never stops running… and would defo score goals if he had the right service…
Can't agree with Cole. He did actually good job, coming deep to get the ball cause the delivery was shocking. He had one clear 1v1-situation, but their CB put in a marvellous sliding challenge. He also nicked the ball nicely to Dyer, who really should've scored. He also had a shot blocked in the first 45.
What I'm tryin to say is he wasn't may at his best level, but he put in a decent performance. It was our MF which failed.
possibly.. this season it's difficult to say.. on paper we should be strong -three england full internationals another four or five from other countries and we have been playing rubbish- but when they played us at UP they were missing half of their squad and we still got tonked.. even when we finished fifth or seventh -whatever -under harry in 1999/00 was it – they beat us 6-1 in the last game of the season. I haven't checked the stats but Goodison seems to be a graveyard for us, not always with good reason.
What people have to understand is GZ is at this moment is a man who does not know what he is doing ( formations-picking players). iam hoping we dont concede more than 5 goals in the next two games then into the wolves and stoke game, he has to treat them two games as if it was the last 2 games of the season..
KUMB is repoting that Ludo Miklosko has parted company with the club and Kevin Hitchcock, who has worked with Mark Hughes, will be taking over.
A sign of things to come?
devo- wouldent be suprised if sullivan is pushing throught a few property sales today to pay zola off and get hughes in or its another tactic to try and make zola walk as the rant before the brum game didnt work to well did it lol.
I wouldn't read too much into the Mark Hughes connection.
Hitchcock is ex Chelsea.
So was Hughes.
I remember well the "LUDO! LUDO! LUDO!" chants in the late 80's and early 90's. Absolutely gutted to hear he's gone. He's been with the club for a very long time. I was a big fan of him as a keeper and as a person. I wish him all the best for the future and hope to see him around in the game again.
Cheers Ludo – best of luck mate.
Echo all those thoughts, Gav. I remember when he came over, Czechs were unheard of in English football, but he settled in well in this country. I also remember him watching his son play when I was playing on an adjacent pitch some years back. Very unassuming fella and who can ever forget the blinder that he played which made old purple nose so apoplectic? xD
Unbelievable performance. That one and Greeno vs Arsenal a couple of seasons ago are amongst the best I've seen a hammers keeper turn out.
I'd like to see some kind of tribute paid to the player and to the man from this blog if possible. SJ & Iain – how about it?
One other memory of him was the huge distance on his drop kicks he used to get. I recall several commentators remarking about them shortly after he arrived
Totally agree with Gav and Devo. Ludo's performance on that final game of the season to stop Utd winning the league was awe- inspiring. He also put in many many more great performances and has been an exemplary servant for the club. He'll be greatly missed by many of us. LUDO,LUDO!!
i would like to thank ludo for his fantastic service to our club.he was a brilliant keeper great keeping coach and a nice man.ludo you will be missed by all yr hammers brothers and sisters.i wish you well
Things are certainly moving at a pace, I see the London Assembly have announced that they do not feel that an athletics track could support the Olympic Stadium and they have said that a premiership club has shown interest.
I thought that was an excellent piece of writing, Chandos, and a spoton analysis.
Obviously, we lost the game due todreadful defending on both Bolton's goals, but that shouldn't distract from how poor both the strikers were (as indeed they were at Man U aswell)
In suppose in defence of C.Cole, you could say he is playing in a team with no width, that never has a player get to the byline and put in a cross, and never has a midfielder get past the last defender, so maybe he can go forward, but we just never see him being put through because of the inadequacies of the team he's playing in.
Spot on.
I don't think Franco is a good partner for Cole. He has no pace, so can not be put through either, and, similar to Cole, also likes to come deep to collect with his back to goal – the pair of them were terrible together at Man U – it was like having two extra midfielders. Noble and Diamanti were rightly criticised for their bad performances at Man U, but the positions Cole and Franco were taking up provided no outlet for the midfield to play a through ball past the defenders. That's ok, it's Man U we all said, but then Franco and Cole did exactly the same at home to Bolton.
It must be quite easy to set up your defence against West Han – just crowd the centre of the park, safe in the knowledge that no WHU player will ever try to turn your defence and get past you.
