HT. Di Michelle is going well. I think he is relishing having a place in the team now that Bellamy has gone.
cOLLISON SHOULD HAVE SCORED HIT POST, dI mICHELLE AND cOLE MISSED 1 V 1 CHANCES AND dI mICHELLE HIT UPRIGHT WITH A GREAT CURVING BALL.
wE NEED A SECOND.
Comentators statement. 1 - 0 is not a lead???
West Ham thread
Why do commentators/media hate us so much?
2-0. This could become a farce with still 40 mins to play. Tigers will need to bring on Bullard soon if they want to give themselves a chance.
2-0 it ends. Not bad result, will take the 3 points gladly but could have been worse for the Tigers.
Hopefully the knock to Noble isn't too bad, sounds like he had a great game. He combined well with the strikers by the sounds.
An interesting night of results really. Blackburn found two late goals to draw with Bolton and pulls themselves out of the relegation zone. Liverpool were equal on points with Man U but Wigan found the equaliser late. Also, Everton were 1 minute away from beating Arsenal but the rapist also found an equaliser. I s'pose thats good for us as we still have a slight chance of taking 6th spot, but the way Everton are playing I'm not sure. Still we can't just hope to finish the season in 7th when we're already 7th.
I just read a great article on the 'Just Like My Dreams' blog in reference to Zola being Maradonas understudy at Napoli and what Zola see's in Savio.
Heres a small excerpt:
When Maradona left, due to what Zola will describe only as his having had "a few problems with other things," Zola became the new occupant of his No 10 shirt. In Italy, it is the number given to the fantasista, the fantasy man. So yesterday, when Gianfranco Zola made the decision to hand his new signing Savio Nsereko the West Ham No.10 shirt, the message was clear: You can become as good as me. The Hammers boss beat Arsenal, Chelsea, Roma and his former club Napoli to the signature of the Ugandan-born Germany Under-20 star, and despite admitting he has only seen him play on tape, Zola sees his own reflection when he gazes at his raw protege.
Reports suggest Kovac is a done deal. He snubbed Celtic because he wants to play in the EPL.
He was due to fly to London today. Stranger things have happened though. The silence is making me a bit nervous.
Also Celtic couldn't afford him! I would like us to secure ILunga at end end of this season to. Apparently we have first dib's on him.
good game.
should have been won by first half
Also Celtic couldn't afford him! I would like us to secure ILunga at end end of this season to. Apparently we have first dib's on him.
Welcome back Sir Trev. Hows the boy??? Mine turns one in a month.
good game.
should have been won by first half
Don't tell the players that. We have a bad habit of forgetting that a football match lasts 90 mins.
Did you ever see the Spurs match two seasons back? We were up 3-0 and lost 3-4 thanks to two 90th min goals to Berbabtov and Judas Defoe. That game will haunt me for a long time. And for that reason I shall never speak of it again on this thread.
(Sorry - did someone say something??....Thought I heard a noise).
West Ham have signed Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old, who was captain at Spartak, can also play in central defence and brings a wealth of experience from his country's World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008 campaigns.
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is delighted to have signed a player who is used to Champions League and UEFA
Cup level.
"I am pleased to have Radoslav here," Zola told the club's official website, www.whufc.com.
"He has a lot of experience with the national team and he will give us competition in a midfield - which is already very strong. I am sure he will help us with what we are trying to achieve this season."
Kovac, who had his medical earlier today, watched his new team-mates in training before the deal was completed tonight.
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury confirmed his club have an option to make the signing permanent if it is agreeable to both parties.
When we released Mullins I think I said something like 'they better have someone special lined up to replace him'.
Well they did, and from now on I'm just going to trust what GZ, SC et al are doing. This guy has huge credentials. Hopefully it won't take him long to gain match fitness as he has played a while due to the break in the Russian season.
What a month this has been. COYI!!
