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  • Has The Cat Got Out The Bag Yet?

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 15/02/2022 - 10:20

    Although disappointing, Sunday's game against Leicester Ciy DID prove that there is 'life after Zouma', whether it was because he had no time to dwell on the match beforehand or not, Issa Diop was called in to the starting line up after Kurt Zouma felt 'ill' during the warm up, and played an absolute blinder, his best game in a Hammers shirt for ages.

    The whole Zoumagate situation initially threatened to derail an already 'rocky' season, but it seems the players have rallied round as a result of the ridiculous media trial and sentencing that has been going on. Zouma did wrong, we all know it, but he didn't stab anyone, he didn't rape anyone and he didn't threaten to kill his ex-girlfriend. Like we said, what he did was wrong and will live with him for the rest of his career and most of his life, but the sheer outcry has been astonishing in its fury and hypocrisy.

    Saturday's game offers a chance to draw a line under events as Hammers take on Newcastle, the 'public jury' will have plenty to debate, before during and after the match regarding morality within football and it will be interesting to see which club they decide to be the biggest 'criminals', West Ham for employing a cat kicker, or the owners of Newcastle for employing a Journalist dismemberer?

    It is NOT the Toon fans fault that they were rescued from Mike Ashley by a Pariah state, just as it is NOT West Ham's fault that Kurt Zouma had a moment of aggressive madness, but to treat a misguided footballer the same as the sponsors of the murder of a journalist is ridiculous.

    The club have taken a lot of gratuitous flack of late, the only way to make people eat their words is by getting results ON the pitch, not on social media! - Ed

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  • Toon In-Turn On-Drop Points

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 14/02/2022 - 19:28

    Saturday's high noon fixture against Newcastle could be a defining moment for both clubs, a win for the visitors would all but propel them towards Premier League survival, a win for David Moyes' West Ham would firm up the club's grip on a European top slot, something has to give, or does it?

    The Toon are on the crest of their new found wealth wave, having secured three wins on the bounce that have seen them climb three points away from the relegation zone. They have however just lost their newest talisman, Kieran Trippier, to injury and there are doubts as to the fitness of Alain Saint Maxim ahead of the clash in Stratford.

    Hammers have were out of sorts even BEFORE Zoumagate, the lucky win against sixth tier Kidderminster having been followed by a narrow victory over relegation doomed Watford and an even luckier point against Leicester. Unfortunately several key players seem to have ALL run out of form at the same time, most notably Hammers once imperious Czech contingent of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal who are currently looking a shadow of their former selves.

    It is not just the Czech Mates who are NOT living up to their own high standards, Mikey Antonio started the season on fire, but the goals and assists have dried up despite him maintaining his fitness to a superb degree, far superior to previous seasons, unfortunately his 'romance' with the Jamaica national team HAS impacted his performances which is understandable given the massive distances he has been required to travel. It must surely be time for Big Mick to call time on his International career and concentrate on his domestic obligations, after all it IS West Ham who are paying his wages.

    We won't comment on Aaron Cresswell's game against Leicester, other than to say ALL players are capable of having a bad day at the office and that he had a very bad day at the office, but generally he has performed admirably, but somewhat predictably, as we have mentioned previously.

    Saturday's game won't be without goals, but it could well end up being a draw which actually suits neither team, although it would continue the Toon's unbeaten run to four games. It will be interesting to see how the away fans treat Zouma if he is selected to play, they will be mindful of how their new owners are reviled by human rights groups across the Globe and as such will have to choose between hypocrisy and ignorance, or 'a rock and a hard place' if you know what we mean. - ED

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  • Predictable Irons Proves Point

    Submitted by Louis Nixon on Mon, 14/02/2022 - 10:09

    Having achieved far more than expected last season, this one was always going to be the 'David Moyes Experience's' difficult second album, but it hasn't. To continue with the music metaphor, this season has been like Pink Floyd following up Dark side of the Moon with Wish you were here, the magnificence of the former obscured the brilliance of the latter for quite some time.

