I am aware that one swallow does not make a summer, but there does seem to be a definite lifting of the gloom that has long hung heavy over the club.
Unlike last summer’s window, we do appear to be targeting and competing for players in the transfer market. And if the signing of Loic Remy comes off it could prove quite a coup. There is no doubt that the squad needed a transfusion of new blood; while the existing players seem to have adjusted well to Grant’s management style. There was a slight concern that some members of the squad would retain a loyalty to Zola and Clarke and resent the new regime, but that does not appear to have occurred.
We fans never fully know 100% what is going on behind the scenes, but there is a positive vibe around the club. Pre-season, so far, has been promising, the Borussia MGB result being particularly impressive in the clinical nature of the performance. Lets hope that they continue in that fashion.
As well as getting in new recruits, I am hopeful that the youngsters will respond to the new challenges at the club. There are a number of prospects that need to step up their progress and increase the competition for first team places. Their objective should be to set the type of team selection dilemmas that Grant will welcome. We need a strong squad, with real competition for places in all positions, and they can certainly help provide that.
Perhaps that was part of the problem last season, too many players were guaranteed starting places? I hope that the whole squad come to realise that they must earn their places and perform consistently well or there will be another squad member pushing to displace them. That internal competitive ethos is healthy and it is the way that all top clubs should operate.
I anticipate that Carlton Cole will overcome his World Cup disappointment and start the season determined to get back in to the England reckoning. Cole improved greatly under Zola, but there is still a lot more to come from him. Whilst others such as Noble must conclusively prove that that they are, indeed, the players that we have long suspected them to be.
Most of the attention so far has been on the forward positions, but no doubt we will soon start to see movement in defence. There are rumours that we may sign Clerc and no doubt other names will enter the frame. A lot depends on Upson’s future and whether he will sign the contract extension still on the table. The club need to try to resolve that issue, one way or the other, as soon as possible. Whilst decisive decisions also needs to be taken on the future of the likes of Spector and Gabbidon.
I am not getting too carried away just yet, I have been a Hammer far too long not to realise that the club often flatter to deceive. Last season it was was tough following the team, although we all continued to do so in a typically Trojan fashion. So, we would all warmly welcome a lifting of the gloom and the advent of an exciting and winning Hammers team to recharge our optimism and resurrect our belief .
There are many candidates for the role of arch-villain in the perilous recent journey that the club has undertaken. However, there is only one big, collective victim, the long suffering Hammers supporters. They are the best supporters in the land and they deserve some good times. Lets hope that they are just around the corner?
In hope, but without expectation! COYI.
SJ. Chandos.
who are yer,where are I will be there in 5!
You can spot a kiddy up past his bed time a mile off, they always seem to turn into cyber gangsters as the lights go out. Listen little man, if your mum knew the bad language you're using, she'd take your computer privileges away. You seem to have wondered away from The Sun website where the other badasses reign terror from behind their screens. Jog on.
Why are you so ugly?
Van is right – go back under the covers and do what you are best at.
Tosser
Speaking of swallows, Crap Sites opening his mouth again. Anyway back to the matter at hand. I was a bit worried about a revolt as the players we're clearly backing Zola but I think getting Grant in has seen the players get a bit of a buzz around them. Tactically I don't think we'll have any of the worried that had us pulling our hair and teeth out last season. If we can get in Remy, Caraglio or Miralem in we'd be good at the front. Clerc would be a great signing and I can see Benalouane joining him at the back.
what did he say??
A very naughty boy was he!
Anyone else think its a bit strange that our Captain Upson hasnt featured in any of the pictures for the new kit? Maybe its just because he had an extra break because of the World cup, but maybe his future isnt so certain.
I'd love to see him gone and see the money spent on a better CB. How i miss James Collins (the love of my life)
But i guess Parker hasnt featured in the new kit either?!
Parker is in the kit on the splash page and when you scroll down on the reveal page. He's also been badly photoshopped into it at the bottom.
Phew!
But still no sign of the captain?
do have some concerns as to where all the money is coming from; being we owe so much adding to the pile would be unwise , also no defenders in through the door as yet ,which is a worry .On the other hand it's wise to ship in before you ship out , trouble is the potential multimillion pound destinations for Upson et al seemed to have dried up – even Sunderland have opted for Bramble over our England man!
oh and another thing .. surely it is not possible to post craps so dreadful that it attracts a rating of minus 45 pence!
Also i see Harry has come out and said Tottenham have the best chance in a long time to win the league.
I think he's done a very good job there but winning the league? having a laugh right?
IMO Spurs were given a huge helping hand last season by a shorter fixture list than the teams around them. Lets see how they cope in the league now they have European football. Thats assuming they qualify (which they probably will).
We all have different views on this site about transfers and how the team should run and how it should play,but one things for sure, everyone seems very optimistic about our chances of doing some great things this season.I myself have always felt half empty for the past few years, but with our recent activity in the transfer market I think we have an outside chance of European football.
Injuries such as Collison and Hines should be back soon,but the real plus is the Much needed PACE back in the team ie Barrera Piquonnie ilunga LBM.
I really feel that Remy is not needed and the money would be better spent on a rightback and pacey centerhalf,if the Golds pull that off I reckon will could quite easily finish 6.NO PROBS!!!!!
Chris – abandon ANY hopes of Euro football next year. That is not the target and beside we have far too much distance to make up with Villa, Everton and Fulham who i think will occupy the Euro League spots behind the top 6 of Citeh, Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelski and Spuds.
The target for this year just has to be a mid table finish – (10th would be great!)with a decent cup run. If we can achieve that then we can grow from there – look at what can be achieved at places like Stoke. No one wanted to go there 2 years ago and now they can attract quality players due to their top flight position and stability. We are and always will be a bigger club than Stoke but we NEED 2 years of solid league position to cement our reputation.
Any one else think that the squad is still a little unbalanced?
Where's the new CH we need?
Who's playing down the left wing?
Who's covering for Greeno when he ineviatbly throws one in?
I'm delighted that we could soon have 4 quality strikers at the club – Cole, Remy. Sulejmani and Benni (as well as Hines) but you can't win every game 5-4!
Getting better on the balance front me thinks.
They seem to like Ben Haim for CH, Tompkins having a good pre season.
Doesnt Barrera play left (he seems to be on the left in the youtube footage).
Algerian keeper M'Bohli is on trial with us and seems to be doing well.
Hi All. Been a Hammer since birth in 1973 after having the misfortune of being born in Upney Hospital. Now live out in Wickford,Essex. Anyhow, thats not why I'm here, I'm here because I can't praise S J Chandos enough. I only came across this site due to an iphone ap I downloaded last year. Since then I have been addicted to reading S J C's entries! Everytime I read something he has wrote I find myself nodding in agreement. How refreshing it is to find someone passionate yet realistic who doesnt have to write f*** this of f*** that like some idiots I see on Westhamonline and the like. I used to always go to the official club site then read KUMB and often sift through BBC sport. However this site is now going to be part of my day, every day.
Thank you Iain for the site, thank you SJC for your opinions, And thanks Mum and Dad for dragging me up in such a rough area that I grew to Love and Support the Mighty Irons.
Foreverhammer