Something to think about as we anxiously await tonights game. Anyone notice that Curbishley's "weakness" of having no knowledge of European footballers or contacts with European clubs has been totally reversed and that we now have a Director of Football who has no knowledge of British players and club connections.(Admittedly Duxbury does but he doesnt make the playing decisions).
Since Nani has arrived we have sold British and bought European/other, without exception.
The crunch has now come where one of the home grown lads are going to have to make way for Kovacs.
West Ham are going from being a club that have thrived and survived on home grown youth from the academy. Now the academy is getting stacked with Czechs, Poles, Icelandics and Italians.
Zola has a great deal of admiration for Wenger in the way he has developed a young squad following extensive use of French players, but will the West Ham fans feel the same about a claret & blue team of foreigners?
What price success.
uiron2009-01-31 13:08:11
Since Nani has arrived we have sold British and bought European/other, without exception.
The crunch has now come where one of the home grown lads are going to have to make way for Kovacs.
West Ham are going from being a club that have thrived and survived on home grown youth from the academy. Now the academy is getting stacked with Czechs, Poles, Icelandics and Italians.
Zola has a great deal of admiration for Wenger in the way he has developed a young squad following extensive use of French players, but will the West Ham fans feel the same about a claret & blue team of foreigners?
What price success.
uiron2009-01-31 13:08:11
Zola see's the academy as integral and I'm not too concerned about the imports. Noble, Collison, Tomkins and Sears will fe ature highly in taking the club forward I am sure.
The club has confirmed Faubert may go to Real Madrid onl loan. Must be the sign of a great team to loan out a bench player to the Spanish giants. My heads still spinning after reading that news.
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uiron2009-01-31 14:08:52
good day Hammer Head! My boy is fine thanks for asking! teething quite bad at the mo. 8 mths already.
I dont think we are going to become a team of foreigners like the arse. As HH mentioned the british players not to forget kyle reid etc. Football is all business now and the days of producing loyal local servants to the club are well and truly over and has been for years.
The price of success stems from good business which WHU has excelled on so many times in the past. Bellamy is a prime example. The Zola, Clarke combo seems to be working very very well.
I dont think we are going to become a team of foreigners like the arse. As HH mentioned the british players not to forget kyle reid etc. Football is all business now and the days of producing loyal local servants to the club are well and truly over and has been for years.
The price of success stems from good business which WHU has excelled on so many times in the past. Bellamy is a prime example. The Zola, Clarke combo seems to be working very very well.
But I thought he WAS the next Michale Owen lol???
Anyone staying up to watch the game?
Wotched it live. Arsenal attacking most of the time, good defence.
A shame that Cole couldn't make it six games in a row.
Perhaps he'll make up for it with a hat-trick next week lol. Now that would silence his critics.
I never saw the match but sounds Parker was awesome and Neill was crap again. Any comments you wish to make on who our best players were Sumdger??
Neill was beaten too easily. Strikers didnt get too much ball only three good opportunities.
Green was good in goal. Parker played very good, making tackles when needed. Not too much of an impact from de michelle. smudger2009-02-01 09:14:24
Green was good in goal. Parker played very good, making tackles when needed. Not too much of an impact from de michelle. smudger2009-02-01 09:14:24
Radio NZ Sport headlines Arsenal held to 1-1 draw. What an embarrassment!!
West Ham became the first team to hold Arsenal goalless at The Emirates.
Yesterday Scott Duxbury said if Faubert goes we will move quickly to replace him, and although the official site hasnt confirmed he has gone, it would seem he has.So much for reducing the squad.(Now confirmed).
The game.
Solid defence display that probably achieved what Zola's intentions were.
Strong games from Collins and Upson.
Green only had one real shot to save and that went straight at him. The rest was usual housework for him.
Big workrate from all of the midfield.Collison, Parker, Noble and Bahrani, perhaps thinking about the arrival of Kovacs
Di Michelle and Cole had very little ball to work with which probably exposed a weakness for us against the top teams.
