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West Ham Utd v Aston Villa : Premier League 15:00 Hrs Saturday 10th of May 2008 at the Boleyn Ground |
Time To Reflect For West HamSubmitted by Neville Nixon on 11 February, 2008 - 21:38.
Hammers early exit from the FA Cup means that there will be a two week break which will hopefully enable the team to regroup following the disappointing home draw against premier league stugglers Birmingham.
The stupidness of the tackle aside, fans are entitled to feel hard done by Mark Clattenburg's decision to award a penalty against Lucas Neill, but let's face it, Lucas is a very 'touchy feely' defender, in fact in reality he has been lucky to get away with it for so long. The bigger injustice was Lee Bowyer's sending off, which Hammers are rightly appealing against. Fact is that West Ham could have been pushing for a European slot but instead are stuck in the 'ground hog day' 10th spot! It is perhaps a glowing testimony to actually how well the team are doing under Alan Curbishley's guidance that tenth doesn't seem good enough, however a potential five points have been dropped and the ensuing break should finally see something like a full strength team, albeit short on match fitness, available to the manager and his staff.
At Charlton Curbs operated with a small squad and a tight budget, that is not the case with West Ham, the next few weeks will show if Alan Curbishley has got 'enough gas in the tank' to really push Hammers onwards and upwards, and strangely enough a lot of people would like him to do so. Now is the time etc.. He knows he has it within him, and beneath those ol' sad eyes there is a winner waiting to come out, and after all very few teams emerged with much credit during last weekend did they?. - Ed
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I love the way everyone is
I love the way everyone is so enthusiastic about the signings we might make next year. Maybe I'm just a born pessimist but I really think we will all be sadly disappointed about the amount of funds available next season.
There must be a reason why we didn't sign anyone in the Jan transfer window when it was glaringly obvious to everyone that with a couple of key signings we could have been genuine contenders for a European spot (that is never gonna happen now).
The lack of any signings plus the cancellation of the planned £10 million training complex certainly don't match the promises we were made & can only mean one of two things.
Either the owners are running out of money, & for those of you who dismiss that you only need to look at the financial pages to see the state of the Icelandic banks after the sub prime crisis. Or alternatively the owner is changing the management of the club in the close season & would rather the new guys (Bilic+ technical director) spend it rather than Curbs.
I hope I'm wrong as the close season is probably the most exciting it gets, with the anticipation of new signings etc etc but I wonn't be at all surprisde to see very little activity apart from maybe spending money we generate through sales of some existing squad members and a general whittling down of squad numbers. Does anyone agree or am I just too pessimistic ??
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I personally think we've had a pretty decent season, and my main concern is finishing above S***s (got a few bets goin with mates). I do think an investment in players is needed in the summer to push us forward though. I think to move us forward we need a young RB (understudy to Neill) a good left back (competition for Macca) a creative centre-mid player (too many similar players there at the minute Parker, Noble, Mullins, Quashie) a proven goalscorer (Fabiano, Milito, Van Der Vaart... Adriano?). But overall, the main thing i think we're missing, is a really, really sh!t hot left winger, someone who'll really get us all excited, who'll deliver the goods week in week out for us, and someone who has really flair and trickery (ricardo quaresma anyone?!). I know this season isnt finished yet, but what does anyone else think we need to push on for next year?
That was what we brought Dyer here for. Mostly on the right wing but he can play the left too. Can you imagine us playing with Faubert and Dyer on the wings then Ljundberg, Noble, and Parker in the middle?
With a midfield like that supplying you, either Zamora or Deano should find the net regularly. So if, in the summer we added a striker like, Crouch, Hunterlaar, or Farfan, they would be getting plenty of balls played in from all angles. Bolster the defence we already have, and we should be flying high next season.
Interesting Suggestions. In terms of the RB, how do you rate Pantsil? I think that's his normal position. And yes, we need cover at LB, too. Quashie and maybe Bowyer could probably both go, but would you release Mullins (who has filled in very admirably) when Parker is injury-prone? Not unless we get another top centre midfielder. Proven goalscorer needed? -- absolutely. I like the suggestion that some have been making of going for Huntelaar. Left winger? -- yes, I agree. Etherington came out guns blazing this season, but after his injury he hasn't really threatened oppositions much. I know it's not Freddie's preferred place, but with him on the left and Faubert on the right we look more dangerous. In that case we could still use a great left winger, and let the three of them sort it out who starts where. Gabbidon and Collins will still do well for cover in centre back. If we do these things I think we can be a threat for third or fourth.
