West Ham Thread

[MSingh]

The scary thing was, on another day, we would have won that..

Good, strong, solid point & 3 clean Sheets on the Spin, i told you they were like London Buses Chaps..

[tw25rw]

One goal in 3 games is the other side of the story though! Cole won't do it for us.

[spiderman2]

One goal in 3 games is the other side of the story though! Cole won't do it for us.

Cole was always better at nightclubbing, but whats happened to Ashton?

[tw25rw]

One goal in 3 games is the other side of the story though! Cole won't do it for us.

Cole was always better at nightclubbing, but whats happened to Ashton?

Still suffering the complications of a Shaun Wright-Phillips induced broken leg...

I'd rather stick Davenport up front than play Cole.

[MSingh]

One goal in 3 games is the other side of the story though! Cole won't do it for us.

I don't rate him, never have..

He tries don't get me wrong but so would i if i wore a West Ham Shirt, it wouldn't make me a Premiership Footballer though..

BUT.....................in the 4-3-3 that Zola likes, he is the only Striker at the Club that can play at the top of the formation, Ashton couldn't play it & Tristan is still a million miles away from lasting more than 10 mins in a Premiership Game..

If he sticks with the 4-4-2 or plays the 4-4-2 in Games, then Ashton & Bellamy are by far our first choice front two..

More bad news, Cole's last week signed a new 5 year deal..

[MSingh]

If there is a God/Allah/Buddah/Jesus Christ please, please show yourself tonight...

COME ON YOU IRONS...

[chonabot]

If there is a God/Allah/Buddah/Jesus Christ please, please show yourself tonight...

COME ON YOU IRONS...

Wow , does MSingh still post here....

God was here tonight and he declared...the Irons are ...Keeeeee

Bit seriously we should have score a few more and Gomes saved well , so a fair result would have been 4-1

COYS!!

[CockneyGit]

West Ham 0 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

West who..??

[MSingh]

If there is a God/Allah/Buddah/Jesus Christ please, please show yourself tonight...

COME ON YOU IRONS...

Wow , does MSingh still post here....

God was here tonight and he declared...the Irons are ...Keeeeee

Bit seriously we should have score a few more and Gomes saved well , so a fair result would have been 4-1

COYS!!

Of course i do, i can take defeat on the chin no probs at all..

Thought you were much better than us tonight & you looked as if you could step up the pace when you felt like it..

We on the other hand, were absolute D*g Sh*t...

[chonabot]

If there is a God/Allah/Buddah/Jesus Christ please, please show yourself tonight...

COME ON YOU IRONS...

Wow , does MSingh still post here....

God was here tonight and he declared...the Irons are ...Keeeeee

Bit seriously we should have score a few more and Gomes saved well , so a fair result would have been 4-1

COYS!!

Well it's not often I am rendered speechless by a mature and well thought out post but ........

Of course i do, i can take defeat on the chin no probs at all..

Thought you were much better than us tonight & you looked as if you could step up the pace when you felt like it..

We on the other hand, were absolute D*g Sh*t...

[MSingh]

If there is a God/Allah/Buddah/Jesus Christ please, please show yourself tonight...

COME ON YOU IRONS...

Wow , does MSingh still post here....

God was here tonight and he declared...the Irons are ...Keeeeee

Bit seriously we should have score a few more and Gomes saved well , so a fair result would have been 4-1

COYS!!

Well it's not often I am rendered speechless by a mature and well thought out post but ........

Of course i do, i can take defeat on the chin no probs at all..

Thought you were much better than us tonight & you looked as if you could step up the pace when you felt like it..

We on the other hand, were absolute D*g Sh*t...

Doesnt' make it easier to swallow of course & to be honest, i felt badly let down by the performance, we were awful in my opinion & clueless..

We lost because of the Managers decisions, he decided to stick Player for Player with a Team that done an excellent job at Anfield & steifled one of the Top 4, at Home against a Rival, that same Team are just simply not gonna acheive what you want it too..

Games, Team selection & Formations should be on a Game by Game basis & because it wasn't last night, we never had a hope in getting anything from a T*ttenham side that are there for the taking at the moment..

