Interesting article in the Times here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/west_ham/article1449877.ece
that Terry Brown is about to resign and relinquish all ties with West Ham (bout bloody time!) which looks ominous for us over the points deduction scandal.

By Lewis Rutledge (Skysports)

Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed calls to cut ticket prices in the Premiership.

Premiership attendances have fallen this season while the cost of tickets have risen, but clubs such as Bolton and Blackburn have announced they will be reducing prices next term.

Almost 80 MPs have signed a motion in protest at the escalating prices, and have suggested clubs take advantage of increased television revenue next season and slash costs.

Blair believes Premiership clubs should make sure ordinary supporters can afford to attend matches, and insists the solution is 'pretty clear'.

"Anybody who watches the Premiership will just notice, over the past year or couple of years, the rows of empty seats," Blair said on Sky Sports News.

"It is something I don't recall seeing in the same way four or five years back.

"I think there are very sensible market-based reasons for the people to make sure the ticket prices aren't beyond the reach of the ordinary fans.

"After all it is the ordinary fans that have really built the club.

"So it is a decision for them, but I think the logic of it is pretty clear."

I would like to do this but I think I'd prefer it if we just made it an "Aussie Hammers" shirt (similar thing but with Australia in place of Qld). What do y'all say?



(the following is posted on behalf of Beggers)

You may remember there was talk of getting shirts made up a few weeks ago on
the blog. Since then I've sussed out a sportswear company next to my work
and they can do Brisbane Hammers shirts for around $25 - 30 plus a $40 set
up fee. So with some postage I expect the cost would be about $30 -35/
shirt.

This quote was based on a white collared shirt with the Brissie Hammers logo
on the front, top LHS, crossed hammers on the RHS sleeve, in claret, and
crossed hammers on the back of the collar with WHUFC, in small letters
underneath, again, all in claret. We need a minimum of 20 shirts to place an
order.

Is there any chance you could post something on the blog for me to see if
anybodies interested. They can contact me on beggers@hotmail.com

Later

Gaz (beggers)

The Sunday People in the UK are linking Graeme Souness with West Ham here: http://www.westham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=53562
I can't stand Souness. evil, evil man but he would certainly motivate the players.
Methinks he would terrify most of them!
This is almost definately just bullshit paper talk but what if it were true?
I dunno if I could support West Ham under Souness, what about you lot?

I’ve come on here this morning for the first time since the Charlton game and as I expected emotion has run high and people have some very strong opinions on what should be done. With this in mind I’d like to bring a little objectivity to the table.

Looking at statistics alone it suggests Curbishley has done little to deserve holding on to a job that has proved a safe seat for most over the last one hundred years. But has he really had a fair crack of the whip? If he were to go; what then? I’m all ears for reasonable suggestions but thus far I’ve only heard ridiculous ramblings of Ranieri/Vialli, El Tel and Super Slaven Bilic. We have to face facts we are now a Championship team and in Curbishley we have a manager who is surely better than the likes of Dennis Wise, Mick McCarthy and Billy Davies. We are not Barcelona – nobody of any kind of calibre is going to take our manager’s job at this particular junction of our illustrious history.

Curbs has inherited a team that were not doing particularly well. Whilst he has done little to improve the situation he has not exactly had optimum conditions in which to do so. In January we looked like we were going to have to field a youth team defence due to the incredible injury crisis we had in our back line. So Curbs and Eggy decide to spend big on proven defenders – Upson, Neill & Davenport. The former two lasted just twenty odd minutes into their debuts whilst the later started off with a bang but now seems the West Ham despair has intoxicated him.

I can almost guarantee those who are now calling for Curbishley’s head were calling for Pardew’s earlier in the season. I stated at the time that my patience with Pardew was running thin but I did not know whether getting rid was the solution or not. I feel I am at a similar junction now but to me there seems to be no back up plan so we have to give the man a chance to do his own thing. Curbishley has done little to endear himself to me. The signings of Boa Morte and Quashie seem blind and rumours of player squabbles and grudges if true seem infantile and suggest an ego beyond his achievements.

The team seem to currently have no idea what to do – maybe that is the manager’s fault. But when Pardew was in charge the team this season looked less than ordinary – does this not suggest that maybe the manager is not to blame? The owners have changed, the manager has changed and still we are playing shite! The only remaining constant are the players and the fans.