That's why I think losing Hines was a disaster. Hines and Franco would be a good partnership, or even Cole and Hines – if Cole could be a bit more mobile and learn to clear out of the middle to let Hines through.
Also, a point about Parker – the only player to come out of this season with any credit, and the general concensus seems to be that he comes into his own when playing in a 4-4-2 alongside Kovac doing the holding, but, as an attacking midfielder, Parker's goalscoring record is pretty appalling. I thought there were 2 or 3 times on Saturday when he got himslelf into shooting positions, but showed no inclination at all to even look for the goal. For your attacking midfielder to have such a lack of goals in him is a serious flaw in Parker's game.
I wonder if it would not be better to play Parker in a more defensive midefield role (I think that would help his England chances aswell) and try Collison as an attacking central midfielder? I remember when Collison first came into the team, most people felt he was a central midfielder – he's been poor this season, but how much of that has to do with having to play wide?
Playing Parker further up the field has cost Parker any chance he had of getting on the plane for South Africa.
As a defensive midfielder, he is better than all the other candidates, barring Hargreaves and it's unlikely he will be fit. Attacking wise, there are many players that do the job more effectively.
Collison is a natural centre midfielder IMO, but circumstances dictate that he hasn't had a number of chances to play there. Had Boa Morte been fit this season, not only would we be a lot better off points wise, the likes of Collison and Diamanti could have been utilised better.
Here's the problem. There is no such thing as 4-4-2 with 2 holding midfielders!! You can play 4-4-2 with a diamond (chelsea) — single holding midfielder — or you can play 4-4-2 with 2 central midfielders who attack and defend or play left & right. I think what everyone on this list *actually* wants is to play a modern 4-2-3-1, like most of the teams you will see this week and next in the champions league play. 4-2-3-1 works best with two actual holding midfielders (e.g., Parker & Kovac or Lucas & Mascherano), but then you need a true attacking center midfielder (our candidates would be Diamanti or Collison) AND you typically need two wingers (e.g. Robben, Lennon, Donovan are three radically different ways to play that right wing position, but all have worked recently for Munich, Spurs, and Everton) AND two wingbacks who can get forward (like Faubert has done recently and Spector is capable of doing but only does 1-2x/game) AND a running centre forward (Rooney & Torres the best examples). Parker is in between. He doesn't shoot because he can't. He should be a holding midfielder but Zola doesn't know how to use him. Diamanti & Collison are playing in the wrong position; Stanislas should be used as an actual winger. Behrami is probably a modern wingback in the Glen Johnson style who, again, Zola has mis-handled. SJ's piece above is excellent, but it is quite ironic that Parker, who we will all vote as Hammer of the Season, is probably the single player most causing positional problems in that he is half holding half attacking but can't attack.
?????????????? you drinking.
Wow, let me get out my old scientific calculator and see what this all translates to…
Pulis has done a great job with what hes been given.thoughts?
Don't reckon he'll get on the plane to South Africa mate.
We have to get something out of the game against Chelski, even if it is only to salvage some pride. Upson confirmed what I and many others have been saying about him for sometime, he doesnt give a toss about the club, is a very average player and is a disgarce as a captain. He is a flat track bully and scared of anyone who will put it up to him, just like Davies always does. I dont blame Tomka for being battered by Davies, much more experienced players than him have suffered the same fate. To be fair to the lad he tried his best and kept plugging away, when it was obvious he couldnt handle Davies Upson should have had the balls to switch roles.
Spector is not nor will he ever be up to the job of being a top flight left back (to be fair anywhere else he's fairly useless too) and a couple of half decent showings during recent improved team performances ony glossed over the fact that he is crap. Daprela MUST start against Chelski.
The midfield had to drop deep to try and help out the calamity at the back which put us at a constant disadvantage in the middle of the park. Cole is slipping back to his old ways and someone needs to put a rocket up his arse pronto.
