Forum | General Discussion

Sunday's 'six pointer' away to Aston Villa heralds Hammers 'frenzied' seven games in 21 days schedule ahead of the next ludicrous International break. While a game once every three days might seem a little extreme to some fans, they should remember what it is like to be in football's nether regions of watching on while their competitors 'Lord it up' in Europe and in the domestic cups, not forgetting the Premier League as well.

"You can't make an omlette without breaking eggs" so goes the old expression and to compete on multitudinous levels in football requires a big squad of highly motivated players, something West Ham had been sadly lacking for years, but as Clarkson in his homage to Canada would say "that's all aboot to change!"

'Always the Bridesmaid, never the Bride'

Is another expression to sum up Hammers 'lean years' of which there have been plenty, whole generations of Hammers fans have grown up knowing nothing other than failure and 'near misses'. The club was always known as 'the Academy of football' and rightly so, unfortunately the Academy 'products' were invariably sold to other clubs who then made Hammers pay as the players either came back to haunt the club or were sold on at a massive profit, or BOTH!

While the club's impending schedule is not ideal, it is the price that has to be paid on the way to becoming an 'elite' force in football. The late David Gold was mocked for saying that his beloved club would be in the Champions League one day. Although that particular milestone hasn't been reached yet, there is every possibility it WILL be reached if the club continues in its current trajectory.

Everything is in place for the club to consolidate its recent achievements and move forward on a firm basis. Gone are the days of the 'West Ham resting rooms' for past it players, unless Harry Maguirs somehow arrives a the club! Instead, with Tim Steidten overseeing the players offered to David Moyes, young hungry and hugely resalable players are now the order of the day.

So the squad is in place, now all they have to do is win as many of the games they face in the next 21 days as possible.

Here is the schedule: 22/10 Villa away-26/10 Olympiakos away-29/10 Everton home-01/11 Arsenal home-04/11 Brentford away-09/11 Olympiakos home-12/11 Forest home.

The games are then followed by the 'Interludicrous' break to allow FIFA and UEAFA to fill their coffers! With 'normal' play resuming on November 25th with the away game against Burnley.

Plenty of games, but isn't that what everyone wanted? Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes you might actually get what you want! - Ed

The ludricously timed International break has far reaching consequences for some clubs more than others, those that have massive squads are less affected than those who don't and West Ham fall in to the 2nd catergory. Hammers first team and the club's 'significant' bench pails in to insignificance compare to that say of Man City or Chelsea and yet ALL teams are expected to field strong teams as the Premier league returns this weekend.

Mohamed Kudus and Edson Alvarez will play on thursday eveing and then commence an energy sapping journey back from the states arrving in time to have possibly ONE day's training ahead of the fixture away to Villa. They then embark on a whirlwing SEVEN GAMES in 21 days, which borders on the insane!

You might say "ah but they fly 1st class and can 'rest' during the flight", but the human body doesn't really differntiate between classes! Jet lag is totally 'democratic' when it comes to it's effect on the metabolism, it drains you and generally puts you right out of sorts IRRESPECTIVE of if you can drink vintage Port or fine wines, which of course players are not allowed!

Managers initially hope that their players avoid injury, then that they return in good health AND in good spirits, which will NOT be the case with Benrahma who received a 'going over' by his Algerian team manager for throwing a strop when substituted.

Others travelled with their National teams and didn't get ANY game time, this frustration is NOT good for players and has a knock on effect on their return. All in all the break might be good for FIFA and UEFA, but it is a pointless drain on the resources of clubs who are not regularly at football's 'top table', it is another example of an uneven playing field that is just gewtting worse! - Ed

Having finally been re-selected for England, Jarrod Bowen was the sent on a 'mission to nowhere' by his attention-seeking team mates. In what was clearly an exercise of giving Southgate's 'B' team a run out and attempted retrospective blame removal, Bowen was virtually ignored for the entire 'Snore Draw' friendly against Australia at Wembley last night.

James Ward-Prowse was omitted from the England squad entirely, and boy did they miss him. James Maddison's dead ball deliveries were so poor even the ball itself got deflated at one point! Someone must have put something in Maddison's tea or hypnotised him into wanting to take short corners ONLY, he was throwing 'hissys' at those who failed to comply.

If Maddison was bloody minded, then Southgate was bloody ignorant! It was totally pointless to play Bowen if all the England manager wanted to do was to show how ill-suited the Hammers player would be to his 'team' then he succeeded brilliantly.

Bowen was made to 'endure' the full 90 minutes of this turgid encounter, meaning he will definitely NOT feature in the 'real deal' game that follows against Italy. It seems that Southgate has been going to the 'Sam Allardyce' school of recalcitrance when it comes to selecting players outside of his favourites and not from within his comfort zone.

Bowen was ON FIRE before joining up with the England squad, it is to be hoped that Southgate hasn't managed to put a complete dampener on that heat! - Ed

Due to the 'saturated' media coverage that now encompasses West Ham, particularly since the club has appeared in Europe three years on the spin. There appears to be a growing tendency for certain outlets to insist on having a scapegoat in the team.

Last season it was Tomy Soucek, he received pelters from all and sundry as his forward role was sacrificed in order to keep Declan Rice happy. This season Thilo Kherer has become the latest player in the cross hairs, as has Pablo Fornals. Both players give their all when called upon but are unable to get as much game time as they would like. This is the result of David Moyes finally having a 'proper' squad!

A quick glance at the Hammers bench this season compared to a few seasons ago shows just how far the club has come. With the progress made there will be the inevitable fall out of players not featuring as much as they used to, but that is how 'big clubs' are!

Fans obviously have their own opinions and are entitled to 'have a go' when they think a player isn't putting in a shift, but the widespread and unfair criticism being levelled at some of the clubs 'fringe' players is counter productive and seems as if it is generally for the good of media outlets who want a bit of dirt to be connected with the club.

Hammers fans are neither blind nor stupid when it comes to appraising their players and most would suggest that others not directly associated with the club should "shut their mouths". Give players a chance before trying to drag them down should be the order of the day, a sentiment felt by the vast majority of the Hammers faithful.

It is an inverted compliment that West Ham have become a target for the media boo boys, hopefully they will find some other club to spread their poison about sooner rather than later! - Ed