Forum | General Discussion
Sack or Stay
Towards the season coming to a close, it begins to raise the question whether Nuno, formally now known as ‘Luno’, should stay in charge in the event that the Hammers are relegated.
It has been said that if Nuno were to get relegated, that means the West Ham board would be able to release Nuno from his duties without compensation, but contrary to popular belief, this is incorrect. Whether West Ham stay up or get relegated, at the end of the season, the board will have an opportunity to ‘review’ Nuno and make a decision whether they want to keep or axe him, this is not dependent on relegation.
Whilst the board have yet to make a decision on Nuno, him getting the sack this season would be incredibly unlikely, despite at one point it was seemingly close, that is now no longer apparent.
With the o saco out of the question, if the Hammers stay up, should Nuno continue to stay in charge or should he even be considered to manage in the Championship? Whilst it may not be liberating for fans to imagine this prospect, it’s certainly something that could become apparent given the situation West Ham are in, but would he be the correct man to navigate the circus?
However, for the time being, Nuno is expected to manage the remaining 14 games of the season, 4 of which are against top six sides. It certainly won’t be a walk in the park, but the club has still been able to grasp the leash by its threads - LN
Russian outfit
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Now I know why he wears that Russian outfit he does not think that the board should be criticised. and has banned 3 fans in for bringing a banner into the ground apparently you cant bring a flag or banner into the ground if it is bigger than 2metresx 1metre a banner was "smuggled" which looks a lot bigger but was not offensive, into the Bobby Moore stand, for the Sunderland game the fans have been suspended I know Rules are rules but I wonder how many fans knew about this? B&S certainly did so the fans were e mailed telling him he is banned for the next 3 home games what a hooligan and he has supported WHU for 47 years I dont know about the other 2 supporters but it just goes to show that Sullivan does not believe in demonstrations or free speech the supporters are nothing to them but they will find out how important we are next season- no on 2nd thoughts I don't think they care- the lowest of them all could have been sorted with a phone call or better still just a warning NO MORE BS
Fellow Friend Set For Possible Deadline Day Return
The circus has arrived in East London, deadline day panic has returned for Hammers as Sullivan has deemed all of Nuno’s ‘balancing’ wishes so far, yet he hasn’t confirmed the signing of a central defender and we’ve got under 12 hours to go.
However, never fear, the impending transfer of Zombie Zou is being considered as a last-minute signing after the Frenchman recently had his contract terminated. He now awaits to see his next endevaour but a return to West Ham could possibly happen. Mr No Knees is how he used to be for West Ham. No freak incident has occurred where he’s suddenly got two functioning knee caps, he’s still the Limpasaurus fans hounded out of the club and in brutal honesty, it was likely for the right reason, given that Zouma now isn’t Premier League standard.
Seeing as the budget has been so incredibly ‘limited’, which David Sullivan’s stooges have been banging on about all window despite the fact that the Hammers are actually in PROFIT this transfer window, the club are waiting for the ‘correct player’ to spend money on rather than splashing on whomever… perhaps they’ve remembered Le Kill-man’s Horror’s story.
As Zouma is now a free agent, he would likely become the primary target once the Transfer window has ended. It means that the Hammers would have around half a day to secure a target elsewhere, but if not, it’ll be Zou on the phone and in the squad.
If Kurt Zouma does sign for the Hammers, at least he’ll be able to scare away all the cats in the changing room, the club have had far too many of them lurking around in recent times!
The club and more so Nuno, really do need a strong end to this transfer window as at this given moment in time, it has been very underwhelming considering that West Ham did actually do early business, but since the mighty Irons have fallen, they might need a pair of double AA’s to get over the line, but with that being said, I’m sure we’ll be on the phone to AA for a breakdown claim if Zouma’s signed. - LN
Ten-Man West Ham Falls at Final Hurdle
A game of two halves, a performance of relegation quality. A splendid first half from the Hammers with little to no fault, a half where Nuno set his side to defend but in a controlled manner, in a way which played Chelsea at their weaknesses and before you knew it, West Ham were 2-0 up at the break.
