West Ham United Blog

West Ham Season Review DVD just £10.99

Last season certainly had its ups and downs, but it was rarely dull.  From Di Michele's occasional sublime skill and more frequent clown like antics, to the blossoming of Cole and Collison, there was plenty to watch.  Battling victories at Wigan and Stoke showed that we had come quite a way from being a soft touch. 

Now you can re-live those highlights while waiting for the new season to start on the season review DVD.  It's just £10.99 plus free delivery from play.com

Click here to buy it now

Sky and ESPN Opening Games announced

Televised matches have been announced for the start of the season and it looks like ESPN may have quite a few Hammers fans signing up.  While we are not on Sky Sports until 25th October, we are live on ESPN three times between August and September.

The live ESPN games are;

West Ham v Spurs (23rd Aug 1.30pm)
West Ham v Liverpool (19th Sept 5.15pm)
Manchester City v West Ham (28th Sept 8.00pm)

Sky finally show us on 25th October in the home match against Arsenal.

The opening matches for the season on both channels feature the 'big four' with Everton v Arsenal on ESPN and the others on Sky, though I can't help but feel Chelsea v Hull City is hardly a great curtain opener.  Anyway, some tough games in front of the cameras for the Hammers, let's hope we do ourselves proud!

Davies set to join Hammers

When I first saw the headline, I thought it meant we were going to buy Kevin Davies from Bolton, just to make sure he does not score against us this season.  But it's a little less exciting than that, the BBC understands we are set to complete the purchase of Kelvin Davies, the 32 year old goalkeeper from Southampton. 

Clearly it is with a view to being the understudy to Lord Robert of Green, so not an earth shattering signing, but some decent cover in this position is always crucial.  If the deal completes, welcome to Upton Park Kelvin....

Update:  Oh dear, seems the silly lad has decided to stay at Southampton

Jimenez in, but Ashton out?

As I’m sure you are aware by now, we have got the services of Luis Jimenez for a year, with the move permanent if we win the Premiership or something.  In all honesty I know little about this guy except that he plays attacking midfielder and seems to have been very keenly pursued by Zola.  But then again, so was Savio!  I just hope we see more of this guy than of the mysterious Savio, as he is a bit older and experienced, I’m sure we will.  A midfield of Collison – Parker – Jimenez – Behrami does look pretty good, with Scotty playing more of a holding role.  Look forward to seeing this guy pre-season, not forgetting that Darren Bent scored four in a friendly for Spurs!

In other news, it appears that Stoke City are in talks with us about  Dean Ashton.  Opinions will certainly differ on this one.  My view is that if we can get £5m+ then I would take the money.  At the top of his game, Deano is a £15m+ striker in anyone’s books, but that value is only realised if he plays consistently for us.  Only West Ham and Deano know how much he may play for us in the future, but I worry about his injury record and his future as a result of it. 

Another season of paying wages to someone who is on the treatment table more often than not does not appeal and if the money goes towards another striker, I’d be sorely tempted to take it.  One thing we could do is add on a re-sell percentage, so if he makes a full recovery and takes the world by storm again, we ensure we benefit from it.

West Ham Fixtures 2009/2010 announced

West Ham will start the new campaign with a tough trip to Molineux to face newly promoted Wolves.  This will be followed by a couple of tough home games against Aston Villa and Spurs and then book yourselves in a hotel in the north west as we face Blackburn and Wigan away.  Last game of the season is home to Man City.

Full fixture list here

Update: Appaarently the Villa game will be postponed due to their European commitments, meaning three of our opening four games will be away.  If we can steer through that, we will do well.  Oh, and Newcastle have got West Brom on their first game of the season, I think it's a cunning ploy to make their fans think they are still in the Premier League!

From Hard Times to Great Expectations....

A season that started reasonably brightly, quickly descended into chaos and then turned itself round again – such is the fate of the West Ham fan, that nothing is ever straight forward.  My pre season expectations were pretty much met, with a 9th position achieved and injuries preventing us from going further.  However, I did not expect to feel as optimistic as I do going into the Summer.