Is it our fault? Maybe. Tell me how you think you would work if every time you made a decision in the work place that didn’t have the desired effect, people demanded you were sacked, called you a useless cunt and painted you up in the media as a clown? Managers say the West Ham job is a high pressure job and the demands and expectation of the fans can be a heavy burden – clubs like Charlton & Bolton are teams of equal standing yet their managers do not carry the same demands as we enforce on ours.

Is it the players fault? Definitely! The same group of players who lead us to an FA Cup final last year have been consistently underperforming all season, failing to reach their peak performance and confidence levels we have had the privilege to watch and call our team. Some have become complacent, some outspoken and disrespectful to their peers.

So with relegation now a certainty and many players who have let us down sure to be demanding a transfer in May, it is time for West Ham to get rid of the dead wood and build a new team capable of winning automatic promotion at the first attempt. I think we have little choice but to give Curbishley a season to attempt that role.

c/p The Sunday People (UK)

Curbs P11 W1 D3 L7 F8 A22 Diff-14 Pts 6
Pards P17 W4 D2 L11 F10 A24 Diff-14 Pts 14

Pards was sacked on his stats above and his % success rate was 27.45 compared with 18.18 from Curbs.
The team has played shite all season under both managers.
Eggy do the right thing and sack Curbs now.
I know we are going down and this is academic and I ain't calling for Pards to return but believe me we ain't coming back up with this joker.
He proved without a shadow of a doubt last night that he is a clueless excuse of a manager with no tactical ideas and seemingly no motivational impetus.
He is simply out of his depth and should be removed immediately.
Goodbye and shut the door on your way out.

CURBS OUT.
PROVE ME WRONG IN THE SECOND HALF OR FUCK OFF OR RESIGN.
IF THAT IS 2 WEEKS INTENSIVE DOUBLE TRAINING THEN YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
GET AWAY FROM MY FUCKING TEAM YOU USELESS CUNT

I'm gonna go out and predict categorically without hesitation that Carlos Tevez will score tonight.
2-1 to the Cockney Boys. 1-0 at half-time as usual, just so we all shit our pants ('tis the West Ham way after all)

Live from The Valley 3pm London time Saturday February 24

KO 1am Saturday night/Sunday morning Brisbane!
(We will be at the pub from 10pm.)

This one is definately confirmed!



This game will be do or die for the not so happy at the moment hammers. Ensure you pull out all the stops to make it a big night and get yourselves down the pig n whistle - hopefully the hammers will replay your faith and give you some hope for survival this season. The game pits two neck and neck relegation favourites whereby each manager will be facing their former employers to add extra spice to the occasion.



Pig n Whistle
123 Eagle St
Brisbane




Be there or be square! Come on you Irons!

Source - Matthew Coker from KUMB

Says it all really, fantastic writing

After a week’s sabbatical due to non involvement in the FA Cup (in which West Ham have FA interest), it is back to the league programme. In theory, this is last chance saloon, a game against Charlton Athletic, who have only managed to obtain as many points as us so far, but I’ll go further into my ideas on just how important this game at the end, when I predict the score.

The facts of the matter are that we kick off on Saturday afternoon at 3pm, at the Valley. Our opponents are currently one place behind us in the league, though they have the same points tally of 20, but with an inferior goal difference of three. However, as I am sure you are aware, our respective points total is not the only thing that the two clubs have in common.

Charlton started the season with a new manager after their boss of 15 years, Alan Curbishley had amicably left the Valley technical area with parting applause ringing in his ears. After reportedly missing out on Billy Davies, Charlton plumped for the services of the Palace manager, Iain Dowie. The unsightly replacement lasted just 12 Premiership games before being dismissed, for reasons alleged to be as much to do with his explosive temper as the team’s poor on field performances. Next up was Les Reed who lasted just 41 days, in which time, he demonstrated the ability to see only good in every Charlton performance, despite his less than successful string of results. His exit paved the way for the appointment of one Alan Pardew, who it appears is carrying on in the way any West Ham fan would expect, by sorting it aht.

Results wise, Charlton have recorded just four home league victories, at the end of last year over Aston Villa, and pre-Pardew against Blackburn, Man City and Bolton (back in August). They have also drawn with Everton, Fulham and Watford at the Valley but only the first of those has come under the latest coach. He did, however, mastermind their solitary away league victory, at Fratton Park last month. The latest run of results has not been great, their last six league games have resulted in the four defeats, a draw and the win at Portsmouth. However, their fixture list in this time has been horrific, away to Arsenal, Man Yoo and Bolton (where they drew) and at home to Chelsea make up the lion’s share of the run.

