West Ham United Blog

Latest Thoughts...

Sorry, a bit late to do a match report on the great result on Fulham, so thoguth I'd just pen a few random thoughts on the Hammers right now.

- The result against Fulham was a cracking one, like I said in my preview, Fulham are a tougher outfit than last season and not too many will get a result at the Cottage.  I've always thought getting a result when you have not played especially well is a good thing, and I think that applies to the Fulham game.  We should have torn them apart when they were down to ten men, but let them back in.  However, overall, a great result.

- Carlton Cole will be in the Hammer of the Year top 3 - mark my words, I've always backed CC and thought inside that decent footballer is a cracking one and Zola and Clarke seem to be bringing out the best in him and if he knuckles down and learns from mistakes like his drink/driving, he could be a star for us this season.

- Matty Etherington is finding his feet superbly in his new role.  He is doing great but things could be even more exciting with Kieron Dyer competing for that role.  It suits a pacy, attacking type and both of these players can bring in a great attacking dimension.

- We need a proper right back.  Faubert and Behrami are lovely players but lack defensive quality.  I think a pacy, defence first right back will free up either of these boys on the wing a little more.  Or with Collins back in the reserves, it may be that Neill can slip into that role.  Either way, a bit more tightness at the back will help us out.

- Sears scored four in the reserves the other night, he still has some development work to do but he remains a cracking prospect

- I'm looking forward to seeing if we can beat Fulham without Carlos Tevez!  Preview to follow later in the week... 

Fulham v West Ham preview

It’s been quite a week for the Hammers, starting with the news that the FA have the ability to predict the outcomes of matches and followed by an early exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Watford.  It would be great if the club could put it all behind them and pull themselves together for a victory at Fulham tomorrow.  The early optimism of the Zola/Clarke era has been made sour by the actions of Championship side Sheffield United.  However, their 6-0 thrashing at the hands of some teenagers did put a smile back on my face.  The smile will turn into joyous laughter if we can turnover the Cottagers.

Fulham seem to be a bit more of a together side this season, as they should be with plenty of ex-Hammers in their squad.  No doubt Zamora and Pantsil will get a warm ovation from our end, Konchesky should, however, probably steer clear.  But they are a tougher proposition than last year, so we are going to have to be at our attacking best if we are going to get the points.

As for the side, Ashton and Bellamy are apparently both out.  Carlton Cole owes us a match winning performance after his stupidity earlier this week.  But assuming he is fit, I can’t believe we will drop him.  So, while trying to get to grips with our new formation, we should look something like this…

Green
Illunga – Upson – Neill – Behrami
Matty – Noble – Parker
Di Michele – Faubert
Cole

I think Behrami is a better defender than Faubert so I would switch these guys around from last week, I think Faubert would take advantage of the creative freedom a bit more.  Cole would essentially be spearheading a three up front.  This should give Fulham all sorts of problems.  However, I’m still feeling a 2-2 draw for some reason.  Coral will give you 14/1 for such a result and a free £10 bet if you click below, come on you Irons!

Hammers stung by hornets

In a somewhat surreal day, in which it appears that panel came to the conclusion that a season actually only lasts two games and Yorkshiremen who struggled to string a sentence together appeared on the radio, West Ham were also beaten 1-0 by Watford in the Carling Cup.  Usually, this is a result that would get me wound up and wishing I had a cat so I could kick it.  But actually, I find myself not too fussed. 

I can't bring myself to criticise the club after the ill informed media started to talk about players being ineligible.  I'm not going to jump on the backs of Zola and Clarke, because they are probably as shell shocked as everyone else by today's events.  And I know things are going to get alot better under the reign of these two.  I know we played a weakened team to get some experience to other players.  I know that we can take anyone at Upton Park this season and can start to give a good account of ourselves away from home.  I know that we are West Ham and will battle through adversity with dignity, strength and humour, which is more than can be said for our adversaries.

Oh, and I also know that Sheffield United played a full strength team against a load of teenagers and got stuffed 6-0.  Hahahahaha.  Sometimes karma is a wonderful thing, and it's made me feel, well, calmer.

Yours blowing bubbles....

West Ham Blog

West Ham's Bubble Burst by injustice

According to the papers this morning, Coca Cola Championship side Sheffield United have won their claim in court against Premier League side West Ham United for damages resulting in us playing Carlos Tevez two seasons ago.  There is speculation that the fine we can receive will be up to £30m, the ‘price’ of relegation.The judgement is flawed on so many levels, but this for me is the biggest one.  The judgement apparently reads; ‘'On the totality of the evidence, we have no doubt that West Ham would have secured at least three fewer points over the 2006-07 season if Carlos Tevez had not been playing for the club.