& i can't see for the life of me where we're gonna score from, we don't even really create anything, from open play anyway..

Oh well, i'll settle for a Lampard or J Cole brace of OG's on Sunday..

[mark100]

What a hugely dissapointing night, someone please tell me why Zola plays Cole ???? The boy has contributed nothing in the last 4 games, apart from clearing off the line at Anfield, he poses no threat whatsoever, there is all this talk about the 4 - 3 -3 formation and Cole playing the holding role, but the fact is he does nothing !!!! Why not play Sears and Di Michele upfront, because Bellamy and Cole do not look like scoring in a month of Sundays.

Apart from Berami's deflected goal at Sunderland and the miss that followed we haven't looked like scoring in any of the recent games.

Last night the midfield allowed spurs 10 or 15 yards to run onto us and put cross after cross in, someone had to move forward and close them down, there is so much pressure on the back 4 and Green all the time because we give up possesion in midfield so cheaply, although l thought Parker ran is heart out last night.

lt's ok having 2 good central defenders playing well, but you can't expect them to deal with the amount of crosses that came last night, eventually something will give, we have to defend from the front.

Can't wait for Chelsea !!

[MSingh]

Can't wait for Chelsea !!

I can..

[MSingh]

Keiron Dyer played a behind closed doors frinedly last nioght & the most amazing thing about it, was that he came through it unscathed...

[Seapok]

You know we should of won Msingh!! blatant pen!

Chelsea 1 - West Ham 1

Gianfranco Zola enjoyed a successful return to Stamford Bridge as his West Ham side held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw.

The ex-Chelsea striker, voted the club's best-ever player after a memorable seven-year spell with the Blues, inspired the Hammers to a resolute performance which prevented his former club climbing back to the top of the table.

Chelsea dominated possession throughout but the visitors were solid at the back and snatched a surprise lead through a 33rd-minute strike by Craig Bellamy.

Didier Drogba replaced Michael Ballack at the break and top scorer Nicolas Anelka equalised within six minutes of the restart with his 100th Premier League goal.

The Blues were unable to maintain that momentum, though, and it was another ex-Chelsea striker, Carlton Cole, that went closest to claiming a winner at the death.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's men have now failed to win in their last four domestic games at home and have already dropped 14 points at the Bridge.

Chelsea fans had given Zola and assistant Steve Clarke a rapturous welcome as they emerged from the tunnel to take their places in the visiting dugout.

But West Ham soon found themselves under pressure from a home side determined to build on its midweek Champions League victory over CFR Cluj.

Chelsea started the game at a frantic tempo and Lampard's 16th minute free-kick was headed wide by Alex.

West Ham did exceptionally well to weather the early storm and in the 20th minute John Mikel Obi was booked for bringing down Carlton Cole in full flight.

It gave Zola's side the chance to test Petr Cech with a free-kick some 30 yards out, but Mark Noble elected to chip the ball into the area and Michael Ballack headed clear.

Chelsea's woeful home record took a turn for the worse in the 33rd minute when Zola's struggling side went ahead against the run of play and in controversial circumstances.

Noble looked to have used his arm before crossing for Bellamy to fire past Cech at his near post from 12 yards.

Ballack was incensed by Mike Riley's decision to let the goal stand and was shown a yellow card for his protests.

In the 45th minute, Anelka finally tested Robert Green with an 18-yard shot that was dealt with comfortably by the West Ham goalkeeper.

Chelsea were booed off at half-time and clearly frustrated with Chelsea's lack of a cutting edge, Scolari brought on Drogba, who soon had an impact.

For once Chelsea's neat approach play paid off with Mikel and Drogba combining before Lampard chipped the ball neatly into the path of Anelka, who coolly slotted the ball underneath the advancing Green for his 16th goal of the season.

Chelsea were now on top and when Matthew Upson failed to clear a cross, Lampard sent the rebound into Green's midriff from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors were happy to soak up the pressure on the edge of their own penalty area, which invited Chelsea to try their luck from distance.

In the 64th minute Lampard let fly from 25 yards and his dipping shot had to be held at the second attempt by Green.

