West Ham United Blog

West Ham v Sunderland Match Preview

Having just about calmed down after Sunday’s entertainment, it’s another chance for the Hammers to prove they have turned the corner with a tough trip to the land of Mackems.  Our comeback against Fulham was followed by the damp squib against Stoke, so it would be good avoid defeat and push on for the two home games against Villa and Everton.

Sunderland themselves are a different proposition this year, the purchase of Darren Bent proving particularly astute.  I’m just left wondering what would have become of us had we signed him a couple of seasons back.  Still, at least he is doing the business for them and not Spurs.  They are a pretty strong proposition at home, but their last two results of a defeat at Birmingham and being dumped out of the Carling after 120 minutes might have had an effect on them.  In addition, there are a few injuries, including our own George McCartney, who is anything but a favourite up there.  Campbell seems to be a definite non starter and bent is touch and go, which good news for us.

As for the Hammers, red card magnet Parker is out for this one, so it’s a simple swap with Kovac for me.  After their impressive cameos on Sunday, both Hines and Diamanti must start, and again Zola has got to give Noble a rest.  Here is my team;

Green

Illunga – Tomkins – Upson – Spector

Collison – Kovac – Behrami – Diamanti

Cole – Hines

Bench: Kurucz, Faubert, Franco, Noble, Da Costa, Stanislas, Dyer

Spector certainly did enough to earn another call up, it makes a big difference having a natural defender there and he will be need to do a job on Kieron Richardson who can be a threat down the wings.

Key Opponent: Kenwyne Jones seems to enjoy playing against us and we’ll do well to keep him quiet

Key Hammer: Diamanti can be a real driving force for us this season, let’s see if he fancies it on a cold day up north, unlike other mercurial Italians who have played for us.

Prediction: I reckon a bit of a scrappy affair, with the Hammers getting a bit of luck and nicking a 2-1 win.  Come on you Irons!!!

Callum Davenport Charged with Assault

In a strange turn of events following his stabbing, Callum Davenport has been charged with assault.  Not quite sure what has gone here, but it appears there was more to the incident than first thought.  It's a breaking story on Sky Sports now.

Because this is an on-going legal issue, I have closed the comments for this post.

West Ham 2 Arsenal 2

Having finally caught my breath and watched the highlights, it's time to reflect on an exhilirating afternoon at Upton Park.  It was a great comeback, and could prove to be a 'season turner'.  My only concern is that Zola has now learnt his lesson and needs to make the changes to the team that are there for all to see.  A couple of changes in personnell and sticking to 442 and we can be a tough team to beat again.

There was some real fight and determination from the lads today in the second half and we can be rightly proud of them.  Driven on by the enigmatic Diamanti and the tireless running on Collison and Behrami, there were some great individual performances.  The biggest accolade going to Calrton Cole, who caused Gallas and Vermaelen problems all afternoon.  On the downside, there were one or two decidely less impressive showings. 

I like Mark Noble, he is West Ham through and through, but it is certainly time he was given a rest.  Maybe he just needs a couple of weeks away from the game or some kind of break, but he looks bereft of ideas as a player.  His set pieces, compared to Diamanti's are below average and he continues to lose the ball with some wayward passing.  The other worry is Herita Illunga.  He looks like he is suffering from the famed 'Sebastain Schemmel Second Season Syndrome'.  After being a favourite last season, he is playing like he is still concussed from the Wolves match.  Come on Herita, we know how good you are, let's see it again.

Okay, here are my ratings;

Green - 6 - almost a first 5 for Green but he redeemed himself with a cracking save right at the end, but not a great day at the office for the Green un

Illunga - 5 - possibly his worst performance for us today, perhaps a lack of competition for palces is affecting his form

Upson - 6 - gave his all today, not at his best but decent enough

Tomkins - 6 - looking shakier than last season for me, still like Tommo and hope he can step up a bit more

Spector - 7 - a brave decision by Zola to drop Faubert but one that was justified, we looked more solid with a natural defender there and I think he should stay

Collison - 7 - still finding his feet after his absences but never stopped running and we are better team for his return

Parker - 6.5 - mixed day for Scotty, he worked tirelessly and got unjustly sent off at the end of the match

Noble - 5 - sorry mate, it's the bench for your next weekend, not good enough at the moment

Behrami - 7 - alongside Collison, ran his socks off, great to have these boys back

Cole - 8 - caused trouble all afternoon, scored and just put in a top class performance today, nice one Carlton

Franco - 6 - baptism of fire I believe they are called, didn't really get into it, more to see from this fella

Subs:  Diamanti and Hines both get a 7 from me.  I still can't believe people were having a go at Diamanti before the game.  Parker aside, he is the only lionheart we've got and I love to see him on the pitch.  Zavon did well too.

Zola/Clarke - 7 - it's taking them time to see how the team should line up, but the substitutions did the trick.  Don't revert to type next weekend Frankie.  Overall, it felt like a win today, up the Hammers!!!!!!

