West Ham United Blog

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.

Everton v West Ham Preview

Tough trip this weekend, as the season draws to a close and we push to finish as high as possible and even qualify for Europe.  Everton's Europa League place is secure and with the FA Cup drawing even nearer, I'm really hoping they have one eye on that and drop their form on Saturday.

It's never been a happy hunting ground for us, I can remember Tim Breaker getting a winner their on a New Year's Day but since then I think only a Zamora inspired 2-1 win has seen us come back with the full prize.  To be fair, I think David Moyes has been top class in his role there and like Zola has produced a team that works hard for each other and gets results.  He gets the best out of players who may in other teams, not necessarily shine.

Still, with nothing to fear, I'd like us to go up there and give them a real game.  In order to do this, some changes certainly have to be made.  My patience with Di Michele finally ran out last weekend and he needs to spend the next couple of games on the bench.  Come on Frankie Z, let's see what this Savio boy has to offer, give him a run out and let's see what he can do, the experience will do him good.

Team News;

Everton - quite a few injuries including former Ambulance chaser Jagielka, Hibbert, Anichebe and Arteta.  However, Saha is set to return.

Key Player - Fellanini is a real handful and Upson will do well hit the heights of his barnet on set pieces

West Ham - Great news is that Carlton Cole returns to the squad this weekend.  Still waiing to hear on Dyer, Collsion pushing for a start.

Key Player - If Tristan really wants a contract, he could do with popping up with a few more goals before the season end

My team;

Green

Illunga - Upson - Tomkins - Neill

Collison - Noble - Kovac - LBM

Tristan - Savio

Bench; Lastuvka, Cole, Di Michele, Sears, Spector, Hines and Payne

A real tough one this, in any other circumstances a draw would be a good result but as Spurs face Man City at home, we could with a win.  But a tough 2-2 might be what we have to settle for.  Come on you Irons!!!

Things I learned from West Ham v Liverpool

1.     Di Michele is just not good enough – I’ve given this guy enough free passes to last him a very long game of Monopoly, but still he manages to mess up the very simple things.  No need to keep him beyond May.  See point 3....

2.    We’re good but we’re not that good – as this game and the one against Chelsea illustrated, we might be top half, but we are a long way off top four.  No one has claimed that we are, I’m just saying the gap is huge and is something that will take a few years to close, if at all.

3.    Unleash the hounds – Sears and Savio may be raw, but they have hunger and they can run all day.  I’d especially like to see more of Savio in our last couple of games, show us some of this potential that we paid £9m for

4.    If we want to finish above Spurs, we need a point at least this weekend – Liverpool were certainly our toughest of the final 3 opponents and with Everton having an eye on the FA Cup, we need to do something we don’t do at Goodison Park that often and sneak a result

5.    When we have our squad back, we will be strong again – yes it poor against Liverpool but we had our moments and with Parker, Behrami and Cole back, things may well have been different.  We’ve been slightly spoilt by doing well in a run when key players are injured and we can certainly look forward to them coming back

Do you want to see the ambulance chasers get promoted?

After getting a draw at Preston last night, it seems likely that Sheffield United will at least get to the play off final and may well get promoted back to the Premier League.  I have really mixed feelings about them coming back up.  Part of me thinks they don't deserve the fun and excitement of getting promoted, the other part will take great pleasure in watching them come up and get relegated again, and see who they sue this time.  So, what do you think, shall we give them the pleasure?

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West Ham v Liverpool Preview

A tough one this Saturday as the Hammers face title-win-chasing Liverpool at Upton Park.   With the Premier League title still a possibility and no other trophies left to compete for, the Scousers will be looking to keep the pressure on leaders Manchester United.  From the Hammers perspective, a place in Europe and finishing above ‘big club’ Spurs are the priorities for the rest of the season.

Last time out, the Hammers battled and played their way to a great result at Stoke.  Hopefully Saturday will see more of a football match rather than fending off long balls for 90 minutes.  But the spirit of the club seems high and the way we have captured results despite the injury crisis is a great credit to Frankie and Stevie.

Team News;
West Ham: Collison could make a start having come on against Stoke – Kyle Reid and Jordan Spence have returned from loan spells and could make the bench

Key man: Let’s hope Tristan can continue to find his form, if he doesn’t, we may struggle to score

Liverpool:  Alonso likely to be out following Joey Barton’s horror challenge last weekend.  Torres and Mascherano hoping to be fit.