Three minutes later Green pulled off a magnificent save to deny Drogba after he had volleyed Lampard's corner towards the near post.

Salomon Kalou replaced the lacklustre Joe Cole in the 73rd minute and his first contribution was to fire a 20-yard shot straight at Green.

West Ham escaped in the 78th minute when Green punched a Lampard corner towards his own goal but it was headed off the line by Parker.

However, Green was the hero seconds later when he flung himself across goal to keep out a header from Alex.

Chelsea appealed for a penalty after Lucas Neill appeared to trip Lampard but it needed a superb save from Cech at the other end to deny Carlton Cole an injury-time winner.

[MSingh]

You know we should of won Msingh!! blatant pen!

Yep, my heart bleeds...

Great point & we could have won it at the end..

We needed a bit of luck there & we got it..

[MSingh]

Can't see us getting much change out of Villa, they seem like a very good side this year & could well be the first side to break that horrid Top 4 for a few years & if they are to, then winning at our place will be top priority for them..

But it's a funny old Game & we can take heart from Away performances recently but have to look at our own form which isn't too clever at all..

Go with the 4-3-3 in my opinion with Sears, Cole, Bellamy up top, with Behrami, Collison & Parker as the Mid 3..

We have to go for Villa as if we don't, they'll murder us...

[oldgit]

Can't see us getting much change out of Villa, they seem like a very good side this year & could well be the first side to break that horrid Top 4 for a few years & if they are to, then winning at our place will be top priority for them..

But it's a funny old Game & we can take heart from Away performances recently but have to look at our own form which isn't too clever at all..

Go with the 4-3-3 in my opinion with Sears, Cole, Bellamy up top, with Behrami, Collison & Parker as the Mid 3..

We have to go for Villa as if we don't, they'll murder us...

If Carlton Cole puts in the same performance he did last weekend,he'll have a field day against Villa's centre backs.He gave Terry and Alex a torrid time and gave Bellamy the room to run at the defence.If he was only trying to prove a point,then he'll be anonymous as he has been most of the season.It all depends on that word....if.Ive got a feeling that you might nick this,Mr.M.

[MSingh]

Can't see us getting much change out of Villa, they seem like a very good side this year & could well be the first side to break that horrid Top 4 for a few years & if they are to, then winning at our place will be top priority for them..

But it's a funny old Game & we can take heart from Away performances recently but have to look at our own form which isn't too clever at all..

Go with the 4-3-3 in my opinion with Sears, Cole, Bellamy up top, with Behrami, Collison & Parker as the Mid 3..

We have to go for Villa as if we don't, they'll murder us...

If Carlton Cole puts in the same performance he did last weekend,he'll have a field day against Villa's centre backs.He gave Terry and Alex a torrid time and gave Bellamy the room to run at the defence.If he was only trying to prove a point,then he'll be anonymous as he has been most of the season.It all depends on that word....if.Ive got a feeling that you might nick this,Mr.M.

He might give the 2 CB's a hard time but Friedel can sit down with a Magazine knowing full well that he won't come close to scoring..

[MSingh]

Where are all my Hammer Buddies ??

[tw25rw]

I'm back in London after missing a cpl of home games...

3 wins in a row coming up.

[MSingh]

I'm back in London after missing a cpl of home games...

3 wins in a row coming up.

Aha, a Friend...

Barnsley at Home = Winnable

Newcastle Away = Winnable

Fulham at Home = Winnable

Hull at Home = Winnable

4 big, big Games for us which may shape the rest of our Season..

COYI

[MSingh]

I'm not a Fan of this <deleted> in the slightest & don't trust a word he says..

Hope he's not telling Porkies in this Interview though & he needs to be telling the truth for the sake of our immediate & even long term future..

From the O/S

http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1505056,00.html

whufc.com sat down with Chief Executive Scott Duxbury this week to review the year and assess how the club are approaching 2009. With the transfer window opening and the management team settling in, there was plenty to talk about...

How would you assess the fortunes of West Ham United in 2008?