'Indeed, we think it more likely than not on the evidence that we heard, that even over the final two games of the season, West Ham would have achieved at least three points less overall without Mr Tevez. He played outstandingly well in the two wins that West Ham secured in those last two games.'

This is such an abstract argument.  How about the fact that the Tevez and Mascherano signings initially de-railed the club?  How about the fact that it took Tevez over half a season to score for us?  How about the fact Tevez played against Sheffield United when they beat us 3-0?  How can there be any guarantee that the player who would have played in Tevez’s place for the final two games would not have scored?  How about the fact that a draw at Man Utd would have sufficed, so if Tevez had not being playing, by the panel’s logic, we would have got the point we needed.  And don’t tell me we would not have beaten Bolton at home either. I’ve already had triumphant emails from soon to be relegated Spurs ‘fans’ laughing at this judgement.  But this is no laughing matter for football in general.  Why don’t club start to use other clubs for buying their players who could have saved them from relegation?  Why don’t Watford sue the ref for the ‘goal’ on Saturday?  Sheffield United are taking no responsibility for their failure as a club to get the points they needed in their last few games to stave off relegation.  They lost to Wigan at home on the final game of the season and that is not Carlos Tevez’s fault.

The findings are a disgrace, but clearly the club were preparing themselves for this, hence the sale of Pants, Zam, Anton and Macca.  Did you really not see it coming Mr Curbs?  Anyway, part of me is like, let’s pay the whinging Northerners and let them have their moment of glory, they are still a pile of rubbish languishing in the fizzy pop league.  The other part wants to fight this, to ask the FA how the players were cleared and then this happens?  To make clubs take responsibility for their actions on the field, not seek some kind of justice off it.  In fact, I want the blunt Blades to get promoted again, this time we can send them down with Zola’s Claret and Blue army with even greater pleasure.  Come on you Irons!

Zola's Hammers make dream start

Having just had the pleasure of watching the highlights on MOTD, it has now sunk that we could be at the dawn of a very exciting era at Upton Park, starting with this 3-1 win over Newcastle.  A slight reality check first - Newcastle at home in their current state was probably the game we would have picked for 3 points this weekend.  They are currently a shambles and save a lively performance from Duff and likewise from Michael Owen, they have very little to offer.

Having said that, this was still an excellent performance from the Hammers.  All the lads can hold their heads up high (well, except Boa-Morte) but special mention should go to the following.  Heritha Illunga, our hitherto unknown left-back (trying saying that after a couple of pints) was excellent today.  He is a big strong lad for a full back but is also very mobile.  Can place a pass with ease and just appears to have a good footballing brain.  Scott Parker pulled strings effortlessly in the middle, how Newcastle must be lamenting letting him go.  And finally, our new Di Canio, Mr Di Michele.  Some were very quick to criticise the fella last week, and no doubt there will be times he makes us scream with frustration.  But I love his desire to entertain, to do something a bit different.  And if he comes in with a couple of goals as well, all good.

Overall, an excellent performance from the Hammers, Zola and Clarke set their stall out with an almost Christmas tree type formation.  It worked wonders and there can only be good things ahead, especially with Dyer, Ashton and Bellamy to add to the mix.

Players ratings:

Green - 7 - some good handling, no chance with the well taken Owen goal

Illunga - 8 - a serious contender for man of the match, did not put a foot wrong

Upson - 6.5 - quiet game but better than last week's performance

Neill - 6.5 - looked fairly comfortable in the centre half role but was not tested that hard as the service to Owen was mostly non existent

Faubert - 6 - Nice interchange role with Behrami, 6 is possibly harsh but as he was mostly on defensive duties, it's hard to judge him against previous performances

Etherington - 7 - lively match from Matty, adapted to the new formation well

Parker - 8 - excellent passing and general midfield marshalling

Noble - 7 - good performance from Nobes as well, helping Parker out nicely

Beharami - 7 - full of running and very lively

Di Michele - 8 - two goals and full of impish running throughout

Cole - 7 - held the ball up well and made life difficult for the barcodes

Subs - Mullins made an important contribution late on, Boa-Morte messed up two gilt edged chances and Sears looked like an unleashed rottweiler.

