West Ham’s acquisitions on transfer deadline day were somewhat underwhelming, but the absence of any ‘marquee’ signings was not exactly unexpected. Hitherto, Jacobson has not pulled up any trees’ in the PL, with Everton and Blackburn, but he is a Danish international and he did appear in the World Cup Finals. So, hopefully he is a decent enough player? While Boffin is a bit of an unknown quantity. But, similarly, one can only hope that he will prove a good buy, providing decent cover for Green and Stech?
The additional striker did not materialise. Although I am sure that West Ham will now trawl the list of available free agents to see if there are any credible options available. Although, that proposition does beg the question whether clubs can still add free agents to their notified squads of 25 plus? I have not had an opportunity to check it out, but I assume that EU players who are free agents can still be signed outside of the window? After all, EU law on free movement of labour surely supersede football specific rules and regulations?
Regardless, we must now be reconciled with the players at our disposal and hope that they click as a team. Looking at the squad, on paper it is decent enough, even if the uncertainty in defence remains a worry! Ultimately, our level of success, or abject failure, will depend on a number of variable factors that can, theoretically, go either way. Amongst these variables are – will:
- Green recover from his World Cup ‘crisis of confidence’ and regain his former authority between the sticks?
- Avram Grant find a solid and reliable back four combination?
- The likes of Upson, Illunga and Gabbidon rediscover their form and Jacobsen do ‘a job’ for us at right-back?
- The decision to sell Daprela, and failure to sign a left-back as cover, back fire on us?
- Hitzlsperger prove to be the influential midfield player that many suspect him to be?
- Collison and Hines return quickly from injury and push for selection?
- Kieron Dyer stay fit and finally show just what he can do in a West Ham shirt?
- West Ham have some welcome luck with injuries, for a change?
- One or more of our promising youngsters break through this season and makes an unexpected impact at first team level?
- Carlton Cole wake from his early season stupor and demonstrate his ability to lead the line and score goals?
- Victor Obinna prove a ‘find’ and add extra pace, power and finishing to our forward line
- The early season promise of Barrera and Piquionne be realised and transmute in to assists and goals?
- Benni McCarthy regain full fitness and make a positive contribution?
No doubt there are others? And perhaps the meta-variable, in all this, is Avram Grant’s ability to get his selection and tactics right and forge a collection of talented players in to a team. Grant’s appointment was received with great positivity, but this appears to have quickly dissipated with the advent of the three opening PL defeats. Lets just hope that he does know his stuff and gradually turns the results around?
One thng is sure. A squad that includes Green, Upson, Illunga, Parker, Noble, Cole, Collison, Hitzlsperger, Faubert, Barrera, Piquionne and Dyer really should not struggle. Compare our squad, player for player, with the likes of Fulham and Bolton’s and, arguably, we have the better individual players. However, they are effective teams units and possess the essential organisation and cohesion that we lack.
That lack needs to be addressed, and quickly, to get our wayward season back on track!
SJ. Chandos.
Sj do you believe in Santa?mate for all your points to come to fruition and turn this squad into Galacticos is a light year away!I think we will be dreaming of a tight Christmas somehow!
SJ has good points. Personally, Im sick to senders of all the negativity. We all have seen matches go in crazy ways. We have hope and heart when our beloved team step onto the pitch. How about some heart from us lot?? Agree or no, we are all West Ham. COYI!!!
Mate we are, but like under Zola losing 6 on the spin was unbelievable this time same team same results,as they say if nothing changes nothing will change,it is hard to find positivity especially when the manager is Zolas Dad!
I can think of one you missed:
* Spector never pulls on a Hammers shirt again!
How he's still at the club, let alone in the 25 man squad, is beyond me.
Apart from that I agree that we don't have the worst team in the prem (on paper) – we just have to hope that Grant turns out to be the real deal…
NC
Yea Spector is a mess. I guess that's why he didnt feature for us in the WC. Poor bastard probably tries his guts out but we all know just can't hack it. It also isnt fair for us to criticize him so much if the Gaff sticks him in.
Yeah I agree with the critique.
Sure he isn't our first choice, but if he gets put on the field, he is a West Ham player and you can tell he busts his gut for us.