The new boy had 20 minutes but like the other two up front, didnt have many, if any opportunities.
Boa Morte got another run ahead of Sears????
Still a point away to Arsenal isnt too bad.
Man U kept a clean sheet so the bubble is there for us to burst next week, but we will have to create a few more chances than we did this week.
After Man U we have Bolton A, Man City H, Wigan A, WBA H, Blackburn A, hopefully with a couple of cup games thrown in.
uiron2009-02-01 10:20:19
West Ham became the first team to hold Arsenal goalless at The Emirates.
Yesterday Scott Duxbury said if Faubert goes we will move quickly to replace him, and although the official site hasnt confirmed he has gone, it would seem he has.So much for reducing the squad.(Now confirmed).
The game.
Solid defence display that probably achieved what Zola's intentions were.
Strong games from Collins and Upson.
Green only had one real shot to save and that went straight at him. The rest was usual housework for him.
Big workrate from all of the midfield.Collison, Parker, Noble and Bahrani, perhaps thinking about the arrival of Kovacs
Di Michelle and Cole had very little ball to work with which probably exposed a weakness for us against the top teams.
The new boy had 20 minutes but like the other two up front, didnt have many, if any opportunities.
Boa Morte got another run ahead of Sears????
Still a point away to Arsenal isnt too bad.
Man U kept a clean sheet so the bubble is there for us to burst next week, but we will have to create a few more chances than we did this week.
After Man U we have Bolton A, Man City H, Wigan A, WBA H, Blackburn A, hopefully with a couple of cup games thrown in.
uiron2009-02-01 10:20:19
West Ham became the first team to hold Arsenal goalless at The Emirates.
No. Villa did.
Never trust a commentator.
Don't believe what you read in the papers
Question every decision a referee makes.
Football is full of dodgy people.
Don't believe what you read in the papers
Question every decision a referee makes.
Football is full of dodgy people.
Just set the recording of the game against Man U for Monday morning..
The preview comments read: "Live coverage as Manchester United take on a disappointing West Ham side at Upton Park.
Hmmm.
Disappointing in that we have lost 3 of our last sixteen games
Disappointing that we are only 7th equal in the league
Disappointing in that we have only been able to get draws away to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool
Disappointing that we only seem to beat Man United in 50% of our last 6 games
Really boys, we should have done a lot better.
The preview comments read: "Live coverage as Manchester United take on a disappointing West Ham side at Upton Park.
Hmmm.
Disappointing in that we have lost 3 of our last sixteen games
Disappointing that we are only 7th equal in the league
Disappointing in that we have only been able to get draws away to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool
Disappointing that we only seem to beat Man United in 50% of our last 6 games
Really boys, we should have done a lot better.
Im really looking forward to seeing how the season plays out. We should hopefully go ahead of wigan and then cahse down everton
Week by week Smudger. We have still got a few to lose before the end of the year, but this is panning out to be a reasonably good one in West Ham terms. Cup included.
If you want to wish another team well, try Chelsea. If Scollari gets sacked, wouldnt they love to have Zola and Clarke back again.
If you want to wish another team well, try Chelsea. If Scollari gets sacked, wouldnt they love to have Zola and Clarke back again.
Another possible signing, although I'm unsure how likely with the transfer window about to close...
Former Coleraine favourite Bryce 'Alfie' Moon is poised to become a happy Hammer, reports today's Telegraph. The South African, who spent a season at Ballycastle Road as a flying winger when on a one year exchange program from college, is now plying his trade as a defender with Greek giants, Panathinaikos. The Independent agrees the club are close to agreeing a deal to sign the 22-year-old to provide cover at right-back and midfield following the departure of Julien Faubert to Real Madrid on loan for the rest of the season. Moon would cost less than �1million and has been tracked by West Ham's technical director Gianluca Nani for some time.
