Melbournehammer said...
After not being able to source a live a stream of the game on the net, I decided to fork out the 2 quid to watch a 2 hour delayed full replay on fltv.

Bowyer replaced NRC in midfield.Dailly came in for Konch.Dailly played RB with Spector playing LB.Teddy came in for Zamora.No palce for Mascherano on the bench with Cole and Mears finding there way onto the subs bench.

We had bulk of the possession but never looked like threatening.City put numbers behind the ball and Marlon and Teddy never had any clean chances.City allowed us to play with the ball in midfield, they made CD look quite good and gave him plenty of space to come forward with some good runs that came to nothing.Yossi and Bowyer tried but there was nothing working up front.

City did make probably 2 breaks that came to nothing and our centre backs looked comfortable.

Half time came and the weather conditions worsened.What looked like torrential rain and a howling gale looked to have set in.Using One of Pardew's favourite saying's City set up their stall and looked content to take a point.Tevez on for Etherington on the hour.Cole on for Teddy on the 70 minutes.Lots of possession but we never looked like scoring.

Then like at Everton and in so many other games this season came the knockout blow.I cant recall exactly how the ball came to the City but it was a 2 on 2 type situation.The ball carrier ran at gabbidon and Ferdinand,Gabbidon then peels off to his right anticipating a pass to unmarked City player.The City player kept his head and didn't pass but continued forward through the now huge gap and hit an unstoppable shot past Green.Game Over.

Green never looked thretened except once.
CD Did nothing wrong.
Gabbs and Anton probably could have handled their goal better.
Spector did OK on the left.
Yossi good first half anonymous in the second.
Bowyer played in patches without ever dominating.
Mullins will look good in a Charlton shirt.I think he is a Pardew boy.
Ethers better than he previous effort.
Teddy was frustating in my opinion.
He doesn't seem to be playing as a goal scoring forward.He tried too many times to lay off passes to Yossi,Bowyer or Marlon when they were in worse positions.
Marlon I am afraid it was probably his last chance.
Tevez probably the worst I have seen from him but by that stage Yossi had gone out of the game.
Cole one touch one offside and 2 fouls
Mears got wet running out onto the pitch at the 85 minute mark.

I can appreciate it is not easy for a manager to takeover a team midseason.Furthermore, add in the uncertainity of the Argentian situation as well as the comings and goings in the transfer window.However, I cannot see the logic in not playing the two most talented footballers at the club. One can only infer that Mascherano is definately on the way out and is not being played to prevent an injury.Tevez has said he wants to stay yet there are rumours about Darren Bent and Mark Viduka coming to West ham.

I think in hindsight the momentum was lost at Fulham.Curbishley may long regret not bringing on Tevez in that game.I still remain optimistic but as beex said who'd wanna play for us now?

Anyway that is my last rant for 2006.A Happy New Year to you all.
 

 whubris said...
We're in it deep now!
 

 whubris said...
84% of our poll respondents say the 02/03 team was better than this one.
 

 Anonymous said...
Mcartney is injured. Although why did Dailly come in a RB. We have both Paintsil and Mears.
"The fans? Well they’re calling for Tevez but he’s not scored a goal."
NOR HAS ANY1 ELSE
 

 Anonymous said...
With the big increase in TV revenue next season, survival is a must. Our new owners better front up with some cash in the transfer window.

Being in the releagtion zone, maybe the best we can hope for is one or two cracking loan deals; as long as the manager buys them and they're not from Argentina, of course.
 

 Anonymous said...
And the guy who does the live updates has summed it up extremely well.

"Hammers owner Eggert Magnusson yawns. What's he thinking? Why did I stay up so late? Why did I buy this club? Is it time to get a new manager? How much do I have to spend in January to turn this rabble into a football team?"
 

 Anonymous said...
He should be thinking why did we get rid of Pardew
 

 Anonymous said...
Exactly
 

 Anonymous said...
5-0
 

 Anonymous said...
Wigan are losing, Boro are drawing.

We need Boro to lose and Arsenal to beat Charton tomorrow.

Then we need a miracle.
 

 Anonymous said...
Fuckbrough are ahead. :(
 

 Anonymous said...
3-1 to borough
 

 Anonymous said...
We didn't even have a player booked.
 

 Anonymous said...
Well im sure ive spammed this topic up a shoitload. But heres my last. 6-0. Bowyer and benayoun forced off injured. Zamora hit the bar in the 90th minute.

Borugh won and so did blackburn.

On this performance i say we fucking deserve to be relegated
 

 Anonymous said...
We'll never find out how it got so bad until pardew writes a book.

Maybe too many players become big time charlies.

if we go down, the same cunts can get us back up. that includes NRC.
 

 Anonymous said...
The worse thing is that if indeed we do get relegated. I cant imagine a player in the first team that will stay.
 

 Anonymous said...
how did you get the delayed coverage over the net beex?
 

 Anonymous said...
How did you get the delayed coverage over the net beex?
I agree, Tevez needs to start!!
Get rid of NRC, Konch and BZ. I read Pards is after Mullins (2-3M). We need some class players and defenders with football minds and kahoonas.
Mate I'd be happy with 5th from the bottom at this stage!!
Gotta have faith in the team and Curbs bringing in some class players. I believe what Tevez needs is class midfielders to feed him. If the passion of Fans is anything to go by, we should pull the team through this rough season. Come on you Irons!!
 

 Melbournehammer said...
First the team news.Gabbs was back from injury to replace CD.Yossi replaced Bowyer who did not even make the subs bench.
The first half was as bad as anything I have seen all season.No method going forward at all.Long hopeful balls pumped forward was the game plan.Ironically Pompey did not look much chop either.They won a corner in abour the 18th minute and a ball to the far post saw Primus easily out jostle Harewood( not a misprint it was Marlon) and win a clear headed that he aimed downwards that Green dived over.0-1 and from that point Pompey dominated the rest of the half.Shouild have gone 2-0 nil up when Sol Campbell blasted over the bar from the six yard box.An accidental hand ball from Spector saw Pompey rewarded with a free kick out on the left and the subsequent free kick found Primus again unmarked and the only resiastance came from Mullins waving his arms above his head.

We did have two good chances before the end of the first half.Yossi's excellent run from the half way line to the box saw his shot blocked and then minutes later ,Mullins set up Etherington whose shot was as powerful as 7 year old girls.The players left the ground to aloud boos at Upton Park.

The second half was as good as anything I have seen this season.Two gutsy substitutions saw Tevez and Teddy replace Harewood and Etherington at half time. Within 30 seconds Tevez has run at least 30 metres to win a clean tackle and the crowd erupted.It was game on.I would even go as far to say we dominated 90% of the second half.Tevez had a free kick miss by inches.No more long balls and some decent stuff through midfield via Yossi and Tevez who was played mainly on the left.What let us down was the quality of the final ball.Too many times cosses were over or underhit.Another sub on about 75 minutes saw Daily repalce Spector on the right with good effect.
Teddy's goal came courtesy of excellent pressure from Anton Ferdinand.The ball was bouncing meaninglessly towards David James when Anton just stuck his foot in the way forcing James to palm the ball straight at Teddy who was on a tight angle but was able to conjure a curling shot into the net.The last 10 minutes was relentless pressure without reward.

I have not seen the stats but I'm sure we would have been well in front with shots etc.Hopefully whatever Curbishley said at half time will continue for the next 2 games as now they are truly must win games.NRC is unavaiable through suspension and hopefully Bowyer will be fit to replace him. Mascherano should now be given a chance instead of Mullins.If Tevez does not start, well,I give up then.Konchesky's appeal is heard today.
 

 Anonymous said...
Masch will not start in the coming games. Tevez may
 

 Anonymous said...
You Aussies might like this.