Scott Duxbury: It has been an interesting year to say the least but things are going very well. I appreciate there is a level of concern among our supporters about certain issues but can assure them that West Ham United are a club on the up. Off-the-field legal matters such as Sheffield United are being dealt with by our lawyers and we are doing our utmost to ensure that this will have minimal effect on the day to day operation of West Ham United and will not deter the club or our intentions for the future. With all the uncertainty surrounding the Sheffield United claim we have taken the opportunity to delay publication of our annual accounts until the end of March 2009.

The club has an outstanding squad full of internationals, including a number around the England squad, and the crop of youngsters coming through has shown outstanding potential. These are all secured on long-term contracts and are our future.

Above all we have a manager and staff that have firmly embraced what we are trying to achieve and share the club's long-term vision. We have a realistic ambition to keep moving forward and to give the fans what they deserve - a West Ham United side built on the right foundations with the right philosophy that can compete in the Premier League and the cup competitions.

The transfer window opens this week. What can you say to reassure fans worried about the make up of the squad?

SD: I know the papers are full of speculation at this time of the year - it is the same for many clubs but the situation is quite clear. We have no intention of selling our best players, nor are we telling the manager to do so. Gianfranco Zola will rightly not comment on speculation but as he has said, he, Gianluca Nani and myself are working closely together and this month will be no different. It may be that some players are allowed to leave but no one will be going unless the manager thinks it is in the best interests of his team and it is right for the club.

As a club, we will look at every single approach rationally and at all times have in mind the further development of the playing squad.

We must not be afraid of interest in or bids for our leading players. Each approach will be considered in terms of fee, fitness, form and where the manager thinks the player is in his career. Similarly we have to consider the will of the player and whether he is committed to what we are trying to achieve. This is the only way to operate.

It may be that we have an offer that makes perfect sporting sense on all these factors but even then it will only be accepted if we have a replacement lined up who will improve the squad. A bid may be evaluated by the manager as allowing him to significantly improve his team. If he believes that the player in question cannot be replaced, he will not be sold.

Do players have to be sold?

SD: No, players don't have to be sold but it has been clear since the arrival of Gianfranco that he is keen to have a smaller first-team squad based on quality over quantity. As I say, he looks likely to move on some fringe players in a bid to achieve a smaller squad of players that he can work closely with on a day to day basis. This will be supplemented by a pool of reserve-team players that he can call upon to complement his first-team work. This will be mainly made up of young players who have graduated from the academy but are perhaps not quite ready to take the next step.

There is a lot of talk though about international players like Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy leaving?

SD: We can do nothing to stop the press speculation and I can understand why the fans are concerned about what they read.

We all know how it works. Newspapers see players performing well, think that we are interested in selling, perhaps given the club's past, and then link them to any clubs that might have a need in that position. I will say it again, we are determined to strengthen this squad and keep it moving in the right direction so that we can challenge in the top half of the table.

For example, I have had several offers in excess of £12m in the past six months for one our key players and have turned down every single approach. No one will be sold unless it is right for West Ham United.

Similarly, we acted efficiently to secure Dean Ashton on a new long-term contract at the start of the season and have followed that up with extended terms for Carlton Cole, Freddie Sears and Jack Collison. We have a systematic approach to player contracts and review them when the time is right. Also, I should say that we have first option to sign our loan players on very good terms should we decide to do so next summer.

We are committed to improving this squad and it may be that Gianfranco will use any funds generated to do just that. Our fans should be concerned only with who we bring in rather than worried about who leaves the club.

What is the situation regarding the sale of the club?

SD: Nothing has changed and I can reassure all fans that the club is strong and in a healthy position - although obviously all in football will be feeling some impact from the global economic situation. The current climate reinforces my belief that we need to be self-sufficient. If the club is well-run - and our current business plan and the progress being made on the commercial and corporate side support this - then we can remain fireproofed to an extent from external events.

It may be that more investment comes in but that will only bolster what we are all working hard towards on a daily basis. The future success of this football club will be based on sound principles - such as developing homegrown players or identifying and attracting potential world-class talent - regardless of the funds available. We have a long-term vision that has to keep to the traditions of the West Ham way we and the fans hold dear while also ensuring this approach can bring success in the future.