I would choose Pants over Neill on current form, I saw him in African Cup and he looked good and have more to offer going forward than Neill. He also has more pace. Solano can probably do a job on right-back too, then we would be a bigger threat on set-pieces. Neill is all right but he is at the same time the weakest link in defence I would say. Bring the Pants on for Fulham!!
Solano played right back for Newcastle once, he played a blinder too. I rate him highly, He's a very versatile and creative player, good to see him here.
for me, james collins is the best header of the ball at west ham, whenever we had a corner when he was playing he looked most threatening, so i think he could do well as right back in the same way mellberg does for villa, after all they are the most dangerous team for set pieces due to having 3 very big defenders as well as carew attacking the ball, lucas has done us well but he is painfully slow and isnt a threat to the oppositions goal at all, as for the abundance of midfielders we have, i think they are all good players (bar quashie and boa morte!) and we have young jack collison who would be playing reguarly if it werent for the excessive squad size, im not sure who to get rid of in midfield as, on their day each can be magnificent but on the wings we have ljunberg, dyer, faubert, etherington,boa morte and solano vying for 2 places and mullins, bowyer, noble, parker and quashie vying for 2 spots in the middle! but they are all too similar, none of them possess the natural skill to unlock defences the way that yossi could, even on the wings all we have is pace and endeavour which is where we are falling short, we need to lighten the squad in the summer, a job i would not relish myself but its far too big a squad! although injuries have been a plenty, i still feel we should be beating the wigans and birminghams with plenty to spare, im sure im not alone and i feel if we had replaced yossi like for like we would be sitting a couple of places higher.
The rumours that Giovanni Trappatoni was being lined up for the Director of Football post have turned out to be a load of 'trap'. He's just accepted the Irish job.
That doesn't mean it was "trap" as you say... He could have been all set to join us but the chance to manage a national team arose. May also explain why we are still yet to appoint one.
anyone know the attendance for the reserves game against the brum. just wonder how maany people take notice of our reserve team
Is any*ne els* o*t th*re h*ving tr*uble with N*ville's c*nsorship m*chine?
Here Nev, what's with all this S**s stuff? This site is getting like Stalin's Russia. It's getting to the point where any words we write are going to get changed by Big Brother back in the Kremlin.
Read yesterday an interview with Upson where he talked about the difference in his game having worked with a psychologist this season. This guy not only prepares him for match day, but for training too. Carlton has also done the same, and look how he has turned his game around. Maybe Ashton's problem is not actually in his fitness, but in his head. If he's not working with a psychologist maybe he ought to give Upson's psycho a ring and see if it can make a difference. As for the future, if at some point before the end of the season it looks like we are going to end up mid-table and Europe is no longer an option, then let's give some of the youngsters a run out. Freddie Sears is looking very promising and it would be good for Curbs to see what he can do at the highest level. Other managers are not shy in throwing the kids in (Arsenal in general, Rooney at Everton, Walcott at Southampton, etc) and does it really matter if he has a run of terrible games? At least it will show the likes of Freddie just how hard he needs to work to make the top, and if he's brilliant then we're all laughing. And finally, I don't care about S***s and where they are in the table. Should we really give a toss? Let's stop looking over our shoulder at them and get behind our boys long-term. If we finish 10th and S***s 11th, so bloody what! What if S***s finish 10th and us 11th? It means nothing. I am only interested in seeing our boys one day beating our previous best of 3rd.
sears is nowhere near a start for the first team as he only makes the bench for the reserves....he needs to be an ever present here before being talked about for a chance in the 1st team
Jack B whufc
I was there last night to see the Z man do his stuff. My first time spectating at a Reserves game. Impressed by most of the performances; I have good vibes about Jordan Spence's future at right back. Tony Stokes puts himself about well. Saw them at the pre-season friendly versus Lewes when they were good too. Which brings me to Hines; I'm sorry, but his poor attitude/body language, failure to 'mix it', poor distribution last night - and at Lewes - leave me wondering why he gets included at this level. Kevin Keen was right to replace him at half-time with Stanislas who immediately added spirit, running and skill to the team - so, why did Keen take him off 10 minutes from the end? The kid was definitely upset as he slunk off, even after what must have been encouraging words from the Z man as he left; Keen spent a minute whispering in the lad's ear, but, Kevin Keen, the decision was a disgrace and has the potential of affecting the lad's commitment to West Ham and his morale. As I saw it, Stanislas had done everything right!
Finally! why no public address at these matches? there were team changes from the names on the complimentary programme, but people did not who was replacing who. And, where exactly WAS LBM? Playing in the Reserves not good enough for him?