Archive of Best Australian Goals - Top 40 at Rapidshare 67Mb

1. 1991 Olympic Games Qualifier Away Ned Zelic v Holland
2. 1989 International Friendly Home Charlie Yankos v Argentina
3. 1997 Confed Cup Quarter-Final Away Harry Kewell v Uruguay
4. 1993 World Youth Cup Quarter-Final Home Paul Agostino v Uruguay
5. 1994 International Friendly Home Jason Polak v South Africa
6. 1989 World Cup Qualifier Away Charlie Yankos v Isreal
7. 1997 World Cup Qualifier Home Ned Zelic v New Zealand
8. 1996 Olympic Games Away Mark Viduka v Saudi Arabia
9. 2000 Olympic Games Home Kasey Wherman v Nigeria
10. 1997 Confed Cup Away John Aloisi v Mexico
11. 1993 World Cup Qualifier Home Frank Farina v Canada
12. 2001 Confed Cup Away Josip Skoko v Mexico
13. 1993 World Cup Qualifier Home Ned Zelic v New Zealand
14. 1989 World Cup Qualifier Home Paul Trimboli v Isreal
15. 1993 World Cup Qualifier Home Aurelio Vidmar v Argentina
16. 1993 World Cup Qualifier Home Mehmet Durakovic v Canada
17. 1991 Olympic Games Qualifier Away Ned Zelic v Holland
18. 1997 International Friendly Away Mark Viduka v Tunisia
19. 1997 World Cup Qualifier Home Harry Kewell v Iran
20. 2001 Confed Cup Away Clayton Zane v France
21. 1997 World Youth Cup Away Kosta Salapasidis v Argentina
22. 1999 International Friendly Home Paul Agostino v Brazil
23. 1997 World Cup Qualifier Home Aurelio Vidmar v Iran
24. 1997 World Cup Qualifier Home John Aloisi v Solomon Islands
25. 1993 World Cup Qualifier Home Carl Veart v New Zealand
26. 1993 World Youth Cup Quarter-Final Home Tony Carbone v Uruguay
27. 1993 World Cup Qualifier Home Aurelio Vidmar v New Zealand
28. 2000 International Friendly Away Brett Emerton v Scotland
29. 2001 World Cup Qualifier Away Brett Emerton v New Zealand
30. 2001 World Cup Qualifier Home Kevin Muscat v Uruguay
31. 1993 World Cup Qualifier Penalties Home Frank Farina v Canada
32. 2001 World Cup Qualifier Home David Zdrillic v New Zealand
33. 2001 World Cup Qualifier Home Brett Emerton v New Zealand
34. 2001 Confed Cup 3rd Place Play-Off Shaun Murphy v Brazil
35. 1997 World Youth Cup Away Kosta Salapasidis v Argentina
36. 1997 World Cup Qualifier Away Harry Kewell v Iran
37. 1997 World Cup Qualifier Home Ned Zelic v Tahiti
38. 1997 World Youth Cup Away Kosta Salapasidis v Argentina
39. 1997 World Cup Qualifier Home Robbie Slater v Solomon Islands
40. 1997 International Friendly Away Kevin Muscat v Hungary
 

 whubris said...
Nice one anon. Surprised Bresciano's recent effort against Bahrain didn't make it.
 

 Anonymous said...
I guess this list predates that.

It could also just be a list of every Australia goal ever. :)
 

 Anonymous said...
Charlton Athletic 2 - 1 Aston Villa

We must beat the gay nightclub, Man City.
 

 Melbournehammer said...
After 3 unexpexted points against ManU, anything but a loss was acceptable.

I was worried when I saw Dailly standing behind Robert Green as they walked onto the pitch but in retrospect it was a good move by Curbishley as his only other option would have been McCartney at CB.Dailly was solid and his experience was probably why Curbs chose to play him.

I agree with whubris except for Mullins and Etherington.While Mullins maybe have been stronger defensively, I thought he gave away the ball too easily when in control in the midfield.Etherington was Soft yesterday.I counted at least 2 50/50 balls he didn't challenge for.This season the defenders have worked him out and only need to clatter him up and he goes to pieces.

The game was just crying out for a classy player to make the difference.I hope Curbs was just saving Tevez for the next 2 home games against Portsmouth and Man City.
 

 Anonymous said...
A-ha.

Pardew to Charlton after all.

You read it here first.

http://whu-au.blogspot.com/2006/12/curbs-hired.html
 

 Anonymous said...
I'm worried that he might turn charlton around and could pull them out of the relegation zone. I was seriously basing all hopes on Charlton and Watford taking up 20th and 19th, leaving us with just one team to put in 18th which hopefully wasnt us.

Anyway Merry Christmas all
 

 Anonymous said...
destiny
Pardew will save Charlton

Perhaps relegating us
 

 Anonymous said...
I'm happy for Pardew and believe that sacking him, with the job at charlton looking free, was a bad move. He can do what curbs did at west ham and more, at charlotn and can and will change their season. unfortuneately this makes it harder fo us to get out of the position we are in.

Heard that Teves said in an interview how he was surprised that Pardew was not sacked earlier. nice to know that the players that Pardew supported felt so thankful to him!
 

 Anonymous said...
Tevez said that based on his experience with the frequency of coaching dismissals in Argentina. He said that there, they wouldn’t have waited so long. He wasn’t giving his own opinion on Pardew’s performance.
 

 beggers said...
Thought we were ok against a Fulham side with a heap of regular players out injured. I'll take the away point as it's a start, but these are the type of games we need to win. We played a side seriously weakened and we never really got on top of them. The draw was probably a fair result although I thought we had the better chances. Some of those chances would have gone in last year but not now.

Ethers and Mullins were disapponting for me. Ethers did very little in attack and that's what he's in the team for. He's no use to us if he's not bombing forward. Mullins is to anonymous, offers very little going forward and does get back but not all the time. I've watched him on too many occassions give the ball away and jog back waiting for someone else to clean up his mess. I know this will not make many on here happy but like it or not he's a good Championship player but, on his best day, a mediocre Premier player. The up side for me was NRC actually looking like he was interested. Even saw him yelling at the players trying to get them motivated!!!

Would like the Argies to get a run to be honest. Tevez has looked our best player from what I've seen and Masher, well, haven't seen him play enough to judge really but he is in the starting lineup for the Argies and that says it all IMO. He can't even get in the 16 at our Club? I hope he gets a chance. I've got a feeling that we'll be looking at these two guys in a few years thinking we let something special slip through our fingers. Wouldn't be surprised to see both leave in Jan.

Having said all that it appears that Curbs is going for what he knows in an attempt to grind out results, so that's fair enough, only hope it works.

On a different note, I want Pards to do well but need Charlton to keep on losing? Conudrum anybody? Of course I'll go for the Charlton losing option it's a no brainer really.
 

 beggers said...
Just read that NRC is suspended so Mascher might get his chance. Would like to see Masher and Bowyer in the middle with Yossi on the right and Ethers on the left.

Tevez and Marlon up front. Macca, Anton, who evers fit, Spector at the back.

Pls Santa a win would be nice.
 

 Anonymous said...
Given our impressive record of losing to former managers, it’s not looking good for the away trip to Charlton in two months time.

I hope we’re not on our knees when we pay them a visit.
 

 Dave said...
Brisbane Hammers email goes to me mate. The crest is cool eh! It used to be on the banner - Graham designed it about a year ago :-)
 

 Anonymous said...
Ill definetly be there. My First visit and i know where the pig and whistle at eagle street is now.

Anyway due to my shirt not being mine yet (2 days to early) I'll wear my 11 year old beanie. Even if it is the middle of summer. My names Chris by the way :P
 

 beggers said...
Spew'n Davieboy, got friends staying at ours that night and they're coming down from Brissie! They are the couple I brought to the Palermo game. Will be a good night and I fancy us against Fulham as well.

If I can come up with a plan B to get there I will. Stay tuned.
 

 Dave said...
Beggers - easily solved mate - you stay at their place instead!! Seems simple to me mate! :-)
 

 Anonymous said...
NO Where else to put it!

West Ham United 1 - 0 Manchester United!

All i can say is: HOLY SHIT!
 

 beggers said...
"Shock loss for Manure, now who's with me!" Greg believed me.

1-0 to the cockney boys, 1-0 to the cockney boys, 1-0 to the cockney boys, 1-0 TO THE COCKNEY BOYS.

How good is that!

Champions league here we come.......well 17th will do.
 

 beggers said...
Dave, I wish it was that simple mate.
 

 Anonymous said...
With the relatives over from England at the moment, surely we can organise a sitter for Baby Hammer. Hope to be there.
 

 norven munky said...
If we can't organise a sitter, I'll still be there ;-)
 

 Dave said...
I have a good feeling we'll have a reasonable turnout. Pull out all the stops to get over there guys - looking forward to seeing you :-)
 

 whubris said...
Yeah I'll be heading down - been a while!
 

 beggers said...
It's all bad news from me. Can't make it I'm afraid. Been working on it for a couple of days but to no avail. Convinced it will be a good night and I'll be missing out, which I hate, but that's the way it is.

I've spread the word down here so hopefully a couple of Goldie based Irons will turn up.
 

 Dave said...
I've said it before and I'll say it again - beggers can't be choosers!

You'll be missed mate - you'll have to make the trip next time eh!
 

 beggers said...
Yeah definitely.

Check this out, made me grin from ear to ear. Could've been the Pig that night, what a blinding night that was. Just love this song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vAunuX3Ko&search=West%20Ham
 

 Dave said...
Beggers - can't view at work but is that the one at the cobden arms in Guildford?? If so my mate made that video - one of my best mates from back home is featured in it.
 

 beggers said...
Not Guildford, although if it's the one I'm thinking of, (FA Cup)that was wicked well, this is some place called the Cardiff Yard pub after the Preston playoff.
 

