A GENERAL THREAD FOR HAMMERS FANS

This topic contains 419 replies, has 29 voices, and was last updated by  hurstthegreat 7 years, 1 month ago.

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  • #1191969

    hurstthegreat
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    yeah, it wasn’t a great performance and in could have been so much worse. Initially it reminded me of an SA setup, everybody behind the ball with no attacking intent whatsoever. Two quick goals soon changed that though and a real hammering was on the cards had not Bilic changed the formation. Sad to say but at the moment we look a very average side, absolutely nothing at all like like season, its like chalk and cheese. Hopefully when we get some of the injured players back things will improve. Tore is not premiership quality and I can’t see him lasting long. I worry that we have supposedly spent 60 mil, but to me it seems like we have got quantity instead of quality. I so hope I’m wrong.
    Congratulations to Antonio on his England call up, theres a lesson for every young kid who dreams of making it big.

    #1192302

    Mark Boots
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    Agree with you Hurstie, Tore is just not up to it. Nordveit has played in Germany and traditionally German based players take their time in adjusting, Mertesacker and Osil are good examples as they took a season to bed in. I used to live in Germany and Borussia Moenchengladback are no mugs and I think he will surprise us all. I like Fletcher a lot and Calleri seems to be getting a little more assured. I only saw the Feghouli goal on highlights but he finished well against Domzale so let’s hope he can continue in the same form. Lanzini did a lovely little trick yesterday. Ayew I am not sure about, Valencia seems depressed to me and Sahko just doesn’t seem that interested before his back gave out. I still like Carroll simply because of the panic the big old Geordie lump causes. I hope Fernandes, Payet and Zaza hit the ground running. I am very pleased for Antonio, I thought we had bought a real mug from a lower level but what a season he had and I am pleased that he has got an England call up, just wish Bilko would play Byram as right back as the kid has looked ok to me. Still onwards and upwards I say let’s hope to a demolition of Watford.

    #1193391

    HarryHammer
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    I did not expect us to get anything at Citeh but when I heard that we were playing the Three Lumps at the back I considered finishing my beer and going home. I don’t know whether it is Bilko or the Spivs to blame for not signing a right back but it is costing us big time. Antonio is a complete liability at right or wing back. I have lost count of the number of defensive errors he has made. Wake up Bilko. I don’t think Byram is ready but surely he has to play until we sign some-one better. I said in the summer we should give the Spuds 5m and rescue Trippier from the isolation ward at White Hart Lane. We have to sign a competent right back or this season will be wasted. So far we have spent 60m and have a weaker squad than last term. Why sign Fernandes for 5m and not spend the money on a right back? It’s madness. Every team knows now how to beat us. The returning players will make us better but we will have to score lots of goals to win games. I still can’t accept why we sold Tompkins. We are still playing like it’s pre-season. The players look unfit and struggle to create anything. For me yesterday I thought Ogbonna put in a shift and eventually tamed Stones at set pieces. The boy Fletcher is a real prospect but probably needs a season in the Championship to toughen him up. You can see Bilko is frustrated and he must be praying that Payet does not get injured with France. The window closes on Wednesday night which does not give us much time to sign a right back. I will be gutted if we don’t.

    #1193514

    Sighvatur Bjarnason
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    We have now played a few games and due to injuries we have not yet reached the strength of last season. Every team would miss Payet, Creswell and Carroll in my opinion. No one can play against Carroll or Payet when they are on song. We have now a squad that is too big, we need to ship someone out. It is a shame that Sakho is not up to is as he can make a difference when his mindset is good. The tactics against City were a mistake we all saw that after 10 minutes, but a costly mistake it was. But we could not play to our strength as Payet and Carroll were missing. Ogbonna had a good game and Fletcher is a prospect and can do a Rashford. lanizini was good when he came on. Most of the other players have had better days, but lets now hope that he break we have now will give us new fresh player and our best players back in form. COYI

    #1194483

    Big Mal
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    Whispers today that we have bid 5m plus ad ons for a right back from Wolves.

    #1199046

    Sighvatur Bjarnason
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    In my opinion then many of the teams around us have strengthen their team during the window. To a certain point we did that as well, but a lot is depending on Payet, Lanzini and a striker. Antonio has showed all of us that his strength is in the attack/wing not as a right back, we should be covered there now by Byram and Arbeloa. The midfield should be ok, the attack is the question mark. To bad that Sakho has not got his mind into playing for West Ham, so we have to rely on the new players like Zaza, Calleri and Fletcher as Carroll and Ayew are injured of course.