However, West Ham have struggled in the second half; it’s certainly not a new phenomenon and tonight has shown exactly that for the now heatbroken Hammers.
Nuno made the executive decision to substitute Max Kilman whilst the score was 2-1 to West Ham and unsurprisingly, the game ended 3-2 to Chelsea. Mavropanos being at fault prowesing as a Greek statue and refusing to jump for the ball, allowing Joao Pedro to score, with Max Kilman then taking credit for the other two, the second one being a tad unlucky, but the third one in extra time where he drifts away from the forward, giving them all the neccassiry means to make a pass and bang into the back of the net.
It’s simple Football in which the Hammers can’t work out. Why Nuno’s side consistently plays defensive Football whilst leading in a match, as the club doesn’t have the capabilities to do so. The players aren’t able to soak up the pressure to a successful level, and it’s not hard to tell that, on a countless number of occasions this situation has happened, and it’s ultimately Nuno throwing away crucial points which can effectively keep West Ham in the league.
That’s now 18 points lost from losing positions this season and it isn’t a surprise in the slightest. Garry Neville must be eating his hat after saying “You wouldn’t believe that this is a side in the bottom three”… you might be believing now!
Chelsea have never ever come back from being 2-0 down at the Bridge at halftime ever in their history, that has now changed.
To make matters worse, not only are vital points missed out on, but Jean-Clair’s French bust-up alongside Adama Traore as his cagefight partner decided enough was enough as Cucurella was sent to the floor and Joao Pedro was strangled. The Spaniard managed to hide away from VAR, but Todibo’s sending off has now left the Hammers to endure cataclysmic Kilman for five further games with no replacement in sight.
A half which was full of sunshine, rainbows and promising, admirable Football to a lacklustre, negative and half hearted Football. - LN
Chelsea vs West Ham Line-ups:
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Hato, Caicedo, Enzo (C), Gittens, Palmer, Garnacho, Delap
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, James, Acheampong, Fofana, Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Neto, Joao Pedro, Guiu
West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo, Diouf, Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen (C), Summerville, Pablo, Taty
Subs: Hermansen, Scarles, Traore, Wilson, Potts, Kilman, Walker-Peters, Kante, Magassa
Hammers Set To Sign Defender Nicknamed Axel ‘Disaster’
The Hammers have set their eyes on an array of different defenders throughout this window, and it appears we’ve aimed the bow at one individual, yet the arrow doesn’t seem to be very straightforward.
The Hammers have found their target, yet aren’t ready to fully commit. It appears at this moment in time that the deal will be concluded after the Chelsea game, which would be just two days before the Transfer window closes, it feels as if the Hammers only like to go for previous targets! The club have been knocking on Disasi’s door for numerous windows now and finally it seems like it’ll be across the line, unless Nuno and the club end up with cold feet.
A rather successful Aston Villa spell Axel Disasi had, but since returning to Chelsea, the 27 year old has been unable to receive any significant gametime and upon rejecting our Summer loan offer, it would result in him playing for Chelsea’s U21s. To make matters worse, whilst he was playing for the Chelsea first team squad, he was nicknamed Axel ‘Disaster’, which is what all clubs admire to have a defender branded as. However, there have been plenty of defenders and players who have been labelled as destined flops and have been great for the Hammers, but this loan does ultimately scream desperate.
To be or not to be, Axel Dissatisfying or satisfactory is the question?
In an attempt to focus on the positives, Disasi was rather successful at Aston Villa and at Chelsea. Their defence isn’t good whether he is or isn’t playing, they’re prone to making mistakes and across his time, he ultimately could’ve ended up being the fall-guy who didn’t deserve it.