The performances under Pardew have given the supporters cause for enthusiasm. They feel that the run of results has been that of a mid table side and they are impressed with their team’s enthusiasm and the combination of both effective yet attractive play and most of their fans go into this game with the belief that their side is capable of getting something.

Their coach, Alan Pardew, needs no introduction as he started the season as West Ham manager. He will be fondly remembered as the coach that took us back after to the big time via our second play off final and few people could complain about last season. There are too may highlights to dwell on but taking us to the cup final, his Dad at a Wedding dance at the semi and the performance at Highbury should be enough to make most Hammers smile.

This season got off to a nightmare start with a disastrous run of eight consecutive defeats including a Carling Cup exit at Chesterfield. Issues out of his control included the change of club ownership and the arrival of Tevez and Mascherano in a blaze of glory and he seemed to have contributed to his own downfall by being too loyal to several of his underperforming players. Further stories have come out regarding player unrest and there are also several rumours floating around regarding his personal life but whatever the reasons, Eggy decided to get shot of Pards swiftly and without ceremony.

Saturday will be our first chance to show our appreciation for this efforts and I’m sure that he’ll be in for a warm round of applause pre kick off on Saturday. If nothing else, he was the man who got Wenger into a scuffle and that deserves a shout on its own.

In goal is the highly rated Scott Carson, on loan from Liverpool. He has impressed all with a string of impressive performances and has been one of the players to consistently perform well throughout the entire season. Rumours suggest that L’Arse are sniffing around with a view to taking him out of Anfield in the summer, such as been his impact this year.

The back four will likely feature academy product, Osei Sankofa on the right, a central defensive pairing of Madjid Bougherra (acquired from Sheffield Wednesday for £2.5m in the latest transfer window) and Souleymane Diawara with notorious henchman, Ben Thatcher, on the left. There is a doubt over Bougherra, who sustained an injury in the last outing at Old Trafford so either Talal El Karkouri or Hermann Hreidarsson may start in his absence. Club captain Luke Young is likely to be fit to play but his lack of match fitness and the good form of his replacement may keep him out of the starting XI.

Charlton have experimented with a 4-4-2 and with a lone striker this season and either is possible for Saturday. One of the players likely to feature regardless is Matt Holland, who has relished under Pardew’s stewardship. His tendency to graft and his unrelenting commitment to the cause have endeared him to the home crowd, particularly of late.

Alongside him in midfield is likely to be Alexander Song, on loan from L’Arse, in the deeper holding role after a decent debut at Old Trafford in the last outing. Other options include disappointing summer signing from Newcastle, Amdy Faye or another possible home debutant, current Chinese footballer of the year and national team captain, creative midfielder, Zheng Zhi. ZZ, as he has been christened by the home fans, makes up a nice “three-for-a-tenner” Chinese Premiership trio with compatriots, Sun Jihai (Man City) and Sheffield United’s Li Tie.

There is plenty of width in the Charlton line up, but much of it is of dubious quality. The most talented could be Dennis Rommedahl, the Dane, who has class on his day, but his day seems to come as infrequently as his goal contributions; his Charlton tally is a mere 6 in 78 appearances. There may be a return for Andy Reid, if he is able to shrug off a hamstring injury. The former Sp*rs and Nottingham Forest player can certainly be described as a wide player but anyone who saw his wonder goal for Forest at the Boleyn during our last stint in the lower league will be aware that we need to respect him more than you would think from his physical appearance. Winger, Jerome Thomas is also a contender for some involvement and possesses both skill and the ability to cross a decent ball.

Upfront, collective Charlton breaths will be held for the return from knee injury of Darren Bent. He remains the club’s top scorer with a tally of 11 goals this campaign, despite a lengthy injury lay off and the supporters will be hoping that he can return to the side, and to form, as soon as possible. Bent is a two footed player who has an abundance of pace, particularly over distance. He is fairly adroit in the air, due to being able to jump well rather than any particular height advantage (he’s 5ft 11) but key to his goalscoring is his ability to shoot on site, either from outside the box or within. One to watch if he returns.

