West Ham United Blog

West Ham 0 Chelsea 1

Strange day at Upton Park yesterday, while we created some great chances, it was a game we were never in charge of against a frankly much better side in the form of Chelsea.  It's also been the first game I've seen (excpet perhaps Boro in the Cup) where I really struggle to pick a man of the match, and I guess that's the problem.  There were alot of very average performances out there yesterday by us and if you're facing Chelsea, that is not ever going to be good enough.

Our distribution was very poor yesterday and I think Di Michele and Noble were at the most part responsible for this.  I've stuck up for Di Michele a few times but am starting to get frustrated at his inability to play the simple ball.  Torres struggles to nut one past John Terry, so I don't know what Di Michele is thinking when he repeatedly tries to do it rather than lay it off.  Noble's short passing did not come off yesterday and to lose posession against a team who can hold the ball like Chelsea is suicide.

Noble continues to also frustate with his form.  The guy is West Ham through and through and I'd like nothing more than him for him to become an Upton Park legend.  But his overall play and very poor penalty did him no favours yesterday, I really hope he can pick up.

As for positivies, pretty tricky really, Green was pretty solid, LBM worked hard but I think my man of the match was Lucas Neill.  He's been excellent overall this season and although he was over worked by Bosingwa, thought he coped well and his passes from deep created our best threats.

Green - 7 - solid and no chance for the goal

Illunga - 6 - not a bad game but didn't get forward as much as wer are used to

Upson - 6 - decent match

Tomkins - 6 - likewise, kept Chelsea at bay for most of the game

Neill - 7.5 - a captain's performance

Stanislas - 5 - never got his rhythm going

Noble - 5 - missed penalty and poor passing made it a day to forget

Dyer - 6 - getting better as he gets fitter, more to come from this boy I'm sure

LBM - 7 - tried to get things going but found it tricky against a solid Cheslea team

Di Michele - 5 - pretty poor from DDM yesterday

Tristan - 6 - not an awful game, should have put his chance away better, but is clearly getting more involved

Well, at least the Spuds got hammered at Old Trafford, ensuring their goal difference is now equal to ours as well.  Where the hell did Fulham come from?  Can't believe they are as high as they are, sooo dull.  Anyway, Stoke next be a different proposition to yesterday, hopefully more points on the board.

Zola and Clarke to sign new deals

According to Sky Sports News, Zola and Clarke will sign new 4 year deals in the next 48 hours.  They are quoting Scott Duxbury as the source, so this may have some credence.  There may also be a bit of gamesmanship involved as the Hammers face Chelsea today.  Either way, if true, this is great news.

None of us were quite sure what to expect when Frankie Z got selected.  I gave him a cautious welcome, though I will hold my hands up to wanting Bilic as first choice.  However, Zola and Clarke have totally won me over.  Frankie got the attack working pretty quickly, Clarke shored up the defence soon afterward and apart from one or two wobbles (unfortunately against Spurs), it has been a very good season.  Some of the football has been superb and there has been no flirtation with relegation at all this season.

I also feel optimistic that we can push on next season - there are areas where we need more depth (another striker and a right sided defender/midfielder are my priorities) but Zola knows this and will address it in the Summer.

Great way to start the day, be even better if we can push on and give Chelsea a further less on this afternoon, come on you Irons!!!

West Ham v Chelsea Preview

As we head towards the final strait of the Premier League, there are still a number of issues to be decided at both the top and bottom.  With the Hammers yet to face Chelsea and Liverpool, we could have a real say in what happens and it starts this Saturday against Chelsea....

Hammers Heroes draw stalemate with Villans

It was never going to be an easy game, but as usual under Zola and Clarke, the Hammers did us proud yesterday.  There were various individual errors, but this was true of both sides as the pace of the game made for some frantic decisions.  But the revelation of the day was the player who I consider our man of the match. 

I will not shy away from the fact that I had previously said I didn't want to see him play for us again.  His cameo performances showed someone with an ill temprament and a distinct lack of composure.  He seemed more likely to get sent off than score.  However, since he has been recalled to the team of late, he was quietly putting in some decent performances.   Yesterday, he was excellent, tracking back defensively and creating offensively.  It's great credit to him but also to Zola and Clarke who seem to have the ability to transform players, witness the re-birth of Cole earlier in the season.

It wasn't just LBM putting in some good stuff, Tomkins continues to grow in stature, Stanislas looks like a real prospect and even Savio and Sears were lively when they came on.  Things are looking bright for our future.

As for the result, I said I'd settle for a draw and it was a good point though we could have nicked it.  Villa were there for the taking but they play some good football and I thought James Milner was excellent for them.  it was a good game and I think a point each is fair for two sides who were going out for the win.  Right, player ratings....