Zola/Clarke - 9 - dream start for the pairing, deserve a drink tonight

Bobby Moore charity to sponsor Hammers shirt?

It's not happening but it could if enough sign this petition.  Hammers fans are clamouring for the club to make a tremendous gesture by supporting the Bobby Moore Fund (Cancer Research) and placing the logo on the shirt for the rest of the season, following the demise of xl.com, our previous sponsors.  It's a big ask for the club who are currently seeking to replace the funds they lost as a result of xl.com going into liquidation.  But it would be a fantastic gesture and the 'moore' people who sign it, the better, so get cracking...

Sign here

West Ham v Newcastle Preview

Saturday sees the barcodes visit and gives them a chance to see the ‘cockney mafia’ at first hand.  On the surface it would appear that this would be the best time to be facing them, however the Hammers also have a tendency of being the club you want to face when you need a result.  On the other hand, a decent start to the season coupled with Zola’s first game in charge and this should be one the Hammers comfortably win.  My thoughts about Newcastle fans were very neatly summed up by the Times yesterday, a good article worth reading.

What will be most interesting is the line-up Mr Zola goes with.  Having spent a week with the players, I’m wondering who he will fancy most.  There are issues all over the pitch to be dealt with.  At the back, Upson appears distracted and some are clamouring for Neill to move into his place or to replace Davenport to provide a more solid pairing, pushing Behrami back into right back.  In the middle, for me Noble and Parker have to start but on he left things are more interesting, with Boa-Morte putting in a strong performance against the Baggies and Etherington lacking in early season form.  Up-front, I assume Clarke will know Carlton Cole from his blues days and may be able to get a bit more from him.  Personally, I’d like to see more of Di Michele, although Ashton and Cole can play together, they are still a little too similar for me and it would be interesting to see Di Michele running around alongside Deano, or even Sears in that role.  Anyway, this would be my line up;

Green
Illunga – Upson – Davenport – Neill
Boa-Morte – Noble – Parker – Faubert
Ashton – Di Michele

Mystic blog is predicting a rousing game and a 4-1 smashing of Barcodes to give their supporters something else to moan about. Coral will give you 40/1 on that and a free 10 pound bet, so some nice cash to be had there, click the ad below to get the free bet.  Come on you Irons!

Steve Clarke joins the Hammers

Resolved quicker than most of us imagined, Steve Clarke has been allowed to remove the shackles of contract at Chelsea and join his friend Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park.  Clarke's appointment is something of a coup, as he is a respected coach and joins us from a Top 4 club.  I reckon he will be able to play a bit of a 'bad cop' foil to Zola's somewhat sunnier demeanour.  Anyway, full statement at the official site.

Brom are a thorn in the Hammers side

Kevin Keen was in charge for our game at the Hawthorns before the Zola era starts today, but the Hammers continued with their dodgy away form with this 3-2 defeat.  In truth, things could have gone either way in an open contest, but Brom managed to seal it in the 83rd minute with a goal not unlike the Stalteri breakaway that gave Spurs victory at Upton Park a couple of seasons ago.

Both defences were pretty poor for the game and it was a matter of who would score more.  The plus sides for us were the solid debut of Ilunga the left back and a strong performance by Boa-Morte.  On the downside, the defence, in particular Hammers favourite Matthew Upson were not at their best.  There seemed to be a bit of a lack of discipline in the ranks.

The debut that appears to be splitting opinion is that of Di Michele.  I thought he looked alright and frankly, I don’t mind him trying to be spectacular, it’s been a while since we’ve some flair at Upton Park and it makes a nice change.  He may just need to learn when it’s right to be doing it. 

Overall, disappointing not to come away with something but it feels like a lull before the storm on Saturday when we face the car-toon army!

Hammers move for Steve Clarke but Chelsea not budging

West Ham assistant manager target Steve Clarke has reportedly tended his resignation to Chelsea, only for it to have not been accepted.  According to football365, a Chelsea spokesman said "Chelsea can confirm that West Ham have made an approach with regards to talking to Steve Clarke. They have not been given permission to talk to him.  Steve Clarke has tendered his resignation as assistant first team coach. We have not accepted his resignation. Talks are continuing ".

It may be that Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of Clarke, or they are after some compensation from the Hammers.  Certainly Chelsea would be in a position to offer him better wages than us, but I imagine he is taking into account working with an old friend and a new challenge as well.  Either way, let's hope it's resolved pretty quickly.