Alongside him will be his namesake, Marcus Bent. He is less prolific than Dazza, having only bagged a solitary League finish in the current campaign but he is held in high regard by the supporters, having been placed in the thankless lone striker role where he has put in a high level of graft and commitment and held the line well. Other options include the less than enthusiastic figure of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, youth team product, Kevin Lisbie and former Newcastle man, Darren Ambrose.


When I last sat down to write one of these previews (pre Watford), West Ham were doing an impression of a hitchhiker in the pissing rain (ie we were in desperate need of a lift). Continuing in that image, we are looking like the same man standing by the roadside, who has realised that no one will be stopping for him. Now if this man takes it too seriously, the passing wheels of a speeding juggernaut may seem the target to chuck yourself under (thumb first, of course) but when he stops and reflects, it'll make more sense to shrug off his misfortune and head to the local hosiery for comfort (well, it always works for me).

You see, win, lose or draw on Saturday, I am resigned to a collision course with the good ship, Champion, some time between now and May. In all honesty, we’ve not had enough about us at any point this season to look worthy of staying up and we are now looking for miracles in terms of points and a 180 degree turnaround in terms of performances.

I, personally, think that even if we were to find the football genie in the lamp and that he was to grant us sufficient numbers of three points to better three of our rivals, then the FA would intervene and Carlos and Javier would cost us our place. It has been that sort of year.

Whilst relegation is never as bad as you think it will be, it does make wishing for survival this year a bit of a waste of time. Let’s face it, if Curbs was running the Dog and Duck Sunday morning team (and we do an admirable impersonation at times), this would be the stage when he phoned up the league chairman and withdrew, citing player disinterest as the reason leaving our future opponents with a 3-0 win and a Sunday morning lie in.

Unfortunately, the Premiership rolls on for another three months so there is a need to look for some alternative ambitions before the summer. I personally am hoping to see the following:-

1. A Carlos Tevez goal for West Ham. Despite popular opinion, he is not the messiah and he is neither the cure nor the cause of the problems. However, as well as being a fantastic footballer, he is certainly industrious and he has given us plenty more effort and commitment than we could have reasonably asked for. For the sweat alone he deserves to pop his cherry and when that strike comes, I suspect it will be celebrated as though it had just won the cup.
2. Victory over one (or more) of Sp*rs, Arsenal and Chelsea. Just to shut the twats at work up for one Monday morning.
3. An already relegated West Ham side putting in yet another “obscene” level of performance to stop ManUSA winning the league on the closing day. I admit that of the contenders, I’d prefer them to come out on top, but I think that we’ve all suffered enough this season to justify enjoying someone else’s misery first hand.

Finally, I don’t want this to read as though I’ve given up all together. My hope of staying up has gone but my support for West Ham continues, I’ll still be at as many games, still hoping that we win, still singing Bubbles as loudly as I can, still West Ham 'til I die. As any supporter knows, suffering the bad times makes the good times that much sweeter and I’m sure they’ll be a few smiles on the way this season and plenty more beyond that.

In respect of a score for this game, I’m going to go 2-1 to Charlton but as always when I predict a defeat, I hope I’m wrong.

Enjoy the game.

Source: Skysports

West Ham striker Dean Ashton could be thrown back into Premiership action as early as next week. The England striker has missed the whole season after breaking his ankle whilst on international duty in August.

The Hammers have missed his presence hugely, but he looks set to hand them a timely boost by making a return.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has revealed that Ashton could play a reserve team game early next week, which could signal his return to the first team fold. "Dean has started full running and it may be a question of taking a short cut with him so he might be involved a bit quicker," said Curbishley. "We've got a reserve game on Monday and he might be involved. He's been running fully for two weeks now as well as kicking a ball. "Sometimes you'd like to get a week of football work under his belt but he feels fit within himself. We'll push him hard over the weekend and see how we stand then."

My first prediction (well it was a hope more than a prediction) came true last night when Watford and Wigan drew 1-1. All we need now is to thump Charlton on Saturday and prove my prediction of a 1-1 draw wrong, here's hoping!

COME ON YOU IRONS!!!!!

