I have compiled a New Season Survey for you take part in. You have the chance to give your views on this blog, who should be the new manager, the owners, a new ground, players you’d be happy to see transferred and much more. It will take around 10 minutes to fill in, but I think you’ll enjoy. I shall be emailing the results to David Sullivan.
To take part, click HERE.
Lucas Neil has developed a long throw in but the Aussies are 1-0 down at home to the Kiwis after 30 mins,pretty poor by the Aussies so far!come on England!
lucas neill has always had the long throw in his locker (tim cahill's first goal v. japan at the 2006 world cup), nevertheless glad to see the aussies claim another extremely undeserved victory!
I guess we'll see if Sullivan is serious about listening to the fans once you send this survey away. Not sure whether we should go as far as having a say in transfers and the like however – that should be the managers doing which is clearly not the case as we dont have one yet we are still chasing players!
Cheers for the chance to have our say Iain.
I think there should have been more options on the Olympic Stadium question (eg. Do you agree a move to the Olympic Stadium is a good idea providing stands will be pitch-side, with no running track in between, on match days?)
Agree
Agree with that – does anyone know if they are still considering the retractable seat system that goes over the running track for the football?
Agree
The survey is good but I would like to see something regarding the specifics of the proposed move to the olympic stadium. I would like to know what can be done to change the stadium to making it football friendly, if it can't be done then where does this leave us. Its no good if we move into the stadium and the issues we all have are only half considered.
Which is probably what will happen!
We want a stadium with atmosphere, a stadium that has superb views but is also close to the pitch, and a stadium that looks like it belongs to West Ham United
Thumbs up!
What we need is Upton Park but bigger!
You've hit the nail bang on the head there Peddler.
Great idea Iain, it's nice to know that the fans have a voice.
Damn it! Just saw a headline "Spector is Reading Star" and it turns out that we haven't shipped jittery Jon off to the Madjeski but that he likes a good book.
Well here is a few titles tor you to read to fill up those long 90mins when your teamates are screaming at you to wake up
Carra: My Autobiography
by Jamie Carragher
Hell Razor
by Neil Ruddock
Psycho
by Stuart Pierce
Franz
by Franz Beckenbauer
Bobby Moore: The life and times of a sporting hero
by Jeff Powell
See a pattern developing?
HA HA – I did the same thing!!! I know it's shameful, but I was as excited at the prospect of Spector going to Reading as I would have been had we just signed Henry!! lol
Agree, the survey with regards the move to the Olympic stadium needs to be more specific. Have been going to the Boleyn for more than half a centuary and would hate to leave. However I recognise the need for a larger stadium if we are to compete with the big clubs. Having said that I believe the vast majority of supporters would be against moving if it involved a runnig track which would not only be bad news for viewing but would also kill the atmosphere we are so proud of at West Ham.
As for atmosphere, apart from about a dozen sporadic moments last season, Upton Park was like a library. Mind you, it's hard to get excited by the dirge that was served up.
Agree with all the posts about the ground – I actually put that I am in favour of a move, although I live abroad and unfortunately don't get to any games – However i want to take my son in a few years to experience the fantastic West Ham fans and West Ham atmosphere that I enjoyed as a boy… That has to stay the same wherever we play our home games.
The removable seating option that goes over the track for football matches – is that not a viable solution??
It would be good to hear from any fans who visit this site who are architects or structural engineers to see if they think its possible. I guess anything is possible but it usually comes down to money. So how would it work and who pays?
I'm sure if they were put in for West Hams bennefit then we would be stumping the bill – there is another stadium like this but I can't find it now – looks pretty cool when in motion and could be a solution for us?!
Great survey, Iain. Thank you for the opportunity.
I would be really interested to know what the owners mean by their point 10 on their plan. Exactly how do they plan to listen to the supporters and do extremely popular sites like WHTID have a role to play in this?
'Spector a Reading Star' – someone's having a bubble surely! Why not 'Spector's a reading star'?
