Contrary to belief Parker handing in a transfer request has saved us a lot of money. Like most players nowadays Parker would of had a loyalty bonus in his contract if he was sold and by handing in his transfer request he's forgone that, not to mention his £70,000 a week wages are now off our books. The abuse aimed at Scott this evening is quite frankly embarrassing and has to stop. People seem to be forgetting he almost single-handedly with help from Greeno saved us from a pathetic points total last season. I'll remember him for a lot of things, his work-rate, his clever passes, tackling and ability to score great goals at key times (Wigan a couple of seasons back and Liverpool last season). Drop the hatred and remember what he's done for the club, we've had him for his best years and made a profit on him. With him gone the likes of Collison will flourish and get maximum game time he is the future and with a bit of luck we've got a lot to look forward too. He's moved on and we need too, just make sure you sing his name loud and proud when he returns. I certainly will be.
It's been thrown around left right and centre that our squad is of Premier League standard and "too good" for the Championship. Are you having a bubble? It's a matter of time before Parker leaves to join Spurs and then our squad will be down to 17 players - one above the bare minimum. With fans calling for Illunga's head he looks like he might well be out of the door before the window closes leaving us with - the bare minimum. Doesn't sound like a Premier League squad does it? Allardyce insisted that we are looking at bringing in more players before Wednesdays deadline with Glenn Whelan thought to be Parker's replacement. With Barerra having gone out on loan midweek to Zaragoza for a season. Our midfield despite all of the current signings, is looking thin. An injury to one of our key men: Nolan, Collison, Green, Tomkins lets face it, is inevitable given our track record and what will we do then? Play an unproven teenager? Supposed interest in Joe Lewis has dissapeared into thin dust so it would seem and Max Gradel sees himself playing at a higher level than the Championship before the end of the season and so doesn't want to make the move to Upton Park.
Anyway, back to the pitch: 3 away wins on the bounce is unheard of nowadays and in my opinion is quite impressive. Allardyce seems to appear to have the away set-up spot on and with the next game not this weekend but the week after against Pompey at home - he's got time to set himself up and get the home record looking positive. The midfield for the first time this season didn't look too 'crowded' and despite Parker not playing still had the creative and defensive edge that he brings to the side. However Papa Diop formerly of Fulham and Portsmouth is reported to be close to signing a deal at Upton Park and in my opinion he is exactly the player we need - strong, athletic and not frightened to get involved in the tackle not to mention he fits exactly into Big Sam's mould. Our youngest chairman tweeted this morning that we are close to signing Brian Montenegro - I for one know sweet nothing about the player as does Youtube as I couldn't even find a highlights video on the chap. Have we taken a gamble on this lad? I think so. Still with two days left, plenty more business to be done. I've said it before and I'll say it again with limited opportunities for him at Old Trafford we should make a loan move for Federico Macheda. Yes we've got lots of options up-front with Carew, Cole, Baldock & Piquionne but Macheda would offer something else and the thought of he and Baldock together is ... interesting. Having said all of that, looking back at the teams we've struggled against Cardiff and Leeds had we managed to keep a hold of Ba and Hitz we would of won those games comfortably. Whereas last season we couldn't even string a couple of passes together away we've looked impressive and like we know what we're doing unlike when we're playing at home. You'll notice that up until now I've not mention the mid-week humiliation at the hands of Aldershot and that's because I'm quite frankly embarrassed to do so. With an important game coming up at the weekend (Forest) it's easy to see why he didn't put a full strength side out but the performance was appalling. Even if we'd of won the team performance still would of been shocking and quite frankly we didn't deserve to win. Still, let's not judge the rest of the squad on a Wednesday night at Upton Park, they like the fans watching were probably nervous and McNaughton's red highlighted that. Still I, like many others would rather we focused on "Project Promotion" rather than a day out at Wembley heck, we might even have one if we don't win the league!
Anyway, I'll leave you be to enjoy the bank holiday and the transfer speculation until 5pm Wednesday afternoon when the window shuts. Until then fellow Hammers.