The Premier League and FA's sanction of Argentine International Javier Mascherano's transfer to Liverpool has finally laid to rest the fear that West Ham could be docked points for fielding ineligible players. 'Mascher' joining up with Liverpool to play in the Champion's league will probably irk plenty of Hammers fans but at least his transfer will help end the countless speculation that the club were about to be penalised by the FA for contract irregularities. Although the threat of a points loss could well be turn out to have been academic anyway, at least it means that the forthcoming results will still have real significance and it is hoped that this small glimmer of light might just be the turning point that West Ham fans around the globe are hoping will trigger a miraculous recovery. "Good enough for Liverpool, not good enough for West Ham". These words may come back to haunt us.

c/p The Mirror - UK

SLAVEN BILIC would jump at the chance of a dramatic return to West Ham as the pressure mounts on under-fire boss Alan Curbishley.

Curbishley is believed to be three games from the sack after his disastrous three-month spell in charge has left West Ham stuck in the relegation zone - and the former Hammers defender is on his hit-list of potential successors.

And Mirror Sport can reveal Bilic, who masterminded Croatia's Euro 2008 qualifying win over England last year, is keen and watching developments with great interest.

Bilic was on Eggert Magnusson's list of candidates when he hired Curbishley - and the Icelandic owner is considering a change before it is too late.

Interesting rumour below but can't see it happening.
Other rumours around that Curbs has 3 games left before Eggy wields the Axe!

c/p Sunday Mirror

TERRY Venables is the shock name on West Ham United's short-list to replace Alan Curbishley if new owner Eggert Magnusson decides to wield the axe.

Curbishley's future has already been discussed at board level and could become untenable if the Hammers' slump continues against their fellow-strugglers Charlton on Saturday.

Venables, who was born in Dagenham, is currently England's assistant-coach.

But Magnusson believes he might be tempted by the challenge of trying to keep West Ham up.

West Ham's first choice is former Upton Park defender Slaven Bilic, who is currently enjoying success as Croatia's head coach.

Two articles - maybe Eggie got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
c+p sky sports

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson is considering legal action as the club waits to see whether they will be docked points.

Argentine duo Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez joined The Hammers in August in a deal which initially raised hopes of UEFA Champions League football, but could now threaten the club's Premiership status.

They were brought to the Premiership by businessman Kia Joorabchian and his investment company MSI, who own the rights to the duo.

However, West Ham could be penalised if they are found guilty of breaching Premier League regulations, which prevent the signing of players owned by a third party who could have the 'ability materially to influence a club's policies or the performance of its teams'.

West Ham are now anxiously waiting to discover their fate but new owner Eggert Magnusson may decide to launch a lawsuit if the club is hit by a points deduction, as the deal transpired under the regime of former chairman Terence Brown.

"We are awaiting developments before we talk about lawsuits and suing," a spokesman told The Daily Express.

In the 1990s the Football Association accepted Sir Alan Sugar's argument that Tottenham's 12-point penalty for irregular loan payments should be wiped out because they occurred during the reign of previous owners.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c+p theworldgame

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has criticised former manager Alan Pardew and claimed there had been a growing rift in the Upton Park dressing room.

Pardew was sacked as Hammers boss in December after a series of bad results and was replaced days later by Alan Curbishley who left The Valley last northern summer after almost 15 years in charge of Charlton.

The pair will come face to face next weekend with both sides desperate for points in a relegation battle at The Valley.

Magnusson told the News of the World: "There was no purpose to talk about it publicly at the time."

"But the key factor was something was just not right in the dressing room."

"Tension had been building between the players and the manager for a while."

"There was a cancer we had to cut off."

Spurs have been smacked back down to earth after (yet again) being disillusioned into thinking they are a big club. Recently they have made an audacious bid to land Brazilian striker Robinho and have been categorically rejected!

Robinho stated "Reports that I'd move to Tottenham are wide of the mark. If I had to leave Real, I'd choose to join another a big club. I don't regard Tottenham Hotspur as a big club."

It's nice that even when our chips are down that those prats round the corner give us something to smile about.

Charlton -v- West Ham

Saturday February 24, Midnight, 12:00 am kick off .

Floreat Athena Football Club,
Britannia Road,
Mt Hawthorn.
Free admission - families welcome.

We all know the importance of this game. Thanks to our friends at Floreat for hosting this game. Despite recent poor turnouts they are willing to stay open and show this game. Having canvassed you all beforehand, it is really important that you come along and show your support for what we have here in Perth.

We need a win and a change in fortune to turn things around. It is not looking good but there are many of us who have been here many times before - so come along, you are in good company!!!

Lets keep positive and hope for the best.