I dont doubt he busts a gut and personally I like the guy – his attitude and commitment – but he just isn't good enough… end of! He has cost us too many games and every team that plays us gets at him as they know he's an easy target.
On a whole I am not all doom and gloom like some on here – it will be a long season, but I think we have enough time for Avram to get it right.
We have what we have so lets get behind them… COYI
Did anyone else read that Dyer should be in the england squad based on the Capello index?
He's looking good and his stats seem to be backing it up at the moment. Fingers crossed he can stay fit for most the season.
I've said it before but funny how he is fit now there's only a few months left on his contract.
You've made some good points SJ i'm really looking forward to seeing Collison and Hines back to full fitness. They are both by far our greatest young talent and they have both been missed.
Chris – you spoilt your post with the cynical remark about his contract. No professional footballer wants to sit on the bench no matter what they earn.
I have defended Dyer against some ill-written and malicious comments on here in the past. If we can get a season out of him you will see what we have been missing. If we don't, then he must be released – it's not his fault that a stupid Icelandic ego tripper decided to pay him so much.
Dyer's different class to most English midfielders when fit and we should at least be grateful for that.
Don't get me wrong Devo I don't blame him for one minute for the size of his salary. It was a crazy transfer at the time. But with Davenport and Ljungberg he wasn't the only bit of ill advised business during their reign.
As a player I rate Dyer quite highly, and as mentioned he's high up on the Capello index for a reason.
My reference to it being funny how he's fit with a few months to go on his contract was meant in two ways. In a kind of 'sods law' way in the sense that just West Hams luck he is only fit now after so many years on the table. But also I have this underlying feeling that he could be willing to play through the pain to try extend his career as a professional and gain another contract.
I don't dislike Dyer and he has always come across sincere. However there is no detracting from the fact he has been paid a lot without ever completing a full 90 minutes for us. Last season I remember a Roma player signing a one year extension on his contract of which he wouldn't be paid. He did this because of the overwhelming support he had received from the club while injured for 18m months and he wanted to pay them back.
Should he remain fit all season it would be nice for him sign a new reduced deal (I don't expect him to play for nothing). It might not be his fault he's constantly injured but when he gets in his flash car to drive (or be driven for the next 6 months) to his nice big house it would be nice if he felt some kind of duty to pay back the club for their support and investment into him, both medically and financially.
I often wonder if things would have been different for him if he never played that game against Bristol Rovers.
If this Jacobson proves to be semi-solid and Da costa and Reid step up our defence might be able to improve to a suitable standard for the demands of the premier leagure.
Three games in our league position is far from ideal, but im not going to completely right off this squad yet. Ridiculous that people are already booing the team, players and not giving the manager a chance. You all might be right we might flop but i think they deserve at least chance to prove you wrong.
Over the years West Ham have always been credited for their great support. Not seing that at the moment.
Looking forward to getting behind the team next weekend!!
COYI!!!
SoCal, you have got it so right. I knew the first comment on this upbeat, let’s have ‘em post, would be negative. Look at spunks and man city, when they completely dismantle and build a new team they need 10 games to start to click. We’re just a gipo version. I’d like to think of it, its better to lose a couple first and build than to win at first then collapse (curbishley for example). We gotta point soon and chelsea have to loose. Getting a bit too yo-Ho-Ho now.
That would be my back 4 as well and I agree with you 100% – he needs to pick a back 4 and stick with it. It may take half a dozen games, but they will start to Gel, start to understand each other – all this chopping and changing is no good for anyone.
I also think that Green will improve with a constant line of players in front of him – he will start to Gell with them and get an understanding.
Work from the back – and that means a solid defence.
NC
"I am disappointed the deal failed to go through – that is for certain," said Behrami in The Sun.
"Avram Grant gave me his permission to speak with Roma.
"But he also said he needs me, with West Ham bottom of the table. I'm sure I'll still get to play for them."
them ? how long does it take for it to become an us? time to go mate and hope you rot in the reserves !!!