In what has been an unusually good week for us Hammers it could yet get even better with a win over Leeds this afternoon. However Leeds are considered, by many, to be our real bogey team rather than Bolton. We haven't won in any of the last seven encounters between the two sides and we have only beaten them once in the last twelve meetings between the side, not looking good eh? As ever though I'm remaining optimistic, two away wins on the trot and two clean sheets is certainly positive and with the home support on our side this weekend I'm confident we can get a result. Leeds will have Howson (a player I earmarked as a potential signing way back) and Gradel another player who earlier on in the window was linked with a move to Upton Park back from suspension. On the other hand we have John Carew looking to make his Hammers debut after joining on a free from Aston Villa. More importantly it will be interesting to see what kind of line-up we use this afternoon. Allardyce came under a lot of stick after the 1-0 defeat to Cardiff at home on the opening day for using the defensive looking 4-5-1 however a tweak to the formation later and we've beaten Doncaster and Watford so who knows? Maybe we'll see 4-4-2 or with a bit of luck, I know it's a long shot, my favoured 4-1-2-1-2.
How do I think we'll line up?
Green
O'Brien Tomkins Reid Illunga
Collison Parker Noble Taylor
Nolan
Cole
That being said it's possible Big Sam won't want to risk Illunga at left back against Leeds's danger men of Snodgrass, Gradel and Howson and so might move Taylor to left back, Collison over to the left and bring in Barerra to fill the void at right mid. But hey, that's what I'd do and I'm sure many others will have different opinions including Big Sam himself. I fully expect Carew to come off the bench and make his debut with about 20mins to go. Prediction? I'm going for 3-1 West Ham but it won't be easy we'll need our big name players en song. Come on You Irons!
So Tony "West Ham fan" Fernandes has bought into QPR and wants to make Scott Parker his priority signing - is he having a laugh? A quite insulting offer of £4million was immediately rejected and it's thought they will come back in at our £8million valuation. After their 4-0 drubbing at home to Bolton and our fantastic 4-0 away win at Watford on Tuesday night I certainly know what team I'd rather be a part of this season. It's thought that 'Arry is set to come in for Parker this week but I honestly cannot see where he would fit in at Spurs. They already have Sandro and Huddlestone both who are of a very similar mould to Parker. With time running out and Parker, Cole and Green all still at the club and looking very much set to stay and the squad having been improved on from last season it begs the question: how would we of fared in the Premier League this season? In my opinion certainly a lot better than last but who knows. With two wins out of three and a home game against Leeds on Sunday we could be looking at three wins from four and I think if you ask any West Ham fan they'll tell you it's either equal to or better than they expected. With Allardyce ruling out making anymore signings but the papers linking us to Barton, Maynard & Beckford it's hard to determine who's telling the truth. Still, with just under two weeks to go until the deadline I'm sure we'll see some more ins and outs. Who it will be though I don't have a clue, to Sundays game and hopefully another 3 points!
After a solid team win on Saturday against an albeit injury ravaged Doncaster side, it's fair to say I'm optimistic about tonight's game against Watford. A side who again in theory we should have too much for will find it difficult to penetrate our solid looking defence. It is believed that Illunga has been dropped for tonight's clash with the impressive Matt Taylor dropping back to left back with either Stanislas or Collison taking his place on the left wing. Cole looks set to make his first start of the season in favour of Piquionne who has failed to impress in the last two games. It's important we get a winning run going and to win two consecutive away games (something which we haven't done in years) would install confidence and build on the winning mentality. How do I think we'll line up tonight?
