Forum | General Discussion
Dicks
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Love John Moncurs comments on "Claret and Hugh" site about Dicks appointment. So Slav and Dicks shared the same ethos and passion when at West Ham together. I can see that they both have the same desire to succeed and Johnny Moncur is not one to play politics: he tells it as he sees it and I trust his opinion. Moncur's belief is that Dicks' role is far from window dressing and that his passion will be translated into a proper coaching job. I love Dicks but he hasn't exactly succeeded at the top level of management. However, if he brings the passion back, combined with the intellect and tactical nous of Slaven Bilic, this might just work.
Exciting New Season Awaits
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The signing of Payet shows the intent the chairmen have in pushing the club forward.Will be great to add Song ,rate the player despite what others have said about him.For me his pre-Christmas form told me enough .
This window will probably prove to be the best ever in the history of the club.It will be sad to say goodbye to Upton Park a lot of memories but it's all about the future of the club , making it one of the elite,it wouldn't happen if the club remained at Upton Park. With the likelihood of more investment the move to the OS will propel the club to the top tier of English Premier League football before long ,maybe in as little as two or three seasons and Champions League football beckons. Exciting times are here at last and I can't wait for the new season to start,there is a real feeling of optimism with all who I talk with and we can only hope that it is reflected in the football the team plays.....I think it will.I have confidence in Bilic ,his teams have always played quality football and to see a return to some free flowing attacking football will be something to savour.He has brought in an experienced high calibre team to work with
+and the introduction of Dicks to the coaching staff can only be a good thing.If these big name signings continue the first eleven is going to look very impressive,just need some more quality in the rest of the squad.
GOALKEEPERS (4)
Adrian
Darren Randolph
Raphael Spiegel
Sam Howes
CENTRAL DEFENDERS (8)
Doneil Henry
James Collins
Reece Oxford
Reece Burke
Winston Reid
James Tomkins
Leo Chambers
Emmanuel Onariase
FULL BACKS (3)
Joey O’Brien
Aaron Cresswell
Stephen Hendrie
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS (6)
Mark Noble
Kevin Nolan
Pedro Obiang
Cheikhou Kouyate
Diego Poyet
Josh Cullen
WINGERS (4)
Morgan Amalfitano
Stewart Downing
Matt Jarvis
Dimitri Payet
FORWARDS (7)
Andy Carroll
Diafro Sakho
Enner Valencia
Modibo Maiga
Elliot Lee
Mauro Zarate
Martin Samuelson
Looks like Nolan is off to Bolton which is a wise move for him and Bilic seems intent on bringing in another big money signing in central defence , he can't be convinced about the current pairing.If Bilic is going to play three central defenders in his formations ,I wouldn't be concerned about squad depth,but if he is going with full backs the squad is very light on the ground in that department.Just hope Jenkinson signs along with a couple of other quality cover players.Hendrie is an unknown quantity in the premiership ,coming from Scottish football the gap in quality will be big.No doubt,Bilic will be keen to see how he performs pre-season.Would love to see Downing stay as I like his attacking play,seems counter-productive to move one of your best players on,even if he is 31.Unless the chairmen are targeting another marquee signing like Gokhan Tore to contribute towards the cost I can't see the point when the squad is crying out for more quality in depth.A creative midfield maestro ,like Cabaye would be a very welcome addition too,an area in midfield Westham have lacked a while.Up front another pacy,natural goalscorer Bilic is targeting:Remy,Austin,Hernandez,Borini the latest rumour all being considered.Any other players you would like to see come in?
Kevin Nolan
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The latest news is that Kevin Nolan is in talks to rejoin Bolton.He has been one of our best captains, led us back to the Premier League and scored the goals that helped to keep us up.Last season was not one of his best! But if he goes I for one will thank him for all of his good work in the past.
Borini
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Please let it not be true that we are buying Borini from Liverpool for 8 million. The guy is injury prone and not a formidable striker. His strike rate is probably on a par with Carlton. I was pretty happy with our buys so far but this one has really got to me if true! Nolan could also be off to Bolton rumour has it.