 Anonymous said...
I never knew their was a Brisbane Hammers club wow, I used to watch the games from the old south bank at upton park when i was a kid in the 70s.Think i might come on sat night
 

 Dave said...
Anon - what is your name mate? email me at brisbanehammers@hotmail.com and I'll put you on the mailing list. :-)
 

 Anonymous said...
Dave, Geoff, myself and a small crew will see you on Saturday night, going to watch The Bullets beforehand!

Brisbane Hammer ;)

Hopefully they are still selling the decent real ale they had for the Pommy cricket team on tap?
 

 Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
 

 Anonymous said...
merry christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTVgdv6wUw
 

 Anonymous said...
need lift if possible from nudgee, banyo way ( just off the gateway) 0433 290 290
Trent
 

 beggers said...
Hope you all have a good night, would love to be there. Fingers crossed for a result tonight.

Stay safe and have a good Chrissie.
 

 Anonymous said...
I had ebough to drink that i dont remember that much of the game :P But it was a great night. Nice to meet you dave and dean, sam maddiy and a few others. Great night

Cheers Chris
 

 Anonymous said...
gday lads, first half was great....second half is a bit of a blur...i think i remember about 20min of it....next time i wont hit the piss at 5pm....i ended up fucking mashed

ohh chris...how was the vic...that bouncer kicked you out and was a total fucking wanker....after pauls red card (what was that about?) i knew i was going to be well up for a ruck...did you see i was getting in that bouncers face i was throwing "f's & C's" left right and center....and giving him the forks..... and then suprose suprise he hauled me out to....muggy cunt he was

good to meet the lads....sure beats watching it at home....looking foward to the next match

take it easy.....Deano
 

 Anonymous said...
Great resource. keep it up!!Thanks a lot for interesting discussion, I found a lot of useful information!With the best regards!
Frank
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Anyone else entered this comp yet?

http://www.whufc.com/articles/article.php?page_id=8605
 

 Anonymous said...
FAAAARRRRRKKKK!
 

 norven munky said...
this is not surprising...have you seen how long it takes Ashton to stretch & warm up when he's 100% fit? jebus...
 

 Dave said...
It always sounded like it would take longer. Anything we see of Ashton this season will be a bonus.
 

 Anonymous said...
it will also take a good few games til he starts playing well
 

 Dave said...
Come on! Great Performance!

To be honest I think we were in a rut Graham and Pards was struggling to lift them. I don't think it's Curbs per say but the fact that the team have to perform to impress the new manager.
 

 Anonymous said...
About farking time!

We were always going to be on a high for the new managers first game. How many times do you see it happen first up?

The real test will be the next month or so.

Once again we created chances. How many would Deano have buried?
 

 Dave said...
Greg - I actually thought for all our hard work we didn't create that many chances. Although BZ should've scored when clean through.
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Anyone else notice how Curbishley has made the players grow in stature?

Oops it was only a lower camera angle.
 

 Anonymous said...
beex

I don't think anyone will be pleased until we are clear of the relegation zone, regardless of how we play.
 

 whubris said...
OK I will say this. It was a bloody great performance by the team and I am very pleased. I guess I've just been following this club for too long - when I see something great like this I start to wonder what's around the corner. We beat Arsenal and then....?

Credit to the boys and AP, I mean AC though. I just need at least two or three more wins before I get really excited. We are still, what is it, 3 points behind 17th!

I know I should be thrilled but to be honest, I'm not. There's no point beating the top few teams then losing to everyone else - you still get relegated. We need to raise our game for the so-called minor matches as much as the big ones.

Greg - I agree with Dave, we didn't create many chances, although we did have a few half chances (but so did Man U). Z-man should have scored but so should have Ronaldo. I thought it was a fair result. They defended well and so did we.
 

 Dave said...
Graham - we are not 3 points behind 17th we're on the same points as boro - 17.
 

 Anonymous said...
You're right. We probably didn't create that many chances. I keep replaying Etheringtons missed header wide in the first half.

Deano buries chances like that and also creates chances for others. I still think we would have been 10 - 12 golas better off this season with him.
 

 norven munky said...
top result!

I thought Green was outstanding and just generally looks unflappable.

I'd have preferred someone (anyone!) other than NRC scored. Smug little cunt.

So what did Curbs do different? Not much. 4-4-2 and reunited Bob & Marlon. I liked the McCartney sub - slotting him in at left back and konch getting forward. Personally I'd have played him at left back from the get-go tho. Also just read some scuttlebutt that AC doesn't rate PK...

Essentially the difference was that we were up for it across the ground. Did AC motivate them with some inspirational speech, or was it just new manager syndrome? Who knows and who cares...all I know is we beat the mancs.

Negatives..as Dave said we didn't create that many chances. And several of the ones we did weren't on target. Both Bob & Marlon had chances where they blazed away rather than made sure they at least forced a save.

In defence we were lucky not to be punished when a few times we gave Saha & the diving cheating cunt time and space to conjure a shot. On a different day they might have buried a couple before we scored but luck's a fortune.

I'd say our chances of carrying this form on for a bit of a run are higher than they were after the Arse result..obviously things weren't quite right behind closed doors then.

C'mon you irons!
 

 Anonymous said...
One of the Englisng WAGS at the cricket is wearing the home shirt.
 

 Anonymous said...
should say "English".

hmmm
 

 beggers said...
I'm with beexie. To beat Manure is a massive result. Don't care how we play as long as we win.

Call all your Manure mates, and I use that term loosely, rub it in 'cause beating Manure comes 'round 'bout as often as Haleys comet.

Plenty of time to worry come Saturday, just pleased to have a win and what a win.
 

 Anonymous said...
How depressing our result must have been for the teams around us who won.
 

 Anonymous said...
Great win. Especially considering we are now 3 points off 13th! (goal difference put to the side of course)

Momentum has to be maintained with a win at Fulham this coming weekend, do that and the side is well on the road to recovery.
 

 Anonymous said...
for once I am in more or less total agreement of your ratings. Especially Marlon. As was said, Welcome Back!
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Good team performance I thought. Green's goalkeeping was the individual highlight.
Let's hope it is not another false dawn but that we really have turned the corner.4 big games coming up over the holiday period, all of which are winnable.

I see NRC is saying he is getting hate mail etc, that is affecting his performance.Almost like he , or his agent, are asking to be sold.I'm trusting Curbishley will make the correct decision regarding NRC.
 

 Melbournehammer said...
PS Here's the write up in todays AGE
http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/hammers-nail-important-win/2006/12/18/1166290477576.html
 

 whubris said...
Hate mail is a consequence, not a cause.
 

 whubris said...
Well TBH I think we'll still struggle but we might be better off now with the players like NRC knowing that they can't just ride the tide any more.
 

 whubris said...
c+p from KUMB

"I was really shocked after those two games, first against Wigan and then Bolton," said Magnusson. "It was not the results but more the way the team was playing, the lack of motivation. It's a very important time; we have five matches until New Years Day, we have the January window coming up and I know that I had to make a very difficult decision. I took that decision, and it was very tough as it always is in matters like this - but I did it in the best interests of this club, and that is the result."

Hard to argue with that.
 

 Anonymous said...
2 Games??? I agree that the last 2 matches we were torrid but thats happened to us on a few occasions. Just remember the match b4 against Everton we played well and things could be very different
 

 norven munky said...
I'm happy. I was on record as saying I didn't think AP had the managerial reportoire to get us out of the deep shite we were in.

As Dave said Curbs extracted the maximum out of Charlton as evidenced by the fact they are now at the bottom.

My concern is that AC will adopt a different style to what he did at Charlton..although short term we are unlikely to see anything with too much flair as relegation scrapping doesn't allow it really...

I'm happy it was done and dusted so quickly too...we saw how the team responded to the uncertainty of a protracted takeover.

This way the diversion, while major, was over quickly and we can get back to the job at hand...
 

 Dave said...
I think Pards was very unlucky not to have had Ashton at his disposal. It could've been very different for him if he did.

Full support for Curbs now though. We must get out of this and fast. It will be very interesting to see how the players react.
 

 Anonymous said...
I hope this change of manager works!

You would have thought that the change of ownership and cash being available in January would have made the players pull their fingers out of their arses and perform for fear of losing their place in the side.

Fair enough, AC might save us from relegation, but where do we go from there?

Is this squad good enough to compete in the Premiership or are we kidding ourselves?

AP was being touted as one of the best young managers in the business and a future England manager. If they couldn't perform for him, why are they going to perform for AC?

Was last year just a dream? (A wet one at that.)

Why is being a Hammer fan so difficult?

I'm confused.
 

 Anonymous said...
Hopefully with a win against Man Utd.

I Fogot to mention, whubirs, i was the on e who emailed you about the Brisbane Hammers a week or two ago.
 

 beggers said...
This was the safest move Eggy could have made IMO. Get an English manager who knows the PL, born and bred east end boy and WEST HAM through and through. If it had to happen and it's a bloody shame it did, this is the right move, at least in the short term.

It's happened now so I hope all get behind him and the team and give them our full support, the lads are gonna need it. This is all about survival and I think he'll steady the ship. Pls God.

