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'Unicorn' To Feature For Hammers Against Foxes

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 20/04/2019 - 11:43

Bereft of the creative input that the injured Manuel Lanzini and Samir Nasri bring to the team, manager Manuel Pellegrini has been handed what many will see as a poisoned chalice in the form of a 'fit again' Jack Wilshere. It appears that the very talented but much injured former Arsenal and England midfielder will be adding to his miserable quota of four games played by featuring for the home side at some point during the match against Leicester City at the London Stadium this Saturday afternoon.

It is all too easy to criticise and also to be envious of Jack Wilshere, after all he is picking up around £100,000 per week in wages and is generally not playing! However Jack's injury issues were well known to the club before he signed for West Ham United, and had it not been for 'previous' with the likes of Kieron Dyer and Andy Carroll, Jack's injury woes would have been concerning but definitely not highlighted as much as they have been given his predecessors predilection for long term 'expensive' injuries.

The sun will be out at the London Stadium this afternoon, not the disgraced red top but that big yellow thing in the sky, not those blighters from Murdoch's sky but the other clear blue one! The new 'carpet' will be there for all to peruse and there should be a 'feel good' factor present, at least at the beginning of the match. Hammers are in a similar position to Manchester City, not financially or from an achievement point of view of course, but the fact that they play in a Stadium that was not originally designed for football, the atmosphere can be very quiet, especially when things are not going to plan. However when it is rocking, the Etihad is a joy to behold, similarly when the London Stadium is rocking it is a great place to be, even the most diehard of London Stadium haters would have to admit as much!

Alarmingly Hammers still need a point to be guaranteed of safety against relegation, those old timers who remember the 38 games: 42 points West Ham United (2002–03) relegation season will still be feeling uneasy until 'mathematical' relegation is completely ruled out, although Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping to set his ream up to win and not just whimper across the line, and after all pints mean prizes.

The higher up the Barclays Premier League that Hammers finish the more 'prize money' the club receives, so it is in everyone's interest, even the players who want to leave, for the club to finish as high as possible (not in the AC back in the day fashion!). Marko Arnautovic seems to have finally 'forgiven' the club for his failed lucrative January move to China, and he seems to have been 'finally forgiven' for his attempt to leave by Manuel Pelllegrini.

It is to be hoped that both Arnautovic and Antonio start the match together, likewise despite his recent good form, it would be beneficial if Angelo Ogbonna made way for Issa Diop in order for the imposing Frenchman to link up with the General that is Fabain Balbuena. - Ed

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Outrageous- Snodgrass Fine More Than Some Racial Abuse Euro Fines!

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 16/04/2019 - 19:17

The FA might be on a little bit of a power mission as they are attempting to remain the FA as opposed to the English FA, well FA has many connotations especially when it comes to their response, or lack of response to racism in the sport of football. The FA's paltry middle of the road attitude has far reaching consequences, fans around the Globe, particularly in certain areas of Europe have been getting away with outrageous amounts of racist comments and actions against players of visiting teams, sometimes even their own players!

Here is a list of the 'tough' punishments handed out recently: November 2018- Greece handed partial stadium ban and fined £8,500 Greek Football Federation fined £8,500 and ordered to partially close their stadium for their next game after racist behaviour in their 1-0 win over Estonia. Also ordered to display banner with the wording “#EqualGame” during next game.

October 2018 - Romania handed stadium ban and fined £44,500
Romanian FA slapped with a £44,500 fine for racist behaviour of its supporters during their Nations League goalless draw with Serbia. Their next match was also ordered to be played behind closed doors following the racist chants and banners displayed by fans.

September 2018 - Poland handed partial stadium closure
Poland made to close off at least 1,000 seats during their next Uefa competitive home match following racist chants in their Nations League group stage match in Italy. The "#EqualGame" banner must also be visible in the affected area of the stadium.

August 2018 - Red Star Belgrade handed stadium ban and fined £61,500
Red Star Belgrade play Champions League play-off first leg match against FC Salzburg behind closed doors for the racist behaviour of its supporters against FK Sūduva. Also made to pay £61,500 fine.