West Ham v Arsenal Preview

Perhaps someone thought we'd be part of the big four, as it's super dooper Sunday on Sky this weekend, but unfortunately we are 'repping' the bottom three rather than being part of the big boys party.  In only our fourth home game of the season, it's a big derby against Arsenal, and many Hammers fans seems nervous about this one.  Rather bizzarely, I'm feeling less so.  The one thing we have not been is trounced by anyway this season and only Man City have beaten us by more than one goal in the league.  This game is a perfect opportunity to show if we've got the fight in us or whether we are going to struggle with a whimper.  I'm more curious as to seeing if we are as bad as the results have gone or if we just need to turn the corner with a bit of luck.

We were in control of the Fulham and to some extent the Spurs games until mistakes let those teams back in it.  On Sunday, we must be focussed and everyone has to work very hard for each other.  There is no reason to doubt the team spirit at the moment in spite of the results and this game is a real test to see how strong it is.

As for Arsenal, they are a team I do always have time, unlike their neighbours down the Seven Sisters Road with whom we share a deep disdain of.  But some of their football over the years has been great to watch and they have some very talented players in the team.  Fortunately for us, one of them, Theo Walcott, will miss this one, but there is still plenty of pace and guile and the midfield will have to be well on top of Fabregas and Arshavin.

As for the team, I find it dis-heartening to read fans having a go at Diamanti already.  Even Behrami looked lost in his first few games, give the guy a break.  He only has Parker next to him in terms of fighting spirit and it's something we really need at the moment.  Once again I'd go 442 and see if Hines can give Gallas a bit of a run around.  So the line up would be;

Green

Illunga - Upson - Tomkins - Faubert

Collison - Parker - Behrami - Diamanti

Cole - Hines

Bench: Kurucz, Noble, Spector, Gabbidon, Stanislas, Jiminez, and Nouble

I think this is our best chance of doing some damage, but it's going to be a tough game.

Key Man: Collison could be suitably fired up for this one and back from his injury, he could have a key role

Key Opponent:  Quite a few to choose from but if we can keep Van Persie quiet, it may be our day

Prediction:  Wow, what a tough one, my head is thinking we could get mullered, Arsenal have dished out some serious beatings to the likes of Everton and Blackburn, and we will do well to avoid the same.  I'm pleading the fifth on this one!

It's going to be a tough weekend and it won't get much easier next weekend with a visit to the beach ballers, I hope we can come away with our pride in-tact, come on you Irons!!!!!!!

Are the cavalry coming?

I listened to the Stoke game on the radio yesterday, so won't be doing rankings for this one.  Whilst BBC London does have a certain bias towards the London club, it's apparent we played okay but once again the lack of cutting edge up front made us pay. 

I was gutted when I saw Hines was on the bench, Stoke are big and strong but I don't think they are very quick at the back and it would have been made for his pace to give Huth and friends a good run around.  On the plus side, it's great to have Behrami and Collison back, if they stay fit they can be key players for us if we are to turn things around.

In order for things to happen at Upton Park, the issue of ownership needs to be settled sooner rather than later.  According to today's News of the World, a consortium from the USA are interested in taking on ownership of the club.  It sounds like they may be the competitors to David Sullivan's possible interest on the club.

New owners would provide an interesting challenge for the club.  For example, it may see the end of the roles of Duxbury and Nani, which would mean Zola's close relationship with senior management would be cut.  The effect of this could go either way, with Zola either wanting to prove his value to new owners or seeking to follow the route of those who brought him to the club.

Whatever happens, it would be great to see this sorted by January.  I don't want us to go into the transfer window with Green, Cole and Upson being touted around.  Instead, we need some investment, and not to be selling good players like James Collins to plug in gaps elsewhere, we are simply opening up new ones by doing that.  Let's hope the story has legs and gains some momentum, we could do with some stability off the pitch even if we are not getting it on the pitch right now.

Stoke City v West Ham Preview

It’s another ‘must win’ game this Saturday as the Hammers travel to the Potteries for a tricky fixture against Stoke.  Last season’s surprise victory up there was one of my favourite performances.  We battled and battled hard and the days of us being a soft touch up north seemed light years away.  Our start to the season has implied those days will soon be back with us, and not even subject to geography.  The last minute equaliser against Fulham was very important from a psychological point of view and I hope it’s reminded the players they need to put in for 90 minutes.

As for Stoke, their start has been okay, they have been beaten at home by Man United and Chelsea, but they have seen off Sunderland and Burnley.  They are a physical and well organised team and we certainly need to be up for it to beat them. 

