Forum | General Discussion

Perhaps the good weather that coincided with the gradual reduction of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic gave supporters false hope that they would be able to attend Barclays Premier League matches soon, if not at full capacity at least 30%. Unfortunately those hopes have been dashed by the government's latest directive that has pushed the chance of attending games way past the beginning of the new year.

Like all the other top flight stadia, the London Stadium is eerily quiet when games are played behind closed doors, but the 'bowl of misery' as it is often called by Hammers' fans is a huge place, as is Old Trafford, The Emirates and White Hart Lane, but the B.O.M because of it's flawed design as a football venue seems even more empty!

With the latest information just available today, the LDC have called an emergency meeting with regards as to how to limit the financial damage caused by keeping the London Stadium open, as West Ham United are only anchor tenants, the vast majority of the fiscal burden lies with the landlords who are obviously keen to avoid further financial embarrassment and encumbrance.

One of the propositions to be discussed at the emergency 'zoomed' meeting is the 'mothballing' of large parts of the Stadium, given the fact that there is no way fans can possibly return before the new year this does make sense, it has been suggested that all the walkways and ALL of the seating be hermetically sealed off only to be reopened when crowds can return, this means there is every likelihood that it will be early spring before the 'covers' can be removed. It is thought this action will save £100,000 per week, which ironically is what West Ham pay Jack Wilshere!

The Irons are not alone when it comes to match day revenue loss, but the club doesn't depend on it as much as Manchester United and Tottenham, the latter having to take out huge loans to offset the loss of not only football, but also American football and other lucrative non football entertainment, the revenues from which were essential parts of the plan to build a new stadium that was self financing from the get go, alas for Daniel Levy it was not to be, mind you he still found the wedge to finance the Bale deal and other incomings.

The West Ham board and club hierarchy will have heard today's announcement with mixed feelings, on the one hand they will continue to lose match day revenue and will have to keep rebating season ticket holders, on the other hand there will be no discontented crowds in attendance voicing their opinions straight at the directors box. - Ed

At the Org we pride ourselves on being as accurate as possible regarding events surrounding West Ham United, discarding the claret and blue spectacles is not always an easy task, however it has taken nearly 24 hours before it was possible to 'write up' yesterday's travesty of footballing justice that played itself out at the Emirates Stadium, and in front of millions of football fans around the World.

The fact that Arsenal were able to 'nick' the match in the dying minutes because of a Hammers defensive lapse, which there was, merely rubs salt in to the wounds of flabbergasted fans who saw one definite penalty rejected despite it being clearly obvious to everyone, pundits, fans, neutrals you name it. The sad thing about the defensive lapse was that until then the whole team had given it their all and looked nailed on to get a well earned point on their travels, alas it was not to be. Had Antonio's header not hit the bar and had Diop's foot been 2" shorter then the Irons could have emerged with three points instead of none.

Perhaps David Moyes should have brought Sebastien Haller on for the last fifteen to twenty minutes, but that is said with the benefit of hindsight and despite the eventual result this was a West Ham team that meant business and so nearly 'de-smugged' an Arsenal team brimming with attackers. All of Moyes' players put in a shift, so it is slightly unfair to again criticise Aaron Cresswell's performance, but yet again he continuously passed backwards instead of forwards, it is as if he has entirely forgotten or given up on running at players.

Authur Masuaku on the other hand performed with aplomb, and his searing pace constantly disturbed the Arsenal players as did Big Mich's physical approach, he has such a big smile on his face when he helps a 'victim' up having down ended him. This was such a different West Ham side from the one that succumbed so meekly to Newcastle in the 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium on the opening day of the season, and despite having some really difficult fixtures coming up there is at least a hint of optimism ON the pitch, off the pitch is an entirely different matter, but for now fans will be seeing some hope on the horizon, especially if the Cavalry arrive from America! - Ed

Word coming out of West Ham is that Josh Cullen may well replace club captain Mark Noble for this evening's fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates, Noble has a toe injury which prevented him from playing in the 3-0 victory over Charlton in the EFL cup and meant he missed training.

Noble has apparently recovered from the toe injury, but he is still 'feeling' a bit sore and David Moyes has intimated that he might do 'something different' for the Arsenal game in order to put last weekend's dreadful display in the 2-0 defeat by Newcastle firmly in the past.

If Cullen starts Moyes might decide to 'flood' the midfield in order to stifle what is a fast and mobile Arsenal team that can punish the opposition with their pace, and to that purpose Moyes may also elect to play Authur Masuaku, possibly as a wing back, Masuaku is a rubbish full back, but he can maraud down the line causing defenders real problems with his blistering pace.

In Moyes' first spell at the London Stadium before he was unceremoniously dumped in favour of the 'inveterate spender' AKA the 'Pellegrinophile', the Hammers manager 'took' to 'King Authur', things went wrong though when Mauaku had his 'spitting fit' that earned him a six match ban. Disciplinarian Moyes didn't take too kindly to Masuaku's behaviour and on his return to the club Moyes has only used his once favourite very sparingly.

At one point Masuaku was a fan's favourite, but the spitting ban followed by a loss of confidence saw him sidelined, particularly after the Chilean Pellegrini took charge, Masuaku became a shadow of the player he once was, it will be interesting to see if Moyes decides to deploy Masuaku for his pace.

Cullen has pace, but he also has accuracy and a very cool head, neither of those qualities are shared by Masuaku, it is particularly Cullen's calmness that shows brightly, and he seems unfazed by the big occasion, of course it helps that the match will be played in a stadium without fans, it will help not only Cullen, but several others will benefit from the lack of a home crowd, it kind of levels things up.

As for the rest of the team, Moyes might actually play a striker with a winger either side of him, that strange phenomena of playing players in their correct positions, Sebastien Haller CAN score goals but is low on confidence having been made to play the lone striker role under Pellegrini, if he has close support from Antonio and one other he will put the ball in the onion bag, it is just a question of going back to basics, oh and also how insane is it to have the club's two most expensive signings sitting on the bench?

To many, the Arsenal game is a write off, so why not give it a go? - Ed