Hammer Times - West Ham United Blog
Is the grass any greener?
Fri, 22 Jan 2010
Finally. After months and months of speculation, the deal has been done. Granted, it's not the deal I (and I imagine I'm not alone in this) wanted, but surely it can't be any worse than being owned by a company of creditors whom you owe money to?
Or can it? In the few days since taking over Mr Sullivan has had his voice and face planted on every newspaper,radio station and website possible. This is not going to be someone who sits behind the scenes and doesn't make waves. I've worked near Birmingham long enough to know what type of an owner he is, and spoken to enough of their fans to see the total discontent held toward him, and the board as a whole.
This is a man who is far more concerned about being in the spot light than making a successful football club. It's no surprise that on most fan site polls the two David's fell behind the much preferred Tony Fernandes or even the mysterious Intermarket Group.
If they love the club so much, why not buy it all? Because they're far more concerned with lining their own pockets.
After frequently claiming we're more than £100m in debt, why broadcast to the world that they're offering 100k a week to a "mystery" player? It's ludicrous. The only reason they've come out with it is because they know the player won't sign (if they actually did offer him a contract), so when he inevitably goes to a different club, they can raise their hands and say "Don't blame us". I imagine that will coincide with transfer deadline day too.
Maybe I'm being overly cynical, but from what I've seen and heard so far it seems like a step sideways, not forwards. I guess I should give them a few months with a clean slate, but from their time at Birmingham you have to worry that as much as things change, the more they stay the same...
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81 days and a few bad barnets
Thu, 05 Nov 2009
1,944 hours. Or 116,640 minutes. Or even 6,998,400 seconds depending on how you want to look at is around the time it took West Ham to record their second league victory of the season (and first at home).
Like all good things, we were made to wait. And suffer. And watch Alessandro Diamanti go through about every hairstyle possible.
And just when it couldn't get any worse; that old tube of peroxide blonde dye was found on the floor of the physio's room. Ashton was bad enough, but now Behrami and Jimenez...
Anyway, back on topic: After disheartening performances against 10-men Fulham and Sunderland I almost expected the worst when Habib Beye received his marching orders 6 minutes from time. The thought "please hold out for a draw" entered my mind more than anything else. But the lively and ever-buzzing Zavon Hines was in the right place to poke home an injury time winner with his first league goal for the club. A huge 3 points that pushes the Hammers out of the relegation zone and hopefuly sets them on their way.
Rather than rabble on about the match, the refereeing decisions and the injuries, I think I'll just savour the win. It's been worth the wait.
Discuss
4 points on 4 points
Wed, 16 Sep 2009
As we sit on 4 points from 4 games and 13th place in the Barclays Premier League I thought I'd jot down 4 points of my own.
1. Diamanti looks like the missing link between midfield and attack. It's the first thing I see when I watch us play: a distinct lack of communication and cohesion between the midfield and attack. I will be the first to admit I was skeptical about how much of an impact he could make coming from Italy's Serie B. Well all I can say to his 30minutes against is Wigan is 'Wow'. He showed vision, creativity, guile and a great eye for goal. I don't think it'll take him long to become a favourite amongst the Upton Park faithful.
2. Behrami is back. Thank God. I think the saying, "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" applies here. His relentless work rate and ability cannot be under estimated. Having him back fit and healthy is a huge boost for us. More than I thought it would be.
3. Can we find a formation that's right for us? We've tried variants of a 4-3-3, 4-5-1, 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2 under Zola (usually dictated by personnel). Our best run last season came with the 4-4-2: Collison and Behrami hustling all over the pitch and cutting in from the wings with Noble and Parker manning the middle and (sadly) the inept duo of Tristan and Di Michele leading the line. Maybe it's time to give it a go with Cole and Diamanti up top?
4. The most important of all: Luck. Cole's backpass to Defoe against Spurs and the disallowed half-time goal at Wigan are arguably the difference between 0 points and (potentially) 6. I know you 'make your own luck' so to speak... but I think it's about time we had some, and maybe a few matches at home too!