Moon is described as an attacking right-back brimming with technical ability. When the player originally sealed his move to Panathinaikos it was off the back of a trial in which he impressed the technical staff with his speed off the mark and his tactical awareness. Although comfortable in defence, Moon built his early reputation as an attacking right-sided midfielder for Ajax Cape Town, where he made a telling contribution to the success of the Urban Warriors in the 2007 Manguang Cup, the ABSA Cup and the ABSA Premiership.
The Bafana Bafana international has captained his national side at three different age groups and has the sobriquet 'Scooter' (presumably because of his renowned speed rather than his love for Teutonic techno or an interest in modernist subculture). He was a 100 metre national sprint champion at under-17 and under-19 level and will link up with fellow countrymen Steven Pienaar, Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena in England's top flight if the deal is completed in time.
Moon is described as an attacking right-back brimming with technical ability. When the player originally sealed his move to Panathinaikos it was off the back of a trial in which he impressed the technical staff with his speed off the mark and his tactical awareness. Although comfortable in defence, Moon built his early reputation as an attacking right-sided midfielder for Ajax Cape Town, where he made a telling contribution to the success of the Urban Warriors in the 2007 Manguang Cup, the ABSA Cup and the ABSA Premiership.
The Bafana Bafana international has captained his national side at three different age groups and has the sobriquet 'Scooter' (presumably because of his renowned speed rather than his love for Teutonic techno or an interest in modernist subculture). He was a 100 metre national sprint champion at under-17 and under-19 level and will link up with fellow countrymen Steven Pienaar, Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena in England's top flight if the deal is completed in time.
Didnt happen. Window closed with Duxbury saying that they were hoping
to sign a third person and were talking to two options that the Manager
was interested in, but were unable to seal a deal.
Moon, a flying winger was one. The other was Radiu Homei, a right back. (Bye Bye Lucas one thinks).
The good news is that Herita Ilunga has been given a permanent contract. I remember how disappointed I was when they let McArtney go but this guy is better.
Signings that look good to date since Nani took over, headed by a medical team that has emptied out the Physio room. Will be interesting to see if they pursevere with Ashton, Gabbidon and Dyer once they are fit. Already noises that they will off load them in the summer.
Moon, a flying winger was one. The other was Radiu Homei, a right back. (Bye Bye Lucas one thinks).
The good news is that Herita Ilunga has been given a permanent contract. I remember how disappointed I was when they let McArtney go but this guy is better.
Signings that look good to date since Nani took over, headed by a medical team that has emptied out the Physio room. Will be interesting to see if they pursevere with Ashton, Gabbidon and Dyer once they are fit. Already noises that they will off load them in the summer.
Week by week Smudger. We have still got a few to lose before the end of the year, but this is panning out to be a reasonably good one in West Ham terms. Cup included.
If you want to wish another team well, try Chelsea. If Scollari gets sacked, wouldnt they love to have Zola and Clarke back again.
If you want to wish another team well, try Chelsea. If Scollari gets sacked, wouldnt they love to have Zola and Clarke back again.
yeah they would want zola. Hes been very good. When they played the gunners they really played for possesion and built up there attacks. good to see.
Week by week Smudger. We have still got a few to lose before the end of the year, but this is panning out to be a reasonably good one in West Ham terms. Cup included.
If you want to wish another team well, try Chelsea. If Scollari gets sacked, wouldnt they love to have Zola and Clarke back again.
If you want to wish another team well, try Chelsea. If Scollari gets sacked, wouldnt they love to have Zola and Clarke back again.
yeah they would want zola. Hes been very good. When they played the gunners they really played for possesion and built up there attacks. good to see.
From the Guardian website today:
Scolari is working to new budgets and financial restrictions where Mourinho had none, and there is no suggestion that patience is running out at Chelsea. But there has always been an understanding that qualification for the Champions League and a coherent challenge on all fronts were expected at the very least. Across the capital a pair of Chelsea icons in Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke are excelling at Upton Park and their progress will not go unnoticed for long. Scolari, back in the snow at Cobham, cannot afford to let disappointment see his Premier League season drift.