Green - 7 - some good saves yesterday from the green un

Illunga - 5 - a poor game from Herita, some poor distribution and at fault for their goal

Collins - 6 - didn't do too much before going off

Upson - 6 - pretty solid

Tomkins - 6.5 - was up against a tough opponent in Carew and though occasionally came off worse, did very well

LBM - 8 - possibly his best performance in a Hammers shirt, great stuff

Neill  - 7 - was very busy yesterday, is it just me thinking Hammer of the Year contender?

Noble - 6 - which way is this boy going to go?  Sometimes he has the touch of Brooking, sometimes the touch of Boogers, could maybe do with a dose of Zola/Clarke magic

Di Michele - 6 - as frustrating as ever, some great build up play coupled with poor finishing

Tristan - ?????? - what do you give the guy?  He was poor throughout and then goes and gets the equaliser!  Would have got 5 without the goal but guess I have to give him a 6 for doing what he is paid to do, pretty good finish too....

Subs: Dyer - 6.5 - was playing a bit of a holidng role so had to be cautious but when he went forward he looked dangerous.  If he stays fit, could be a real bonus for us.

Savio/Sears - 6

Zola/Clarke - 8 - the magical duo done well

Proud to be a Hammer again on a Sunday which is always a good sighn, now bring on the next match, who we got?  Oh........Chelsea don't look too impressive do they?

Aston Villa v West Ham Preview

It's the battle of the claret and blues this Saturday as the Hammers go to Villa Park hoping to keep more daylight between themselves and their UEFA chasing counterparts 'big club' Spurs.  Earlier in the season the lads would have been expecing a tonking at the hands of a buzzing Villa team but of late they have run out of puff and it's a good a time as any to be playing them, especially as they will be missing Agbonlahor, as well as Heskey up front.

The Hammers ran out of a bit of their own puff last Saturday at the lane as a patched up squad could not hold out against Spurs.  The inadequacies we have in terms of a squad have become much clearer and it is for Zola to address this in the Summer.  This is clearest up front where Cole's absence has hit us hard.  Ashton is permanently injured and Tristan appears way past his sell by date.  There is something I like about Di Michele but he does tend to mess up too many easy chances.  A quality target man must be added to the roster in the Summer.

In the middle of the park, Parker and Kovac have been missed, alongside Collison and Behrami, arguing our starting four.  Lucas Neill has been great this season and worked hard in his recent centre mid role, but it is not the part he was made to play.

So, on to the team and the club seem more confident of Kovac coming back than Parker.  both coming back would be an excellent bonus, but our up front troubles remain.  For me, I'd go with a simialr formation to the one I suggested against Spurs.  It's a risk starting with Dyer but I think one we should take.

                 Green

Illunga - Tomkins - Upson - Neill

           Parker - Kovac

LBM--------Dyer---------Stanislas

              Di Michele

Bench: Lastuvka, Noble, Tristan, Sears, N'gala, Payne and Lopez

This would give Villa plenty to worry about - our back four can cope with their pace but I think their defence is their weak spot.  If we work hard and create, we could get something out of this.  I'm predicting a little bit of a scrappy affair with the Hammers nicking a 1-0 win via Stanislas.  But I would take a draw right now as well.  Either way, I'm sure the lads will do us proud, come on you Irons!!!!!

Tottenham v West Ham Preview

It's the big one on Saturday, as we face arguably our biggest local rivals Spurs, click below to read the preview...

West Ham v Sunderland Preview

Seems like ages ago we held Blackburn at Ewood Park.  The clocks have gone forward and the sun is now shining and hopefully the Hammers will continue their bright work of late, despite being decimated by injuries.  Carlton Cole’s injury that he picked up playing for England means we are without him for 6 weeks and we have the issue of no true target man up front again.
Sunderland come to town with their brace of ex-Hammers (and David Connoly but he is injured and doesn’t really count anyway) just three points off relegation. 

They will be looking for a result here but without a win in their last 5 and no win in 6 away, I can’t see them getting much change out of us, in spite of our weakness up front.

So, how does Frankie Z line up?  Well, we’ve definitely got to go attacking and take the game to them.  Parker and Kovac are both apparently touch and go but hopefully they will be okay, we’re pretty messed up if they are not!  The other question is who to play now that Upson, Collins and Tomkins are all fit.  It’s a real tough one which I discussed in a previous game, but considering the physical threat of Sunderland up front, I’d go with experience in this case, but very tough call....

Green

Illunga Upson Collins Neill

Boa-Morte Parker Kovac

Dyer Tristan Di-Michele

Bench: Lastuvka, Sears, Spector, Noble, Stanislas, Payne and Lopez

Having Noble on the bench is not ideal but I think hitting them with a 4 3 3 could be very effective with the pace of Dyer and Di Michele causing them problems and Tristan as some sort of target man up front.  It’s not going to be easy by any means and goal scoring fests are not our bag right now, but we’ll still come out 2-1 winners, come on you Irons!!!