Yes,another grateful person who we nurtered back to fitness after his operation,this Swiss version of Craig Bellamy!
he's wanted to go for a while now. he just hasn't settled here. don't obviously know what he's like as a person but clearly isn't a team player. stuck with him till jan anyway so watch this space…
He's also quoted on the WHU website – he's going to give it all he's got for the fans etc. But he's unlikely to get selected with a 'them' mentality
Let’s give the guy a break, he’s speaking in a foreign language. He’s admitted he would have liked to leave, and also that he will give his best while he’s still here. Whether he meant us/them is a grammar thing. If he comes out and plays hard we have no complaints, and I don’t think it’s in his nature to do anything else.
On Behrami….He wouldn't get in my team now,hearts not in it.
Agree the key is a settled back 4,no chop and change,after every match.
Grant see's them in training he must know his back 4.
If Jacobsen's a steady eddy then its…….Jacobsen,Da Costa,Upson,ILunga/Gabbs.
Ilunga's got 2 more games for me.
Chris – Daprela's loss for me is worse than Diamanti. I rated him highly and would have blooded him over Ilunga this season. Jacobsen doesn't need to be very good to replace Spector. I started life in midfield before playing at Rb and then sweeper at a decent level. At 49, if I got myself fti againt, I would still be a better player than Spector. How he has made it as a professional footballer is a complete mystery to me. In fact, he and Kovac are two of the most uncomfortable players on the ball that I have ever witnessed at the top level.
Agree with the settled back four. Do you remember last season when Zola played a different back four every game for to first 10 games or so?
Grant needs to pick his back four and give them time to settle and form partnerships.
When we play chelsea we must press and go for the win.
All guns Blazing!!!
No 4 5 1 and play for the draw it won't work.
If Grant start's doing the Obvious he's a tit.
goal difference is shot to bits so may as well !!!
SJ. I am confused by your blog.
You say we did not acquire a striker yet you say:
"Victor Obinna proves a ‘find’ and adds extra pace, power and finishing to our forward line
The early season promise of Barrera and Piquionne is realised and it transmutes in to assists and goals?"
Please reconcile or suggest how many more strikers we need to fit into a starting 11?
cant believe behrami is getting stick its not like he has gone on strike to get a move.
read his interview on the main website i'll believe that more than the sun.
he has personal problems and wants to go back to italy for his family sake, u cant knock anyone for that and as long as he gives a 100% on the pitch i'll still get behind him. its not like his gone on strike to get a move like some players would and have done. we cant afford to get on more players backs. he will be a good assit till january at least and if he can find some form hopefuly it will add to his value and we sell him and replace him come january.
come on people lets not believe all what the papers write.
if he plays and looks like he dont care then yeah get on his back but not b4 he has even started a game this season.
Well said WHJ. It is a real dilema for Behrami. His wife has not been able to settle and I assume she has taken the family back to Italy. He now needs some compassionate support to help deal with this domestic upheaval and this will in turn assist him to concentrate on his job.
If that happpens, then he will become an attractive target at the next transfer window which will profit both him and the club. Meanwhile he is capable of competing for a strong midfield line up.
probably right……
Dyer Parker Behrami Hitz/Barrera.
you make my point well with that line up and if he plays on right midfield he will be excellent cover / support for the RB (anyone but Spector!).
only problem with him right mid he has no end product.
I agree that he did not always perform so well in suplying crosses but he will not have to do that if we play either Barrera / Obinna / Dyer on the wings
im with ya on that too! Well said. Just hope we get good money for him if he does eventually end up leaving.
Its not as though he said he wants to join spurs…. now thts a whole different kettle of fish!
Well said WHJ. Behrami hasnever given anything less than 100% in a claret and blue shirt. We all know his failing is in the last third, but I don't get the constant sniping of players on here.
I guess it's because they earn such silly money now that most fans are resentful of them.
behrami will be best used if we have a 3 man midfield i reckon, he has a great engine and loves to get stuck in so when we wanna have a tight midfield he'll be best used as the defensive midfielder
————————–behrami————————–
—————-parker————–hitz——————–
all 3 like to get stuck in and 2 are good on the ball, when we need to play with that sort of formation i think them 3 will be best used.
could be johnny,not a fan of west ham in 4 3 3 but maybe we have the forwards now.
you may say im a dreamer,but im not the only one
'and all West Ham fans can live as one'
One other Factor SJ – Us. The fans have their part to play and, when Chelsea come to visit, they should be confronted with a Cauldron of noise.
COYI – from the first to the last whistle!!