Key man: Think we will all be happy if Torres does not make the team sheet

Hammers line up:

After a pretty successful day at the office last weekend, I’m not sure we need too many changes.  Guess the question of whether Collison starts is Zola’s biggest headache, but I see no need to rush the guy back as we head towards the end of the season, so another bench place for him I reckon before maybe a start against Everton.
Green

Illunga – Upson – Tomkins – Neill

Stanislas – Noble – Kovac – LBM

Tristan – Di Michele

Bench: Lastuvka, Collison, Spector, Savio, Sears, Payne and Lopez

The game is live on Setanta and will kick off at 5.30pm.  It’s a tricky one to call, we can certainly give them a go and if the crowd get behind the lads it could be one of those evenings.  We are pretty resilient these days and Chelsea and Man Utd only went away with hard earned 1-0 victories.  I reckon we can do this 2-1 to the cockney boys!  Come on you Irons!!!

Hammers show backbone as well as flair

West Ham did us proud once again on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City, becoming only the fourth team to go to the Britannia and get all 3 points this season.

It was by no means an easy task, the game was very physical and with Rory Delap peppering the box with his long throws, the defensive line more than earned their money by resisting everything Stoke threw at them.  At the centre of this was Robert Green who, while David James was spilling tepid headers at Fratton Park, showed while he should be in consideration for a starting place in the England line up.  Green handled long balls and stopped shots with great skill and agility all game, much to the frustration of the impressive Ricardo Fuller.

Man of the match for the Hammers was yet again Lucas Neill who put in another captain's performance.  I don't know if it is the contract negotiations or the management that is pushing Neill to put in these performances, but he has been key for us in the second half of this season.  While I think a pacy right back such as Glen Johnson will be an important purchase for us in the Summer, Neill has illustrated he is still more than up to the task for now.  Anyway, player ratings...

Green - 7 - excellent display by England's number six!

Illunga - 6 - not bad effort by the reliable Herita

Upson - 6 - pretty solid throughout but seem less involved than his defensive partner...

Tomkins - 7 - top defending by our young prospect, seems set to make this spot his own next season

Neill  - 8 - fantastic performance by Skippy, strong defensively and linked up well with the midfield

Stanislas - 6 - a much better display than the one against Chelsea, would stil lrahter see him push the ball and beat the man raher than cut in every time

Noble - 6 - if ever a player divided opinion, it's him.  But worked his socks off in this game

Kovac - 6 - he was jsut getting into the pace of the game before his injury and is hasving trouble adapting again, but put in a good shift

LBM - 7 - was busy throughout, the boos have certainly disappeared when we hear his name

Di Michele - 5 - not a great game from the dimunitive Italian

Tristan - 6 - also did not have a great game and missed a sitter.  having said that he also scored a superb free kick, what are we to make of Diego?!

Zola and Clarke - 8 - snuffed out Stoke's main threat and got the alds to play our way when we kept the ball, another good shift

Overall, a great result, oh and a big shout to James Collins too for coming to sit with the Hammers fans.  Hope to see you ready for the squad soon big man.  Good prep for another big match on Sautrday against Liverpool, but the way we are playing, we can take on anyone at the moment!

Stoke City v West Ham Preview

The Hanmmers travel to the Potteries this weekend for a tough away match at Stoke City.  Stoke can probably consider themselves safe in the Premier league, sitting at 12th as they are but will be looking for 3 more points to cement that. 

The Hammers on the other hand are still pushing for a European place.  I want to do another post on whether we should be pushing for Europe, but I do have concerns about the depth of our squad to deal with it.  More importantly for some is for the second season running finishing above our rivals Spurs.  Speaking to Spurs fans, they consider this the weekend that they will be climb above us, with them facing West Brom at home and us with this tricky match.

However, there is no reason why we can't push for 3 points here.  We gave Villa a tough game a couple of weeks ago and although we are still decimated by injuries, we're still hard to beat.  Stoke play a failry open game and this could benefit us and allow us hit them on the counter attack.

Stoke team news: Good news is that Beattie is struggling, he's a decent player and with 6 goals in 12 games is pretty key for them, he may not make it on Saturday.  Andy Wilkinson is out.  Matthew Etherington is set to face his old club.

West Ham team news: Squad will be unchanged from that which faced Chelsea.  Jack Collison is back in full training and though not ready for this game, may make an appearance before the end of the season.

I'd like to see us line up like this;

Green

Illunga - Upson - Tomkins - Neill

Stanislas - Dyer - Kovac - LBM

Tristan - Di Michele

Bench: Lastuvka, Savio, Sears, Noble, Spector, N'Gala, Payne

I imagine Zola will start with Noble rather than Dyer, but I'd like to see Kieron get more of a run out and perhaps Noble could do with a rest.

This team is perfectly capable of getting a result, and I'm going for us to sneak it 2-1.  Fancy a punt?  Skybet will give you 11/1 for that result, click the banner below for more.  Come on you Irons!!!!