    Going into this season with a wafer thin squad AND the added commitment of European football to deal with, many West Ham fans feared they would possibly be embroiled in the type of relegation dogfight they had got used to in previous years. Nothing could have been further from the truth, Hammers thrived in the early stages of the season before the inevitable toll of extra games and the paucity of the squad began to bite, nevertheless the club still finds itself near the top of the Premier League and in two other competitions, relegation has ALREADY been avoided!

    Although fans live in hope, few genuinely believe Hammers can pull off another top six finish, even fewer believe a top four slot is attainable but as it stands the club is still in the top four, albeit having played more games than those around it and must somehow kick on regardless of squad size and other elements.

    In the last two games Moyes's side have struggled to break down determined Premier League opposition, needing a 'ball through the middle' to break the deadlock in BOTH games, Hammers have been FOUND OUT! Brentford arrived like a breath of fresh air with their enthusiasm, energy and novel approach to games which along with a more than healthy display of thespianism, earned them a good deal of success. However the Bees form has plunged off the cliff as a result of them being found out and officials becoming wise to their propensity for play acting and time wasting.

    Hammers started this season on fire, playing so well that the "we are massive" chants began to be heard both home and away, but injuries did eventually bite, just about the time that clubs had begun to take West Ham far more seriously and analysed how the team's counter attacking style could be nullified.

    Starting virtually EVERY attack down the wing, usually the left wing, has become SO predictable that teams just have to 'show' players the wing safe in the knowledge of what is about to come next. When it works it is superb, but when one of the key deliverers of the crosses isn't on their game, as was the case with Aaron Cressewell yesterday against Leicester, then your options become extremely limited.

    Hammers DO have the ability to grind out results, but with a bit of 'left field' thinking, might just be able to reach the hallowed land of the Champions League still. Kurt Zouma's 'questionable' injury in the warm up yesterday handed Issa Diop an opportunity to atone for his dreadful performance against Kidderminster in the Cup, and he played an absolute BLINDER! He assisted Jarrod Bowen's first half strike with a superb pass that dissected the Foxes mid field, and was calm and assertive as he dealt with ALL that was thrown at him, earning him praise from Hammers other goal scorer and fellow centre back 'Les' Dawson as well as Moyes himself.

    David Moyes is NOT a stupid man, neither are his staff foolish, so they will be only too aware of how the goals have dried up of late and might well be considering the odd 'ball through the middle' rather than the tippy tappy approach that has seen such success but is now floundering.

    The end result of tweaking the team's style might not go down too well, with some fans fearing a return to the bad old days of Sam Allardyce, we are definitely NOT advocating a return to the dark ages, merely a little renaissance of an old faithful. - LN

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  • Live Leicester v West Ham Line Ups

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 13/02/2022 - 15:09

    Leicester: Schmeichel (c); Justin, Söyüncü, Amartey, Pereira, Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans, Ndidi, Barnes, Maddison, Daka Subs: Ward (GK), Albrighton, Iheanacho, Perez, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Mendy, Thomas, Lookman
    West Ham: Fabiański; Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell; Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Kral, Noble, Vlašić, Benrahma, Yarmolenko

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  • Back To His Best Irons Star MUST Start

    Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sun, 13/02/2022 - 09:35
    messi and manu

    It has been an awful long time coming, but one of Hammers brightest stars has finally returned to being the player who was universally nick named the 'little diamond', feted by non other than Lionel Messi, the World was at Manuel lanzini's feet until that fateful day while training with the Argentine National team when he received an acute ACL injury that ultimately threatened to end his career.

    Manuel Pellegrini had just been appointed as the club's new manager and had spent the early part of his tenure assembling a group of players that would have Lanzini as the 'heart' of the team, alas it was not to be and 'Manu' began his long and tortuous road to recovery. There were many times when it seemed he would NEVER return to being anything like the incredibly gifted player he was before his horrendous injury, time and time again he would return to the fold only to pick up a niggle or worse that would set him back further.

