West Ham United Blog

Sir Bobby Robson has died

A true gentleman of the game, Sir Bobby Robson has passed away, aged 76.  Sincere condolences to his family and friends, there was something about the guy that was always very honest and approachable, which cannot be said for too many people in football these days.  He helped the nation to fall in love with football again in Italia 1990 and he was clearly a man with the game flowing through his veins.  Rest in peace Sir Bobby, we imagine you are up there in the great kickabout in the sky, aLready changing the tactics....

Spurs 1 West Ham 0

I wasn't going to write about this, as it was after all a simply friendly, but such was the volume of emails and texts from Spurs supporting 'friends' delighted in such an important victory for them, it seems rude not to indulge their petty victories.

I'll make it clear, friendlies are pretty meaningless, Spurs after all spanked Roma in their pre-season last year before gaining two points from eight.  Yes, it would have been nice to win, but I am far from devastated about the result, although no doubt a short drive around Tottenham would see banners and flags being un-furled as they celebrate their big club status.

As it was, Spurs deserved the win, they were fitter and sharper, as a team fresh from facing Barcelona and Celtic should be.  The Hammers did not look great, but why would we want them to peak now, when the season is more than a couple of weeks away?  With a small squad, we could do without Cole or Parker desperately chasing a 50/50 and doing a hamstring.  We lost Boa-Morte anyhow with a suspected cruciate ligament injury.  Jimenez looked interesting, a bit lightweight but a nice touch.  Collison played well and that was probably about it.  We lost a friendly, don't panic just yet, and if you're a Spurs fan, don't count your chickens just yet my friends....

West Ham v Spurs live on Sky tomorrow at 10.30am

Just a reminder to call in sick book your holiday for tomorrow as the Hammers are live on Sky Sports 1.  The program starts at 10.30am with kick off at 11.00am.  A strong squad has gone out which includes new signing Jimenez but Ashton and Behrami will not be happy with their Airmiles statements as they stay in the East End and work on their rehabilitation programs.

Pre-season friendlies are generally pretty dull and turgid affairs but as this one is against one of our rivals, there may well be a bit more bite to it.  Would be good to get a psychological edge over Arry's misfits as we face them in our first home fixture of the season.  Hope the lads do us proud....

A Nouble debut for Hammers signing

Well, we'll try not to get too excited, but young Frank Nouble made a bit of a Hammers debut, scoring a last minute winner in the 3-2 victory over Thurrock last night.  The team was a very much one of youngsters, with only Callum Davenport and Nigel Quashie bringing experience to the table.  The team was also interesting as it included a youngster named Andrea Zola, son of our most esteemed manager no less.  If he is half the player his father was, he is more than welcome down the Boleyn!

Anyway, congrats to all the lads and especially for Frank, full report at WHUFC

Nouble (not Noble) Signs

West Ham have picked up a promising youngster in the form of Frank Nouble from Chelsea.  After turning down a contract at Chelsea, the sensible young lad has decided he wants to move on to bigger and better things by joining the Hammers.  A tall, pacey striker by all accounts, the prospect of working with Zola and Clarke undoubtedly had an influence in him signing for us.  And the idea of 'Noble passing to Nouble' was clearly a commentator's delight  could not resist.

Scott Duxbury, however, had a message for the fans that we can still expect a more senior striker to come before kick off, saying "I can also assure fans we are concentrating on adding more quality to our attack to complement those we already have. This is an extremely busy time of the year and Gianluca Nani and I are working hard to bring in the players that Gianfranco feels will improve his squad for the new season".

Welcome to Upton Park Frank, we hope you become a Hammers star...more news at the Hammers site

Hammers Tribute to West Ham legend

Pretty much my first memory of West Ham was a lovely Spring Day and much excitement in the house as were due to play in a very important match, which I learnt a while later was in fact the FA Cup Final.  The year was 1980 and owing to a rather bizzare headed goal, the name Trevor Brooking was engraved on my mind forever more.

I don't remember too much about him during the playing years, but he sure was a hero to my dad and the older generation of West Ham fans.  Years later, he would come in and steady the ship in-between managers, and a pretty good record he would have too, one which still has some fans wondering what would have been if it was a role he wanted to take on full time.  As a person, he has always come across as calm and polite, a manner which made him perfect for the knighthood he received.

Finally, the club has paid the ultimate tribute to Sir Trev by re-naming the Centennary Stand (aka the old North Bank) as the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand in time for next season.  Alongside the John Lyall Gates, West Ham are paying a proper tribute to the legends who have shaped the club over the years.  Sir Trevor said of the accolade

"It is obviously a terrific honour which I am very grateful for because this is my club. It will be my club forever. The great thing was being able to spend my whole career with West Ham, having a stint as caretaker manager and as a director and then going to the FA. "I still try and get to most of the home games. On my travels, if I am in a cab or something then everyone talks to me about West Ham because they know I am associated with the club. It is something I am only too pleased about whenever it happens. We have a very passionate and loyal support."

Scott Duxbury added "I know how much he means to everyone connected with West Ham United and I look forward to us being able to show our appreciation when we play Napoli next month for the Bobby Moore Cup. He is not just one of our greatest ever players but also one of the country's best - and he continues to give so much back to the game in England."

More on the official site

Hammers arrive for Austrian Tour

West Ham have touched down in Austria in preparation for a rther intensive ten days which will see them doing their fitness training as well as taking in four games.  The matches are;

Wagna - 15 July
Werder Bremen  - 18 July
Bursaspor - 22 July
ND Nura - 23 July

Most of the squad has travelled, including those retunring from extra rest such as Carlton Cole and Robert Green.  Dean Ashton is continuing his rehabilitation program.

Don't forget, you can watch the Hammers live on Sky on 29th July as they take on Spurs in a pre season friendly in China, though it will be a day off work as the match kicks off in the morning, details are here

West Ham Season Review DVD just £10.99

Last season certainly had its ups and downs, but it was rarely dull.  From Di Michele's occasional sublime skill and more frequent clown like antics, to the blossoming of Cole and Collison, there was plenty to watch.  Battling victories at Wigan and Stoke showed that we had come quite a way from being a soft touch. 

Now you can re-live those highlights while waiting for the new season to start on the season review DVD.  It's just £10.99 plus free delivery from play.com

Click here to buy it now

Sky and ESPN Opening Games announced

Televised matches have been announced for the start of the season and it looks like ESPN may have quite a few Hammers fans signing up.  While we are not on Sky Sports until 25th October, we are live on ESPN three times between August and September.

The live ESPN games are;

West Ham v Spurs (23rd Aug 1.30pm)
West Ham v Liverpool (19th Sept 5.15pm)
Manchester City v West Ham (28th Sept 8.00pm)

Sky finally show us on 25th October in the home match against Arsenal.

The opening matches for the season on both channels feature the 'big four' with Everton v Arsenal on ESPN and the others on Sky, though I can't help but feel Chelsea v Hull City is hardly a great curtain opener.  Anyway, some tough games in front of the cameras for the Hammers, let's hope we do ourselves proud!

Davies set to join Hammers

When I first saw the headline, I thought it meant we were going to buy Kevin Davies from Bolton, just to make sure he does not score against us this season.  But it's a little less exciting than that, the BBC understands we are set to complete the purchase of Kelvin Davies, the 32 year old goalkeeper from Southampton. 

Clearly it is with a view to being the understudy to Lord Robert of Green, so not an earth shattering signing, but some decent cover in this position is always crucial.  If the deal completes, welcome to Upton Park Kelvin....

Update:  Oh dear, seems the silly lad has decided to stay at Southampton