Peter

C&P KUMB

Tuesday, 13th February 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

More than half of West Ham United supporters would like to see Alan Curbishley replaced as manager, according to a KUMB poll. A snap poll taken in the wake of United's 1-0 home defeat against Watford on Saturday saw a record 57% of voters call for Curbishley - who has been in the job for less than three months - to be sacked with immediate effect.

Curbishley's disastrous start to his tenure has seen the Hammers win just one league game since he replaced Alan Pardew - that being his first game in charge against Manchester United, a result the former Chalrton boss readily conceded he had little hand in.

Since then United have picked up just three points in the league leaving them five points adrift of 17th-placed Wigan with just 11 games left to play. The only other win under Curbishley came against League One outfit Brighton in the FA Cup.

The appointment of the Canning Town-born boss was greeted initially with a certain amount of scepticism by Hammers supporters who felt that Eggert Magnusson's contacts should have merited a higher-profile arrival to succeed Pardew, who was fired on December 11th.

The recent run of awful results - plus a string of stories highlighting problems between Curbishley and his playing squad - have increased the dissatisfaction amongst supporters who have simply had enough of what has proved to be a wretched season - despite the high-profile arrival of Carlos Tevez, and the long-awaited removal of Terence Brown as chairman (and subsequent purchase by the cash-rich Icelandic consortium).

The KUMB poll result represents the highest percentage ever calling for the dismissal of a current manager; Alan Pardew, even during the darkest days of the Championship never managed to exceed more than 30% in favour of his replacement.

Poll Results

For Curbishley - 32%

Against - 57%

Unsure - 9% (total 337 votes)

After saying that I wasn't gonna predict anymore I went to the BBC Predictor here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/predictor/default.stm
and filled it in.
I've been generous with us beating Boro & Everton later in the season but if you
do this it's actually good therapy & has made me realise that it's far from over ;-)
I actually think there's 5 teams in it:
West Ham, Man City, Sheff Utd, Charlton & Watford.
On my predictions we're 6 points adrift at the end of the season.
Obviously many of you will disagree with my predictions but you must agree
that when you lay it out like this, it is tight and we still have a chance ;-)

COME ON YOU IRONS!!!!

Key games below:

21st Feb
Watford 1 Wigan 1
24th Feb
Charlton 1 West Ham 1
Liverpool 2 Sheff Utd 1
Watford 0 Everton 0
25th Feb
Wigan 2 Newcastle 1
28th Feb
Arsenal 3 Man City 0
3rd Mar
Man City 2 Wigan 1
Sheff Utd 1 Everton 1
Watford 0 Charlton 0
4th Mar
West Ham 1 Tottenham 1
14th Mar
Man City 1 Chelsea 2
17th Mar
Blackburn 1 West Ham 0
Charlton 1 Newcastle 1
Chelsea 2 Sheff Utd 1
Boro 2 Man City 1
Tottenham 2 Watford 1
Wigan 2 Fulham 1
31st Mar
Bolton 2 Sheff Utd 1
Charlton 1 Wigan 1
Newcastle 1 Man City 0
Watford 0 Chelsea 2
West Ham 1 Boro 0
6th April
Man City 1 Charlton 0
7th April
Arsenal 1 West Ham 0
Boro 2 Watford 1
Sheff Utd 1 Newcastle 1
Wigan 1 Bolton 1
9th April
Villa 2 Wigan 1
Charlton 0 Reading 1
Fulham 1 Man City 0
Watford 1 Portsmouth 1
West Ham 0 Chelsea 1
10th April
Man Utd 3 Sheff Utd 1
14th April
Blackburn 2 Watford 1
Man City 1 Liverpool 2
Sheff Utd 1 West Ham 1
Wigan 1 Tottenham 0
15th April
Everton 1 Charlton 0
21st April
Charlton 0 Sheff Utd 0
Liverpool 2 Wigan 1
Watford 0 Man City 0
West Ham 1 Everton 0
28th April
Blackburn 2 Charlton 1
Man City 1 Villa 1
Sheff Utd 1 Watford 1
Wigan 1 West Ham 1
5th May
Villa 1 Sheff Utd 1
Charlton 1 Tottenham 1
Man City 1 Man Utd 1
Reading 2 Watford 0
West Ham 1 Bolton 1
Wigan 1 Boro 0
13th May
Liverpool 2 Charlton 0
Man Utd 2 West Ham 0
Sheff Utd 1 Wigan 1
Tottenham 2 Man City 1
Watford 0 Newcastle 0

Message from Eggie on the official site.