    If we can end in he 10th place or better then I regard that as a success. COYI

    #1200774

    HarryHammer
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    I was pleased to see Arbeloa join us. If he is fit he has the proven ability to make a positive contribution. Bilko must think Byram is still not ready and seems to have finally accepted that Antonio won’t cut it as a right back. I can see why he thought Antonio might be answer but he was making too many mistakes. Reid will be a relieved man because it was affecting his game too. I don’t like loan signings but in the case of Zaza and Tore the cost of them not working out would have been massive. Zaza looks a strong boy and will benefit from playing with Payet and Lanzini. He scores all types of goals but to date has not been prolific at any of his clubs. The fact that Conte had him in the Italy squad suggests he must half decent. On a different subject I pass by the Boleyn almost every day and it’s looking very sad now. I think a lot of us are struggling to adjust to the Running Track. It does not feel like home to me. It’s more like an away venue without the away fans. The stewards are trying their best but seem uncomfortable and almost intimidated. The issue with the standing is going to be very difficult to resolve and should have been foreseen. I must say the attitude of some of our fans has been out order. If I stand in my seat the people behind me can’t see and if I stay seated I can’t see. To be honest overall I don’t like Running Track. It’s just not WHU enough for me. But like everyone else I will just have to stop moaning and get used to it.

    #1200927

    hurstthegreat
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    That’s got to be tough H, passing by the old ground. I’m sure it will only get harder especially when they tear it down. So many memories locked up in that place. I saw a short video clip on the BBC of how Liverpool just finished their new stand at Anfield and increased their capacity to 54,000. I always thought we could have done that at the Boleyn but apparently it wasn’t possible. I wonder if that’s true, did they really explore all the options? Was the OS just too good for G&S to turn down? Anyway we’re stuck with it now, the crowd looks an awful long way from the pitch.

    #1204254

    hurstthegreat
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    How is it that Payet can’t play for us because he is “injured” and yet can come on as a sub for France for 27 minutes and then be selected for their next game?

    #1223682

    Mark Boots
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    If we don’t start to gel bloody soon we will be playing championship football and say goodbye to Payet. 2-0 down to WBA not happy!!!

    #1226571

    discombobulater
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    Blimey, it’s grim in here! Where’s the fridge, and who chose that diabolical wallpaper?

    #1227570

    HarryHammer
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    I try not to do ‘knee jerk’ but if I had posted from the Baggies at half time I would probably have gone over the top. The feel good factor from last season has completely gone and for what it worth I think many things have contributed. First of all Brady’s conviction to turn us from being a football club into a brand and not cater correctly for the faithful at the Running Track has to be a factor. The Spivs loan and freebie bulk buy transfer policy has left us with a weaker squad than last season. The Europa Cup qualifiers and the late return of key players ruined our pre-season. Injuries to key players. Not buying a quality right back and an upgrade centre back. Selling Tompkins was a massive mistake. Slav has to take some blame too. The Antonio right back farce cost us big time at Chelsea and in the Europa Cup. The lack of professionalism at the club. Who in their right mind would let a 16 year old announce transfers and comment on club matters? But most of all I believe the reason we are losing games is that we have been sussed out and teams are exploiting our expansive games and counter attacking especially when we leave too many players high up the field. The Baggies 4th goal is the most obvious example but it happens too regularly. I have said before I don’t think the players are fit enough. We run out of steam. With more energy we would have been able to keep the pressure up on WBA and scored a third which would have given us a chance. I was never excited by the signing of ZaZa but to ask him to impersonate Andy Carroll makes no sense to me. If you are going to play that way then Fletcher should start. With Fergouli back I would push Antonio up front. Why not? He has more to offer than any of others. Noble and Kouyate are doing very little to protect the back four and I would leave them out. Nordveit is definitely improving which is credit to him since he has played in three different positions for us and I would pair him up with Obiang against the mighty Stanley. It’s all gone wrong so far this season but I believe we can get back on track. Slav needs to make changes and beef us up in midfield to stop conceding goals.

    #1227585

    hurstthegreat
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    Hey Disco, welcome back! It took you a bloody long time to find us again! Let’s hope some of the other old posters trickle back

    #1227840

    Mark Boots
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    Well Harry I always take in what you say and as an eternal optimist as I am I am rather gloomy but I will take heart from your words. And holy hell in a hand cart Disco is that truly you? Things are looking up boys!

    #1228290

    hurstthegreat
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    It was a horror show, no doubt about that. ZaZa was hopeless and does not look like the forward that was going to solve our striking problems. I get a feeling that if Callieri and Fletcher could just get a goal it would do there confidence the world of good. Fletcher particularly. Hurry back AC, we seem a totally different side without you!