Reading the above, it is astonishing to see that the FA have decided to fine one individual nearly the same amount as an entire international footballl organisation has been fined, only the individual in question is Robert Snodgrass of West Ham United, who mistakenly thought the anti-doping team who visited the club's training ground on one of their unannounced 'raids' had a sense of humour! 'Snodddy' has also been given a one match ban which is currently suspended pending an appeal, an appeal that could see the ban doubled if deemed 'frivolous'.

While Snodgrass's attempt at humour was obviously misguided, it was hardly the crime of the century, perhaps the FA should examine their own house before casting judgement on individuals who have made a bad choice, his was a one off, their mistakes are perpetual! - Ed

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Bosnian or Croat Or Both? As Hammers Linked With Dzeko And Perisic

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 16/04/2019 - 16:27

With all eyes on next season, Hammers' recruitment will be an important issue as the club looks to build on the impressive foundations laid down by Manuel Pellegrini in his first year in charge at the London Stadium, several key players will be leaving, none more so than Andy Carroll. Andy's career at West Ham has been blighted with injury, and perhaps his next club may well benefit from the many thousands of hours of rehabilitation and surgery that have been lavished on his impressive but brittle 6'4" frame, his ridiculous wages are attractive now to players from around the Globe let alone from when he was handed his insanely generous deal, Mark Curtis must have laughed and laughed all the way to the Bank whilst at the same time lining up an 'ex-gratia' villa in the Algarve for a certain ex-Hammers manager!

West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Roma striker Edin Dzeko, and although his wage demands will be high they will still be within the region of AC's, the 33-year-old's contract with Serie A side Roma expires at the end of next season and he is yet to sign an extension. Dzeko initially joined Roma on loan from Manchester City in August 2015 before making the move permanent two months later, he has scored 86 goals in 171 appearances in all competitions during his four years with Roma.

Bosnian international Dzeko, scored 32 goals in 80 matches under Manuel Pellegrini's guidance helping City to win the Premier League title during the 2013/14 campaign, he has struggled for game time this season and his representatives are in advanced talks with Mario Husillos with regards to a move to the London Stadium. As if that wasn't a tasty enough morsel, according to Gazetta Dello Sport, West Ham are chasing Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan, Hammers have a good relationship with Inter, so this one might have legs on it!

Dzeko is Bosnian and Perisic is Croatian, their two countries have been at odds with each other since what seems like the beginning of time, it would be interesting to see how they would line up on the same side, if they could bury their National differences then they could be a potent threat. The arrivals of Dzeko and or Perisic would show that West Ham are serious about wanting to break into the top six, and the Serbian and Croatian’s arrivals would surely attract other players to the club.

Of course signing a 33 year old and a 30 year old is hardly planning for the future, but they could be essential 'transitional' signings as part of the Pellegrini/Husillos master plan. -Ed

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Probe In To Irons Defeat At Old Tra'vesty Reveals Corruption VAR Would Stop

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 16/04/2019 - 09:34

When match officials who have just overseen one of the worst set of decisions in the Barclays Premier League this season are seen laughing and joking with the hierarchy of the club that has just benefited from some really dubious judgements, then any neutral observer would assume that there has been a degree of collaboration. The fact that these 'events' will get brushed under the carpet is synonymous with the dual values applied to the League's 'top six' sides and the rest, it has become accepted that 'lower' teams just don't get the rub of the green from the officials in charge.

Although so called 'judgement' will still be called upon, the introduction of VAR next season will highlight just how 'corrupt' so many decisions were this season. Obviously being a Hammers site we will point out the injustice of the defeat at Old Tra'vesty which as everyone with a pulse will know was highly contentious to put it mildly, however in the wider picture clubs like Cardiff City are facing relegation when if VAR had been in place they would have been nine points better off, similarly West Ham would have been at least nine points better off had VAR been in place!

To continue of this topic, just imagine what the Barclays Premier League table would look like this season had VAR been in place? How would it look if all the points, or even most of the points lost by clubs due to dubious decisions were re-awarded? VAR cannot come soon enough, unfortunately there will some clubs who will really suffer up until then, and West Ham United are one of those. - Ed

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Smiling and having a laugh after a defeat?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 14/04/2019 - 18:38

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I'm referring to Hazard. His side lost to one of their rivals, was he bothered? Apparently not. There he was laughing and joking, patting Liverpool players on the back.

Is it me or is this a sign of the times?