As for the team, please, please can we have 442 Mr Zola?  Behrami looked to have lost none of his quality when he came on against Fulham, it would be great if he was ready to start.  Some have said we need to the tall players like Kovac and Tomkins for this one, to be honest, if players are good enough, they are tall enough.  Steve Potts is a great example of this, he used to have Les Ferdinand in his pocket.  So, my team is;

Green

Illunga – Upson – Gabbidon – Faubert

Stanislas – Kovac – Behrami – Diamanti

Cole – Baked Beans

Bench:  Kurucz, Noble, Tomkins, Kovac, Spector, Nouble, Dyer

Parker sits in front of the defence and Behrami is the attacking midfielder.  Stan gives us some natural width and Diamanti can drift in when on the attack for more of a 433 forward.

Key Player: Behrami’s return can make a real difference for us

Key opponent: Let’s hope Matthew Etherington is feeling sentimental and has a quiet one

Prediction:  I think we will see some blood and thunder from the Hammers and a 2-1 victory is on the cards.

Come on you Irons!!!

Update:  Thanks to Stevo for reminding me Parker is suspended, must be the quickest 5 yelow suspension ever!  I have placed Mr Kovac in to replace him.

So, what's going wrong?

This is the question my dad asked me as I was running out of Upton Park on Sunday.  I had a train to catch, so missed the equaliser, but even that was scarce consolation in a game we should have won.  So,, what is going wrong?

1.  Cole's lack of support - it's not rocket science, too many times the ball is pinged up to him and as Hines is playing a deeper, wider role, there is no one to pick up the flick ons, so we give up posession easily.

2.  Faubert is not a right back - don't get me wrong, Jules has shown some great improvement this season and is possibly the only real fighter in the team (see later) but he is not a natural right back and with no natural wingers playing either, he is exposed far too frequently.

3.  Lack of leadership - I've not seen a replay of the penalty, but even it was one, where's the man saying 'you owe us one ref'?  I don't want a team of Craig Bellamy's, but since Neill's departure, where is the fight and the verbals coming from?  Scott Parker seems the most likely, though he can be a little too hot headed.  But we simply lack leadership at the moment.  Perhaps letting Collins go may have been an error too...?

4.  Injured players coming back - no control over this one, but Upson and Illunga look pretty rusty to me.  And how much do we miss Behrami?  He gave us alot of lift when he came on, if he can stay fit and the others can find their form quickly, it will certainly help matters.

5.  New signings - Franco is still not match fit.  I can see that Jiminez is a skillfull player, but we need some bite in the middle at the moment as much as anything else.  He is a bit of a luxury for me, great when we play well but when the chips are down, does not grab the game by the scruff.  The only exception for me is Diamanti.  I can't believe some fans were having a go.  He went in for tackles, is not afraid to shoot and takes an excellent set piece.  I like him alot and think he can be the difference for us this season.

6.  Formation - had to be said I guess, and I think point number one refers to it.  We do need to go 442 with Hines or Diamanti supporting Cole, it will give us more threat and increase our ball posession.

Well, a bit of a break until Stoke, hopefully some players can recover and we can do some work on the training field on who is playing where.  I do have faith in Zola right now and he and Clarke continue to have my backing.  We are not Newcastle and a bad start to the season is not for me a basis to sack someone.  I just want them to sort it out!  Come on you Irons!

West Ham v Fulham Match Preview

This Sunday brings dull, dull Fulham to Upton Park.  I don’t mean dull as in their football, I just mean of all the Premier League clubs, I feel that Fulham just have no personality.  But I digress, Sunday is all about the Hammers and doing something with this awful form we have been experiencing.  Things have to change and no better day to do it than on Sunday against a Fulham side hopefully still feeling the effects of tonight’s European game against Basle.

Not had much of an update on the team, we won’t get a better idea till tomorrow, but I certainly know what I want to happen.  442 must be the option for this one, with Cole finally getting support up front.  Sadly, I think Noble should be sent to the bench for this one, it would be interesting to see how we perform without him and I think there are players who can do a better job than he.  Here is how my team would line up;

Green

Illunga – Upson – Gabbidon – Faubert

Collison – Parker – Behrami – Diamanti

Cole – Hines

Bench: Kurucz, Noble, Spector, Jiminez, Tomkins, Stanislas and Nouble

I think Behrami could do a good job in the middle of the park in an attacking role.  He has the engine to run back and forth, is a good passer and has good positional awareness.  This will mean Diamanti can join the attack as and when and we can be a 433 when attacking but a solid 442 when we don’t have possession.

Key Player: Goal shy hammers could do with HINES being full of beans on Sunday

Key Opponent: pick from any of the three former Hammers, Konchesky, Pantsil and Zamora, who relish a return to Upton Park

Prediction:  It’s going to be tight but I’m backing the Hammers to come out on top with a 2-1 win here.  But frankly, I’ll accept anything but a defeat.

I’m looking forward to this one, it’s not been an easy few weeks but let’s get behind the lads with some real vocal support and be the 12th man on Sunday.  Come on you Irons!!!!!!!!!