The team for Chelski should be
Green (we simply dont have a choice)
Faubert
Tomkins
DaCosta
Daprela
Berhami
Kovac
Parker
Stan
Diamanti
Cole
We desperately need Stans pace and natural width and Diamanti is more effective in the midle of the pitch behind Cole, providing Carlton can win the odd header or hold the ball up. IF we are going to stay up then it will be the likes of Parker and Diamanti who keep us up, they are quite literally the heart and soul of the club and everything good that we do comes from them. They should be made captain and vice captain and Upson should never again wear a WestHam shirt let alone the captains armband. Its also time to put Terry Dixon on the bench, I heard from a couple of mates who saw his 30mins for the Irish under21s and they said he was simply a different class to every other player on the pitch, creating one goal, nearly scoring another and contantly threatening in attack.
But you forgot to mention, that the Irish played against ARMENIA, and eventually lost the game
If Armenians were better then Dixon… well, he should play for Millwall.
Celtic, Da Costa is suspended (red card in a reserves game) and I think Faubert is injured…
As Dixon hasn't made the bench in our last few games, I can't imagine he's anyway ready…
[...] Abject Defeat Brings Memories of a Gutsy Victory and a Hurst …On Saturday I sat in the BMS experiencing a depressing sense of deja vu whilst watching West Ham's latest abject capitulation to Bolton Wanderers. If anything. [...]
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Matthew Upson is left footed Centre back. Usually he is the one, who plays next to LB
LB – Upson – Tomka – RB
Against Bolton he was not playing that position. Why? Because Kevin Davies would've been his man to mark.
Upson was placed to play against more mobile Elmander. A costly mistake. Tomka couldn't handle Davies' physical presence and Upson couldn't hande Elmander's mobility.
i saw upson next to spector on the left as always…
2nd Goal. Who was chasing the ball on the left? Clearly not Matty.
all wrong sorry,Zola plays with spector tucked in and upson spare.
Yes, checked that 2nd goal again. Matty was covering on the left and Tomka was forced to chase the ball.
But if I'm right, it seems that their strikers swapped sides. Davies, for example netted his goal from right side, but in the 2nd he was running down the left flank.
All glory to Owen Coyle.
How does Spector get a game is there no-one better?
In my opinion, it appears to me that we need someone with technical ability who doesn't go for goal every time he gets the ball (ahem… Diamanti), a player such as Nolberto Solano. Solano was a player who came into a West Ham squad which was seriously under performing and unable to create ANYTHING. Solano seemed to have that little bit more time when he had the ball at his feet, his ability to spread the ball around the pitch was excellent and a breathe of fresh air.
In the current West Ham team we have very few players who can turn the game in an instant. Our midfield really lacks a player who can remain creative and imaginative for 90 minutes. Noble is underperforming and doesn't deserve the place in our midfield, Kovac is dreadful and seems to contribute nothing, Diamanti has moments of pure class but seems to be so inconsistent with his performances.
I want our midfield to be: Collison, Behrami, Parker, Diamanti – In some kind of order. We can then utilise Stanislas off the bench.
I know people might think Collison is a player who is inconsistent also, especially this season, but he is a player who offers alot more to the squad than Kovac/Noble. Diamanti, as much as i've criticised him, is a player who we cant afford to leave out because of that odd set piece which we can utilise with Cole and whoever else partners him up front.
Speaking of which, I believe it is now time we left Franco on the bench and brought Ilan in for a game or two. We can't sit back against Chelsea and Arsenal, we need someone to attack John Terry (who has been lacklustre recently).
It has been proved recently that even Ancelotti's Chelsea aren't flawless and we need to attack the cracks at the back, Franco will be ineffective against Chelsea.
As side issues, Daprela is a natural left back who must be given a chance ahead of Spector who is ripped apart by anyone with pace. Da Costa has played with some of the top European teams and needs to be given a chance against Tomkins who is very out of his depth at times.
For me, the Chelsea lineup should be:
Green
Faubert Upson Tomkins Daprela
Behrami Parker Collison Diamanti
Cole Ilan
Subs:
Stech, Spector, Da Costa, Stanislas, Noble, Mido, Franco
Looks pretty good to me Falvo.
Collison's had a small kick up the britches and will be straining at the leash to prove a point. Personally I believe he's the real deal – a class act when he's on his game.
You have a balanced, attacking first 11 there. Only issue might be that Parker's going to need to drop back a bit but, as other posters have said, he's very strong in the holding role. There's also some decent options on the bench. Yep – I'd go with that.