Great News about Zamora AND Faubert, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I know it is only the reserves, but it certainly shows that Z-man is eager to prove a point. He really deserves a lot of credit. All sorts of people were saying we should sell him off, there were rumours that he wanted to go, etc. etc., but look at things now: Bobby Zamora is coming back at a time when we are desperate for goals. It's so West Ham I can hardly believe it. I think Curbs should give him a run out against Fullham; personally, I'd take the risk and start him (assuming he passes a fitness test). What that means for Cole or Ashton, I'm not sure. If Curbs wants to go 4-4-2, then I would have Cole and Zamora up front (sorry, Deano). And I'd start Faubert and have Freddy on the left (he's proven he can do it). Noble and Mullins inside, and the standard four across the back, with orders to play it on the pitch as much as possible. Green (for England) in goals of course. Don't know about the rest of you, but that REALLY sounds like a winning line-up to me. COYI!!!
Hello my friend,
thats a good point, but dont forget that Zammo played as a lone striker..What i would rather do, lets leave him on his own, Coley on the bench, and five middlefielders..concretly from left: LBM, Noble, Mullins, Ljundberg, Faubert or Solano, same defence staff..But if Curbs will go for 4-4-2, u have got my call:-) Up the Hammers!
papabenno
Totally agree with Asheshammer...how uncanny that someone sees it exactly like me. With Ethers as back up for the left it gives so many options as Lungberg can play anywhere in the mid and if having a mare...can be replaced...straight swap. Cole up front with the Z man..Deano needs to sharpen up I´m afraid
Good news about Zamora and a great result for the reserves. Faubert and Zamora were linking up and playing well off each other throughout the game. Faubert was involved in at least 3 of the four goals and hit the woodwork himself too. We could of scored more than 4 goals too, so the result was by no means flattering to the Hammers. Well done boys!
I for one am getting very worried about our striker situation and were goals will come from. I said in the transfer window we need strikers, but many people here disagreed and now look were we are. Bellerz fuk knows wen he's coming back, cole cant score simple as, Deano is fat as fuk and just doesnt look intrested these days watso ever, zamora is a true hammer and i love him for it but he wont get enough goals and the less sed about camara the better.
Ha ha ha! My thinking exactly. Was feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning, then i saw some of the comments here... Isn't there anyone here that can see any positives about this season or am i the only one?
LOTS of positives! nh, there are a lot of optimistic supporters still around, just waiting to say "I told you so!" when we finish ahead of Tottenham!!! But seriously, here are a few of the positives this year: (1) ROBERT GREEN (2) MATTHEW UPSON (3) GEORGE McCARTNEY (remember that people were saying we didn't HAVE a right back!!!) (4) MARK NOBLE (5) MARK NOBLE (had to say it twice), (6) CARTLTON COLE (he is still among the EPL leaders in assists) These players have all put in BIG performances week in and week out. There are too many other positives to mention, so I'm sorry for leaving people out. Once more into the breach, dear Hammers, Once more into the breach. COYI!!!!
You obviously have not been alive in the last 3 hours ZAMORA JSUT SCORED A HAT-TRICK TONIGHT AGAINST BIRMINGHAM who had 5 first teamers palying!!
!West Ham Till I Die
COYIrishHammers!
ohh ohh its alrite we are going to be fine bobby zamora scored a hatrick in a reserve team and here i was thinking he was low on match fitness and is going to struggle to score in the premiership. Well top scorer here he comes move over cole Bobby scored a hatrick for our reserves
What will keep you happy, JJ? As ashes says above, last year we were gaping at the back and the fantastic Macca was considered an inadequate replacement for konch whilst our defensive play has had a rejuvenating 'makeover': I use daytime telly language here to communicate with Pot-Noodle brethren who seek instant fodder at any cost, ie, buy foreign or sack Curb's etc. Who can't see that we've had a total turn-round in the MANAGEMENT of defence? We've got England's No. 1 between the sticks and hey, we're tenth! However, I still maintain that Lord Ashton is in need of a cow-poke for being sulkily lumpen and finish by rating Macca's first goal for us ahead of konch's FA Cup goal - and that was superb.
We need a change upfront, Cole's ok but he can't score for sh*t, as for Ashton we might as well play with 10 men. Next season if our forwards are not doing the business, get rid of them all.
Z man did it all with the help of Faubert apparently, a combination I wanna see start the next game. Ashton can watch from the stands and have a little think about things (hopefully).
What was Zamora's injury?
He had a problem with his knee.It seems to be better now seeing as he scored a HAT-TRICK tonight!!
!West Ham Till I Die
COYIrishHammers!
He got through the full 90 minutes tonight.In fact he scored his 3rd in the 91st minute.Now we have to see will he get a reaction to it.If not im sure the club have organized a challenge match for the players fitness and if he gets through that then he should definitley start but if we don't have another match i would say bring him on last 30 minutes
!West Ham Till I Die
COYIrishHammers!