It has certainly been a baptism of fire since I took over the reins of this great football club a little over two months ago.

The results on the pitch have not been good enough, but I want you to know that my deputy Scott Duxbury, manager Alan Curbishley and I have been doing all we can to turn things around.

I think it fair to say we have invested what is a record for West Ham United in the transfer window and I honestly believe we have significantly improved what was already a talented squad here at Upton Park.

We have worked seven days a week, often into the small hours, trying to bring in the players who can ensure our survival in the Premiership. We are now entering a crucial period and the whole of the squad and the management team at the club is determined to succeed.

Our strategy for the transfer window has had to reflect the needs of the team and also the appalling run of injuries we have suffered. I think we have invested well, given the demands of this time of the season, and we have done so recognising the need to keep a balance in the overall squad. That includes preserving the club's wage structure and, despite some of the Press speculation, that is exactly what we have done.

For me, the club and our place in the top-flight is a passion and I know that my feelings do come through when I am watching a game - that is the way I am and I doubt it will ever change. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I care about this football club.

We have all had disappointments and frustrations in the last few weeks and there are moments in our games when I show my response - that is something I believe I share with everyone who loves this club. I also know how to enjoy our successes and I hope we will all have reason to do more of that in the weeks ahead.

It is true that recently we have been affected by some controversial referees' decisions too, but I am not one for excuses. What has happened has happened and that is now in the past. My focus is on the future.

Today's game is vital and in his column elsewhere in this programme Tony Gale calls it our Cup Final. I'm sure we can win this and launch ourselves into the run-in on a high note with your support and backing.

Since I joined the club, my wife and I have met many supporters and mixed with the local community at every opportunity. At every corner you can feel the goodwill and understand what this football club means to its fans.

I have met the players and talked to them often. I have seen them in training and have no doubt at all that they are a committed squad who only want to win matches. Our manager is the same and Alan and his support staff are truly focussed on the run of vital games ahead of us.

Your support is vital to them. Even during this difficult season our fans have taken up every ticket at away games and most of our home matches are sold out. That is an amazing tribute to your loyalty and feelings for West Ham United.

The players need that warmth and passion that is truly West Ham to help carry them through this difficult patch.

The players know from Alan that they must give everything, we all want the same thing here at the club - to improve our position in the table.

We are West Ham United and I am proud to be this club's chairman win, lose or draw. We are all in this together, staff, players and supporters.

There is an old adage we should remember at this difficult time. United we stand, divided we fall.

Let's go out there and roar the boys on to victory - thank you, on behalf of the club, for your support and your loyalty in these challenging times.

Best wishes, Eggert Magnusson

What more is there to say? Stop the season, please, I want to get off.

1 Man Utd 27 45 66
2 Chelsea 27 29 60
3 Liverpool 27 21 50
4 Arsenal 25 25 46
5 Bolton 26 3 44
6 Reading 27 7 43
7 Portsmouth 27 10 41
8 Everton 26 9 39
9 Newcastle 27 -2 36
10 Blackburn 27 -8 34
11 Tottenham 26 -8 33
12 Middlesbrough 27 -3 32
13 Aston Villa 27 -5 32
14 Fulham 26 -11 32
15 Sheff Utd 27 -12 30
16 Man City 26 -12 30
17 Wigan 25 -15 25
18 West Ham 27 -24 20
19 Charlton 27 -27 20
20 Watford 26 -22 18

Biggest rumour is that Carroll has been axed and Green is back.
Lucas Neil may return and Anton Ferdinand, Carlos Tevez and Carlton Cole may also all be available for selection. Another rumour is that Boa Morte will be dropped for Etherington and Quashie for Mullins.

Gonna stick my neck out on this one 2-0 to us, I predicted 2-1 last night but with Green in goal I predict a rare clean sheet but and it's a big but that's if that tosser Dailly is on the bench. If Dailly plays we'll concede a goal.