Faubert is injured and Tomkins has to be dropped. Gabbidon has looked our best centre back in his fleeting appearances this season and I would plump for him.
I still prefer Diamanti in the hole with Stan on the right.
Other than that, I agree.
Tomkins has been in good form apart from our last game. You are being too harsh towards him.
You missed Manu then?
I don't personally think he was at his best level, but he certainly wasn't the worst player wearing the Claret&Blue. Rooney is more than hard to handle nowadays, you know…
But, really, think about it: he's been quite solid, and now he got one nightmare. Gabbs has been out for months, and now he should step straight into starting XI? Breaking our backbone is not helpful at all IMO
I suppose that perhaps Tomkins has been good in previous games but hes showed that against really attacking forwards (Davies/Rooney) he seems to fall apart under the pressure. I think that Da Costa has so much to offer, how many games has HE started this season?
If Faubert is unable to make the starting lineup, Spector is our only option to come in.
Stanislas is inconsistent and never seems to be able to retain creativity for ninety minutes so i believe that he is a player we should access from the bench.
I've got to say that I've tried to resist any anti Zola rants all season and tried, sometime unsuccesfully mind, to look at the positives and think we have 3 England regulars but in all honesty if thats the really England regulars then England will be lucky to get passed the group stages. I also read that Zola & Clarke are leaving in the summer…..so what? they'vs had all season to sort it out but we're still gutless. Personally I think a summer clearout is whats needed if they don't want to play for West Ham then leave, we're no further forward than we were when Pardew left, pretty football? just football would do right now.
Chelsea game for me is less about shape and formation.. and much more about 11, or more likely 14, players that give a sh*t for the cause. The only way we'll get something from the game is to run run run.. from first minute to last… sure tactics might help, but its far more about attitude.. which we sadly lacked in the last 2 games…
Whether we start 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, it'll more than likely end up with one man up front and 5 in midfield and 5 in or around our penalty area…
So, pick the most committed 10 (lets assume Green is safe) and take it from there… then use the 3 subs at vital times to ensure whoevr gets knackered comes off and we've fresh legs to come on…
For whats its worth, I'd go:
Green
Spector Upson GAbbs Daprella
Stan Behrami Parker Kovac Diamanti
Cole
Incidentally… and far more importantly… Stoke beating Burnley 1-0….
spector? kovac?
Kovac does the destructive job reasonably well… and we'll need that.
Spector cos Faubert is injured (I think) and Chelsea don't do fast wingers, they attack through the middle, so he'll probably get away with it more than the last few games …
chelsea dont do fast wingers,whats that suppose to mean?
Have you see how quick drogba is when he pulls out wide?
Yeah, good point… but I think that typically happens when Chelsea counter attack, when they don't have the ball… and I don't expect to see that happen too often on Saturday…
I think Specs has been unlukcy too.. he had a really solid 5-6 games, then got torn apart by Valencia, who's probably the best winger in the league at the moment – and Diamanti didn't help his cause too much either that night.
In the Bolton game, again Diamanti didn't help, but with Dumb and Dumber alongside him at centre half, Ashley Cole wouldn't have had a chance of playing well at left back that day…
So, I'd give him a chance… and definitely if we're bringing in Gabbs and Daprella, cos changing 2 of the back 4 for a game away to Chelsea is risky enough, changing 3 is suicidal…
seen,sorry
Stan got a knock on Saturday,don't think he will be fit for Chelsea game.
Kevin Hitchcock in Mark Hughes in ,in the summer,certainty!
Hard to argue with that… not sure I'd disagree either…
Finished Burnley 1 Stoke 1… would have preferred a Stoke win, obviously, but happy enough with that…
off topic,would like to see this England team for a game or 2.
…………….Rooney…………….
cole barry parker gerrard lennon
cole ferdinand terry beckham
Beckham is not up to it anymore , surely Carrick or Owen Hargeaves would be a better option.
becks at right back I wanna see,just for one game at least.