Yeah chelseas title hopes are slimming
Shall we take the positives from the day.
No injuries
Teams around us dropped points
Kovacs on the bench one step away from nudging Neill
Zola has said he would not waslk out on West Ham
Tottenham still in the cr*p.
Of concern
Not that he has had much of a run, but I havent seen Seivo do anything flash yet, or even ordinary.
No injuries
Teams around us dropped points
Kovacs on the bench one step away from nudging Neill
Zola has said he would not waslk out on West Ham
Tottenham still in the cr*p.
Of concern
Not that he has had much of a run, but I havent seen Seivo do anything flash yet, or even ordinary.
And you played well.
Shall we take the positives from the day.
No injuries
Teams around us dropped points
Kovacs on the bench one step away from nudging Neill
Zola has said he would not waslk out on West Ham
Tottenham still in the cr*p.
Of concern
Not that he has had much of a run, but I havent seen Seivo do anything flash yet, or even ordinary.
No injuries
Teams around us dropped points
Kovacs on the bench one step away from nudging Neill
Zola has said he would not waslk out on West Ham
Tottenham still in the cr*p.
Of concern
Not that he has had much of a run, but I havent seen Seivo do anything flash yet, or even ordinary.
I can't see Kovacs replacing Neill somehow. I think it could be Noble that moves to the bench, if Kovacs gets a start.
I'm sure the sacking of Scolari has made most of us rather nervous. And reading what GZ's lawyer has to say doesn't make me feel any better.
Gianfranco Zola's lawyer has refused to rule the West Ham boss out of the running to become the new manager of Chelsea.
The Blues legend has already emerged as one of the favourites to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was sacked by the London giants on Monday.
Zola has impressed hugely at West Ham, after only taking charge at Upton Park in September.
But Chelsea fans are keen to see the Italian - who is assisted by Jose Mourinho's former number two Steve Clarke - back at Stamford Bridge.
Zola's lawyer Fulvio Marrucco has been quick to confirm that although no approach has been made, Chelsea could be hard to turn down.
"At the moment we know nothing about the link between Gianfranco Zola and the vacant position at Chelsea," Marrucco said in a statement.
"Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be a coach in the Premier League.
"It is very difficult to say if anything will happen but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco Zola."
(Is it just me or does that make it sound like its already a done deal?)
Is anyone else like me and feeling very confident about tomorrows game against Boro, but also like me and worried whenever you are confident ahead of a West Ham game?
I'm not going to make any score predictions. A 90th minute penalty will do me.
TALK ABOUT THE CURSE OF THE COMMENTATOR!!!!
22 min - GOAL! Football really is a funny old game. Alves leads a counter-attack and finds Downing on the left. He works the ball back out to O'Neil on the right wing. The former Portsmouth man crosses, the ball eludes Collins and Upson and England winger Downing is on hand to head past Green from close-range. That is a complete sucker-punch.
22 min - This is complete one-way traffic at the moment. Di Michele sees his shot blocked as West Ham continue to press.
21 min - Ilunga wins yet another corner. Noble takes again and, following a game of penalty area pinball, Didier Digard hacks the ball clear.
20 min - Boro cannot get hold of the ball at all. They have not been out of their own half for nearly five minutes.
18 min - Boa Morte foces Hoyte to concede a corner. Noble takes, but an unmarked David Di Michele is unable to make contact with an acrobatic volley. Seconds later, Jones flies to his right to repel James Collins' blockbuster. Surely an opening goal will arrive soon?
17 min - I told you it would liven up! Boa Morte and Collison combine to set up Noble, but Jones is alert and pushes aside his rasping shot.
Crikey - after watching us maul Bolton and get nothing for it we so badly ned a striker who scores!!