Curbs going was a semi shock, but I always felt his timing had been wrong.  Before Pardew was appointed, there seemed to be the right momentum for Curbishley, but post Pardew it seemed we had swapped like for like.  His resignation left an interesting void, one which the board could have easily messed up.  I clamoured for Bilic and still think he would be a great manager for us, however, the board went with a vision presented to them by a legendary football but one without much in the way of managerial experience.  But what a presentation it must have been as I could not be happier with Gianfranco Zola as West Ham manager.

There was a decent start followed by a wobble, but rather than act like an impatient Newcastle fan, I and fellow Hammers waited to see where this was going.  There was decent passing and attack moves but the defence was still a little shaky.  Enter Steve Clark to sort things out and suddenly we looked like a decent team.  Players who were poor became good (Cole, Boa Morte), players who were good became excellent (Parker, Behrami) and youngsters who have got it could shine (Tomkins, Collison).  We could not only pass the ball nicely but we could battle as well, the 1-0 win at Wigan personifying the new steel in the West Ham side.

It’s a testament to the team that in looking at who we would we want to go in the Summer sales, not many names drop.  The sad part is that any decent offer for Dean Ashton must be considered, although I also feel that he owes us for being out so long and getting paid for it.  Di Michele can certainly go.  Tristan, if he is not too expensive could be a useful squad member for a year.  Sears must go out on loan.  On the other side, the nucleus of Green, Upson, Parker and Cole must all stay.  Lucas Neill has apparently refused the terms of a new contract.  Although he had an outstanding season, he is dispensable at his age, a pacey right back in his place would do just fine, come home to roost Glen Johnson?  A new striker and a new centre midfielder are the key elements we need for next season.  Outside of that, not too much tinkering with the squad is required.

It turned out to be a very entertaining season without a relegation battle.  Thanks to the players and management for making it so.  Don’t about you, but I’m knackered and looking forward to a bit of a footballing holiday.  On that note, West Ham Blog will be taking a bit of a breather over the Summer, though if we sign Iniesta, of course you will hear it here first.  But will certainly be back for next season, crikey, I’m looking forward to it already....have a great Summer Hammers.....

Burnley win play off final - Blades fail again

Hahahahahahahaha.

Congratulations to Burnley, they at least tried to play football in this match.  And it was great to see another team in claret and blue do them over!

As for the Ambulance Chasers, enjoy your trips to Doncaster and Plymouth.  Maybe if you'd focussed on the footballl rather than the court room, you would not be in this position.

Oh hell, why not one more time just for the fun of it?

West Ham v Middlesbrough Preview

The fat lady is clearing her throat at Upton Park this weekend, as we approach the final game of the season.  Eyes will be on Upton Park, as our visitors Middlesbrough need a good result and for others to be defeated in order to avoid relegation.  To be honest, I feel a bit sorry for Gareth Southgate.  As managers go, he seems an honest one and does not spend too much time playing silly mind games and winding up refs.  However, I think Boro and the Barcodes will be Championship sides by the end of Sunday afternoon. 

Of course, Newcastle getting relegated fills me and most others with joy.  I slated them for getting rid of Allardyce, who then went on to save Blackburn.  Their latest messiah has not turned out to be that at all, they are finally getting the success their fans ‘deserve’, but it’s okay, they can blame the ‘cockney mafia’, hahaha.

West Ham team news – Cole to continue his comeback, Tomkins out suspended

Key man – Carlton Cole to finish off the season on a high

Middlesbrough team news – Downing out is a huge blow for them, Alves also to miss the match
Key man – Tuncay Sanli is a quality player and we should keep an eye on him, and then make a bid for him at the final whistle!

