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New Era Begins

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 23/05/2024 - 14:36

West Ham have now officially appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach. The 57 year old Spaniard succeeds David Moyes and joins on a two year deal, with the option for a third.

Lopetegui's first words after the confirmation of his arrival were "I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big club. We had other opportunities but I am very happy that West Ham chose me because I chose West Ham too, so we are really happy about this."

"I feel that we have a fantastic platform, my ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete."

"Julen lives and breathes football," said West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten. "He thinks deeply about the game, he is tactically astute and he has shown he can adapt to work in different leagues, in different countries, with national teams, and in each situation he has shown his outstanding qualities."

Majority shareholder David Sullivan chipped in with "We believe this appointment will ensure a strong opportunity to build on the positive progress made in recent seasons, helping the club to move forward in the direction that aligns with our ambitions."
So there you have it, one of Hammers' worst kept secrets it out in the public domain, which has come as a relief to many but has generated reservations to many as well. The spiteful and ill founded "be careful what you wish for" campaign of negativity ahead of Lopetegui's arrival, led by armchair pundits can now be laid to rest!

Julen has a massive job ahead of him and has been working with Tim Steidten for weeks regarding what players they need to bring in and who needs to get the heave ho. I you believe all you see and read Hammers are pursuing players across the Globe and probably into outer space!

One huge positive is that Lopetegui seems to get on well with Tim Steidten and that the new coach is in place early enough to spend a lot of time with the players ahead of the new season, also that players earmarked for transfer are being actually targeted now, instead of at the end of the transfer window.

It is definitely the beginning of a new era for Hammers supporters, there will doubtless be setbacks on the journey, but at least there is potential for hope, but then again as many say about supporting West Ham, "it's the hope that kills you". Only time will tell- Ed

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Goodbye Chicken K(i)ev

Submitted by Louis Nixon on Thu, 23/05/2024 - 08:40

Among the raft of coaching staff being shown the door from West Ham yesterday one name does stick out and will have many feeling at least a tinge of sorrow, Kevin Nolan has left the building. Nolan of course, captained the Irons promotion winning team and became part of the fabric of the club.

Nolan served many years as a player and then returned in a coaching role alongside the likes of Irwin and Pearce to form a formidable touch line presence! No shrinking violet he always had the players' backs and was a well loved and respected man even if most didn't understand his Geordie accent!

Some people thought that he would be retained given his close association with the players, but it was probably better for all parties that there was a clearing out of the old ahead of the new Lopetegui era.

Nolan's tunnel antics will be missed, but it is what it is, Good luck Kev, it has been a pleasure. -LN

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Bowen In-Will He Make Cut? Do You Care?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 22/05/2024 - 18:03

So 'Lord' Southgate has included Jarrod Bowen in his initial squad for the upcoming Euros, well he had to didn't he, although plenty of established players found out to their cost that they weren't guaranteed a place.

The squad will be trimmed down to 23 ahead of the tournament and there is some doubt as to whether Bowen will make the cut or not. Well the point is do Hammers fans want to see Bowen wearing the three lions in competition, probably as a little used substitute and more than likely played out of position? Or would they rather he takes a break from what was a gruelling season?

With no European competition for West Ham next season Bowen will NOT be called upon to play Thursday/Sunday football as he has had to for the last three seasons so he won't suffer from as much burn out as before.

Bowen obviously loves playing for England, but might he be better off taking a break with his young family and recouperating ahead of next season instead? Of course it is always good to see 'one of our own' donning the National colours and adds a bit of interest to yet more football, whereas there are those who say that there is TOO MUCH football on offer and that it is good to have a break!