He had a problem with his knee.It seems to be better now seeing as he scored a HAT-TRICK tonight!!
!West Ham Till I Die
COYIrishHammers!
at the end of the day it is clear now that zamora should be considered. whether with cole or ashton remains to be seen but bobby deserves a place after what he has done. vital goals that got us promoted and the same in the dogfight last year. he certainly knows where the back of the net is and is a good team player. he should improve even more this season hopefully.
I was following the live commentry on the official site, and no further updates after 67 mins ..... , but our Z-man scored twice, and Faubert hit a post. With Freddy Sears scoring quite a few so far this season, maybe we should give Sears and Zamora a go up front !
WHY NOT ?
Iron Man since 1974 - come on you IRONS !!!
the above post refers to our reserve match against Brum, Tuesday 12th Feb .... (oops) Iron Man since 1974 - come on you IRONS !!!
YES - a hat-trick for Zed-man! .... will Curbs make use of him against Fulham ?
We have a goal scorer !!!!!! Iron Man since 1974 - come on you IRONS !!!
After the last two games - i have nothing but a sour taste in my mouth and have been left in a depressed mood.......Other than a reasonable first half against Birmingham we have lost the plot ... Ashton - just sort it out mate , he can't keep using the ankle as an excuse - get back on to the training pitch and work your arse off because its the least we fans DESERVE , we pay your wages you lazy twat. As for Curbs , i was beginning to like him but he has mucked up majorly by not buying a striker or a creative player in the window and in my opinion it will cost us a european place and we will finish no higher than tenth. With local derbies against Fulham, Chelsea and Spuds coming up the last two games were a golden opportunity to take 6 points especially coming off the back of a win against the scousers but same old west ham we muck it up , oh what it is to be a hammer..... forever blowing bubbles
well if the rumours are true that a director of football will be appointed within the next 2 weeks, curbs had better get his tactics sorted from now as having someone over your shoulder monitoring your every move means he gonna have no place to hide, and lets face it, whoever comes in will probably have his own idea about who he wants to work with, and unless we get an englishman im not sure how long curbs will last, curbs has done a reasonable job, yes he has had alot of injuries but we have a very big squad, a squad too big to be content with 10th place, 8th is a realistic finish and im sure will be enough for european football and so if we dont get 8th or better i feel pretty sure curbs will go, and i for one am extremely interested in who our tech director will be as it will very much determine our next manager, slaven bilic has probably already been tapped up to take over after euro championships!!
Good news at last, Bowyers red card has been overturned.
It was a ridiculous decision anyway!!!
At best we'll finish tenth we need a 15 to 20 goals a season forward to challenge the better teams.So far this season imo it's been a bit of a let down mainly due to injuries .In hindsight Bent would have been a good signing but not at 18 mill
Pip
all these reports about bellamy neding an operation again has really pissed me off if they r true we will never qualify for europe now with ashton and cole as our only strikers and i can't see zamora making much of an inpact when he is fit to play so hopefully curbishley does us all a favour and enters west ham in the intertoto cup next season
Yeah, just read it. I've been worrying for some time that the rumours about Bellamy being out for the season might be true. Now a few papers are reporting that he needs both abdominal and knee surgery. What a shame! In the early part of the season he really looked the goods. I have to say, I'm worried over the rumours that Parker, too will be out the rest of the season. It could be a much tougher run-in than we thought, folks. I was just reading about Sears on the OS, though, and he is going to play in a reserve match next. Sounds like West Ham are being careful with him, but why not at least bring him on the bench for the Fullham match, if Z-man ain't ready yet? Anybody agree?
Sure, ashes, I agree: why not play anyone else to shout the message that Lord Ashton of the D needs more than his lumpen nonchalence to give us cheer
Yer Upson was the first logical name that popped into my head. But what about Parker taking over at the end of the season? However I feel we should give Neill more time to pull through he proved what hes made of when he joint us last season. Also we don't know how much of an effect hes having behind the scenes. Our team spirit does appear to be quite high, the way we have coped with all the injuries is quite remarkable.
anybody agree with me that we need a new skipper at upton park somebody who leads from the front and isn,t afraid to dish out a good earbashing when it,s needed even if a few egos get bruised and noses get put out of joint.somebody who can gee everyone up and get them to quicken play up even for little things like throw ins which are painfully slow unless we are chasing the game and to give green an option of a quick throw out to feet rather than the usual big boot upfield.just little basic things which can make a big difference.don,t think neill is the man for the job any suggestions?
one last thought isn,t it just great being a west ham fan COYI.
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