West Ham United Blog

West Ham v Manchester City Preview

Well, we didn't quite recover against Boro did we?  Very disappointing, we don't seem to like the cameras very much do we?  Thankfully we seem to have a bit of a televisual break.  There were various things wrong last night and I pointed these out in the half time post.  Di Michele played a couple of loose balls when he came on but he still looked alot more dangerous than Sears.  Collison looked as if he knew where to play and wanted something to happen.  Like I said, I'm not going to have a go at Kovac at all, I just think it was the wrong game to blood him in.

Worst thing is, we're going to have an even sterner test on Sunday against City.  They have blown hot and cold of late, but with Robinho and Bellamy we better be awake and alive to their threats.  I don't think we've been found out as some have suggested, I think a combination of tired legs, players carrying knocks (Cole. Behrami), losing Collins and a lack of fringe quality have come to haunt us.  But we're going to have be both resilient and positive to break City down.

Okay, here's my team;

Green

Illunga - Upson - Tomkins - Neill

Savio - Spector - Parker - Behrami

Cole - Di Michele

Bench: Lastuvka, Noble, Boa-Morte, Kovac, Tristan, Sears, Collison

We spent no small amount on Savio and I think we have saved him enough.  I've been impressed with his touches when he as come on and some pace on the break will serve us well against City who will be looking to spring us in the same way.  I would attach Spector onto Stephen Ireland to shackle him and give Parker some space to drive forward.  Nothing wrong with Noble's performances of late, I just think we need to nullify City's threats.

So, a win at home followed by United tonking Spurs in the Carling Cup please lord.  I've been a good boy this week and helped old ladies across the street, please make it happen!  Actually, I can see a 1-1 at Upton Park, either way, come on you Irons!!!!

Sort it out West Ham - half time report

Half time - Middlesbrough 2 West Ham 0

Well, like most of you I'm watching this one at home, but fair play to the 3000 who have gone up there.  It's exactly the start we did not want.  There are two errors for me and it's Sears and Kovac.  Savio has shown more in a couple of games than Sears has and his unpredictable nature could have caused Boro some real problems.  Even the fairly dimunitive Di Michele would not be knocked off the ball as easily as Freddie.  I've got nothing agains the boy and would love nothing more than for him to be a Hammers legend, but I think he needs to go out on loan to get some real experience.

I'm not going to tear into Kovac, more into Zola's timing in terms of switching him in a cup match.  If the cup means as much to Zola as he has been saying, then we should be going full throttle for this game, not changing a winning midfield formula.  Kovac should have been brought in as a sub gradually, not thrown in for a knock out match.  The midfield looks confused as to who should be where.

Half time changes I would make: Sears for Di Michele and Collison for Kovac.  If no joy, Savio on for Noble later in the game.

Come on Frankie, sort them out!

Middlesbrough v West Ham replay

Just a quick one tonight, as no doubt like you I am watching the rather entertaining United v Milan match, what a game.  Anyway, on with the preview...

Hammers lose out but pride remains

Were it not for a couple of minutes where we let Bolton in yesterday, we could have come away with a real result.  As it was, we left ourselves with too high a mountain to climb by letting in two goals early on.  After 20 minutes, I was contemplating not doing a proper report and just having a go at the lads but from that point, we dominated procedings and played some great football.  This is more than can be said of Bolton whose route one, ugly football remains a blight on the Premier League and I hope the waste disposal unit that is relegation sees them flushed out for some time.

Onto the Hammers and there were a number of interesting performances yesterday.  Firstly, Field Marshall Scott Parker's display has to be elevated above all others.  He seemed pretty wound up and his non-stop running and passing was possibly the best performance I have seen from a Hammer for some time.  Carlton Cole also deserves huge credit for amking himself very busy and fighting for everything.

It's a a real blow that we lost James Collins who apparently has a hamstring injury, but James Tomkins deputised very abley and it will be interesting to watch him over the next couple of games.  Di Michele is a player who I think will polarise opinion and indeed he should have taken his one on one better.  But that aside, his running and ability to get in positions is excellent and I still consider him an asset.  Finally Savio, this lad looks more and more interesting every time he comes on.  I think the issue may turn out to be where exactly his best position is, but his touch and vision look pretty good.

Anyway, on to the stats...

Green - 5 - have to say poor positioning for the free kick, couldn't do much about the second and not much else to do apart from that!

Illunga - 7 - very lively, love this guy!