I'll Be Back
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And he is The Terminator returns. Great to have Julian Dicks Dicks back at the club in a first team capacity. Bilic and Dicks "The Dynamic Duo"....
Very quiet in Geordie Land...
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I actually like the passion of the geordie support and have been in the company of a small portion of the 'Toon Army' in Hamilton Hall many years ago after they lost to Assnal in the FA Cup final, I was on me way back from the MIddlesex Sevens Rugby at Twickenham. Despite losing, they sang with the Assnal supporters and behaved fantastically whilst being very pished. I can't think of many clubs fans in football that would have mixed with support of the other side, after travelling down so far and losing, and made the best of a day out. I will never forget that day, as I have so often seen the ugly side of supporters acting like complete idiots under the influence and damaging the reputation of the beautiful game.
So why do we not see a massive club with huge support in the market for players after a bad season? Is it the influence of the Cockney 'you know what?' I'm a bit miffed to be honest as they announced record profits last year but they seem 'nowhere to be seen' in the transfer market. Your thoughts?
Spare a thought!
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For the poor british holidaymakers slain in tunisia on sunbeds of all places (R.I.P)......
Its been a great weekend for festivals,i attended hyde park on friday to see 2 of my favourite all time bands,the who & paul weller.50,000 people doing what the brits do best,partying & having fun,without a hint of trouble,whilst not knowing what was going on,on beaches in tunisia.It wasnt until saturday morning,whilst nursing a hangover that i saw the tragic news,in front of me unfurl on the tv.All i can say is these extremists can try & destroy our liberty,but they will never win.Once again i say R.I.P.the british holidaymakers.....
Freaking out over our lack of a rb
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Is anyone else freaking out that our only option at right back at the moment is JOB. I know it looks like we will be getting Jenkinson on another loan but we seriously need another rb to cover for Jenkinson. Nothing against O'Brien as a person but the guy is a championship player at best and shouldn't be around the first team, let alone playing. We are being linked with more cb's any chance any of them play rb as well??
The Criteria For West Ham United's New Captain
New West Ham boss, Slaven Billic, will undoubtedly want to have his 'general' on the field, obviously it will not be Kevin Nolan, but who? Firstly who ever it is will need to be able to speak a bit of french and spanish as well as english and geordie! The arrival of Dimitri Payet and Pedro Obiang is a clear illustration of where the club is going, a more 'continental' balance while still retaining a UK identity, the question is who is best suited to what could be a rather difficult role? There will be plenty of large ego's to contend with, none larger than many million pound signing Dimitri Payet, one player who seems a perfect fit is not actually officially a Hammer, Alex Song. Should the deal cheekily being arranged to get him on a free transfer from FC Barcelona succeed, then Song could be awarded the arm band. Rumour has it that Song was promised the Captaincy as a carrot to lure him to the club for his loan spell, and that he was less than pleased to see 'Nobby Nolan' deny him it, this was a possible reason for his spectacular dip in form during a season he started so brilliantly.
Mark Noble is a Hammer through and through, he has recently signed a five year deal and would make a superb vice captain, but his lack of pace and slightly limited playing style might make him a less attractive proposition to Slaven Billic, Noble would be a fans' favourite, but he may not even make the first team on a continually regular basis this season, particularly if the current midfield recruitment campaign continues at it's current pace.
This leaves Winston Reid, another player secured on a long term deal, he ticks all the boxes and would present a stylish and mature captain figure, Reid has been round the block enough to know what's what and is used to pressure, also he is a player who will not suffer fools gladly, no matter how big their bank account is!
It is unlikely that a new captain will be a player without some previous connection to the club, but this is West Ham United, so you never know. One thing for sure, it is an exciting time to be a Hammer, a time made even more enjoyable by the constant griping of others who think 'good ol' west 'am' shouldn't be moving in to a Stadium that could help them break the monopoly of the Premier League's top dogs! -Ed
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