CURBISHLEYS CLARET AND BLUE ARMY!!!!!!

Alan Curbishleys claret and blue army seems a mouthful?

C'mon Manure, let's be 'avin ya!!!
 

 Anonymous said...
What's the bet Pards ends up at Charlton and he keeps them up.

*sigh*
 

 Anonymous said...
According to BBC, Magnusson actually wanted to sign Curbs as manger before he sacked pardew.

"West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has admitted that he wanted Alan Curbishley to be the new manager before he sacked Alan Pardew."
 

 Anonymous said...
Les Reed just signed a new contract so I doubt Pards will go there.
He won't struggle to find a job in the PL anyway.

Reports today also said that at West Ham's xmas party on tuesday the DJ wanted to say a few words about Alan Pardew and Nigel Reo-Coker, Ferdinand, Cole and Elliot Ward jeered.
Cunts
Also Masch and Tevez didnt go
 

 Anonymous said...
That just goes ot prove that AP didn't have the full support of the team. it wasn't him who needed to be sacked, and this disrespect and attitude proves that the players had a hand in gettin him sacked.
 

 Anonymous said...
In a way I can understand Cole and Ward but Anton and Reo-Coker???
Pardew stuck with Reo-coker this season when he should have been dropped.
Thinking back I can also remember the loan players we got last season - They said Pards promised them 1st team football and didnt give it to them. At the time I thought the french fucks were lying but now I think it could be true.
 

 Dave said...
Thought we'd sold Ward???
 

 Anonymous said...
We did but he went to the party coz he is mates with the squad
 

 Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
 

 norven munky said...
From the press conference :-

"I did think about the way I go about things and perhaps I may have to be a little bit different here, I don't know in that respect. But what I do know is that it's about results. "

is that him saying he will have to play more attractive football here than at Charlton (while also acknowledging it's about results). Or am I reading too much into that comment?
 

 Dave said...
Sloba

Thanks for the offer. I did take a look at your site but unfortunately it is shit so I don't think we'll be taking up your gracious offer.
 

 Anonymous said...
Hi Guys Season ticket holder here, I think Curbs could be good for us, thank god we never signed Sven!!! i'm coming to Brisbane in June 2007, are there any meeting places for Hammers fans over there?
 

 Dave said...
Oakey

Send me an email @ Brisbanehammers@hotmail.com and I'll keep you posted. :-)

We'll have to meet up for a beer when you get over here mate.
 

 Anonymous said...
Irony: Kind Of Like Iron
Mediawatch has never been entirely au fait with the standard definition of irony, which seems to confuse too many people.

Our usual technique, which you're welcome to borrow, is to compare all claims of things being 'ironic' with the indisputable irony of Kiss' cover of the Ramones classic 'Rock N Roll Radio' being one of the most wonderful pieces of music ever, despite that song being written to express dissatisfaction at the dominance of stadium-rock bands like, you've guessed it, Kiss.

With a brother so involved with the music industry - the manager of The Who, no less - you might expect Alan Curbishley to be aware of that little rule of thumb. And so you'd be even more surprised to hear the following quotes from football's most boring man at his first press conference as West Ham manager:

"It's ironic that my two clubs, Charlton and West Ham, have both made changes early in the season."

"It's ironic that my first game is against Manchester United, my last game as Charlton manager."

"It's ironic that it's my two former clubs who've chosen to do things."

No. It. Isn't.
 

 Anonymous said...
OK, it's a bit old, but here it is in more detail.

Buck up, or fuck off, guys:

Rumour Of The Day
'Drunk West Ham players mocked ex-boss Alan Pardew, romped with scantily-clad girls and scuffled at their Christmas party to shatter claims of being devastated by his sacking...The jibe at Pardew came as the club DJ grabbed a microphone from defender Anton Ferdinand and proposed a toast to the departed Upton Park boss. Ferdinand, Reo-Coker, Carlton Cole and old team-mate Elliot Ward all responded by booing and jeering loudly, then rolling around laughing...Things turned nasty at around 1am when Hayden Mullins was caught up in a scuffle and was bundled out of an emergency exit by security guards before being told not to come back' - The Daily Mirror, which also reports that Anton Ferdinand ended up smooching with Aisleyne from Big Brother. Now that would be an ugly baby.
 

 Anonymous said...
Paolo Di Canio scores a cracker to watch it at you tube.


or paste the you tube link into this site, to download an avi

http://vixy.net/flv_converter
 

 norven munky said...
I know it's rumour and unconfirmed, but *if* it's been reported accurately then it well pisses me off especially with regard to NRC. His poor performances have contributed in no small part towards Pardews sacking and our league position. Obviously he doesn't get that...he thinks it's down to Pardew.

This is our captain FFS, carrying on like that in front of a room full of people. No wonder we are in deep shite if that's the attitude of the captain. It's not a stretch to conclude that he may have been undermining AP at every opportunity if that was his opinion.

If its true and AC knows all about it, I'd bench at least NRC (and strip him of the captaincy) and tell the jumped up little cunt that he has to *earn* his way back into the team. Better yet, tell him his form isn't up to the prem and send him out on loan to some shit hole.
 

 Anonymous said...
A good decision! Brisbane Hammer!
 

 cris whufc said...
thanks ta all you guys 4 the frenship while over on the gold coast, fam-ley now live in robina, got 3 other hammers fans in our street,best wishes ta all, cris whufc
 

 whubris said...
Well said anon
 

 Dave said...
Curbishly is not shite - how the hell have Charlton been punching over their weight and stayed in the prem for the last 10 years?? They are bottom of the league now he's gone.
 

 Dave said...
That said I'm still not convinced getting rid of Pardew was the right move. I feel bad for him.
 

 norven munky said...
I would not accuse AC of being shite. I will admit to being worried about the style of football adopted at Charlton & the corresponding lack of entertainment value.

I hope the Charlton tactics were due to playing roster restrictions.

Hopefully if he comes to West Ham it will be different due to the cattle he has (assuming they can be assed to try..are you listening PK & NRC?) and that he knows what the West Ham way is.

Potentially I think he can be good for us. He's ambitious. I'm sure he quit at Charlton to try and tilt the England job his way.

My missus doesn't want a foreigner who'll bring in truck loads of foreigners so she's on the Curb's bandwagon.

Ok Eggie, you've shown us you have the err, eggs in your pants to make the 1st hard decision. Now impress us with important decision number 2...
 

 whubris said...
Didn't see that. AC isn't shite but at the moment mediocrity would suit me fine.
 

 beggers said...
Curbs wouldn't be my first choice but then again I really don't know who would be considering who's available?

I like him and he is WEST HAM through and through but I think, in the long term, it's a sideways move.

He did manage to keep Charlton competitive for many years with a team of neville nobodies so it appears he has the ability to bring the best out of players. I don't think he's shit and I think his record confirms this.

What he might be able to do is steady the ship and keep us up, I'd settle for that at the moment.

You never know, with some money behind him and an ambitious chairman, which he never had at Charlton, he may surprise us all? Let's hope so anyway.

Shock loss for Manure this weekend! who's with me?
 

 Anonymous said...
Shock loss for Manure would be sensational!!!
 

 Anonymous said...
For this weekend only, I'd make NRC the player/manager.

He thinks he's the fuggin dog bollix, so why not let him prove it - against Man United.

It would let him know what responsibly and accountability feels like.
 

 Anonymous said...
some Colemanballs to lighten the mood.

* "If he opens his legs, he'll be hard to handle." (Graham Taylor)

* "Ardiles strokes the ball like it was a part of his anatomy." (Jimmy Magee, RTÉ)

* "Neil Harvey, standing at leg slip with his legs wide apart, waiting for a tickle." (Brian Johnston, BBC)

* "Botham struggled to get his leg over there." (Jonathan Agnew, BBC)

* "Rutherford's asking the umpire how many balls he's got left... he's got two." (Bryan Waddle, Radio New Zealand)

* "This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning and it was amazing." (Pat Glenn, Weightlifting Commentator)

* "I was saying the other day, how often the most vulnerable area for goalies is between their legs..." (Andy Gray, Sky Sports)

* "The Czech Republic are coming from behind in more than one way now." (John Motson, BBC in 27th minute of World Cup 2006 game against Italy.)

* "And Michael Schumacher just stood on his seat and pulled out something special." (Martin Brundle, ITV)

* "Gary Neville says that Porto are a bunch of girls who go down too easily." (Peter Schmeichel)

* "This is really a lovely horse, I once rode her mother." (Ted Walsh)
 

 Melbournehammer said...
It's official Curbsishly is the new manager with Mervyn Day his assistant.
 

 Anonymous said...
Its Curbs
 

 Anonymous said...
Curbishley It is. Since Pards was fired so easily i now feel sort of cautious about mr Magnusson.

Anyway this is my first proper post with a blog ccount thingy.
 

 whubris said...
Welcome!
 