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Can we focus on football now?
Wed, 02 Sep 2009
Well the cattle market that is the summer transfer window has finally slammed shut. The pie-in-the-sky rumours and minute-by-minute checking of news sources can finally halt... which is a shame, because although the summer window was nail biting for most West Ham fans, it provided daily topics for discussion, banter and opinion.
Now it's over, the days seem a bit empty don't they? The twitter updates are less, the stories on newsnow becomes more stale and to top it all off we're on an international break. Terrific... we're left to ponder what could have been over the summer transfer period:
Outs:
Lee Bowyer
Lucas Neill
Savio Nsereko
James Collins
Fred Sears (loan)
Ins:
Frank Nouble
Fabio Daprela
Luis Jimenez (loan)
Alessandro Diamanti
Manuel Da Costa
Now everyone (including the board) knew that our main need was an out-and-out striker, and the fact we didn't truly address this has bothered me deeply. The trust I had started to afford Duxberry after his frank and straight shooting recent interviews has started to wane in the face of the sale of James Collins for what seems like nothing other than to appease the debt of some of the clubs creditors.
The Chamakh deal never really looked like it would take off with us not having the cash at the time. This last minute transfer window blurb about Benjani is utter tosh, we don't need bench warmers, we need a goal scorer. Diamanti is more of a playmaker forward, now he did score 16goals last term, but that was in Italy's second tier, so I'm guessing time will have to tell on this one. All signs so far point toward him being a good player for us, but can he bang in the 15 league goals we so desperately need to complement Cole? I'm not so sure. I've heard that he is a free kick specialst too, so that can only help his (and our) cause.
The loss of Savio also came as quite a surprise. Yes, he was struggling and yes, he was lightweight, but come on. You've got to give the guy a year at least to try and settle in and bulk up. At the end of the day he was a forward, and replacing him with a defender seemed puzzling.
I like the signings of youngsters Nouble and Daprela, but I don't think either of them will have much of an impact this season, barring a run of injuries to Ilunga, Spector, Cole, Diamanti, Jimenez and Stanislas... but as we all know, that could quite easily become a reality. Are they experienced enough to make a difference against top class opposition if required?
And what on earth, I mean seriously, what on earth has happened to Dean Ashton? If I were him I would be taking a long hard look at retirement if he really is still suffering from this same ankle injury. We've heard nothing on his recovery for a long time, which can mean he is coming along on schedule... or he is quietly being ushered out of the door. It's such a shame, because at the moment a healthy Dean Ashton is exactly what we need. Hah, how often have we all said that?
I'm hoping that in the January window we use the Collins money to fashion a last cut-price bid for Chamakh, or at least another out and out striker. But for now, well, we'll just have to put all of our thoughts and focus on matters on the pitch. How strange a concept that seems...
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Perspective
Tue, 25 Aug 2009
As much as we claim to 'live and die' with our football team and as much as our mood is affected by performances and results on the pitch it is hard to see how it all really matters after the events of the weekend.
Not only was Calum Davenport (and his mother) cowardly and brutally stabbed leaving him with a serious battle for his life, let alone his career, but Jack Collison's father lost his life whilst driving his motorbike down the M25 to see his son play.
The loss to Spurs, tonight's hotly anticipated derby against Millwall, and the game of football itself has been put into perspective with the tragedy that has swept over our club in the past few days. My deepest condolences go out to Jack and his family, and I wish Calum and his Mum a full and healthy recovery.
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It's always nice to start with a win
Mon, 17 Aug 2009
After all the analysing, poking and prodding we do after each game, once the dust has settled all that remains is three points on the board and a tick in the 'W' column.
..But for now, there's still time for some analysing, poking and prodding!
There was a little bit of early season rust on show, but we looked far far better than our efforts in the pre season Asia Trophy. Wolves were taking the game to us early on, I imagine the excitement of Premier League football in front of their fans was spurring them on, and they probably should've taken the lead early on with an Ebanks-Blake header but it ended up well over the bar.