Something a little like this:
Green
O'Brien Reid Tomkins Taylor
Collison Parker Noble Stanislas
Nolan
Cole
Personally i'd be tempted to give Barerra a start on the right and move Collison over to the left but for now Big Sam seems to view Barerra as an impact sub and I safely expect to see him making an appearance at some point during the game. For the time being the formation works and I for one am certainly interested to see how we line up against Leeds at Upton Park on Saturday. Following the dissapointing defeat to Cardiff on the opening day it'll be interesting to see if Allardyce sticks with the 4-4-1-1 or switches to a slightly more attacking formation such as the 4-3-3 or possibly the 4-1-2-1-2. Although the latter has little width it'd allow us to protect the back four with a holding midfield player be it Parker or Faye, have two in the middle (Noble & Collison) and then have an attacking midfielder (Nolan) to support the front two. Another thing that the formation allows for is roaming full backs to provide width, something that would suit Taylor and McCartney to a tee on the left along with Faubert on the right it certainly makes an interesting proposition. Not to mention it would allow us to start playing "The West Ham way". A formation that in therory works like a dream however in a real game would it be as effective? I think so, it just depends if Allardyce is willing to try new things.
In other news, Hines looks set to leave the club with Burnley thought to be after his signature. A player who impressed me a couple of seasons back when he took on Liverpool single handedly but has been injury plagued since and has failed to leave his mark. Reports a few weeks back suggested that he had signed a new contract with the club however that doesn't seem to be the case. Confident about tonight? Yes, I'm going for a 3-0 win. Come on You Irons!
From was a promising first twenty minutes we quickly reverted back to our sluggish former self and I think it's fair to say that the last ten minutes encapsulated the whole of last season. However, despite all of the negatives there are positives we can take out of the game. Reid and Tomkins shone as a pairing throughout and right up until the end dealt with the ever present threat of Earnshaw and Miller not to mention any ball that was pumped into the half was met with their heads. Illunga impressed me and seems to have come on leaps and bounds from last season where he thought he was playing basketball rather than football however I feel he is more suited to a left winger rather than a left back. It's evident that after today's performance the left back area needs strengthening.Taylor was our best player by a mile and seemed to be the only player willing to take a shot from distance. Infact it was a good overall team performance however as per usual we just lacked that cutting edge. Parker was absent and not his usual self throughout and Nolan seemed to go quiet for periods of the game. 4-5-1 was arguably the wrong formation to use - Piquionne and then Cole looked isolated in the lone striker role and with the arrival of Carew yesterday it seems difficult to imagine us lining up any other way against Doncaster next Saturday. The need for a smaller, pacey and proven goalscorer was evident as neither Cole or Piquionne looked like scoring our outpacing the Cardiff back four.
What we have to remember however that this was as much as experiment for Allardyce more than anything as it was his first competitive game in charge. Admittedly he got the formation wrong but if we keep a hold of Parker how else is he going to incorporate he, Nolan, Noble and Collison into a four man midfield? The arrival of Carew in my opinion is necessary and will only develop the team and not hinder it as other fans are seeming to suggest and also as I've said before he's a perfect replacement for the possible outward bound Cole and not to mention he's a Premier League quality striker it makes it even more of a coup. There is obvious room for improvement and I think these areas need to be attended to before the end of the transfer window otherwise come the end of the season when legs start to tire even more we will see even more of the same. What many of us are failing to remember is that this was the first game of forty six which means that there is plenty of time for improvement and fine-tuning, it's if this result happened mid-season there would be cause for concern. Still, I'm remaining optimistic and looking forward to Aldershot on Tuesday. Come on You Irons!
I think it's safe to say that I'm delighted that the season is finally underway. It goes without saying that I'm excited for what this season might bring and I don't doubt for one second that there are thousands of Hammers fans that feel the same way. Journalists, pundits and season previewers have tipped us for the title let alone promotion so yet again the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Talk about pressure! It's fair to say that Big Sam's had a pretty hefty clear out and I very much doubt that it's totally over with Barerra, Parker, Cole and Green all being linked to moves elsewhere. He's brought in experience and talent and not taken any gambles, something who he who must not be named did last season with Barerra and Reid, with one paying off and looking set to play a pivotal role this season and the other being linked to a move elsewhere.