Will there be money to spend?

SD: Having invested significantly in the club, the owner will not be in a position to add funds this transfer window but regardless we believe January is not the best time to be making any significant investments. As we know from experience, it is an inflationary market with teams paying top prices out of necessity. We have confidence in the current squad and, like many leading clubs, will look to confine our spending to the summer months when it is easier and more prudent to assess the market. That said, if Gianfranco identifies a particular need or circumstances dictate it - then we are always ready to act.

Gianluca Nani and the manager have already identified potential new players for every single position in the team and are determined to be one step ahead of the market in the months and years to come. Any players coming in will always be viewed as an improvement on the ones making way.

Can you clarify the situation regarding Lucas Neill's contract talks?

SD: Without commenting too much on an individual case, Lucas is the captain of this club and no one can question that he is fully committed to West Ham United - as his shown by the excellent way he leads the first team on and off the pitch. His future will be discussed when appropriate for all parties but I can state that he has made no demands about more money.

How do things work with you, Gianluca Nani and Gianfranco Zola?

SD: As CEO, I am charged with ensuring the best possible future for West Ham United and I take this responsibility very seriously. My appointment of both Gianluca Nani and Gianfranco Zola was made with this firmly in mind.

Away from our business and commercial aspirations, we have established a clear 'football project' that sees the three of us in regular contact. We are building up the medical and scouting infrastructure to ensure that our efforts on the playing side have the best possible chance of succeeding. I know some have regarded us as a 'selling club' in the past but my intention is to hang on to our best talent - not just by developing the squad but by giving the players the very best set-up and surroundings.

What can you say to reassure fans that the club is still moving forward?

SD: We finished tenth last season which was steady progress after the 'great escape' the season before and have steadily improved the squad. We have a management team that are committed to developing and promoting our young talent, and who understand the importance of the Academy as well as having the knowledge of the global market.

As we speak, we are tenth in the table and well placed to push on in the second half of the season. We have broken our run without a win at home and are unbeaten in five matches away.

We only have two long-term injuries in Danny Gabbidon and Dean Ashton, with both on the way back, while Kieron Dyer is on the verge of his comeback. The FA Cup is about to start, we have a management team that has the respect of the players and everyone at the club is fully committed to bringing success to West Ham United.

[mark100]

Roughly translated that means Bellamy, Upson and Green will be sold in the window !! Personally find it very hard to believe anything the board say, did'nt they give Curbishley the same reassurances.

If there is a god up there maybe someone will come in for Cole and Boa Morte, could do buy one useless git get another one free !!

On the upside some decent performances from the team lately, only wish Zola would give Sears a go.

[MSingh]

Roughly translated that means Bellamy, Upson and Green will be sold in the window !! Personally find it very hard to believe anything the board say, did'nt they give Curbishley the same reassurances.

If there is a god up there maybe someone will come in for Cole and Boa Morte, could do buy one useless git get another one free !!

On the upside some decent performances from the team lately, only wish Zola would give Sears a go.

I'm not the biggest Cole Fan at all BUT....He has scored recently a couple of times & surely you wouldn't mean play Sears over him, or Bellamy ??

I think it's fair to say that Zola see's the truth day in day out about Sears, especially with them being a similar size, play on the shoulder etc & he can't deem him ready yet..

LBM is on his way to Cardiff it seems & even he has looked better lately & played his best Game for us ever against Stoke....

I've got a weird feeling from what i'm reading that there's more chance in us actually signign Players than getting rid this January...

[MSingh]

Zola delighted with Dyer attitude

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has praised the attitude of Kieron Dyer as the winger prepares to make his long-awaited return for the club.

Dyer, 29, underwent three operations on his broken leg suffered in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers in August 2007 and then had his return delayed earlier this season by a stress fracture.

But the England international has impressed Zola in training this week and he is poised to be included in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley.

Dyer has made just three appearances for West Ham since completing a £6million move from Newcastle and his availability could not come at a better time for the Hammers given Zola has no money to spend during the transfer window.