    #1228374

    Big Mal
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    Disco back? Grim is the word for Teamtalk these days but we live in hope and maybe a few Spuds to educate. Even Eric seems to have given up. At least we can rely on Harry to paint a picture for us. I agree with your observations Harry. The main problem for Slav is how to stop us conceding so many goals. To some extent what we are getting what we asked for with the emphasis on attacking football. The trouble with the way we defend is that without a centre back who can bring the ball out we just hoof it and back it comes. Cresswell is a big loss to us and selling Tomkins has reduced options at centre and right back. It’s not surprising to me that we are conceding so many goals. Both Noble and Kouyate are in poor form too but they will improve. They are both good players and maybe the suggestion to drop them both and play Nordweit and Obiang might gee them up. Obiang never does much wrong and maybe just needs a run of games. I am not sure about Nordtweit but he looked better than Byram at right back. He was signed as a utility player but prefers a holding midfield role. Maybe he should be given a chance to stake his claim. Carroll would have caused Albion lots of problems in the second half and we are missing him too. I am looking forward to seeing Fernandes and Oxford against Accrington. Both should play and I would play 442 with Fletcher and Calleri starting. I could see these two could running Acrrington ragged. Arbeloa should start and bring some composure to our back four. My starting eleven would be Randolph, Masuaku, Reid, Oxford, Arbeloa, Obiang, Nordtweit, Fernandes, Feghouli, Fletcher and Calleri, Subs Payet, Lanzini, Antonio, Collins and Ogbonna. It won’t be anything like that though because Slav will no doubt play two or three out of position to make it more fun and give Accrington a chance to pull off a shock result! It’s going to be interesting to see what the atmosphere is like in a half empty stadium. I do miss the Boleyn.

    #1229988

    Big Mal
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    Anyone watch Ripper Street last night? I did not realise John Hartson had played for Thames Ironworks!

    #1231269

    HarryHammer
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    Here’s one to sober you up. I got talking last night to a geezer who arrived on our shores as a young boy 32 years ago. He works as train driver on the District Line and lives in Plaistow. He and his two boys aged 6 and 8 love football, supported West Ham but were priced out at the Boleyn and only got to attend the discounted games. When he heard about the cheap season tickets at the Running Track he got on the list early doors and was successful. His boys were made up and could not believe they were now proud season tickets holders. Their first game was Domzale and there was some issues with people standing and the youngest did not see much of the game. The Bournmouth game was worse and there was some scuffles close to them. At the Watford game it kicked off so close to them his boys were terrified and asked to go home. They left early and both boys said they never want to go to another game. The youngest has even removed his West Ham posters and pictures of Noble who was his hero. Both boys loved to play football in the park with their Dad. On Sunday both said can we do something else. He said it’s like a shattered dream. He added that he can’t even say to them it won’t happen again. He was almost in tears. So was I listening to him! Whether they will ever go again he can’t say. He has not complained to the club or asked to be moved. He genuinely seemed to still be in shock at what has happened. My view is that Brady’s lot have messed up but there cannot be any justification for this sort of behaviour. I have seen it with my own eyes. It’s sickening what is going on and after talking to this father of two young boys and listening to the damage these morons have caused I am now firmly in the zero tolerance camp. Brady & Co had better sort this mess out or next season the Running Track will be half empty regardless of what league we are in. This is one of those periods when I question being a West Ham fan and think is it worth it.

    #1231626

    hurstthegreat
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    Very sad H, our club certainly seems in a mess. The youngsters are the next generation of fans and everything needs to done to encourage them to play and watch football. The family enclosure idea always seemed like a good option to me to get the young ones together and feel safe. Once we got over the idea of moving, I think a lot of us got mixed up in the shiny new stadium thing and its coming home to roost now. Not only how much as fans we miss the Boleyn but the effect it is having on our team, and just as importantly the away team. All that on top of the new players, loss of form and great expectation and a recipe for disaster is not far off if we are not very careful. Tonight is a real banana skin, those Accrington boys are going to be so up for it, and why shouldn’t they? What a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to play at the OS and put one over the premier big time charlies. We better be at the races right from the off or humiliation beckons. Those of us that have been around this club for a long time have seen it multiple times over the years and know it can happen. Lets hope this is not the ‘perfect storm’ week with an upset tonight and bottom of the league on Sunday. Slav’s honeymoon period is well and truly over and while the talking is good, something needs to change on and off the field or the knives will begin to be sharpened.

    #1235034

    Big Mal
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    Harry, as you know we have always had our share of idiots but violent behaviour is unacceptable in any circumstances. A number of people are relocating in the two rows in front of me because they want to stand which should help to reduce the issues in our block. If you can make contact with your man I will get the seat numbers that should become available. I know most of the people close to my seat and feel confident that he and his boys will be safe and happy. Those around me do behave and the language is reasonable too especially when kids are present. Tell him not to let a few mindless idiots ruin their season. It will sort itself out one way or another. We decided before the Watford game to self police our section hence why people are moving. It’s unfortunate what has happened due to not enough thought being given to seat allocation. A lot of people who had one season ticket at the Boleyn now have three. I know some-one that has got eleven season tickets which are mainly kids which he expected to upgrade on the day as required. With no checks at the turnstiles the kids season tickets are being exploited. It’s all been badly handled but no doubt they will get to grips with it soon. Not much to say about the game except that I was surprised Oxford and Fletcher did not start. I like the look of Fernandes and Obiang looked solid. Payet saved our bacon as I was fearing extra time with 10 men. Fair play to Accrington for their positive approach.

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