The game began to settle down with both teams working it up the pitch when a neat bit of play saw Cole find Noble in space around 25yards out, and while the Wolves defenders thought it would be a good idea to stand off, they got a cruel welcome to the Premier League with a beautiful curling shot that sailed past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Wayne Hennesey and into the top corner. Sublime finish.
Noble was at the heart of the action again as he played a delightful through ball over the top to Cole, whose first touch was just a little heavy and saw his shot saved and bounce into the path of Dyer at the edge of the box who side footed it past the stranded keeper but saw his effort cleared off the line for a corner. Noble swung in a delightful ball which Herita Ilunga met with his head and forced a good save for another corner. The following corner saw a ping-pong ball around the box that started with Upson's header, followed by an Ilunga shot and a cheeky backheel attempt by Dyer, but the ball somehow managed to stay out of the net and the score stayed 1-0.
Wolves fashioned some good chances to equalise came with three long range efforts from new signing Milijas. The former Red Star Belgrade player hit three venomous left foot drives but Green made some solid saves and didn't do his England number 1 status any harm.
Jack Collison failed to capitalise on a full-on defensive blunder which gave him the ball 12yards out. With the ball slightly stuck under his feet he shimmied round Hennessey and hit a left foot shot low into the centre of the goal which was booted off the line by the scrambling last defender. I was surprised he didn't just tuck it into the near corner which was wide open by about 10feet...
The equaliser almost came when Ebanks-Blake was fed through on goal with Collins sprinting to try and keep up, he was forced wide and his shot across goal was well saved by Rob Green's left peg. The game was put to bed when Noble floated a corner into the six-yard box which Upson rose to and guided into the back of the net. Much to the delight of Zola and Clark, it must be said.
Now, a couple of thoughts:
Faubert actually looked ok, not great defensively, put he pushed forward and looked lively. If Clark can take him aside and sort out his defensive duties then we have a pretty competent fullback. If anything he just needs a run of games in the team.
Noble looked great. I know many fans are hoping he will make the next step this season, and if he continues to play like he did today then I think he can be a contender for a place in Capello's 2010 squad.
Jiminez seemed a bit lost, I know it's only his first game and I'm not going to jump on his back because I believe he is a player who has all the qualities to be a success. So let's just hope he acclimatises quickly!
Green was confident and commanding with some great saves to boot. It is his year to shine.
The promise of a new season
Mon, 10 Aug 2009
Six days to go. Six days until all the waiting, all the build up, all the hype comes to a crashing crescendo and fans up and down the country all cheer the kick-off with a sense of optimism that only comes with the promise of a new season.
All those pre-season blues and bookies odds are thrown out of the window and we stop asking ourselves questions and start looking for answers on the pitch... which usually leads to more questions.
I am glad that we don't open the season with a Man Utd or Chelsea away game, and on paper a visit to a newly promoted team looks like a good place to go and start the season with 3 points under your belt. I know that Wolves will be up for it and will have something to prove, and even though this could prove to be a classic 'trap game' I still won't settle for anything less than a win. At the end of the day, if we're serious about pushing forward we can't be looking at a trip to newly promoted club as anything other than a victory. It seems we tend to play up (or down) to our opposition and too long have these sort of fixtures proved to be our stumbling block (see at home versus Baggies last season).
Lack of firepower upfront or not I expect the midfield to be pushing up the pitch, the fullbacks to be overlapping the wingers (Come on Faubert.. please take this opportunity) and Jiminez and Dyer to be lurking around Cole so often he'll be fed up of seeing them. This is a chance to go out, put all the crappy pre season results behind us and attack. Attack. Get some confidence early and feed off it, lord knows we'll need it against Spurs.
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Hardly Sensasianal
Mon, 03 Aug 2009
After watching West Ham play in the Barclays Asia Tournament I was left bitterly disappointed, the reasons being three-fold:
1 - Far too many defensive errors from sodding about and not concentrating, sometimes you just need to clear your lines instead of dallying around.