Your star player couldn't care less if you win or lose. I know the whistle gone, but what happened to players who would pound the turf, kick the ball into the stands in anger after such a loss?

No Arnautovic Manchester United Vs West Ham United Team Sheets

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 13/04/2019 - 16:32

Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Dalot, Fred, Pogba, Mata, Lingard, Martial, Lukaku. Subs: Romero, Lindelof, Rashford, Pereira, Darmian, McTominay, Greenwood.
West Ham United: Fabianski, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Noble, Rice, Lanzini, Snodgrass, Anderson, Hernandez. Subs: Adrian, Obiang, Diop, Fredericks, Antonio, Holland, Diangana.

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Hammers Line Up To Face Manchester United

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 13/04/2019 - 10:35

At this stage of the season clubs like West Ham have little to play for except the finishing position bonus that they receive depending on how high up they finish, but this season could have ended differently but for a ridiculous injury list that at some points beggared belief and some lamentable performances epitomised by the loss to Wimbledon in the most open of FA Cups for 20 years!

This evening's televised match against Manchester United is definitely more significant for the home side as they seek to redress their own loss of fortune over the last few games, bereft of most of their back line they should be there for the taking, and if the West Ham players who take to the field of play have brought in to Manuel Pellegrini's 'big club' mentality they could well come away with three points.

Which West Ham is going to turn up? The team has exhibited a truly Jekyl and Hyde level of playing this season, playing 'top' opposition suits Hammers style of play, if the correct players start the match then they can get the crowd on the home side's backs. Antonio has to start, his pace will scare the hell out of the United defenders, also Diop must start along side the General Fabian Balbuena, the pair of them dominated the Manchester United forwards in the game at the London Stadium earlier in the season which saw Hammers run out comfortable 3-1 victors.

If, and it is a big if, the players go out and express themselves they have nothing to fear except fear itself! - Ed

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On This Day True Greatness Was Born-A Hero-A True Gent-Bobby Moore

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Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 12/04/2019 - 15:39

The words brilliant, or magnificent, or exceptional are often banded around when people refer to football players who left a marked impression, not the sort of 'impression' that Billy Bonds might have left on an unsuspecting striker, more something of great significance. Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore would have been 78 years old today, how 'truly great' it would have been for him to have a jar or two with Bonzo and Co ahead of walking out on to the pitch at the London Stadium to be greeted by the roar of fans declaring their adoration for the greatest defender of all time.

Alas this was never to be, sadly Bobby passed away in 1993 at the ridiculously young age of 52 as a result of bowel cancer and medical complications. Having been an incredibly loyal servant, he played 647 times for the club, Bobby was treated atrociously, nowadays he would have been revered and looked after by the club. Instead he was left out in the cold both by West Ham United and the Football Association, shame on them, and shame again! No one is suggesting that Mooro's treatment by both club and country directly contributed to his early demise, but they didn't bloody help did they?

In today's money mad game, how much would Bobby Moore in his prime be worth? His value would be stratospheric, £100-150 Million and counting, young Declan Rice is the closest player that the club have produced to Bobby, in fact in certain pictures, during play in certain areas of the pitch he does bear an uncanny resemblance to the great one. West Ham United never showed Bobby any gratitude for the fact that he, along with Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were one of the reasons that the Academy ended up with a conveyor belt of talent including, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard to name a few!

It was the boys who won the World Cup that attracted would be professionals to West Ham United, none more so than Bobby Moore 12th of April 1941 – 24th of February 1993. R.I.P - Ed

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All hail, Pep, the footballing Managerial Genius.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/04/2019 - 10:35

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tired of hearing the bum licking of this guy. Now hes saying losing 1-0 is better than getting 0-0. I've heard some tripe in my time from the masters like Keegan, but this one is even better. Every time you turn on the t.v to one of these premier league talk shows - its a Pep love fest. The man has 'changed' our football, hes brought training methods only aliens would have thought of, every decision he makes on the pitch is pure genius. well, hes a football manager who has been given an open cheque book like no other. even down to the youth players he brings through (hardly a sniff), everyone has been bought. he picks up the phone and says 'I want...' and he arrives. he says I need 3 top players in every position and its done with a wave of a wand. can you really go wrong with whoever you throw together in an 11 when they are the best players going? well I hate spurs as much as the next guy but I took some satisfaction in having city lose last night.

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