BTW – I don't often do this but I've got a very good feeling about the Chelsea fixture. I reckon the lads are going to show MASSIVE commitment in the game and put in a decent performance. Reckon we might scrape a creditable score draw. 2-2 for me.
sorry Gav considering we haven't scored from open play in 3 league games I cant see us getting 2 against Chelski.
As for the fans, if the players give them something to get behind then they will respond, our fans are truely fantastic, even at ManU they were out singing the home fans while we were getting beaten.
I am hoping for a strong committed performance from the right starting 11
Massive difference between home and away fans CH.
I hope the Cauldron of noise I referred to acts as a catalyst towards a good performance. I stuck my neck out saying 2-2. I just hope that the players show us 100% commitment and compete properly. So long as I see our lads first to the ball & properly 'putting it in' then I'll be happy. The atmosphere at a West Ham/Chelsea game should help, not hinder, them.
hope your right Gav,moved on my season ticket this year,but I'll be at this one!!!
Good stuff mate – it's the fixture I enjoy us getting a result from the most – & a draw would be a helluva result!
wishful thinking there gavlaar!
No thinking involved bazza – I've really got a gut feeling for this one!
Gav, i share your optomism, especially if Avraam goes for it … move Dyer to a central role, allow Obinna to play up on the left and barrera up on the right and use the pace to link up with Cole or Piquionne …
…….Parker – Noble……..
Barrera – Dyer – Obinna
……………..Cole…………….
we are more than capable of an upset … however Avraam is not renouned for it and i suspect a defensive mauling should he not change his ways … I sincrely hope he doesn't set out to contain Chelski …
Too right Tom – we need to get at 'em and it really depends on how we set ourselves up.
Anyone seen the latest on Davenport…… "Hereward Teamwear United Counties League Division One club Wootton Blue Cross have signed 27-year-old central defender Callum Davenport whose last club was Premiership outfit West Ham United. "
Thought you were on a wind up there Jack. What's all that about? Apart from never having heard of the league how can Wooton Blue Cross afford him?
Blue cross sale, Gav.
Clever – see what you've done there!
Hope you're well mate – do you like the t-shirt in the profile pic? It was taken on the Costa del Sol!
Nice one Gav – you change your avatar so much I hadn't noticed! Hope you spread the word!!
In Turkey at the moment and too busy with proper work to come out with any new stuff, though I am happy to add designs for individual customers – just send an email if you want anything in particular.
Best.
How was he ever valued at 3 million?
He had a trial at Leeds the other week im surprised that he hasnt moved to a championship or league one team
reminds me of ian pearce. remember the centre-half turned emergency forward under glenn "nightmare" roeder? he went to a team less than the conference!
Behrami has to stay now and i'm certain he will give his all even if it is only until january. We need to give him a break, he's away from his family and he's never given anything but 100% for the team, sometimes things just dont work out!
I don't know why we dont slot him in at right back with hitz, parker and noble in the midfield 3. Surely he would make a class RB with his engine?
COYI!!!
I love SJs plans – lets hope they all come together!
Regarding Berhami – I understand that his wife has upped sticks and returned to Italy with the kids so he had to choose between his family and the UK. From what he said on the website I believe he will work his hardest and I think we should appreciate that as fans. I have never seen him with his head down or looking like he doesn't care when he is on the pitch and I don't think that will change.
Poor bloke. We do forget that although they are paid a fortune they are still young and probably more immature than most at that age. It must be very tough being away from your young family through no choice of your own.
Agreed, he has also gone about things in the right manor! He hasn't gone on strike demanding a move, and now he says he's goingto get his head down and fight for the team. Fair play to him, if only more PL players were like that!
any news on the two trailists we had in pre-season? ben-hatira and the other fellow? also, have we actually made an approach for aliadiere? so many unanswered questions…
SJ I enjoy reading what you write, but come on – every sentence ends in a question mark? Even sentences that don't come close to being questions end in question marks? I can forgive you for putting them at the end of indirect questions? But at the end of every sentence?
If you're uncertain of the validity of what you're saying, i.e. 'So, hopefully he is a decent enough player?', a question mark only undermines the credibility of what you're saying. Otherwise, keep up the good work.
jesus christ!
