Sunday, December 31, 2006

 

Where is the light at the end of the tunnel??

I don't see it :-(

West Ham 0 - 1 Man City

I honestly think we are done for. We just can't bloody get our act together. Pardew got a win for Charlton against villa and there is less distance between them and us now as there is between us and 17th. I'm sorry but this season has relelgation written all over it. Oh yeah and Sheffield Utd beat Arsenal!

And for those thinking don't worry Deano will save us:

1. We'll be lucky if we see any form out of Deano this year.

2. I don't think Deano will be at the club next season because of the catastrophy of this season. Can you see him staying even if we do stay up? It's rotten because we have not seen him play a full season at West Ham and I was really excited about that prospect this year.

We've had some devastating luck this season and the confidence and free flowing football of last season is a distant memory.

Why was it Dailly who came into the side to replace Konchesky? I assume McCartney must be injured? Shame cos I think a few people wanted to see what he'd do in Konchesky's absence.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

 

Reality Check! West Ham 1 - 2 Portsmouth

Apparently this was dismal! A dreadful first half saw Linvoy Primas (a player who has not scored in 174 matches) bag two goals from two set plays to give the Hammers a mountain to climb. The hammers tried in vain to get back into the match and were given a lifeline when Sheringham scored in the 80th minute. But it wasn't to be and neither was it deserved from what I've heard.

Looks like we are gonna have to start digging in to get out of trouble cos we are well in it.

** On a positive note it was great to see so many Brisbane Hammers out for the Fulham game at the weekend. I counted about thirty heads and that is fantastic. Good effort lads - see you all next time.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

 

Scoreless at Fulham

That was a pretty decent result. I thought Fulham edged the match in general but we definitely had the better chances. The first 20 minutes or so were brilliant, and in particular I thought Mullins had a really good game. It's a long way to go yet and a win would have been much better but it's not too bad - and it's another clean sheet.

PLAYER RATINGS

Green 8 - First class again.
Konchy 7 - A really good game and the red was undeserved.
Ferdinand 7 - defended well but lost his man in the first half nearly resulting in a goal.
Dailly 6 - started off poorly but got into the game later. Good in the air.
Spector 7 - another fine performance.
Ethers 7 - A real threat. Work rate is good too.
Mullins 7 - More involved than usual and good positioning in general. I'm very pleased about his game.
NRC 7 - The pressure is having a positive effect. More please (performance, that is, not pressure)
Bowyer 7 - Worked hard and a key figure in our game.
Zamora 6 - Typical Z man performance. Worked hard but little came off for him.
Harewood 6 - Good but not as involved as I would have liked.

Yossi 6 - Tried, but has lost his fine footwork from last season.
Sheringham 6 - not much chance
McCartney 6 - filled in

Saturday, December 23, 2006

 

Brisbane Hammers Xmas Bash @ Pig n Whistle Sat 23rd Dec!

The Brisbane Hammers are gonna get together next Saturday night to watch the Fulham match @ the Pig n Whistle, Eagle St.



Please make an extra special effort to get yourselves down there - some of you we have not seen since the Palermo game or even the cup final and it would be great to have a pre-xmas get together. It is a formidable early kick off time of 10:45pm - we will be there from 10pm so no excuses not to come along and share a pint or 8.

Let me know if you are planning on joining us by emailing me @ brisbanehammers@hotmail.com or leaving a comment on the thread.

Be there or be square!

Come on you Irons!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

 

This n That

After their Carling Cup defeat by Wycombe Wanders, Charlton fans chanted for Alan Pardew to replace Les Reed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arsene Wenger was fined £10,000 for his wankery against us recently. He was also warned about his future behaviour. He chose not to appeal saying :-

"After the [West Ham] game I said I was wrong and I regretted what I did and I accepted the punishment"

Two days later he was charged with improper conduct during the game against Portsmouth and banished to the stands for the 2nd half. Wenger's comments about that incident (made before he was charged by the FA :-

"I find it quite scandalous considering what I have seen in the corridors the last 10 years, it is difficult to explain and accept. I will not accept any charge on that incident. I feel that strongly about it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder has revealed that he could have signed Didier Drogba for West Ham United for £1million.
Roeder, who was in charge of the Hammers at the time, had identified the Ivorian whilst playing for lowly Guingamp in the French league.

A deal was reportedly in place, with one proviso - the Hammers stay up. West Ham failed, and were relegated on the final day of the 2002/3 season, and leaving behind what would have been a sensational transfer.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

 

Ashton comeback delayed

c+p BBC

West Ham striker Dean Ashton may not make his comeback from a broken ankle until February.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury at the start of the season and many believe his absence has contributed to West Ham's poor form this term.

He was planning to return in January but new manager Alan Curbishley says that is unlikely.

"He won't begin serious training until the end of January or early February," he told the Evening Standard.

Ashton arrived at Upton Park from Norwich at the start of the year and made an instant impact, helping the club reach the FA Cup final and finish in the top half of the Premiership.

Monday, December 18, 2006

 

Where have you been? WHUFC 1-0 MUFC

Normal service has resumed? Well not quite. Frankly this was a bittersweet victory to me. Sweet because we really, really, REALLY needed the three points, and because it's always great to get a result against a top club, but bitter because it served mostly to illustrate just how, well, shit the team has been lately. What a contrast. With a great result like that I'm even more concerned about another shit display against Fulham.