 Anonymous said...
new user just seeing if ive done it right
 

 beggers said...
Holy shit! Didn't really think it would happen! Still not sure it's the right move but on the other hand he seemed to have lost the dressing room so I don't no. I've gotta say I liked him and the players need a good kick up the arse for having a hand in causing this man to lose his job. I would gladly chin a couple of them on AP's behalf, if given the chance, useless cunts.

Our only hope now is a decent choice in Manager and for the players to respond accordingly, but as previously discussed good managers are like rocking horse shit.
 

 whubris said...
As beggers said so eloquently, "Holy shit!"

I must say this comes as a big surprise to me. IMO it was a big mistake. Pardew has never been a revelation but he's been a decent manager and as I've been saying, there's nobody else around who's any better.

Well it's done now so who's it gonna be?

Curbs: Best odds. Guided Charlton to years of mediocrity and maybe and with the players and fan base at Upton Park he could take West Ham a long way. But not to the top.

SGE: Fuck off. Fuck right off.

George Graham: No thanks. Doesn't play football the West Ham way, and hasn't been in the game for ages.

Hoddle: Oh please.

O'Leary: Can't honestly imagine him at our club.

Dowie: Probably a decent bet TBH. Unproven really.

Sheringham: Someone will say it, so I might as well. Would definitely like him to stay on as a coach or assistant manager, but certainly not ready (or willing) to take the big job.

di Canio: I just wanted to be the first wanker to suggest this.

Littbarski: Well you may scoff but he did brilliantly with Sydney and was unlucky to be sacked. I believe he would be a very good manager for West Ham - intelligent, a good ex-player, would have the players' respect right from the off.
 

 Dave said...
Littbarski would not have anybody's respect from the off - come on a sacked A-League Manager - that's nearly as funny as Dowie being a good bet - I don't want that ugly cunt anywhere near my club.

Ranieri? El Tel?

I think it'll be Curbs to be honest. Anybody who wants to complain about mediocrity - take a look at the league table - I think we need a bit of mediocrity right now.
 

 Dave said...
I voted dunno on the poll by the way.
 

 whubris said...
New poll!
 

 whubris said...
True Dave about mediocrity.

You don't think the players would respect a winner and twice runner-up (as player) of the World Cup? He was sacked because of money, not performance.

Ranieri or El Tel would be all right. I always thought Ranieri got the shit end of the stick at Chelsea.
 

 Anonymous said...
I can't believe this. I really liked pardew. His attitude, his professionalism, his style of football and most of all I always agreed with the sigings he made.
 

 Anonymous said...
I also agree with beggers comment.

"I've gotta say I liked him and the players need a good kick up the arse for having a hand in causing this man to lose his job. I would gladly chin a couple of them on AP's behalf, if given the chance, useless cunts."
 

 whubris said...
Well I suppose now is a good time to do it. Get someone in to know the squad and do his homework before the transfer window.
 

 whubris said...
agree with both anon's (presumably the same person)
 

 Anonymous said...
Sir Trev to the rescue...please!!!
 

 Anonymous said...
Here's our chance to find out how good our new owners are.

Do they choose someone appropriate, do they pick someone just for thier name, or do they pick someone becasue he was one of the chairman's favourite players when he was a lad?

Arsène Wenger was coaching in Japan's J-League when he was approached to join Arsenal. I'd love us to unearth a talented Dutch coach, but it's probably wishful thinking.

Then again, why not just get Louis van Gaal. Imagine his ego squeezed into the PL. :)
 

 whubris said...
OK, how about Maradona!
 

 whubris said...
Magnusson, 12 Oct: "I've full trust in the manager who is there. Wherever I have been - be it running the Icelandic federation or a club - I've always trusted the manager.... It is always important to have stability in football."
 

 Dave said...
That was a Month ago - we've lost 4 of our last 5 games!
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Definite mixed feelings about this one but it is the correct decision.

After last season there have been too many negative vibes around WHU this year
Newton with his coccaine habit
Carroll with his drinking and gambling
Anton and his assault charges
Pardew's affairs (Apparently that's why CF was sold so suddenly at the start of the year)
Add in the unexpected arrival of the Argentinians,a shady Iranian with Israeli friends as well as a couple of Icelandic biscuit barons.
The rot unfortunately set in before a ball was kicked this season when Ashton broke his ankle.The loss of Ashton has cost us a minimum of 9 points, a place in the UEFA cup and Pardew his job.

It is amazing how it can all change in 6 days.

Game 1 v Everton.We dominate the first 60 minutes,Bowyer misses a gimme and then wallop another goal out of nothing for the opposition.
Game 2 v Wigan.Poor performance overall but what if Tevez didn't hit the post and we take a 1-0 lead.
Game 3 v Bolton.Pathetic.I wouldn't be surprised if Pardew deliberately went with that team and tactics in a hope he would be sacked.He had had enough.

In my opinion,Pardew's shortcomings have been;
1.Disrespect for the Academy.Others may correct me,but Anton and Ward have been the only two to graduate. Even that may not have taken place if it wasn't for injuries at the time.His treatment of Noble,Cohen and now Reid is very disappointing.
2.Choking in big games.Play off final v Crystal Palace.
3.Loyality to certain players. Especially this season.
4.Poor man management. There have been many rumours about a "clique" at West Ham.Rumours of Ashton not "fitting" in.If a club is to be successful ,the manager should be able to control the dressing room.
5.Not buying Scaloni.Was more than capable at RB and seemed to be adapting.

Despite what I have just said, I feel for the guy.It wasn't his fault Tevez has hit the post at least 3 times(Newcastle,Palermo and Wigan) or that there have been some cracking goals scored against us (Watford,Liverpool,Chelsea,Reading) but his poor team selection and use of substitutions against very mediocre opposition is poor mangement.

I thank him for the memories of play off final and one wonderful season.I wish him well in his next job.
 

 Anonymous said...
I disagree with point 2 and 5. Who is this CF that was sold at the start of the season?
 

 whubris said...
Carl Fletcher.

Agree with Melbourne Hammer except for point 5. It's been a shit year.
 

 norven munky said...
"But ultimately its when rough seas come and how you deal with that..."

The words of Alan Pardew himself (in Pete May's book Hammers in the Heart).

I think AP himself would know he had to go. I won't go quite as far as Melb Hammer and suggest he threw the Bolton game tho :)

I wish him well wherever he bobs up.
 

 Anonymous said...
some reports are suggesting that Pards lost the support of key players such as yossi and anton. When this happens there is little a manager can do. He cant sell all the players he has had a disagreement with.
 

 Anonymous said...
Great article! Thanks.
 

 Anonymous said...
Thanks for interesting article.
 

 Anonymous said...
Excellent website. Good work. Very useful. I will bookmark!
 

 Dave said...
Did I mention what a fucktard Alan Pardew is for that team selection?
 

 Dave said...
Sorry just add that this very much looks like a relegation season to me. The opportunity was there a few weeks ago to push on - we've had our confidence slump the season - you can't have two in a season or you are gone!

It's not all AP's fault but when he's had decisions to make he has made them badly. Be it the wrong striker, wrong midfield, wrong formation and today Christian Dailly in midfield.

I'm full of rage right now. :-(
 

 Anonymous said...
Pards is still a decent manager, but i think he needs a fresh start at a new club.

The rot is setting in now. A new manager needs the transfer window open to make some moves. We're going to lose to ManUre, so sack him now.

GU:Four-star Bolton leave Pardew's men for dead
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Beex,considering your condition, I would have called it a spineless display.
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Green still prefer him to Carroll
Spector give him time and support and he will be OK.
McCartney thrown in at the deep end
Collins plays better alongside Gabbs or Anton
Konchesky must be blackmailing AP
Dailly at least he tries
NRC Manure or Arse shirt on his Xmas whislist
Mullins probably Hammer of the year so far
Etherington deja vu
Harewood very easy to defend against when you just keep hitting high balls forward to him
Tevez will go down in WHU history as the one we let slip through our fingers
Pantsil not his fault
Sheringham all he seemed to be imterested in was playing the miracle through ball
Pardew said the team was naive in the post match interview.Time to take a look in the mirror Pards.
 

 beggers said...
Taped the game, won't bother watching it. I fucking hate Bolton an'all.

Reeks of relegation lads but it has done all season. I suspect this season will go down to the wire. 17th will do. Don't expect miracles when Ashton returns neither. Team sport lads and if the strikers don't get the service, well you know the rest.

Will a change of manager be the answer? Not for Charlton. Who do you replace Pardew with?
If the bloke coming in is not the dogs bollocks, expect much of the same. I've no doubt Eggert is looking very closely at Pardew. He made it quite clear he wants us to be a successful club, so Pards is on borrowed time, make no mistake. But other than Curbs, I can't think of anyone else? Who would you try and get?

