Forum | General Discussion

West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice (c), Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma, Antonio. Subs: Areola (GK), Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Kral, Noble, Vlasic, Lanzini, Yarmolenko.
Watford: Foster, Femenia, Samir, Cathcart, Kamara, Kayembe, Kucka, Sissoko (c), Cleverley, Dennis, King. Subs: Bachmann (GK), Kabasele, Ngakia, Masina, Louza, Sema, Kalu, Hernandez, Pedro.

What should have been a triumphant return from a potentially serious knock, has turned into a complete fiasco for Hammers defender Kurt Zouma due to the 'Kittygate' images circling on social media! Only West Ham can do it, it seems as if as soon as some players walk through the door they leave their brains behind.

We don't want to go into the details which have already been covered explicitly by the red tops, neither are we so hypocritical that we want to either pass judgment or defend the French International's actions. Obviously it is completely unacceptable to 'kick the cat, slap it or throw shoes at it, it is a 'sin' in the UK that gets far more publicity than a brutal assault on another human being would.

It can be argued that a cat is a defenceless little thing and that Zouma's actions were reprehensible, the player has already apologised sufficiently for the Police and the RSPCA to be satisfied that the Cat in question is in no further danger and that the 'attack' was a one off event that the player deeply regrets.

At the risk of 'Catmail' and without condoning Zouma's actions in any way, it has to be said that 'someone' at the Org chased a 'little kitty' round the room with 'intent to harm' after the the blighter jumped up a fully laden Christmas tree causing it to fall directly on to an expensive new monitor and cracking it's screen.

Utterly unforgivable, but also very understandable, Cat lovers can be content though safe in the knowledge that Zouma will receive punishment a plenty apart from the Club and the Animal League, in the form of opposition supporters. It would be a great surprise if some 'Watford wag' hasn't already come up with a nasty little ditty about Zouma and the Cat, expect to hear some 'choice' banter tonight at the Ground or on BT Sport. - LN

We at The Org campaigned long and hard to let Issa Diop be given a chance to prove himself alongside Kurt Zouma, in the firm belief that the once monstrously talented player would rediscover his form under Zouma's tutorage, well he got his chance on Saturday against Kidderminster and put in his WORST performance EVER for the club.

Something is not right here, you would have thought Diop would have grabbed the opportunity to prove himself, instead he looked like a rabbit in the headlights and even made the normal owner of that title, Ryan Fredericks, look calm and relaxed!

Incidentally Fredericks was dreadful, but it doesn't detract from the fact that Diop's woeful ineptitude runs much deeper than a few bad performances, everything that was once good about his game has gone and been replaced with a player who has become a bag of nerves who is so petrified he CANNOT make decisions anymore, he has become a liability.

So what is to be done? The transfer window has closed so he can't be sold to Newcastle, neither can he be loaned out, so the club are stuck with him. Perhaps it is time, if it hasn't already been done, for Diop to see a top sports psychologist, it can't do ANY harm and it might just unlock the player that is hiding within.

Diop's impressive 6'4" frame doesn't mean he is tough on the inside, shouldn't he be given all the possible help available? If only to bump up his value before flogging him!

Hammers reward for embarrassingly scraping through to the next round of the FA Cup is a 5th round tie away to Southampton at St Mary's, with all the round' games being played during the week commencing February the 28th, although fixtures are subject to change as a result of broadcasting needs.

As it stands the Saints v Irons fixture is the ONLY game where both teams are from the Premier League, although that is sure to change after today's Liverpool v Cardiff game. The draw could have been worse, as Hammers have managed to avoid Chelsea, City, Everton and Tottingham as well as Liverpool.

Having reached the 1/4 finals of the League Cup, David Moyes will be hoping his team can go at least one stage further in the FA Cup. - LN