Ahead of this weekend's Barclay's Premier League 'top six' clash against fellow Londoners Crystal Palace, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has been handed a boost and a headache, with virtually a full squad to select from! When was the last time Hammer's have been able to name FOUR top strikers in their squad? Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia have joined Diara Sakho and Mauro Zarate to complete a formidable forward line up, one which will be aided and abetted by the electric dynamism of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini.
Without wanting to overly criticise the old guard too much, dear old Carlton Cole did not exactly strike fear in to the opposition, despite giving his all when wearing the Claret and Blue.
Of course it could all go 'pete tong', Carroll is made of glass and could well be a contender for the Kieron Dyer Cup by the end of the season, but even wearing tinted spectacles it is hard to say that West Ham United have not moved on to the' next level' that fans had been promised by continuous spin over the last 25 years, but never saw anything come to fruition.
The future is bright, the future is Claret and Blue! - Ed
Comments
Wonder what the starting
Wonder what the starting lineup will be... I'd like to see a similar team as the last few games, only with Antonio starting:
ADRIAN
JENKINSON TOMKINS REID CRESSWELL
NOBLE KOUYATE
MOSES ANTONIO
PAYET
SAKHO
Good pace on either wing, Noble and Kouyate supporting the back four, with Kouyate allowed to wander, then bring on Lanzini in the second half and give Carroll a run-out to batter their tired defence
Silly question I suppose on
Silly question I suppose on this thread but does anyone wish we had different owners? Personally I think they have been spot on so far. I wasn't keen on them employing Sam and am not over keen on the move but realistically they are great decisions for the sake of the club. No doubt there has been a well thought out plan that is making dividends. So I'm gona be one to say well done Sullivan,gold and Brady
I'm more than happy with the
I'm more than happy with the board and grateful with their input and basically saving us from financial ruin red neck,but it all comes down to money to propel us in the next phase in our history,Sugo wealth combined is 1billion,they have kept our head above water for sure,but what is I billion in todays prem market,i know sounds crazy don't it,i trust they put us in the right hands if handed over,NO Vincent Tan or Assem Allam sort of owners that's for sure!
Don't like the sound of West
Don't like the sound of West Ham Tigers??? LOL Those Eastern owners have an unhealthy obsession with that animal! But you're correct, if we are to truly challenge the big money boys, we need VERY wealthy owners. But we have to retain our soul as much as possible... not an easy task.
Mooro and bully I agree with
Mooro and bully I agree with your comments. I'd feel very uneasy being a man city or Chelsea. I want us to win but don't want to take away the uneasy expectantcy of defeat! I know it's strange, but I hate the way the big teams almost not cheer when they score. I'd be happy for big investment we have earnt our squad the hard way ATM. So I'd prefer we built our team with big money the old way. I'd be happy for 2 daves to run the club day to Day with a rich billionaire taking a back seat at first. Like bully says we need to maintain the soul of the club, that's the kinda thing Sam never could get his head round. I want my team to win but never EXPECT them to win, and I never want to either.
Spot on Red!
Totally agree.Look at chelski,their fans are almost suicidal at their position at the moment... as a westham fan i crave success like everyone else though not at the expense of becoming fickle!
It is a strong squad for
It is a strong squad for Westham,but always room for improvement.You mention Nev about the striker depth,but it has only been Sakho who has lived up to the hype with his consistency and goal scoring.There is no denying Valencia ,Carroll and Zarate are quality players but none have proven prolific goalscorers,which is what the club needs.I know injuries and getting a run in the side in their best positions haven't helped their cause, so hopefully they will all have something to prove over the course of the season.Can still see another top notch goal scorer coming in January,a player like Yilmaz whom Bilic was after during the summer.As for the Palace game,I hope Bilic has learned lessons from the Sunderland game,primarily to set the team up to absorb the Palace pressure in that first half hour in particular, because like Sunderland they will be like a greyhound out the trap.With their pace and fluidity in attack they need to be closed down in midfield effectively.Which is why I would go for a 5 man midfield initially then revert to a more attacking lineup second half 4-2-3-1 .Really need Song in that lineup to give the midfield more strength in breaking up opposition attacks, as Lanzini,Moses,Payet,Antonio are really attack minded players.I would give Carroll a start up front ,give Sakho a rest from his travels in the week.Could do with another quality defence minded centre midfielder ,unless one of the youngsters can step up.I really feel Oxford is ready,he was superb against Arsenal.
At no time in my 50 years
At no time in my 50 years supporting West Ham have we had such strength in depth, although it has to be said that not a few are on loan.
Yeah I'm feeling a little bit
Yeah I'm feeling a little bit spoilt here how about you lol
50 years bully? Similar to me
50 years bully? Similar to me I wonder what the average age is on here. Bet were are not the only ones either.
Yeah reckon quite a few
Yeah reckon quite a few grumpy old men on here, Red! LOL
Be my 50th anniversary next year. My first trip to UP was '69 -- we lost 0-1 to Everton! But I'd followed West Ham from the depths of darkest Devon for a few years before that, and it took a few years of pestering my old man to get him to (find the money) and take me to London for my first game. Quite an eye-opener for a young lad from the West Country!
Grown up in Suffolk and
Grown up in Suffolk and idolised Bobby Moore, first game I saw was a midweek game against villa in the chicken run as a teenager, went with a mate I played football with in a car full of like minded fans. Chicken run on a Tuesday night can you imagine the old atmosphere? Pretty sure we won and a decent game. Good on the way back too. Taken my boy a few times altho I'm now being priced out of going. Altho I saw Norwich and he saw Newcastle. It's not a working class club anymore with the expense. I'd love to go to the last game of the season and the first at the Olympic stadium both unlikely based on what I've heard. Demand will stop our last game at the Boleyn and if they sell as many st's at the Olympic stadium then I may not get the chance there either. My sons first game was Sunderland what a dreadful game it was! We lost they all looked 7 ft tall and there wasn't much football played altho we tried to, they played the long ball! Anyway I remember thinking why would my son ever want to go again! Atmosphere was still good in those days, so maybe that saved the day.
1968
First match at the Boleyn against Man Utd 1968 1:1 draw, Hurst Peters and Moore for us, Best Charlton and Law for them
Omg nev good one to see. I
Omg nev good one to see. I thought I was gona be the one in a million here so I'm happen to say I'm 53 in early January anyone else confident to unveil there age?
Big 60 oh in May... gulp! But
Big 60 oh in May... gulp! But I still act like I'm 13 :-))
Taurus the bull and Spain
Taurus the bull and Spain great connection there bully, 53 in april Myself but not in the best of nick unfortunately!
50 mate!
So i must be one of the young uns on here then!;)
I love this we are all old
I love this we are all old bits ha ha. Maybe that's why I prefer this forum to the others to post on
It's all coming together very
It's all coming together very nicely,sam is a distant memory now,very distant to me now he's been gobbing us off COYI
Sam who??
Sam who??;)