This started off as a reply to Beggers in the post about the Charlton Game at the Pig & Whistle, but has turned into a bit of an update.
Beggers, I'd really love to be there but next week I fly down to Melbourne with my family to see a surgeon who has recommended me for surgery on my back.
I had thought I was gonna have a spinal fusion in Brisbane (which is a major op) but it now looks like I will get a date from this Melbourne geezer next week for a less invasive op in the very near future :-)
2006 was a shite year for me health wise (I discovered I had a bony spur on one of my vertabrae that was pinching my sciatic nerve and my back went out 5 times) and this decision has at least made 2007 look brighter. All that needs to happen now is for West Ham to stay up and it could be the perfect year!
I just wanted to thank you all in this group for the general jovial banter and feeling of belonging. We all support the best team in the world and now I also feel like I've got some of the best mates too.

Cheers,

Si (beex)

PS - Put me down for one of those shirts please
PPS - Once I have a shiny new back I'll be at the Pig for every game

According to reports Upson's injury is just a small calf tear and he will back in 3 weeks time. Not sure if we can wait that long but news is Ferdinand will be back in time for the weekend. We must beat Watford this weekend and then we must win away to Charlton or relegation for me will be a formality.

I'm not sure what more can be said to motivate the players - I'm not entirely sure what Curbishley is saying to them but I hope whatever it is something clicks with them this week. If only Trevor Brooking were available to give one of his awe inspiring speaches - the best West Ham manager that never was.

I don't care what anybody says, West Ham just don't tick without him. He has been the rock on which our team has been built upon for the last few years and we do not flow without him in the side.

Take the start of the season. We weren't playing too badly, won our first game and would've expect more than a draw at Watford but still not too bad and were unlucky to lose up at Liverpool. Along come the Argies, Mascherano dislodges Mullins and West Ham start losing and didn't stop losing until Mullins was re-instated when we beat Blackburn and Arsenal.

When Curbs took over we beat Man United - a game in which Mullins covered the midfield very well. We then faced Fulham away in a game we should've won as we were playing free flowing effective football with Mullins running the midfield. We had a couple of exceptionally dodgy games over xmas and new year and Curbs brings in Quashie. This kid gives the ball away left right and centre! I thought against Liverpool we were diabolical - as a team we just couldn't hold the ball. And we were treated to much the same over the weekend - we did not even get behind their defence until the final 5 minutes.

So please Curbs bring back Mullins and lets get back to the free flowing passing football that we know and love at West Ham.

Can you beleieve Upson has just gone off injured after 27 minutes??? This takes the piss!

When I was 8, living in Basingstoke, England, my Mum worked in a dress shop next door to a sports shop called Peter Barber Sports. Peter Barber was the the son of my Mum's employer.
Now where's all this heading you're thinking, "wake up at the back there young Beggers!", there's more!
The shop was opening and they needed a young lad to wear an England shirt and pose with Geoff Hurst at the grand opening of the shop. I was chosen and thus my love affair with West Ham began.
35 years on this rollercoaster ride (it was my Birthday last Monday, thanks for the cards lads) and I'm still in love with this team. "stop snoring Novern!" , there's more! ("fucksakes, get the beers in, says Dave!")
As you may know I've had heaps of bad probs with my back for about a year and have to have an operation soon and I can truly say that this week has been the one of the lowest of my life ("stop crying WhuBris!"). I've been fucked around by HR, my surgeon, I can hardly move without pain shooting down my left leg.
Anyway, the purpose of my first post (thanks for author rights Dave) is that through all this shite of a week Saturday night has arrived and all I can think about is West Ham versus Aston Villa.
I suppose I'm saying keep the faith (in the God of The Hammers, not the bearded geezer)

Yazz really did get it right,

"The Only Way Is Up, Baby, For You and Me Now"

COME ON YOU IRONS!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwyW0vRxefM

The Premier League are currently investigating the transfers of Carlitos Tevez & Javier Mascherano. Rumour has it that if found that the transfers are illegal, West Ham would be guilty of fielding ineligible players during the course of the season and would therefore be docked points. The Premier League is said to have a rule that player registrations can not be held by a third party and must be owned by the club itself. Other clubs involved in a relegation scrap such as Charlton and Wigan are said to be monitoring the situation and will take legal action against the Premier League if West Ham are not docked points.

Just what we need right now eh!

Matthew Upson has signed a four and a half year deal for the massive sum of £6 million + £1.5 appearance money. Can't say I'm particularly familiar with him but we really need a good defender, especially with Neill out. What becomes of Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Collins, and Mears now, ja think?

Also, rumours that Marlon Harewood (pictured) is moving to Spurs for £8 million. We'll find out in the next hour or two...