Hammers are about to embark on a truly MASSIVE rebuild, so perhaps it would be better for Bowen to be there from the off rather than returning knackered from yet another unsuccessful tournament for England. - Ed

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Newbie alert

Bubblegirl's picture
Submitted by Bubblegirl on Wed, 22/05/2024 - 12:29

Forums:

Hi everybody i'm new to the site and just wanted to say hello to my fellow West Ham supporters.Yes i am a woman but please do not be put off by that.
Reason i have joined this site over many others is from posts i have read and the banter in them made me feel this is just not a community but a family and i have to say i have taken note of how many of you do enquire as to the health and well being of fellow users of this site when they have not been posting for a while that gave me a warm feeling and why i have taken the plunge.But enough of the girly mush lets talk West Ham COYI

Final Day Man City v West Ham Team Line Ups

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 19/05/2024 - 09:27

Man City: Ortega, Walker(c), Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Silva, Haaland, Doku.
Subs: Carson, Stones, Ake, Lewis, Nunes, Bobb, Kovacic, Grealish, Alvarez.

West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma(c), Mavropanos, Cresswell, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Antonio.
Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Alvarez, Cornet, Ings, Earthy, Casey, Mubama, Ogbonna.

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Hammers 808 Bonds

Submitted by Rob on Fri, 17/05/2024 - 11:29

Forums:

Hi does anyone know anything about the 808 bonds.
Are they still available?
Can you still buy them and how much are they?

Cheers

F**K the Gooners

mcbikeman's picture
Submitted by mcbikeman on Thu, 16/05/2024 - 12:57

Forums:

Normally these Wa**ers dont bother me but hearing them asking us to do a favour for our old mate Rice and them makes me want to puke.
Only last summer they were whining Rice aint good enough he's not worth £60miilion let alone the £75million they bid blah blah blah then for once Sullivan would not be screwed over and stood his ground we got the money we wanted and Rice the move he asked for.
So here we are end of the season they qualified for Champions league and they are saying they got Rice on the cheap actually said Half price what a bunch of maggoty Spawny C**ts they are and on top of that they are begging us to do them a favour....yeah right well you lot can do one and unlike Spud fans who were begging to lose to Citeh to Stop the Gooners well i am not asking West Ham to Do that all i ask is they play for us the fans and forget that rotten mouthy other club in North London....if by some miracle we win then we win for ourselves not those Tossers

Who Will Control The Purse Strings For New Era?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 15/05/2024 - 13:01

As you can imagine, the media information and rumour machine regarding West Ham are running at full chaff ahead of the arrival of Julen Lopetegui. Names of incoming players have been arriving from all directions and sources with the 'information; being lapped up by supporters lusting for some positive news about the rebuild of the Premier Leagues oldest and smallest squad!

If all the stories are to be believed, Hammers are about to embark on an epic spend the likes of which has not been seen since the Pellegrini era, the issue is that te figures just don't add up. Income from player sales will be vital from an FFP point of view, but realistically the current squad with few exceptions has little to NO resale value, a situation that somehow needs to be addressed.

It is all very well for sites to suggest this player or that will be a bargain at £20-30 Million, but where will the money come from? Hammers are relatively cash rich compared to other clubs but the margins are extremely tight.

It is accepted that the club needs to make at least six new signings in addition to fully utilising the promising youth set up which may have to supply at least another FIVE players. That is a very tall order indeed, bringing in six players from other clubs will be costly even at £20-30 Million a player!

Essentially the club will need to find around £120 to 180 Million at the very least, how can this figure be achieved? West Ham will have earned approximately £30 Million from the Europa Cup run and will receive around £140 Million for finishing ninth so around £170 Million will be in the kitty, but player wages are massive so there will only be half of that amount available at the most!

Lucas Paqueta will have to be sold whether fans like it or not, however his recent performances might well make potential buyers question the £85 Million valuation that Hammers have put on him. Sadly the rest of the ageing squad is worth very little with players like Danny Ings being shifted on for virtually nothing just to get them off the wage bill.

Tim Steidten was nicknamed the 'Pearl Diver' during his time in Germany. He will need massive lungs to pull Hammers out of the mess they find themselves in. -Ed

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