I think if Capello has any designs on winning the world cup, then he should review some of the tapes of Rooney playing the last few months…
If he starts with Hesky or Crouch alongside him with a 4 man midfield then England have no chance… cos ye might as well play with 10 men…
Play 5 in midfield (like Ferguson did last night and against Arsenal at the emirates), use at least one winger (like Lennon) and play the best 4 other rmidfielders after that… cos leaving someone like Cole or Lampard out of the team for Heskey would be criminal…
Beckham at right back though?? Against the crap teams, maybe… not a chance in the latter stages of the tournament,,,
Your right Rooney seems to thrive up front on his own,I don't like any of the other England forwards much,although crouch offers something different.
Lennon playing in front of Becks I'd love to see, even if it didn't work out, most teams panic with lennon and double up,could leave Becks loads a space to deliver what he does best.
Behave, chris. Beckham would get roasted at RB – Gerrard if anyone could do a job there.
I think Capello should look at Rooney up top on his own next game, too. It would enable England to play with a proper holding midfielder to bolster the worrying defence.
Your probably right but I'd still like to see it,Beckhams still quicker than lampard.
Beckham has never been quicker than Lampard, Chris, and to play someone at right back who has never really played there, just before a world cup, is ludicrous. He would be absolutely slaughtered.
Morning!
reports linking us with Larsson, Ridgewell and Benitez from Birmingham in the summer – not sure what to make of this TBH I wouldn't be delighted with these signings as I think we need more quality than that but money will be tight and Larsson and Ridgewell could be free transfers as their contracts are up
Ridgewell is solid and committed which are the qualities we have been crying out for but whether he will add a huge amount of quality is doubtful – I know Tomkins has had a few bad games but he will be quality I'm sure of that and needs to play through this patch of bad form (although saying that can we afford to let him play though it given the position we are in?)
Larsson – good delivery of a set piece young can pass the ball but not a lot of pace. Again for free could be a good addition but not really pushing us to the next level
Benitez – strong and can finish and has proven that in the prem but whether he is prolific or not remains to be seen
Still can't believe we didn't sign moses for £2 / £3m!!
Frankie, I'm more interested in seeing who we get rid of, rather than who comes in… we probably have 6-7 surplus players still, and reducing the wage bill is still top of the agenda with the 2 lads…
If we keep our strongest 18-19 players, then develop Hines, Stan, Nouble, Daprella, Da Costa and Dixon, then we'll be in a good position.. provided our manager, whomever he or she may be, can get the best out of everyone…
Agreed about Moses, big opportunity missed…
What is everyone's thoughts of trying to get Joe Cole if he is going to run down his contract at chelsea, the only stumbling block would be his wages, I don't know how much he is on, and even if he would think about coming back to WHU
I would love nothing more than to see Joe back – My favourite west ham player of all time still
But like you say wages would be 90-120k p/w never be a goer – he will join one of the teams in Manchester I think
He'll end up at Manu or worse still, Spurs.
He wouldn't do that……………would he?
joe cole true chelsea……..ha when he signed ……….when he signs for man u which he will lol …..always been a man u fan ……Tw*T !!.
I reckon he's off to Spurs… it he moves at all.. cos I think his contract stuff will probably be sorted at Chelsea… Can't see Man U or Arsenal going for him…
And can't ever see him coming back to UP, unless he comes back and buys the club when he retires.. now there's a thought…
formations ??? ….if we had manager who knew himself we would not be discussing them……can not wait to see the back off zola and his brazil like football that he trys to carpitulate to a bunch of players who carnt wait to get there agents out in the summer… zola no more than 3 goals conceeded against chelski please , surley you can dig in to that much.
My 23 England Players for the World Cup-if everyone was fit
Starting 11
James
Johnson Ferdinand Terry A Cole
Lennon Lampard Hargreaves Gerrard
C Cole Rooney
Subs: Green,Jagielka, Barry, Walcott, Defoe, Crouch
full 23
James
Green
Hart
Johnson
Terry
Ferdinand
Ashley Cole
Jagielka
Campbell
Milner
Carrick
Barry
Hargreaves
Lennon
Lampard
Gerrard
Beckham
J Cole
Rooney
A Johnson
C Cole
Defoe
Crouch
There really isn't a problem with the right back and left back positions.
Injuries
Glen Johnson – Hargreaves/Jagielka/Milner
Ashley Cole – Barry/Milner
Ferdinand – Jagielka
Terry – Campbell
Personally I wouldn't have the likes of Upson, Wes Brown, Lescott, Wright Phillips, Ashley Young, Heskey, Phil Neville, anywhere near the squad.