    It seemed Lanzini would never get back to his sumptuous best, the player was put up for sale but then David Moyes changed his mind and began giving the Argentine more game time, however in a slightly deeper position than he had previously played, the results are plain to see, Manu's guille and skill are put to good use as he operates just ahead of the back line, linking up play with simple but purposeful passes out from the back.

    Obviously someone has to make way in order for Lanzini to start the Leicester game, that player should be Säid Benrahma who has looked off the pace since returning from a very disappointing AFCON tournament, Benny looks to be suffering from a performance hangover as a result of Algeria crashing out of the competition at the first hurdle, despite being the favourites to win outright.

    Benny can come on for the last 20 minutes or so when the opposition are tiring, it is the type of situation that will suit his swift feet, who comes on as well as Benny is a matter of some debate. We at the Org can be accused of having a 'bit of an agenda' regarding the inclusion of Andriy Yarmolenko in the match day squad, let alone actually using him!

    There is TOO MUCH young talent available itching to be given a chance with the 1st team that have to sit on the bench watching the lumbering winger get selected ahead of them, they must wonder what on earth they have to do to get a run out, it is NOT as if they could do ANY worse is it?

    Time for the Little Jewel to shine again, class is permanent! -LN

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  • Irons & Zou Face 1st Away Test

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 13/02/2022 - 08:55

    West Ham will play their first fixture since 'Zoumagate' this afternoon against Leicester City at the King Power, the furore over the Iron's ex-Chelsea centre back is unabated with politicians even jumping on the bandwagon by adding their very dubious opinions. Boris Johnson must be 'absolutely lovin' it' as he sees Kia Starman and Sadist Khan's attentions being diverted as they use up both their brain cells to occupy the high ground, how ANY politician has the cheek to lecture others on morality beggars belief.

    Bo Jo has a potential war with Vlad to deal with, but the others could hoist themselves with their own petard when they consider how many thousands of lives were lost as a DIRECT consequence of Tony 'I don't care' & George Double U's religious war against Iraq, which was perpetrated by using false weapons of mass destruction claims while the two of them 'joined in prayer, incidentally one or two cats died during the War.

    West Ham and Zouma WILL get it with both barrels during today's game, of that there can be no doubt and if the Watford game is anything to go by, the commentators will be 'dispensing' their own 'judgement' on the matter, before during and after the match.

    David Moyes has made his stance clear regarding his selection of Kurt Zouma, it is a volatile course of action but one virtually EVERY other club would have taken. It is all very well for fans of other clubs to say "suspend him", but what if the same situation applied to one of their players?

    Zoumagate, Kittygate whatever you wish to call it, WILL rumble on for some considerable time, during which Manchester club's players Greenwood and Mendy will be pleased to see that Zouma's actions have taken the public spotlight off of their impending rape and threatened murder proceedings.

    It will be loud in Leicester, fortunately for Hammers other players, when people boo Zouma, it sounds very similar to the crowds chanting Zooooooo in asdmiration when he got the ball, pre-Kittygate, just an observation. - Ed

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  • Yarm Won't Be There

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 12/02/2022 - 08:16

    By the middle of June this year, we will be able to retire the over used and hackneyed Michael Mc Donald inspired "Yarmo be there" copy line once and for all as Andriy Yarmolenko shuffles back home to a war zone and begins to worry about where he stores the 'nest egg' he has squirrelled away while earning just shy of £6 Million per year for the last FOUR YEARS!

    In a way it is rather apt that some of our younger readers will have absolutely no idea what Yarmo be there is about, the song has had it's day, just like Yarmolenko has had his day(s) at West Ham. Yesterday just about summed up his tenure in the East End, demoted to the U-23's the Ukraine captain scored the only and winning goal of the game before being completely unfairly dismissed for 'elbowing' an opponent.