2 - Not enough forward passes, the midfield and defence were happy enough to pass the ball between them, but they all looked a bit lost when we pushed past the halfway line.
3 - A serious lack of fire power up front. This is a big problem. Cole was isolated and there was NO support from the wide men.
Now I can almost forgive the first one and write it off to a bit of rustiness and pre-season blues, I'm sure when the regular season starts the back four will have much more composed heads on their shoulders. They better.
The second and third can be blended together but they both lead to the same thing: Very Few Goals.
I think we scored 1 goal from open play in our entire pre-season tour of Austria and Asia (please correct me if I'm wrong). One Goal. One. Not only was it just one, but it was the last kick of the game when Beijing were throwing all their men forward.
I'm worried, seriously worried. This 4-3-3 formation WILL NOT work without a couple of midfielders supporting the striker high up the pitch, and the wide men getting involved regularly, it just turns into a defensive 4-5-1. Zola tried the 4-3-3 when he first arrived and we were not getting good results, then he switched to the 4-4-2 and we turned the ship around. It worked well for us. Had we had better strikers at the time than Di Michele and Tristan we could've easily cemented 7th place and be preparing for a European campaign.
If we don't sign (on loan or otherwise) an experienced front man/support striker for Cole and continue to play the 4-3-3 then I have some sincere doubts over the results we will be able to produce.
But that's enough negativity, I guess there were some positives. Collison generally looked lively, hustling up and down the pitch as he and Behrami did so well last year, and Noble was at least trying the killer ball. Jiminez got a harsh welcome to the physical nature of the English game from the Spurs players, but his free kicks and corners were delivered well and we have lacked that threat from set pieces in recent years.
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From Stamford Bridge to Upton Park
Thu, 23 Jul 2009
We've nicked another one. Feels good doesn't it? On Tuesday West Ham confirmed the signing of 17-year old Chelsea forward Frank Nouble. Not quite the same as when Lampard and Cole went in the other direction, I must admit. BUT this is a shrewd move as part of 'The Project' to continue developing talent through the academy and hopefuly NOT selling them 5 years down the line.
I'm guessing young Frank will get a handful of games under his belt for the reserves and some first team action in the cup, but he should be ready when Zola comes calling in a few months when undoubtedly half of our strike force will be out injured... and as we only have 2 out-and-out strikers in the current squad, I'm sure his chance will come sooner rather than later.
Super Frankie Nouble?
Hopefuly.
Discuss
O Deano, Deano! Wherefore art thou Deano?
Fri, 17 Jul 2009
He's at home, that's where he is. Slacker.
I don't know ANYONE with such a run of injuries than our very own Dean Ashton. It's so bitterly annoying and disapointing to the fact it's almost funny. It seems every summer starts with the promise of a 'fit and healthy Dean Ashton firing on all cylinders', and by September we're left with a £50,000 a week peroxide blonde dude sitting on the physio's table.
Credit to him I suppose for he always seems to beef up his guns during this period, whilst his legs and ankles dwindle from lack of use. He's going to start looking like an inverse pyramid soon.
But even if his ankle is crocked, AGAIN, the club could have at least brought him to Austria to earn his cheque with the rest of the gang, even the perenially injured Kieron Dyer and Scott Parker are there.
Kept at home working on his own fitness regime? Spending time with the physios? Seems sceptical to me. I think even Deano could probably walk on and off a plane without injuring himself... well, only time will tell on that one.
If he was fit toward the end of last season but just being 'protected' then why not take him to Austria to be in tip-top shape for this upcoming season, why leave him in London?... Protection. If they are serious about listening to offers for him, then they are going to be covering him in bubblewrap and baby proofing the gym in the hope that he can somehow avoid injury during these cursed summer months.
On the flip side, Terry Dixon is also back in London rehabbing a very serious injury rather than training with the team in Austria, so what's to say Deano isn't just being afforded the same treatment... I think the fact that Ashton will fetch upwards of £10m if he stays healthy is the rather glaringly obvious difference.
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