Is it Curbishley? I don't know - maybe they just want to impress him because they are worried about their places on the team. Maybe he really can get them motivated again. Let's hope so. In the meantime I am very concerned that this was just one of those anomalies that this frustrating West Ham side are so capable of producing.

We know they can do it. They just don't do it week in and week out. That's what pisses me off.

Well, I love to get a win against the Mancs, so let's enjoy it.

PLAYER RATINGS

Green 8 - OK, so he fumbled once or twice, but he was there when it mattered, and have I mentioned that I like his attitude? This guy is first class - our best keeper since Shaka's first spell IMO.
Konchy 6 - Defended well, and didn't give TOO many balls away.
Ferdinand 7 - Massive.
Collins 7 - Also excellent.
Spector 7 - Never gave up despite constant pressure.
Etherington 7 - Great early on but deservedly subbed.
Mullins 6 - Defended well generally but gave us a couple of scares as well.
NRC 6 - Here is where I will get contentious. OK, it was a good late run in for his goal. But silence his critics? No. The stats after the game were telling - he completed 17 passes, as compared to Scholes' 44, and Scholes is old enough to be NRC's great grandpa. He just doesn't contribute. Where was he when Harewood was getting shirty? Was he calming the big fella down to prevent him getting a yellow? Not that I saw. Leader my arse. He barely made a contribution, and the run to goal is what I'd expect him to do time and time again.
Bowyer 6 - Decent enough.
Harewood 7 - Got stuck in like the Harewood of old. Welcome back Marlon. Good assist.
Zamora 6 - Worked tirelessly but really should have buried that chance.

Ringo 7 - Deserves a start ahead of Konchy despite a couple of errors.
Yossi 6 - Good pass to the wing for the goal, otherwise not really involved.
Teddy 7 - Used his guile well.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

 

Curbs Hired!!

In the fastest turn around of management I've ever seen Alan Curbishly has been hired as West Ham boss. I think this is the right decision. Thoughts please...

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

 

Curbs Wants Job!

Alan Curbishly has come out and put himself forward for the West Ham job. The Man who turned us down 5 years ago due to his commitments with Charlton is now a free agent and he claims he now wants the job and he is flattered his name has been linked.

Watch this space!

 

Pards Gone!

I feel a little sad writing this as I like the guy and he had the right attitude but Alan Pardew has been sacked as West Ham manager. It probably had to happen eventually but I really wish him well. On one hand it is great the board have acted decisively but at the same I'm a little worried that our past actions of sticking by our managers (we have had the fewest in football) will not be maintained.

We need to find the right man and fast.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

 

Who do you Think you are Kidding Mr Pardew???

If you think Christian Dailly is ever an answer??? And furthermore when has he ever been a midfielder? When have you ever put him midfield and we haven't got a total arse whipping? Remember Bolton last year when we lost 4-1? So why do it again??

Pardew has completely lost my respect for that team selection. That was one of the most sickening performances I've ever had to endure and I've seen a few!

Read it and weap

Bolton 4 - 0 West Ham

Friday, December 08, 2006

 

Our Only Chance of Getting to Europe this Year!

http://www.whufc.com/articles/article.php?page_id=8576

Thursday, December 07, 2006

 

West Ham 0 - 2 Wigan

Well there goes the home form - I think I warned of this earlier this week. I also mentioned a lack of cutting edge - I think that is still apparent. I also called for Harewood to be partnered alongside Tevez and he was but we got no reward for it. Wigan came to Upton Park with a game plan to stop us attacking and we had no answer to it.

The itself doesn't worry me - we always lose to Wigan at home because they always play the same game plan which we have no answer to. The first time they came to Upton Park we won 4-0 - they did their homework and worked out how to stop that happening again. What concerns me is our next two fixtues Bolton away and Man U at home and our league position - we are now in the relegation zone. We never get anything from Bolton and we'll be lucky to do Man U the way they are playing.

I'm a touch worried. :-(

Monday, December 04, 2006

 

FA Cup 3rd Round Draw: Brighton @ Home

Bobby Zamora will face his old club early January as we look to repeat our FA Cup feats of last season and maybe go one better and win the thing. This is our last chance to win a trophy this season and it would be nice to get through more than one round in this one after early exits in both the league cup and Uefa Cup.

A home draw against anybody is a bonus and I don't expect Brighton to cause us too many problems although I've seen it all before and the way this season is going who knows.

 

Away Hoodoo Continues!

Everton 2 - 0 West Ham

Having dominated with 59% of the play up at Everton this morning, forgive me if I'm a little sour that we failed yet again to get a point away from home. Our lack of cutting edge in front of goal is a little concerning and quite frankly I can not wait for Deano's anticipated return in January. There is little wrong with our endeavour and approach play which is apparent by the fact that had no fewer than 12 corners in the first half. 14 shots on goal in the match yet none hit the back of the net - a cause for concern that Pards cannot ignore. I also think some of blame lies at his feet. Tevez and Zamora both have qualities in abundance but neither are prolific in front of goal of late. I'd like to see Harewood given a run alongside Tevez and given the opportunity to gather some scoring form. He scored the winner at Arsenal a few weeks ago yet has barely had a sniff of action since.

One place above the relegation zone leaves us relying on the continuation of our recent home form in order to stay out of trouble - if that deteriorates then we could well be in it.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

 

Prediction: Everton Away

I don't need to say too much here. We're one place above the relegation zone and we've not yet won away from home this season. Everton are in a bit of a freefall and have their top two players Tim Cahill & Andy Johnson out injured so this is probably the best time to play them.

I fancy us to nick this one 2-1.