But that's for down the track, for now what do we do? How do we get out of this? What would you guys do?
 

 norven munky said...
This was as bad as it gets. Totally inept. There were so many fundamental mistakes today it defies belief. Virtually every player was guilty of frequently turning the ball over with no or very little pressure.

At one stage I decided I was gonna do up a log on the mistakes off of the tape afterwards. You know something like :-

"1st min, PK passed it straight to Davies under no pressure" etc

But the sheer number of mistakes made me ditch the idea - I would have gone through 3 pens worth of ink.

I thought Paintsil was abominable when he came on. Made mistakes with virtually *every* touch.

I have been bagged out for suggesting Pards has no tactical nous and rode his luck on one formation and no injuries last season. His tactics against Arsenal gave me hope there were brains upstairs but I think its all over now.

Eggy must act to try and salvage our Premiership status now. And I don't mean promoting Kevin Keen or bringing in Iain Dowie.

Whoever it is needs to be able to motivate. Being able to turn water into wine is about what's required tho.
 

 beggers said...
Ranirei may be ok, thought he did ok at Chelscum. Might struggle with our lot of skilless clowns but.

Hiddink would be ideal but he's taken. Like what he did with the Socceroos. Not the most talented squad but he brought the best out of them.

El Tel, I've always liked him but I don't know?

Curbs, much the same as we've got IMO.

Keegan, nah.

Bobby Robson, too old.

Not a great deal to choose from really. I like you Beexie am scratching my head over this one.

If it does happen it'll probably be a foreign manager we know fuck all about, I mean it's obvious there's no one in the shop window. Ian Dowie.....only joking.

Unfortunately I think our only hope is January, bringing in some foreign players, a la' 'Arry at Portsmouth last season, who have not yet caught the losing disease, and survive. Never thought I'd be saying that about the foreign players but what else can you do?
 

 Anonymous said...
Trevor Brooking.
 

 whubris said...
Miron Bleiberg!
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Don't be surprised if SGE is top of Eggy's list

With regards to players, I don't think we need to panic buy.I am fairly confident NRC or Yossi or both will be gone by the end of January.With Ashton returning,we probably need to buy only a midfielder and another defender.

If I were Eggy I would sell NRC for a minimun of 8 mil then add 5 mil of my own and buy SWP from Chelsea.I would still have 5 mil left to buy another one ,possibly 2 players.

My dream team for 2007 would be

Green
Spector Ferdinand Gabbidon ?????
SWP Mascherano Mullins Etherington
Tevez Ashton
Carroll Harewood Bowyer Yossi ????
 

 Anonymous said...
Paolo Di Canio
 

 Anonymous said...
very harsh on Dailly. Pards wanted two defensive midfielders and since mascherano was injured he went for Dailly. Dailly wasn't even that bad.

As for Pards have you now made your decision becuase we lost to Bolton away? We would have lost this game if we were in the best form of our lives. Bolton at the Reebok = loss
 

 Anonymous said...
Doesn't Vialli need lots of transfer funds to do anything?

While I'm very concerned for our safetly, Blackburn, Sheff United, Boro and Manc City are shite too, so we've still got a lot to play for.
 

 beggers said...
Got plenty of loyalty Anon. But I, like most, am real concerned with our situation. I'm not convinced ditching Pardew is the answer but something has to be done NOW. I hope to Christ he's gets us through this. I had your blind faith once, remember getting relegated on 41 pts with the likes of Di Canio, Cole, Carrick, Kanoute, Sinclair etc? By virtue of being WEST HAM we are the eternal optimists but this is bad mate, no two ways about it. I'm not and never would give up on the club but it hurts to see us free falling this way.
 

 whubris said...
Loyalty to the club, yes. Loyalty to Pardew, well, yes, but not as much!

BTW Beggers it was 42 points..

Anon - why did Pardew want four defenders and two defensive midfielders, at BOLTON?

Look I don't know what the solution is but buying new players is not going to get us anywhere. All the players we have are Premiership quality. The real problem is in the dressing room and we need Pards to sort it. Having said that though a new signing will gee up the other players and especially with Ashton coming back from injury it might just be enough. Frankly it doesn't matter much who it is or where they play, the only real benefit would be psychological.
 

 Dave said...
Anon - as the author of the original article I'm not sure if you are directing your comments at me or everybody in general for their comments??

I originally said I am pissed off with Pardew for his actions in THIS game and have not called for his head in anyway. I'm not sure getting rid of him is the answer - I really don't know what the asnwer is personally.

As for Dailly it's not about what he did or didn't do in this game it is the idea that Pardew thinks he can select him as a central midfielder and get away with it - this is the premier league and Dailly is a defender and not a very good one at that! But if you do want me to comment on his performance in this match he did give the ball away very cheaply on many occasions along with many other guilty players.

That structure with Dailly in the midfield was never going to work - there was never going to be any sort of supply to the forwards - it was a very negative decision to play him and we got punished.
 

 beggers said...
42 PTS!!! whubris,thanks for the clarification, I think!

whubris is bang on, the problems in the dressing room, but a new player or two in Jan. might revive us, who knows? It's not a case of panic buying but getting players out of neccessity. Only problem is getting decent players, I mean who would want to come to us in our current situation?
 

 Anonymous said...
I actually turned it off when the thrid goal went in. I have to say i am still sticking by Pardew, butas eveyone has said this situation is getting worse. Sheffield Utd are ahead of us!

I Was a bit surprised he chose a 4-5-1 and like everyone else i cant beleive he put Dailly in as a Mid. I think i saw sheringham touch the ball once.

It will really suck if we get relegated (At all) but the first time in years ive been able to follow them reguarly.
 

 whubris said...
Yeah I'm with Dave - if Pardew done wrong then he deserves some stick, but that doesn't mean we should call for his head. Frankly I don't know how long it should take before a manager is considered "not good enough" - it could be years before things really gel. IMHO there are top class managers, middle class managers, and people who should not be allowed anywhere near a football pitch (e.g. me, Dave, and the rest of the people on this site!) But seriously, if you're not in the Ferguson/Hiddink/Wenger mould, then you're just as good as the next guy. Curbishley, Strachan, Moyes, Allardyce.. All much the same for mine. Sometimes you win, and everyone thinks you're the best manager since Clough, and then you go on a losing streak and you're just a regular manager (or worse) again. It all averages out and I really think it doesn't matter all that much who is in charge unless they're a genius. They all pretty much know what they're doing and they all have different approaches but ultimately I think in general you're not much better with one manager than the next, apart from what sort of players they buy. And even then you sometimes get lucky or unlucky. Pardew's signings have been good, so no problem there. I don't think changing managers is really going to help much, just like a fresh coat of paint really, if there's rot underneath how long will it last? Stick with Pardew but FFS man listen to the fans...
 

 Anonymous said...
FFS! I have been telling all and sundry Pardew needs to give someone else a go and who does he pick? Fucking Dailly AND in MIDFIELD! That says it all really...

Things are looking bad, something radical has to change and ASAP.
 

 Anonymous said...
In this situation you can't sack all of the players, which is why the manager must stay on top of things and why the manager carries the can - especially when the team is good enough to cope quite easily in this league.

I would sacrifice the manager before sacrificing our league status. We've already done the opposite once before just recently, so let's not do it again.

Pardew knows the score.
 

 Anonymous said...
Woah, I've just noticed the new poll and for me it paints a bad picture. The Di Canio team of 2002/2003 season was far better.

Too good to go down, you might say.

:(
 

 Anonymous said...
Well to be honest with ya all, why i got up at 3.00 o'clock was to watch my team play footie and all i saw was a piss poor display!!,Ok at the moment AP's selection is crap but being a staunch hammer im sure that things will pick up,So bring on the manc scum!!I for one will be up again in a bid to satisfy my need to see the hammers win.

Sth Bris Hammer (Bunker)
 

 Anonymous said...
Boro don't deserve PL status and with their fans deserting them, let's hope the crash and burn.

Middlesbrough
Describing Boro as 'mediocre' would be flattering and their ever-decreasing number of fans know it. Just 23,638 were in attendance for the tepid draw against Wigan, the lowest gate of the season. To arrest the decline, children will be allowed in for £1 for the December 23 date with Charlton, but it is an act of desperation rather than seasonal goodwill.

Boro need to go. The Aussies shouldn't be there, so hopefully relegation will speed their exit, maybe even to the A-League.

50,000 fans at the dome. come home to Melbourne, Dooks.
 

 Anonymous said...
Cast your vote for Man of the Year 2006

Go and vote for Lucas Neill.

Shannon Noll is winning, ffs.
 

 Anonymous said...
Alan Pardew
"It's important that I give strong leadership and guide them through this difficult period," said the West Ham boss after his side's capitulation at Bolton. The catch is that the capitulation, in front of an evidently dismayed Eggert Magnusson, has weakened his position to such an extent that, upon being asked if he expected to still be Hammers boss next week, a chastened Pardew could only meekly reply: "I hope so."