Upson - 6 - arguably caught for the second and was troubled by Kevin Davies the whole game, never really looked entirely comfortable in the battle

Collins - 6 - not on for very long

Spector - 6 - peach of a cross for our goal but occasional poor distribution was a let down

Collison - 5 - didn't get into his rhythm for this match and was rightly substituted

Parker - 9 - exemplary performance from Scotty, international class

Noble - 6 - full of running as ever but at times his decision making was questionable

Behrami - 6 - wonder if he was fully fit as he flitted in and out of this game

Cole - 8 - worked very hard all game and his head didn't go down at all

Di Michele - 7 - likewise, he chased the ball all game and clearly wanted to get a goal, only criticism could be that he is over-eager

Subs - Tomkins 7 - Savio 7 - Sears - 6

Zola/Clarke - 7 - did not allow the team to fall asleep and orchestrated the comeback

If we play like that every week and keep our defensive concentration, we should be in for a comfortable run in and should also be able see of Middlesbrough on Wednesday nifght in our next game which is a cup one live on ITV.  Up the 'ammers!

Bolton v West Ham Preview

Yuck, we're off to Bolton on Saturday.  Not only have we rarely won there, they also subject us to their turgid brand of survival football.  Set pieces and hope it bounces off Davies shoulder.  Total entertainment.  It does get results, and often at our expense, but really, would you pay to watch that tripe?  It will be interesting to see if the neat football we have been playing of late, except against Middlesbrough, will be enough to see us through against them.

It's an interesting part of the season for us right now, what I would like to call the Curbishley Tipping point.  We're heading for safety, but are we going to push on and trouble the European places?  Is the FA Cup going to be our priority once safety has been secured?  I've got the feeling Zola likes the FA Cup and would like to bring that sucess to Upton Park.  I've got no problem with that as long as the players and club still keep us entertained in the league and give us value for our season tickets.  Oh, and we've got to do Tottenham down the lane as well.

Anyway, on to the game this weekend, Neill is suspended and Carlton will still be out, I'm not sure about our star man Behrami, but I hope he is back as we will have some real issues on the right if he is not.  Assuming he is, this is how I imagine us lining up;

Green

Illunga - Upson - Collins - Spector

Collison - Noble - Parker - Behrami

Tristan - Di Michele

Bench - Lastuvka, Savio. Boa-Morte, Lopez, Kovac, Stanislas, N'Gala

If Behrami is out, then you'd have to put Noblre on the right, push Collison in and have LBM on the left.  Due to the nature of their game, it's not one to start with Savio I wouldn't think and I don't know if Kovac is match fit, though he could be another option in the middle if Noble needs to go out to the right.

Anyway, will be an interesting one, I'll be happy to come away with a point based on our previous record up there, so let's head for 1-1 and prep for the replay against Boro next week, which is incidentally now live on ITV.  Come on you Irons...

Quarter Final Cup Draw

If the Hammers can overcome Middlesbrough in the FA Cup replay, they can look forward to a very tough away match at Everton.

It's certainly not the best draw we could have hoped for, though as the Cup whittles down to the last eight, you have to expect to beatsome quality at some point if you are to progress.

I didn't see yesterday's game, so no player ratings, though I did catch the last 20 minutes and saw some highlights.  A few thoughts are...

Di Michele is still trying very hard and although he is at times frustrating, I think he has an important role to play for us this season.

I really think Savio looks pretty good, considering he only has literally a few minutes to show so far, his touches, pace and vision are clearly there and if he can developm he can be a real star.

I think Freddie Sears could do with a loan spell to get some regualr football and to see if he can develop.  I truly hope he does, he's an enthusiastic, local lad but needs to show a few more signs of Premiership quality when we see him.

Felt the midfield really suffered without Behrami, pray he is not out for too long.  Likewise Carlton Cole.

We're entitled to a bad day at the office and the fact we had one and still scrapped a draw is a positive.  But we'll cetainly need to show more away to Bolton next weekend.

Up the Hammers....

West Ham v Middlesbrough Preview

We're in the 5th round of the Cup this weekend and though it seems obvious to say it, win this and we are in the quarter finals and as this game is pretty winnable, I'd like to see us start to take the competition pretty seriously.  But that's not to say we can't mix things up a little bit.

Middlesbrough are going through an awful spell and I imagine a cup run is the last thing on there minds.  Gareth Southgate is a pragmatic manager and I doubt he will get his team too wound up for this or even play his strongest team.  They were a little unlucky to lose against Man City last week though and may be improving.  I quite like Southgate and hope he turns things round for the club but he can start doing that after Saturday quite frankly.

