Not a noble performance

There are two distinct schools of thought at this time of the season for those whose clubs have a poor start.  One that it is to set the tone for the rest of the season, the other that it's early doors and things can only get better.  Having witnessed the first two matches of the Hammers this season, I am unfortunately falling in the former.

First up, anyone who thinks the sending off  in yesterday's game against Man City was the turning point is deluded.  We had not shown anything up to that point and the sending off merely exarcebated our weaknesses rather than start them.  I had of course stated the case for not including Noble in my preview, to much derision, but I really hate to say I was right.  He's a local lad and one with his feet on the ground, but at the moment I am not seeing what he is adding to the team.  Yet again, we were over-ran in the middle with no authority in the park whatsoever.  As a result, there was no service to the front men and we were chasing the game from the off.  I've never been a fan of Mullins but have come to appreciate him more as he gives us a chance to break up the game in the middle and to push on with it.

But what of everyone else?  Behrami does not look like a defensive player in any shape or form and I found Faubert very disappointing yesterday.  On the left, Etherington was anonymous and if allegations of his liking for a fag are true, he may want to think about cutting down on these to improve on his powder puff performances.  The only positives for me were Davenport still looking fairly strong and I didn't think Neill had a bad game, especially when you consider he is being played out of position.

There is a week left of the transfer window and I really do fear for us if we do not make some quality additions to the squad.  We can't realy on getting the injured players back as they won't be around long enough.  A centre mid and cover at left back is desperately needed.  Up front, I think we will be okay and I'd like to see more of Sears, he just looks so hungry for it every time he comes on.  We face the Macc lads on Wednesday and if we are to set a tone for the season, it needs to start then with a right rollicking.  Anything less and it's going to be a long, hard season for sure.

Comments

[Dave Hall]

How are we ok up front. Bellamy gets injured many times, Sears is still learning his trade, and Cole is just not a prolific scorer. Which leaves Ashton without any proven cover for Bellamy if he gets injured. A forward is of great importance aswell.

[Darren Sharp]

I think on the last two performances, it wasnt the defence problem or striking problem but the mid-field. Davenport, Upson and Neil seem to be working well, and Ashton looking good, yeterday he didnt really have much chance.

I think a change around in midfield is needed, perhaps bringing Bowyer in, perhaps some new blood such as Spence can prove their worth. I guess Wednesday's CC game will prove a game to try a few new things.

[Dave Hall]

I agree we do need the midfield sorted out, but even then if the likes of Bellamy come back and get injured again,who do we have with a proven history to cover for him up front. If we play like we did at Man city on Wednesday it will be a dark day in the history of West Ham. We can't afford to perform like that again. Lets hope we see something positive that day. Because if we don't, when it comes to premiership games, we will be easy pickings.

[Gavin Welsh]

Typical Curbs bemoaning injuries but the bottom line is if you buy injury phrone players than they are normally going to spend time out injured! We haven't got depth or quality on the bence and we are really going to struggle this season. If we stay up it will be a touch!

[Simon]

I'm just being realistic in terms of us getting a new striker - at the moment, the midfield is the priority. We're clearly not going to be spending alot of money and Ashton, Bellamy, Sears and Cole have the ability to deliver the goods, getting the right service to them is the priority, at the moment, they are getting bugger all.

[Rob]

Im fed up with the whole club....are we signing players????Is Ferdinand going or not??? something F*cking tell the fans whats going on there....Its same old West Ham...it f**ks me right off

[Tom]

Our centre midfield has been shocking for over a dozen league games, but hello here gents ... most of you were all calling for us to offload Mullins and Bowyer during the close season ... yet between them, up to christmas they kept us in games and both wore the shirt with the passion we as fans love to see ... Bowyer distribution is what is missing to link the wingers and forwards ... he ain't perfect, but he's better than what is on the field at the moment. Parker was always injured at Newcastle and Chelsea, but played as holding midfielder, as he had no pace. At the moment this is Curbishly's team, and the money he has spent, on Bellamy, Dyer, Parker and Lundburg goes to show he hasn't a clue in the transfer market, and with Gudjohnson staying, Colocini, Cisse and shorey going on the cheap to other clubs shows something is wrong in us getting players to want to come and play for us.

[Dave Hall]

Cole won't deliver the goods,he's a work horse with minimal goals. Bellamy is an injury risk if we just rely on him to partner Ashton all the time and Sears will come good, but he has to learn his trade, hes still just a young lad. Indeed we do need midfield sorted out, and if so this will help the forwards, but we have to have a strong forward line aswell to do this.