Well, I'm glad to hear that he is keen to promote reading with youngsters. I could maybe find a position for him as a learning mentor at my school. He certainly doesn't appear to have much in terms of being a Premier league footballer.
Might I add Iain that Behrami is listed twice in the list of players "who would you not mind leaving".
Also just to clarify, although I did vote Behrami that is only because he would bring about a large amount of funds needed to buy other players. If we weren't going to get 10 million or above then I'd definitely prefer we keep him as he's a great player in our team.
Behrami might run around 100 mph, but he is poor with the ball, would sell and move faubert to midfield
Here you go folks – 'Stade de France' has retractable seating. I cut and pasted this from the following link: –
http://goto-paris.com/paris-travel/198/stade-de-s…
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Athletics Track
A pitch surrounded by an athletics track distances the spectator from the football action. So at the Stade, the lowest of the three tiers of seating are retractable units that cover the track.
The Stade de France is the largest modifiable Olympic stadium in the world. It can be transformed from a soccer stadium into an Olympic-sized arena in less than a week. The retractable lower stands holds 25,000 and can be shifted 15m underneath the middle stands.
The athletics track was the final element to be added to the stadium during April 1999. The first step was the preparation of the black coating for the definitive surface to ensure a perfect planimetry and a 0.5% to 0.8% slope for water flow.
Pushing back the lower stand 15m allows a view of the track. This technical characteristic of the stadium highlights its specificity to host any kind of sports and its capacity to harmoniously welcome several sports.
The Sportflex surface was prefabricated and was carried to the stadium in bobbins. Juggling with bad weather, the Mondo company eventually glued it on the black coating.
Stands
The stands are divided into ten separate units, each weighing 700t. For athletics meetings only, the seats on the very top of the lower stands are lost in the transformation process. The lower stands retains 20,000 places, permitting spectators to always remain as close as possible to the action.
This one-of-a-kind procedure enables the Stade de France to be converted into an Olympic stadium that holds 75,000 people, without altering spectator visibility during soccer and rugby matches. This technique also makes it possible to accommodate a further 25,000 on the lawn for big concerts – pushing the Stade de France theoretical maximum capacity to 100,000 spectators.
The middle stands can accommodate 30,000 people. To reach these stands you must take one of the 22 gateways. The upper grandstands seat 25,000 and are accessed by a monumental stairway. In fact, even the spectators furthest away are really only 85m from the action.
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Might get a bit expensive to convert but at least we know it's been done. We'd also need a great deal of co-operation with the various sporting committees if it takes a whole week to change from a Footie to Athletics venue.
Gav it is certainly doable but its a simple matter of who is going to pay for it?
There was a stadium in the 2002 World Cup where the pitch could be moved outside the ground so it would grow better, I just cant see Gollivan picking up the tab for the required work.
Hence the "Might get a bit expensive" comment CH. I wonder if they might be able to secure some external funding? Even then it's going to be a huge ask.
I remember the "Floating Pitch" the Japanese built. What an ingenious race. I work for a manufacturer based in Nagoya who promote the "Lotus Blossom" philosophy of problem solving. This involves approaching large projects a layer at a time – like removing the petals of the aforementioned flower. Talk about lateral thinking – these guys invent stuff you never realize you might have a use for (which occasionally turn out that nobody thinks there's any use for).
Like you I have my reservations about our new owners, mainly due to their habbit of making ill considered comments in the press, but if they're anything then they're persistent. I'm behind their plan to move to a larger venue and like the idea of making footie an inexpensive sport for Children, OAP's and Families to watch live.
Cheers Goaty thats interesting. I don't normally want to hear much from Sullivan given his last few comments but on this occasion I would love to know what his plans are. They must have done some serious ground work already to see what the possibilities are.
Yes, a very thorough survey, Iain. Thanks for the opportunity to have a voice.
If you are considering forwarding the comments here which supplement the survey, I would like to expand on the question 'Do you attend matches?'
I used to be a regular at Upton Park and also went to see them play at other London grounds. Also travelled to other cities to see them away – plus two Cup finals and associated semis (and replays). For a number of reasons I don't go any more.