So, for the team, well at least now if we rest anyone, there won't be any speculation it's because we're about to sell them.  I'd line up like this;

Green

Illunga - Upson - Collins - Spector
Boa-Morte - Noble - Parker - Behrami
Cole - Savio

Bench - Lastuvka, Tomkins, Sears, Di Michele, Kovac, Tristan, Stanislas

I think Collison could do with a rest, so let's give LBM a run out.  Plus I think Savio could do with getting to know his team-mates and his unpredictable nature could give a rather static back line that Broro have a torrid time.  Boro are quite physical though, which is why it is important our central core of Upson, Collins, Noble and Parker remain.  If we're comfortable, it will be good to Kovac and Stanislas a run out late on as well.

This should be quite comfortable for the Hammers, I'm going 3-0 with COle getting and Noble popping one in as well.  Come on you Irons!

Oh, and for you Romantics out there, don't forget Saturday is Valentine's Day, so before you go to the match make sure the missus has had some flowers delivered.  I've found a 10% off deal below...enjoy....

Another interesting week at Upton Park....

It's never dull down the East end.  Firstly Max Clifford allegedly states on an interview with Talksport that West Ham will be sold by the end of the week.  He was on-air for a completely un-related item but apparently chipped in with this at the end.  Not quite sure what to make it, he is certainly a well-connected gentleman but also a little mischievous, just don't know what to make of it.

Secondly, Chelsea have sacked their manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari.  Normally this would not affect the Hammers, were it not for the fact that two Chelsea legends are currently in charge of our team and doing rather well.  Fortunately, I think the timing is good for us - were this the Summer, after Zola and Clarke had taken us to a FA Cup Final and a top 6 finish in their first season, eyes would have certainly been on them.  However, I don't think Chelsea can take the risk right now on the back of a 8 game un-beaten run, they will surely have to look for more experience, with games such as Juventus coming up for Chelsea.  Guss Hiddink is the apparent early favourite, let's hope he goes there and the whole thing doesn't cause consternation at Upton Park.

So, interesting week ahead.  While I'm here I might as well reflect on the Man United game yesterday.  if we were to put our great run to an end, I'd rather it was to be the best team in the country as opposed to anyone else, and that was the case.  We gave a good account ourselves and everyone can hold their heads up high following the performance.  It will be good, however, to get back to winning ways this Saturday in the FA Cup against Boro.

West Ham v Manchester United Preview

A cracking day of action is lined up for this Sunday, with Spurs v Arsenal followed by the old favourite of West Ham v Man United, both matches are live on Sky.  Matches against Man Utd bring back some of my fondest memories, fron Ludo's super show to deny them the title right up to Upson and Anton seeing them off not so long ago.

The Hammers go into the game in great form, unbeaten in 8 games.  Although the last outing against Arsenal was adequate rather than inspirational, we're likely to see a more balanced performance in front of a better atmosphere at Upton Park.

Man Utd are, however, a class act and have the players to make life very difficult for us.  While Tevez will get a warm reception, he is still a professional who can cause us problems.  Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs and Berbatov to name but a few capable of tearing holes in us if we do not put 100% in.  While our form is good, United come into this one on the back of 7 straight wins, so something may well give.

Team wise, I still see no reason to mess with a winning formula, so it's as you were for the Hammers;

Green

Ilunga - Upson - Collins - Neill

Collison - Noble - Parker - Behrami

Cole  - Di Michele

Bench: Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Sears, Tomkins, Kovac and Boa-Morte

The bench has a slightly different look to it with Faubert gone and replaced by Kovac.  I also think Sears may be the fall guy in terms of defensive cover, with Lopez needed for insurace, Zola is likely to name Tristan inthe squad though I'd still go for Freddie myself.

Scoreline, hmmm, a tricky one for sure, if we can get at them and disrupt their pattern of play then we can take this one, however, I think a draw might be on the cards, so let's go for 2-2 but hopefully we can nick, come on you Irons!

Callum Davenport having a medical at Sunderland...

....it's been on for a little while but appears to finally be on with Callum understood to be at the Stadium of Light for a medical which should be a bit of a formality.  So that's Anton, George and Callum in their back four, interesting!  To be fair I think he is a decent player and a good back up to Collins and Upson but I guess Kovac can now slot in there if necessary and his first team chances look limited at Upton Park so if he does go, fair play to him and hope it works out.