Defeat at Bolton is not uncommon. Yet it is unusual for a team to accept defeat before the match had been played. Nor is the downgrading of a 4-4-2 formation in favour of a 4-5-1 the obvious course of action following ten hours of play without an away goal. For the record, this was the Hammers' tenth defeat in eleven games outside of Upton Park.

One newspaper claimed at the weekend that Pardew had 'suffered' for having 'Mascherano and Tevez forced upon him'. Nonsense. Lest we forget, he celebrated their arrival by proclaiming that the Hammers would soon be challenging the best of Europe.

Pardew wanted the Argentines and his inability to merge two players widely recognised as 'world-class' into his team is a failing of management. On Saturday, he omitted Mascherano and selected centre-half Christian Dailly as the holding midfielder and sent striker Tevez to the wing.

The January transfer window offers Pardew possible salvation, but his future will probably be decided before then. According to a report in The Times, Pardew was summoned to a meeting with Magnusson following last week's home defeat to Wigan and warned that 'results had to improve...and would have to improve immediately if he wanted to be around when £12 million will be made available to strengthen the relegation-threatened side next month.'

No wonder he sounded so meek. Magnusson, in turn, must also be wondering whether Pardew can be trusted to use the money wisely after mismanaging the talents of Mascherano and Tevez to the extent that the Argentines have become, as with Shevchenko, a self-imposed handicap.
 

 Anonymous said...
wrong decision
 

 Anonymous said...
I agree this was not the right decision as alan could have got us out of this situation with a little support. i think he did good things at the club like the FA cup final and even though he wasnt a West Ham man at the beggining he became 1 over the years. it is also sad that he was only our 10 manager ever and it would be terrible if the new owners decide to get rid of all their managers this quickly.his dealings in the tranfer windows were also great.
 

 Anonymous said...
It will be interesting to see if the new owners had someone in mind before buying the club.
 

 whubris said...
Good point Anon (the last one). Maybe they did have someone in mind. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
 

 beggers said...
It wouldn't surprise me if(the last Anons) comments are right. You don't get to be where these guys are by being mugs. The more I think about it the more I think it's probably true.
 

 Anonymous said...
Guardian Unlinted Poll

Will West Ham be relegated this season?

So far, it's 52% for NO.
 

 Anonymous said...
Russell Brand,
"I also received further brilliant suggestions for chants, one person noting I oughtn't berate myself for the suggestion of Billy Joel's Uptown Girl as a potential anthem as West Ham's signature tune Bubbles does include the pseudo homoerotic line "I'm forever blowing bubbles" first used in reference to a West Ham player in the 1920s with the nickname Bubbles. If anyone has any more information on this I'd be intrigued to hear it."
 

 whubris said...
Not that there's anything wrong with that!
 

 beggers said...
lol, whubris.
 

 norven munky said...
It should worry you that we got done over by Wigan's tactics.

If PJ is smart enough to work out the tactical changes required after a loss, why can't Pardew?

This is the 3rd loss at home to Wigan on the spin. It should be managerial bread & butter to work out a plan to stifle the tactics that have stuffed us twice previously.

I need to look at it again but where was Konchy when they scored the first? Acres of space.

Following up your Konchy played quite well against Everton, if you have a look at the tape again. He makes more mistakes than you can poke a stick at. He made two in the 1st couple of mins. More worrying was that it wasn't just his crossing...he was getting made to look a mug trying to stop crosses going in. Multiple times.

And as to his crosses, you can't just keep turning a blind eye to the fact that 75% of the time his crosses are shite. He's a prem player at the highest level in Britain. Fuck me.

His ditribution from the back is often shite. His 1st instinct is always to turn himself into difficulty and consequently he has no choice but to pump it long.

This morning against Wigan. Unforced mistake in the 1st 30 secs turned it straight over to them. Allowing them to get settled.

He needs to be dropped. This whole NRC & PK untouchable thing is just bullshit and AP needs to make a tough call real soon.
 

 Dave said...
I was more concerned about Spector's performance this morning - he looks like his confidence has left him - time to bring back pantsil.
 

 Anonymous said...
Now I'm really worried!!

Who would have thought that after last year we would be fighting for survival this year?

I didn't see the game, but surely our problems are deeper than just JS, NRC and PK.

WHERE THE FUCK IS DEANO?

We should ban all Hammers from international duty.

I wonder! Has anyone ever won the FA Cup and been relegated in the same year? Could we be the first?
 

 norven munky said...
Greg I know you want to erase that Gerrard 90th minute goal from your mind but we didn't actually win the cup ;-)
 

 norven munky said...
I guess you must mean this year's cup? Nothing like a bit of confidence :)
 

 Anonymous said...
Cutting edge owns anything in it's way, you can't argue that.
 

 Anonymous said...
Well if he goes, I hope we've got the cash for someone better than Curbs.
 

 Anonymous said...
I have no doubt that Pards will be the man to save us from relegation. Expect him to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Although saying this I am worried.
 

 whubris said...
Well, Bowyer's a head kicker! :-) Not the sort you mean though. NRC needs to step up and be a friggin CAPTAIN.
 

 beggers said...
Not so sure we are being tactically outdone as opposed to out paced and generally out enthused.

Wigan played a real high line, pretty easy to play against with the right type of passing. But you need quality passing. Mix up the play with a few long balls, some incicsve balls along the deck and keep the defence guessing. NRC played a great ball to Marlon and he was on goal. Unfortunately that was about it.

Someone said on here before about being to one dimensional and that we are, we are predicatble at the moment. Wigan never really looked to worried at the back. But it's pretty hard too defend if you're constantly being turned around.

Our game lacks pace and power, we are obviously lacking in confidence and it shows. We are too slow both in our movement and on the break. We don't seem to be able to create the space we used too. By this I mean beating players, holding the ball up or finding gaps. We used to get at teams with this pace and movement and now it is all but gone. We look a shadow of the team that played in the FA Cup.

To be honest I would have gone for the same team and formation as Pards. I've no doubt the game plan was to play at pace but if the lads don't do this then Pards tactics look underdone. It's about instilling confidence back in the players and application on the paddock. But how do we achieve this? No magic formula just hard work. Extra training for me would help.

Everton, a couple of seasons back, had a simlar run to us and got out of it. From memory there was no real change in personnel just the a few wins on the bounce and the belief returned. It's all a mind game now. Maybe Pards should give a shout to Moyes, "so how did you do it!"

Got to get the beleif back in the team that EVERY game is winnable. This is a real test for the backroom staff. All is not lost but I've been bricking it since we lost to Newcastle. And we are about to entre our historical bad Christmas run!

Greg's right the problem is across the whole team and not just a few players. It's like a disease, and all have to share the blame. Although I will reserve a special mention for the Captain, he must lead by example and that he is not.

Novern, never mention Gerrads name on here again, there's a good chap. Still not over it!

Onto the game proper. Thought Marlons shot on site policy is the way to go. The only trouble was he didn't hit the target. C'mon son sort it out! He didn't however hold the ball up as well as he should. Back to creating space again. He used to terrorise defences and now.....! I was bang'n on on here about him playing for England, wrong Beggers!. Tevez has goota score soon, hasn't he?????!!!!

Thought NRC was ok as was Mullins, but I don't think just ok will cut it in this league. Ethers doesn't beat'em like he used too and Yossi trickery seems to have deserted him.

Konch, well he managed to get a few crosses in, I didn't run the rule over him like Novern, but I thought he was ok. Thought centre backs did their jobs, but Spector had a mare.

All in all it was the sort of avareage performance you'd expect from a team languishing near the foot of the table and on that display we deserve no better.

I'd play 5 across the middle for Bolton. We got to dictate the tempo of the game, even a few draws would ease the pain. We just have to stop losing.
 

 whubris said...
I'm not in the anti Pardew league yet but surely it's his job to keep the team's mental condition up as well as physically and tactically?
 

 beggers said...
whubris, TOTALLY! The players know how to play football, apparently!, so it's the managers and other backroom staff's job to get them into a winning frame of mind. They are not doing a good enough job at the moment. I also am not anti Pardew but the buck stops with him. I read somewhere that Eggert has pretty much told him so as well.
 

 beggers said...
Also whubris liked the "no surrender" team you mentioned in one of the other posts on here. May as well "go for it" as you put it. Best form of defence is attack!

I'd love to go to Bolton with the Yossi, masher, mullins, Bowyer, Ethers in midfield and run at them all day. They would never expect it. I've said it before but we need someone to pull a "Tonya Harding" on NRC. If he's injured and can't play, I reckon we'll look better. Terrible thing to say but I reckon it'd be true.
 

 Melbournehammer said...
To me the biggest disappointment was Yossi.Looked totally disinterested and as if didn't want to be there.