In no particular order, here's why: ticket prices too high (is it because players are paid too much?), travelling distance too far but just about doable, was put off by increased aggression in crowd towards opposing fans and players (I know people will say it's a minority, but still a big enough minority to have an effect).
I also used to enjoy the spontaneous decision, sometimes taken on the morning of a match, to go along and see the team play, knowing that I could just turn up and pay at the turnstile and have a decent view of the game if I arrived early enough.
Pre-booking a ticket is fine, I suppose, but whenever I have thought about going and have checked on-line for a seat I've either missed the boat or would have a poor view from the one allocated.
I hope that proves of interest.
If anyone feels inclined to persuade me to give the Upton Park experience another go, I'd be happy to hear your arguments in favour of doing so (over to you, Messrs Sullivan and Gold).
I will add that I have really enjoyed being able to chat with other WHTID friends during televised matches via this blog. I have always been a big follower of the club, but recently the ability to chat with people on here has deepened my interest.
Graybo – become a club member (costs about £25) that way you get priority access to the club online ticket office where you can cherry pick the EXACT available seat you want. Should you just want to turn up on the day (as i often do as well) – simply go online and you will find around 100 single seats available – pick the one you want, pay by card and the seat is automatically sent to your club membership card.
Last year with the club membership you also got 2 half price matches (Burnley and Stoke) and a £10 club shop voucher – best £25 i ever spent (except fot the Stoke game!)!
Cheers, Jolly
Agree with most the people on here, good little survey but would have prefered more options on the Olympic stadium question.
I've been to the Stadio Olympico in Rome a number of times and its awful being so far way from the pitch. The Lazio fans make enough noise but the view is a joke. You cant even make out whos who. Could you imagine the back of the Dr Matins stand being the best view?
Retractable stands are the only way forward. I probably wont renew my season ticket if i have to sit too far away from the pitch. I'd prefer to sit at home in my pants and watch every game on the internet.
Heh-heh! Too much information there, SkinnyChris, and somehow your username makes it worse
With regards to SJ's post yesterday about playing the west ham way. I personally wouldnt care if we played bad football but had success.
The problem with people like Curbishly is that we played crap football and still finished mid table.
What i do know though is that Zola was hailed for wanting to play great passing football and the season just gone i witnessed some of the worst football ive ever seen. Spent more time passing it horizontally than vertically, thats when we werent busy conceeding goals.
Thanks for the Survey Iain!!!
A pertinent question would be:
Would you renew your season ticket if your view at the Olympic Stadium was 125 metres from the centre circle? That would be the distance with a running track.
No brainer, really.
I have a horrible feeling the Dildo duo will try and get us there with the promise of removing the track at a later date.
On the grounds that they lie like cheap Japanese watches, they can go whistle.
Another website published a plan of what stadium would look like with football pitch and I was far from convinced. I currently have great seat in BML but don't think view would be anywhere near as good. It also concerns me SuGo want to asset strip us by selling our stadium and move into rented ground. I'd rather develop East Stand
On different note Green has just added £1m to his transfer fee!!
That'll make Green worth £1.5 then.
Now I bet you don't really believe that! happy to flog him for £8m and bring James in on a free for a year or two until one of our young keepers ready to step up then use the cash to buy O'Hara.
Not a fan of Green. Straight swap for Hart would be good.
England are totally unbalanced,Gerrard wasted on left,milner and Carrick both to slow to the 50 all,games crying out for Parker and Johnson.
Spot on chris. Disgraceful treatment of both players.
Ball sorry.
Great goal Franco – hope we keep him as he plays with passion
I would too mate, I still think he did well for us
It was a goal Peter. To describe it as 'great' stretches credibility a tad too far imho! lol
You have spotted my weakness Headmaster – I see everything through claret and blue coloured specs!
Actually, you have to question Baines's attempt to keep it out. And my understanding is that Franco will not be with us next season – along with Mido, Diamanti and Ilan.