Zola said: "He's focused and he's very excited to play and we will try to get him back because he's an important player. I've seen him training, he's trying very hard and he's got a lot of qualities.

"I know it's been a big injury for him and he's been working well in the last few weeks. I know it's frustrating because he's training, training, training and he would like to play.

"After such a long time out it would be difficult for him to be involved from the beginning."

West Ham have fielded and rejected a number of inquiries for big-name stars like Craig Bellamy, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker and insist they are under no pressure to sell, despite the financial difficulties faced by owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

There may be little money to spend either but Zola is looking to build on the spine of the team offered by Robert Green, Upson, Parker and Bellamy with the likes of Dyer and promising home-grown youngsters.

Jack Collison has broken into the first team this season while defender James Tomkins has been recalled from a successful loan spell with Derby and is set to be involved on Saturday.

"I am glad to be back. The manager wanted me back and I want to try and impress him. My aim is to get back in the team," said Tomkins.

"Derby wanted me for another month but West Ham asked for me to come back. West Ham tried to watch me as much as they could while I was there, so hopefully the manager would have been pleased with what I did."

Zola won the FA Cup twice with Chelsea and the competition provided many of his best playing memories - now he wants to experience that success from the bench.

"Of course the league is very important but from experience I know how important the FA Cup is here for the supporters, for the club, for the players, so we want to do well in the cup as well," said Zola.

"For me the FA Cup is very important and winning my first FA Cup with Chelsea was one of the best things to ever happen to me so I know it is so important and we're going to be focused on it.

"The FA Cup can be strange. You might find yourself in the final. We are confident and we want to be there so we're going to try very hard."

[tw25rw]

Dyer played well when he came on, but LBM was just awful. I'm not seeing any sign of Tristan's former greatness coming back either.

[MSingh]

Dyer played well when he came on, but LBM was just awful. I'm not seeing any sign of Tristan's former greatness coming back either.

To be fair to Tristan, you can't expect much from him when he only plays 15 mins tops each Game..

Heard LBM threw a strop when subbed too ??

Hope Dyer can stay fit for a while, have a feeling he won't though that's only natural i suppose based on history..

[MSingh]

Conflicting Reports about Bellamy & poxy LBM has turned down Hull...

======

Luis Boa Morte has rejected a £1.5million switch to Hull City, according to reports.

Sky Sports are reporting that Boa Morte - who met with Hull earlier this week in order to thrash out personal terms after West Ham accepted City's £1.5million bid - is thought to have been unhappy at the Premier League newcomer's offer.

More news on this soon...

=======

West Ham have told Manchester City to forget about signing Craig Bellamy - unless they put their money where they mouth is.

A third bid for the Welsh striker of around £10million was made by cash-rich City last night and instantly rejected by the Hammers, who have told the Arabic-owned club that they will consider nothing less than £15million for the 29-year-old former Liverpool forward.

City have thus far made three bids; the first a joint move for Bellamy and Scott Parker worth around £15million for the pair, a second bid for Bellamy alone of £8.5million plus add-ons and last night's offer of just under £10million.

But the Hammers will refuse to put the offer to manager Gianfranco Zola unless City hit the magic £15million mark - which, given that they were reportedly set to offer £100million for Milan's Kaka yesterday, would appear to be an inevitable conclusion IF Mark Hughes continues to prefer Bellamy over his other target, Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz.

Meanwhile today's Independent reports that United rejected a second bid for Bellamy yesterday from Tottenham, who having originally offered a paltry £6million for the striker - an offer laughed off by West Ham - came back with a new offer of a straight swap for former Hammers target Darren Bent, who Eggert Magnusson had been willing to pay £16million for in the summer of 2007.

Elsewhere and there is no further news on Luis Boa Morte's propsed move to Hull, although the two parties have met and discussed personal terms. City boss Phil Brown had hoped to have both Boa Morte and fellow target Kevin Kilbane in his squad for this weekend's clash with Liverpool.

[MSingh]

Friday mo0rning GMT, we've just turned down x2 12m Bids from T*ttenham & Man City for Bellamy..