All will be revealed soon enough but that event will only occur if the Hammers choose to push onwards with the deal - LN
Sullivan Sanctioned Lucas Paqueta's Move
After what has felt like an eternity of a saga, Lucas Paqueta has officially left the Hammers in order to complete his move to Flamengo. The club managed to agree on a fee for €42,000,000, which isn’t only Flamingo’s record fee, but it’s the Brazilian league’s record.
The ongoing saga could’ve been completed at a much quicker rate than expected, in which a week ago the Hammers had actually accepted a lower offer with a lucrative payment schedule, but last minute, Flamengo pulled the offer and it triggered another week of negotiating, which is now finally over.
There were initially rumours that Paqueta would land in Brazil on Sunday, in which you would’ve then thought Sully’s gone on to SkyScanner to find the cheapest flight for Paqman, must’ve been a lot of flight stops!
Fortunately, the deal is finalised and 99% complete.
The club have also published a statement upon Paqueta’s departure, in which part of it saw the Hammers send a damming message towards the fans: “Despite the Club doing everything possible to persuade Lucas to stay, he has remained adamant that his wish is to leave. Therefore, the Head Coach and the Club have reluctantly agreed to accept his transfer request.”
This would go hand in hand with the fact that Nuno initially expected to retain Lucas Paqueta, and it must’ve come as a shock once he was told that he had to sell the Brazilian, in which there’s been no replacement in sight since. It looks unlikely that any signings of a midfielder will happen before now and the end of the window, with the primary goal being a central defender, but whether that’s on a permanent or a loan deal is the question to ponder upon.
Many won’t forget Lucas Paqueta’s first season at West Ham, but it’s crucial to remember that he’s not even half the player he used to be. Some will be upset at the fact he’s ’forced a move’, but the truth is, he was simply just a man who was torn limb from limb via the FA, and that has resulted in the demise of his career.
Thankfully, the situation didn’t turn ugly at any given moment, it was simply a case of tough negotiations. West Ham squeezed out any ounce of a fee we could get, and Paqueta has ended up happy. A win-win on the books, but whether that money will be reinvested remains unknown. - LN
The Modern Game
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Is it just me getting disillusioned with the game today. Back when I was growing up in the 60's watching the game it was so simple. There was no VAR, the offside rule simple and handball was handball, There was only one camera high up above the stands broadcasting, calm commentary from the likes of Brian Moore, Motson or Kenneth Wolstenholme dressed in sheepskins or heavy raincoats. Not a hint of some squeaky voiced dolly bird dressed in the latest fashion nodding furiously at every comment made by those who knew what they were talking about.
, The referees decision was final and the linesman generally so. Goalkeepers caught the ball and also took goal kicks unless injured. Players went down only if they had a broken leg and any other injury play was waved on until it went out of play. The object of the game was to score more goals than the opposition, none of this sideways, sideways, sideways and back, before sideways. sideways again. I remember the boos and the slow handclaps if they dared pass back to the keeper in those days.
And then there is the allure of the players themselves. Never mind the allure of going to the games to watch our own players, Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Billy Bonds or Trevor Brooking, I would go to games to see the oppositions special attractions, The Stan Bowles, Rodney Marshes or the George Bests and Bobby Charltone. Even the lower teams like Spurs had their Jimmy Greaves, Burnley's Ralph Coates, or Leicester Citys Frank Worthington. Even goalkeepers would get me out on a freezing snow driven day like Pat Jennings, Gordon Banks or Peter Shilton. So many names from nearly all teams but there isn't a single Premier League player that would tempt me to part with my hard earned today.
Of course, I can't stop whinging without a mention to the sterilised grounds of today. The day the demolition of the Twin Towers of Wembley was the start of the rot in my opinion. Highbury, The original Den of Millwall, White Hart Lane and of course our own Boleyn Ground. Gone are the roasted peanuts, hot chestnuts braziers, burgers dripping in greasy fat and onions and the spit and sawdust pubs of the day. I won't mention the price match tickets these days. Corporate Hospitality? That was for those who had a seat wasn't it?
Anyone feel the same?
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