I have to say this, England haven't looked brilliant tonight
Huddlestone looks boring, can't mention anything he's done except pass the ball out of play
Somebody tell Fablar that Parker would make a positive difference.
anyone see lennons pace? bleed'en spud!!!
Dont think O,Hara will be coming at 8 million?
Once again, Gerrard, Carrick, Barry & Huddlestone prove inferior to Parker.
I hope he gets his chance on saturday and Capello plays Johnson for 90.
Agreed, Devo. On current form the two wide men should be Lennon and Johnson. Walcott has pace and may get you a goal or two from time to time but he doesn't seem to have a good football brain. Would be better on the bench and used for impact – as the current saying goes, although I thought that was the purpose of all subs. I think we are going to get back to the Lampard / Gerrard quandry very soon. For whatever reason I think Capello has made his mind up on Parker and he will not make the cut.
Well, looks like Parker is still not on Fablar's wish list. What a crying shame. He'd have done a job tonight. Huddlestone???? Do me a favour!! Well done Green. L King didn't play great tonight but I'd still take him over Upson!!
Has Thierry Henry got back to the Dave,s yet?
Agreed. Huddlestone looks unlikely to make the final 30 I'd say. Let's hope he gives Scotty at least a half on Sunday but I too am not optimistic. Cole won't make it either. If it's Lennon or Walcott, I'd take Lennon at the moment. Heskey shouldn't go either but I fear he's Fabio's talisman.
I think Huddlestone's chances are based on whether Barry makes it. On this performance neither Huddlestone or Carrick looked good enough and, together, they lack pace.
Heskey will definitely go, as will Walcott as they both appear to be favourites of Capello. I'm not sure about either of them.
After today's game I hope we keep Franco and Green, Green made 2 outstanding saves and was mouthy in his area, great to see him shouting out commands. His distribution was good too. Franco played his heart out, I hope his injury is not serious.
But where the heck was Parker. Come on Fabio he's earned a chance to shine
Don't think he's got a chance mate. If he was close to a place he would have got a run last night.
I reckon he will be one of the 7 to miss out along with Joe Cole, Wright-Phillips, one of Baines or Warnock, one of Upson or Dawson and Huddlestone or Carrick if Barry is fit. Plus Darren Bent.
Personally, I'd take Joe Cole and Parker and would take Dawson over Upson. But then, I'm not Capello.
In my head I know you are right, in my heart…. really hope he gets a chance
Unfortunately i dont think Parker stands a chance of getting into the final 23. I reckon Capello only included him because Scholes turned him down last minute.
Its a real shame because Parker is good enough to start and deserves his chance. But as much as he likes to stress he picks players on form Capello is just like every other England manager before him……he has his favourites.
Jamie 'i dont care about England i only care about Liverpool' Carragher being selected is a joke. He had his worst season ever!
Huddlestone is shite the England team should be:
James
Johnson, Terry, Rio, Cole
Lennon, Parker, Gerrard, Milner
Crouch, Roonie
The game last night was typical England. Boring!
what the hell are they reporting on the clubs web site? some deal for a basketball player? has someone crashed the site ????? either that or i need to go back to bed as im still asleep????
Looks like we have another Italian tinker man.
How can any team go into a world cup without a holding midfielder,that's completely nuts!!!! Barry can't be risked surly,that's nuts as well,scotty is quicker than both Milner and Carrick whilst Huddlestones just plain crap.
Why do managers just go for players that come from big teams? stupid
Glen Johnson played well,but can he defend against the top teams?
If Adam johnson doesn't go that means Cole will be the only Left foot in the squad,if barry don't make it.
Midfield has to be……….Johnson/cole parker gerrard lennon.
ChrisChris…Capello's record for England is without parallel. He is clearly the best manager we've had in 40 years and probably the best international boss in the world right now.
The guy could put Green up front and Rooney in goal, and I'd still back him.
It would take a brave or arrogant man to contest any decision he makes considering his record.
Over to you!!!!!!!!
Iain, great survey. Presume you'll be sharing the results with us as well as with the 2 D's??