Anyway, on to Saturday’s game and I hope the Hammers go out with a bang rather than a whimper.  It would be nice to give someone a real thumping and with Cole and Collison back on the scene, no reason why we can’t.  Additionally, what a perfect opportunity to unleash Savio – no pressure on us, crown in good spirits, it really is time we got to see what this boy can do Frankie, so sort it out.  My line up....

Green

Illunga – Upson – Neill – Spector

Collison – Noble – Kovac – LBM

Cole – Savio

Bench: Lastuvka, Stanislas, Tristan, Reid, Payne, N’Gala, Sears

Really tough one to call.  If Boro get word that either the barcodes or the tigers are getting beaten, their tails could go up, but the opposite could also happen.  I can see them getting an early goal before heads go down and we come out 4-1 winners.  Come on West Ham, do it for pride and to send us into the Summer happy....oh and also the small chance that Spurs get hammered up at Liverpool and we finish above them!  For the last time this season.....Come on you Irons!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hammer of the Year

Sorry, couldn't quite bring myself to do a full report on Everton.  It was too heartbreaking, watching us in complete contention and then have it taken away from us by a referee who certainly appeared to have it in for us.  That and the (non) finishing skills of Di Michele and Tristan just summed up a very frustrating afternoon.

Anyway, onwards and upwards and this weekend will see the Hammer of the Year award.  I've got to say, this is the toughest yet.  There have been some great performances but injuries have meant that we have not really seen enough consistency to always justify an award.  We also have also been playing well, and with the exception of DDM and Tristan, most players are in with a shout, though I'd suggest that LBM, Noble, Sears, Kovac and Stanislas are not quite at the races either.

Looking back at my Hammer of the Half year post, it was interesting to see Behrami, Green and Upson as my shouts.  Behrami had his purple patch for sure, but he took a little while to settle in and now we've not seen him for a couple of months he is unfortunate to be just out for me.  Anyway, here are my top 3 Hammers...

3rd Carlton Cole - if this was school and there was a reward for effort, Carlton would be running away with this.  Turning around being one of our boo boys to International duty and becoming a player we have sorely missed is credit to both him and the management team.  We could even see the change in the team when he came on against Everton last week.  A top boy and deserves recognition for continued efforts, will be a key player for us next season

2nd Lucas Neill - certainly not an obvious choice, but Neill has skippered the side superbly this season and has even at his ripe old age, added more to his game.  His advancing forward and assists with his long balls forward have helped change the balance of the team.  He's been a real lion for us and I'd hope he sees his career out with the Hammers

1st Matthew Upson - in a strange way, it has not been an exceptional season for Matt, but what we have seen here is consistency.  Lately I must admit I've not even noticed him, but that's a good sign.  There are few errors and little complaining, just timely challenges and superb marshalling of the defence.  Trust me, if he wasn't there, we'd notice....

Honourable mentions - these boys were very close;

Robert Green - another good season from Greeno, frankly I wouldn't want any other keeper in the Premier League

Herita Illunga - effortlessly slotted into left back, was close between him and Lucas Neill to be honest, delighted he is staying with the Hammers

Scott Parker - had a period of a couple of months where he was untouchable, if he had avoided injury, he would have been in the top three, but I've got to think about the whole season

Collison - am sure the fella will be in the roll call next season, bags of skill and confidence, a really good player

Tomkins - been great in the absence of Collins and would be likely to keep him out of the side now anyhow, a future England player mark my words.

Well, football is all about opinions and I'm sure you have yours, so let me know in the comments who your top 3 are....

Hammers final game live on Setanta

West Ham's final game of the season will be show live on Setanta at 4pm this Sunday.  Our opponents Middlesbrough must win in order to have any chance of survival.  The only interest for the Hammers is a victory for us and a defeat for Spurs will see us climb above them, depending on the goals scored in those results. 

Sky are showing Aston Villa v Newcastle, which is the choice game of the day as a everyone else in the Premier League hopes Villa sends the barcodes down.  They will also be showing Hull v Man United and Sunderland v Chelsea via the red button.