    The Ref was as trigger happy as a state guard and was according to one Hammers insider "just itching to pull out a red card", Yarmelenko smiled in bemusement at his dismissal and sauntered off the pitch for what will be one of his final performances in the Claret & Blue.

    Yarmo is still a hero in the Ukraine, perhaps NOW is the time for him to go home, but we wouldn't want to ave him next to us in the metaphorical trenches! -ED

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  • Talk Sport Host Raises Toon Hypocrisy Point!

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 10/02/2022 - 12:25

    Everyone and their Aunt have been chipping in with their thoughts on the now infamous Kurt kicks the cat video shared by his younger brother on snap chat, now Mr Permatan himself, Simon Jordan, has added his thoughts on the issue and interestingly pointed out the hypocrisy of some fans who are openly condemning Zouma's actions, with some even calling for the player to be jailed for the offence.

    The ex-Palace owner and now outspoken co-presenter of Talk Sport has questioned the validity of some fans' complaints, particularly those from Newcastle regarding their responses to 'Kitty Gate', citing the fact that their owners, or agents working on behalf of their owners, 'dismember' journalists without facing anywhere near the furore.

    Simon Jordan DOES have a point, whereas the actions of West Ham's board in allowing Zouma to play straight after the 'offence' can be put down to pure greediness, at least the recipients of Zouma's violent outburst are safe and being looked after, unlike Jamal Khashoggi who was slaughtered 'like a dog' by agents working for Saudi Arabia, the country that are now de facto owners of the Toon.

    Even the fog on the Tyne cannot hide the 'people in glass houses truth', so Toon, "shut your mouth", let West Ham deal with the issue in house and try getting your own house in order first before passing judgement.

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  • Inevitable Zoumagate Fall Out!

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 10/02/2022 - 09:21

    Pundits and fans far and wide have joined the bandwagon seeking legal sanction against West Ham's Kurt Zouma following the player's despicable acts of violence against one of his pet cats, an act that was perversely filmed by his younger brother and then inexplicably uploaded to snap chat.

    The violence against the Cat was unforgivable and although the player has been contrite with his apologies, his actions DO warrant further actions on the basis that no one is above the Law, not even extremely well paid footballers!

    The filming of such 'nastiness' is almost as bad as the act itself in our opinion, surely 'little' brother Yoah, who plays for Dagenham & Redbridge, could have intervened instead of filming the event and then posting it on social media as if it was something to be proud of?

    The consequences of Zoumagate or Kittygate, what ever you want to call it will be long and loud. Sponsors are queueing up to distance themselves from the French International AND from the club, a situation that was intensified as a result of Zouma playing the game against Watford so soon after the story about the Cat abuse had appeared.

    Ever since the club moved to the great white elephant that is the London Stadium, pundits, politicians and a plethora of other parties have jumped on ANY indiscretion connected with the club, in the false belief that Hammers STOLE the ground from the Tax payer and as tenants continue to be 'subsidised', the fact that this is due to the 'Arena' NOT being fit for purpose is always conveniently over looked.

    There would have been public outcry if the Stadium were to have been demolished, so instead Hammers tenancy was a 'cobbled' together and ultimately made to work, which against ALL odds it has. The public outcry regarding Zouma's actions is almost as loud as if the Stadium had been demolished.

    The whole Zouma affair has put the club's profile back years, playing him against Watford may well have helped win three points, but at the end of the day we can't help feeling that it was a Pyrrhic victory that will have longer term consequences than the Hammers hierarchy had bargained for.

    The club should really have 'bitten the bullet', by taking the decision whether to play Zouma or not out of David Moyes' hands and suspending the player until the dust has settled a bit, that opportunity along with bringing in an additional centre back during the January transfer window has long gone.

    Incidentally, as 'Orgers' are probably aware, we have a well connected source at Stamford Bridge, who has told us of the utter shock and disbelief that Chelsea players have shown regarding the incident(s) involving their ex-team mate, to a man NONE of them thought Kurt was capable of such brutality to a harmless animal! - ED

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