Let's face it, Sol Campbell, after a season under Wenger, would be far more reliable than Upson. I would much rather count on his experience and heading ability and positional sense. He hasn't lost much pace either. I think he might get a place on the plane.
Jagielka or Cahill being the other spot. I think Jagielka will get it because he can fill in both right back and centre back and is more cultured than Cahill. Plus a little more experienced.
As for the pundits putting forward (for the left and right back cover)the likes of Phil Neville, Wayne Bridge, Leighton Baynes, Warnock. These players are just not good enough. The beauty of having the Hargreaves(big big if), Barry and Milner is that they have experience of playing right and left back and are extremely reliable, experienced and also good at distributing the ball. Capello doesn't have the problem people seem to think he has
I for one am optimistic!
Milner is class very underated,if its 4 4 2 then for me
Rooney freak
cole/milner gerrard parker lennon
cole ferd terry beckham,brown and johnson are minging.
green
Carlton Cole is playing himself out of West Ham's starting line up, let alone England. He is very poor at the moment.
Much of sarcasm I sense
Once again, he got one bad game. Against ManUtd. Last game wasn't his best, but he certainly wasn't the worst player wearing the C&B.
"He wasn't mobile"
Come on, watch the game! In a couple of occasions he was trying to get the balls in our half of the pitch!!!
It was our MF which FAILED. Totally.
Hargreaves? Miracles happen, but not in this occasion.
do we have a right back?
Valon Behrami, whose natural position is RB.
We got a point at the bridge last year and we can do it again if Zola adopts the right tactics. I would propose the following team:
—————— Stech————Green—————–Kurucz————————
—-Fubert-Gabbidon-Upson-Tomkins-Dacosta-Daprela-Behrami——
——————————————-Diamanti————————————————
371 gota be the way to go
Two changes;
Swap Stech for Ludo, as a final farewell…
Swap Mido for Diamanti, his @rse will cover the Chelsea back 4 at all times…
The BBC website is running an article with Sullivan who puts some flesh on the bones of his plans for the Olympic Stadium.
He has offered to pay half of the gate receipts – above the current Upton Park capacity of 35,000 – from each game at the Olympic Stadium as rent after 2012.
Have to say it sounds a novel way to tempt the Olympic Legacy Committee, although if we produce the sort of football we did last Saturday, then we'll never get more than 35,000 through the gates if anywhere.
Full story is on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/8562894….
LILLE MEAT AGAIN…
Good news, the Mickeys are one down.
Excellent.
Ludo Miklosko retiring because of health reasons anyone know if that is a fact?
The Times online have this report today :-
Ludek Miklosko is set to leave his post as goalkeeping coach of West Ham United, ending a 20-year association with the club. The former Czech Republic goalkeeper, who played for West Ham for eight years, said goodbye to staff yesterday. He could be replaced at Upton Park by Kevin Hitchcock, the former Chelsea goalkeeper and former Manchester City goalkeeping coach. Miklosko was absent for a few weeks this season with a back injury, which is believed to have contributed to his departure
If it is true it's a very sad day.
Not sure Aussie but hope he's OK. A fantastic servant to WH. Will be missed.
As for the intricate line-ups given for the Chelsea match, most agree with the obvious choices, but I would be looking for 'hungry' players on Chadwell Heath this week, who are up for a battle on Saturday in football terms.
The right attitude for the next two very difficult games could make all the difference.
Sadly right now we do not possess the quality squads of Arsenal or the rent boys but I still feel we could certainly pick up points if the attitude is right.
If we could play the majority in their preferred positions it might help also.
On current form, and I make no apologies, I'd drop Upson if Gabbidon was fit!
But if not, I would definitely play Deprela at LB, and would also give Ilan a run over Franco. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'd also give Dyer the dreaded start if he 'appears' to be as fit as he could be. Cole has looked lazy lately too but has to start. Rocket up jacksie urgently required though. How I would dearly love to beat my least favorite team that is the over paid prima-donna's that wear blue!!
I trust you also it absolutely gonna guide number of people.