Thanks for the English Language lesson VBerhami!!!!! Bazza – not too sure if you should have finished your comment with an exclamation but pretty sure that you should have used caps. Detention for you. Hee hee.
Or ended a question mark Kim?
If only this was the worst grammar on this site
The spelling errors are also truly breath taking (excluding typing mistakes!). But …. wear outa skool na so it dont matta do it?:D
That & the headmaster's not even here any more.
PS. You sure we're all outa skool?
Yes, we miss his instruction.
But the question is a loaded one. Do you mean by age or need to learn?
Certainly as WH fans we will never learn (that is in our DNA)! But we could do with expressing ourselves with more objective pragmatism rather than raw emotion on occasions.
I did mean need to learn buuut – on reflection, I suspect there's been one or two below school leaving age posting too.
I've no problem with some of the raw emotion – it's definitely got it's place.
Totally agree GG That's why I tempered my thought with "on occasions" – we support with emotion but also need to reflect objectively. Now going to vent my emotion at the TV as I watch England:)
Well – just watched the second half and I can't complain. Rooney/Defoe seems to work. They should start for us from here on in.
I'm also left wondering about the negative effect of Terry & Lampard on the squad – self-serving, egocentric, primadonna trouble-makers IMO.
Overall a good result, despite some WHU style defending by the the new CB pairing and Glen Johnson's right footed, cannoned shot on goal off his left thigh was well saved by Joe Hart!
On a positive note, Rooney and Defoe did well togehter and are clearly the best striking pair. I agree about your remarks re Lampard and Terry. Lampard was not missed and the midfield was far more fluid and provided a good tempo. Only Harry Redknapp will be weeping tonight with the loss of Dawson.
If any of the reports are right, it seems that Tal Ben Ahim had a solid performance for Israel, but again it was against Malta…..
Regarding Jacobsen, If he can show some of the qualities he showed during WC playing for Denmark, I think he will earn a spot.
we always try to up our game when we play Chelsea at the Boleyn. Maybe if Grant, in particular, and his side don’t go for an upset then we can be sure of more lacklustre performances ahead…
Cole/obinna hines
hitz parker collison Dyer
……………………………………….the new year can't come quick enough for me.
Simple, get Franco back, he is a free agent and we know he can do it, would welcome both he and Ilan back with open arms, both quality players.
Good shout!
Great idea Braderz – I would love to see those two back as well.
to play in place of who??
I would rather see piqiuonne and cole up front, in front of them both… and if he is gonna play his 433, 1 of them 2 at the top and obinna and barrera either side.
Don't think ilan is cut out for it, he scored a few goals, great. But then so did tristan. Bringing them 2 back isn't gonna make our front line better. In my opinion! Plus i wanna see what this obinna has in his locker!
Hello mate i wouldnt mind getting Franco back but we've chosen our 25 man squad now so we can only sign players under the age of 21….bit of a shame really
Not good news on Hitz – http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/p…?
lets just hope it mores talksport rubbish!!
Gav you posted earlier about Calum Dav – it always amazed me we just released him by 'mutual consent'. I would have thought if he was unable to play for us again, as seems likely, we would have been entitled to an insurance payout – can anyone shed any light on that?
I'd like to wish Dav all the best and hope he can rebuild his career if only non-league. He did a solid job for us when he had his last first team run.
Yep – I've a feeling that these things rarely get reported on, Perhaps for legal reasons. He seems to have had a really bad time, which has dragged on for ages, and is just coming out of the other side.
My post was to do with my surprise at him not getting snapped up by a championship side at least. In fairness it wasn't my post originally – I just replied to Jack H with my surprise to see such a good player at semi-pro level.
Da Costa has no pace.
i seriously big to differ. last season he was the only defender that showed even an ounce of pace. i saw him play against sunderland and he was the quickest to ball ever time and easily beat bent when under pressure.
I dont think Illan or Franco would start but we are short of strikers – if Cole and Piq were injured we have little experienced backup apart from Benni (Big) Mac
Sorry Peter – Not convinced by Piquionne yet. Not entirely sure that I will be.
From what I saw at the Bolton game, I think Piquionne could do ok for us. He was far better than CC on his first touch and was certainly more mobile. He is short of goal practice but can create opportunities for others to do the finishing. I would say the jury is out until we establish our best atacking line up