Green Not at fault for either goal
Spector I like him.Looks as if he wants to play.Did not get any support from Yossi on the right which meant he had to hoof speculative balls forward.
Collins/Ferdinand the odd dodgy clearance but otherwise ok.
Konchesky enuff said already
Yossi his worst performance ever.
Mullins OK no support from other midfielders
NRC thought he got stuck in the first half then AWOL in the second
Ethers didn't seem to want to run at their defence
Marlene Better than Bobby but made the wrong call many times.
Tevez Feel sorry for the guy.Never stopped running.Unlikely not to score.

Wigan's game plan was obvious from the start.I just hoped we would score to open the game up more.

The worse part about these"morning games", is that you feel like shit for the rest of the day.I feel sorry for you Queenslanders then being turned over and spanked by the Jets that night.
 

 Anonymous said...
Good thing when we lose at cricket that it doesn't matter because it's cricket.
 

 Dave said...
WE - ENGLAND TIL I DIE! :-)

We'll get over it - there's 3 more tests to lose.
 

 Anonymous said...
But its more like, how did you manage to lose the 2nd test?
 

 Dave said...
Redrisky - like anon said it doesn't matter cos it's cricket :-)
 

 Dave said...
From the OS

Bobby Zamora admits he can't wait to face his former club Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round at Upton Park in January.

"I was pleased when I heard we had drawn them," says the Hammers striker, who is still considered a hero among the Brighton fans after leading them to successive promotions from the old third division to the first between 2001 and 2003.

"It's always nice to play against your old Club and, looking back, I haven't really had the chance to start against them before, so hopefully I will get the chance in this match. West Ham haven't beaten them at the last couple of attempts so we will be looking to put that right."

League one side Brighton will be considered the underdogs going into the match but Bobby points out that status often counts for little in the FA Cup.

"It's a game we will be expected to win on paper, but the Cup is not always like that, you only have to remember the Chesterfield result to see that," he says. "We are at home, though, where we are looking good at the moment and we will obviously go into the match looking for a victory."

Bobby will be looking forward to seeing the fans and some old faces from the Club where he scored an impressive 70 goals in 117 League games after being released by Bristol Rovers in the summer of 2000…but that's only after victory is achieved for the Hammers.

"I enjoyed my time there and left on good terms so I would expect to get a nice reception from the supporters," he says. "I know a few people who still work there as well - and I am a bit of a face down there! - so there will be a fair bit of catching up to do but that's only once the job is done on the pitch."

Despite exiting two cup competitions at the first hurdle already this season, Bobby believes the team will be spurred on in the FA Cup by the memory of what was achieved last year and how close the team came to bringing the Cup back to Upton Park.

"It is always good to avoid the bigger teams in the opening round as it gives you more chance of progressing, but last year we faced tough opposition every round and got all the way to the final so we know we are more than capable.

"The memory of last year's cup run is still very much with us and will definitely spur us on to go one better this time round - that coupled with the disappointment of going out of the Carling Cup and UEFA Cup so early this season."
 

 Anonymous said...
Brighton and Hove Albion?

Great, we can't even beat one team and now we have to play two at once.




(I'll get ma coat)
 

 norven munky said...
lol
 

 Anonymous said...
West Ham Roar are playing some good football and creating chances, but not putting them away.
 

 whubris said...
Fuggin fuggin - I was going to watch a tape of it tonight but accidentally saw the result on another site. Might as well comment here then.

Dave - if our home form deteriorates we might be in trouble, but on the other hand if our away form improves we'll be fine!

Did Harewood play at all?
 

 Dave said...
Yeah he had about 15 at the end along with Teddy.
 

 Dave said...
Just realised I didn't mention the score in the article - it was 2-0 for anybody who doesn't know.
 

 Anonymous said...
I know 1 man does not a team make, but how much of a difference would Deano have made?

Someone with his finishing would have put a few away, meaning possible premeiership points in many of the 7 games we have lost this year by only 1 goal.

Bring on January!!!
 

 norven munky said...
my thoughts :-

1) konchy is shit
2) tevez is class but while he is an opportunity creator of the highest order, a goal scorer he is not (and corner kicks aren't his forte either).
3) konchy is shit
4) marlon's note told tevez that the girl in the green blouse in art class likes him.
5) bowyer looks knackered a lot..he should speak to NRC about how not to get knackered but still get paid.
6) mashie is not gonna shine when given 10 mins at the end.
7) konchy is shit
 

 Dave said...
Don't actually think Konchy played too bad - quite well in fact.
 

 whubris said...
Player ratings

Green 6 - should have saved the second, but otherwise very good. Green gives me lots of confidence, I totally dig his 'tude, man - looks like he thinks he could walk on water, which is what you want in a keeper. Follows through on his decisions. IMO is/will be our best keeper for years
Konchy 6 - average, still shit crossing
Ferdinand 6 - inconsistent, showed sparks but made bad mistakes
Collins 6 - pretty good, provides a threat going forward too, but some mistakes
Spector 6 - had his side pretty well sewn up OK
Ethers 7 - great in first half
Mullins 5 - I may get raked for this but I thought he was shit - definitely at fault for their first goal and absent for many of their attacks. Looked lazy.
NRC 7 - one of his better days, especially in the second half
Bowyer 6 - decent but tired, bad miss too
Tevez 8 - brilliant, he was everywhere and looked real class. Best of all he was on the same wavelength as everybody else.
Zamora 5 - worked really hard but the game passed him by

Masher 5 - frustrating
Harewood 6 - no impact
Sheringham 6 - looked good
 

 beggers said...
Harewood needs to play up front with Tevez. He knows how to score but he hardly gets a start these days? Why? It's seems obvious that Bobby's luck has run out. Bring Bobby on with 25 mins to go.

We desperately need an in form Yossi to supply the strikers with 'the killer pass'. Most of blokes in the team couldn't pass wind at the moment. Plus Yossi is worth a goal or two. I don't know why he isn't playing? I can only imagine he's injured? I'd like to see Yossi play more in the centre as well. He need to see the ball more.

Didn't think we played that bad but we just don't seem to have that bit of extra grit we had last season. Everton are a decent side but they were there for the taking and we've let another game slip away IMO.

Mllins and NRC, sigh! Mullins works hard and as a defensive mid-fielder, he's ok. Still think the Argie would be better for us in the long run. NRC is supposed to be the 'box to box' central mid-fielder, but I just don't see it! If anything he's more defensive orientated, so who's going to create anything through the middle? He won't get dropped because he's Captain and that's killing us IMO. I think he's a real weak link. And as for the Captain thing, he's not good enough nor inspirational enough. 15 mill looks like a steal, sell him in Jan I'm over him. I think he's another Ince anyway. Put Yossi in the middle with Mullins or Masher, but it won't happen. Shit even Bowyer in the middle! How did he miss?

All in all very disappointing.

I read somewhere that this is our 19th away game in a row where we haven't won. We've set a lot of club records this season, all for the wrong reasons.

Wigan on Wednesday then a couple of easy games against Bolton and Manure.

I believe we can get something out of all these games but that's maily because I have blind faith in WEST HAM. Wished it was based on form and quality of the players. Sigh.
 

 whubris said...
OK beggers, let's see here..

Harewood does need to start - I can't believe he is still languishing on the bench while Zamora rides on the wave of his early performances. Bobby is a great support player but we need someone to bang 'em in, and Harewood does that.

Not so sure I agree about Yossi. His form has been awful. Ethers, Bowyer, and the forwards are passing the ball around very well - what we need is to defend better in central midfield. Having said that I'm surprised Yossi doesn't even get a run, as if he can find some good form he should be an automatic starter. Maybe he's not playing well in the reserves/training.

NRC has been riding his reputation for the whole season. He is not the player we thought he was. He is too big headed and pompous to work hard - and by that I don't just mean running about. Get rid. If we can get 15 mil for him we're laughing.
 

 Dave said...
Not sure where everybody is getting this mascher call up shit from - since hayden has come back our season has got off the ground and was voted hands down the player of the month for November. IMO we're not the same team without him.
 

 Melbournehammer said...
Dave, I think Mascherano and Mullins should be given the opportunity to play together.Why is everyone, including Pardew, thinking that they cannot play together?

Mascher needs game time.Have a look at the improvement Tevez has shown in the last few games.My team for Wigan would be
Green
Spector Anton Collins Macca
Yossi Mascher Mullins Ethers
Harewood Tevez

Can't see it happening though NRC and Konch will keep their places.
 

 Dave said...
Could be a goer melbs however I too think NRC will never be dropped.
 

 whubris said...
Bugger that, it's time to go for it. 3 at the back, Muggs and Mash holding the midfield, Ethers, Yossi and Bowyer pushing up, with TV and Harewood up front. I don't know why teams don't play 3 at the back much these days. Seems to me half the time the back line has a player who doesn't have a place to be - hence the attacking fullbacks.
 

 Anonymous said...
Two unconvincing sides – anything could happen.

Hopefully 0 – 2 happens.
 

 Dave said...
0 - 2 did happen if you put our score first :-(