It's been suggested that Allardyce will use the 4-5-1 formation and this is how I think we'll line up:
With the club announcing that Faubert is likely to be out for two weeks with an injury I decided to leave him out and put O'Brien in his place and the same goes for Faye at centre back replacing him with Reid. It's a huge season for the club and it's re-assuring to see that Allardyce doesn't appear to of taken any risks with big money signings or offering contracts to injury prone players. As I said earlier on in the week, he realises the amount of pressure that is on his shoulders and knows that failure to win promotion will see him sacked and quite possibly leave any chance of him managing a Top 4 club at virtually zero. Prediction? Cardiff are a strong side and know the Championship off the back of their hand, they'll prove a difficult opposition but I think we'll prove too much for them and end up eventual 2-0 winners. Goalscorers? I'm feeling lucky and going for Nolan and Taylor - talk about sticking my neck on the line. All I can say to the fans that are there is sing your hearts out, get behind the team and make sure you rattle the roof with I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles. Come On You Irons!
In other news, Allardyce announced today that the club are in talks with John Carew and have decided not to offer Forsell a contract at the end of his trial. It is understood that at the end of his trial Jlloyd Samuel as also not been offered a contract as-well. Bids for Maynard and Monloungui have also both been rejected however it is thought that we are talking to a defender thought to be from Sunderland. Upton Park reunion for McCartney or Ferdinand anyone?
It's safe to say we've seen some pretty spectacular goals scored by West Ham players over the years; Di Canio v Wimbledon, Arsenal & Chelsea, Parker v Liverpool and Wigan, Cole v Spurs, Brooking v Arsenal, Ashton v Man City or even Di Canio v United, let's all do the Barthez anyone? After taking them all into consideration I've decided to list my Top 5 West Ham goals, enjoy.
5) Purely for comedic value and the fact that I predicted the score and the goalscorer right before the game I've had to include Di Canio's goal v Man United. You'll most probably remember it as the "Let's all do the Barthez" and others will remember it as the day we beat United at Old Trafford. However you want to look at it, it was that man Di Canio who popped up again and scored when it mattered. I think it's safe to say it's the first and certainly not the last appearance he will be making on the countdown.
4) In what was a thrilling and at the time vital victory at Upton Park last season was eventually in vain as we were relegated but it didn't stop our man marvel, Scott Parker, opening the scoring in such outstanding fashion. Parker burst in from the right played a one-two with Hitzlsperger and 'flicked' an absolute beauty of a finish past the diving Reina. Upton Park erupted and Parker roared, a definite contender for goal of the season and in my mind was only beaten by that Wayne Rooney goal.
3) In what was a quite frankly sublime piece of skill by Deano and matched by a equally sublime finish with his weaker left foot, he won himself a place in West Ham hearts forever. A knack for scoring brilliant goals against Manchester teams (overhead kick against United) it was evident he was enjoying his football. Injury eventually claimed the best striker we'd seen since Di Canio but what a way to be remembered. In what was an intricate passing move Ashton still had a lot of work to do himself. Flicking the ball with the back of his right foot into the path of his left on the edge of the box, he bombed forward before slotting a beautiful finish past the Man City goalkeeper. Like I said, not a bad way to be remembered eh?
2) Here he pops up again Paolo Di Canio. In what appeared to be something out of nothing he unleashed another moment of magic to fire the ball into the roof of the Chelsea net. Out wide the move seemed effectively over Di Canio tried to flick it over his head but the ball ricochet of a Chelsea defender and bounced favorably back into his path, what followed was magic. Paolo flicked the ball up with his right foot and then released an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net. This was what he was good at, creating something out of nothing and to contradict the commentator on the video, I'm not even sure it would make Paolo's top 3.
1) Without doubt one of the greatest goals of all time scored by one of our greatest players of all time, you guessed it Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon. It really couldn't be anyone else? 'Arry reckoned that Di Canio used to do it all the time in training and that certainly wouldn't surprise me. When Foe lost the ball in the middle of the park it looked as if the move was over, using his athleticism he won the ball back and sprayed a simply wonderful ball across the field to Sinclair who was bombing down the right as per usual. Sinclair stopped looked up and player what is in my mind one of the best balls ever into the path of the leaping Di Canio who unleashed a simply unstoppable sissor-kick past the diving Sullivan into the corner of the net. Di Canio himself I don't think could quite believe what he'd just done. I'll tell you what you did Paolo, you scored the best goal by a West Ham player ever.
Hope you've enjoyed the goals, leave comments as to what your Top 5 WHUFC goals would be!
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek Allardyce announced that: ”It’s my responsibility to get them there [to the Premier League] and if I don’t I’ll be sacked…” A statement made before even a single competitive game has been played its obvious, Allardyce realises how heavy the weight of expectation is on his shoulders. It's obvious the board took far too act last season and hopefully this season if results aren't going our way for a prolonged period of time they won't make the same mistake. I'm all for Allardyce and I hope he's given a fair chance to put his master plan into action, he's signed the players he wants and will need time and I'm certainly prepared to give him it. However if we don't get off to a good start and aren't towards the top end of the table after the first ten games I can see many fans jumping on the Anti-Allardyce bandwagon. The man needs time, we need to give him it. So here's to Big Fat Sam and his Claret and Blue army.
As you all know I'm sure, Joey Barton was told by Newcastle today that he could leave the club for nothing, zilch, sweet fa. One clubs loss in this case is certainly another clubs gain and I'm sure there will be many clubs hunting for Barton's signature. Inevitably we have been linked with Barton countless times since 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon when Barton confirmed via his Twitter account that he would be leaving the club this summer. Could Barton add something to the West Ham side? Of course the answer to that is yes but in my opinion he is too similar a player to Parker who now Barton is available will find it difficult to engineer a move out of Upton Park as 'Arry has already shown interest in Barton. No-one is going to want to pay £6million for a player if there is another who can do exactly the same job and they could pick him up for free. However as Newcastle haven't released Barton they still effectively have ultimate power as to where Barton ends up. With Allardyce and Nolan having both worked with Barton before I can certainly see why he might be tempted to join the 'revolution' at Upton Park. However as he and Parker are too similar I believe we should only have one or the other as the arrival of Barton would keep players such as Noble and Collison out of the side therefore making them restless which is certainly not what we want with Collison as he is most definitely one for the future.
Would we be taking a gamble on Barton? No, a very impressive disciplinary record last season caught the eye of many with Barton not receiving a red card all season. However as always he still carries his "bad boy image" although I feel under the guidance of Allardyce and being re-united with Nolan he'd remain stable so to speak. Nonetheless if someone came up to me and asked me Parker or Barton i'd say Parker any day of the week. Why? Parker knows West Ham inside out, wears his heart on his sleeve week in week out and in my view kept West Ham's point score looking respectable at the end of last season, performance against Liverpool anyone? In fact I see it as an insult that Parker has not been offered the captaincy, what does a man have to do to get the armband nowadays? If it's true that it was Parker who inspired the turnaround at the Hawthorns towards the end of last season then what better audition for the job can a man give? Many touted Parker as an average player in a poor team but it's evident following his recent performances with England that he is so much more than that. I've got nothing against Nolan I just feel that a player who has put heart and soul into the club over the last two seasons deserves to be rewarded.
It was a big day for West Ham yesterday as Luis Boa Morte left the club and returned to Portugal to see out his playing career and former Chelsea and Birmingham man Mikael Forsell has joined the club on a trial period. If whipped into shape and fit then Forsell could most certainly do a job for us next season - I'd rather have Carew (who wouldn't?) but I feel that with his wage demands likely to be sky high, Forsell is a fantastic alternative. With time running out and Parker, Green and Cole still at the club we're edging closer to happy days at Upton Park next season.
A player who's played at the top level with Fulham for three seasons making 117 appearances and scoring 17 goals in the process; Zoltan Gera is still a free agent having been released by Fulham at the end of the season. Having been in England since 2004 previously playing with West Brom for four seasons before joining Fulham, it's safe to say he knows the English game well. He certainly wouldn't command large wages and the fact that he can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder it certainly makes an interesting proposition. So what are we waiting for? There aren't many players around with seven PL season's worth of experience for nothing, experience that could prove invaluable in helping the development of our youngsters.
