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  • Premier League Title Winner On The lost Art Of Defending

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 17/08/2021 - 14:25

    Nigel Winterburn's name is synonimous with Arsenal football club, which is enrirely understandable given that he played nearly 500 games for the Gunners, however he also played 94 games for West Ham after joining the club in 2000 before eventually retiring in 2003.

    We in conjunction with Betway, spoke with Nigel about how it was to be a combative defender during his time as both a Gooner and a Hammer. In Nigel's time defenders had a different role to play than those of the current day, this is what he had to say“ The way that teams are playing out from the back, modern defenders and full-backs have got be very comfortable on the ball because they're often in advanced areas,” he continued.“But we were always judged by what we did defensively under George (Graham). “Down my side I could go and play, but you knew that Lee [Dixon] would have to tuck round alongside the other two centre halves and vice versa if Lee went.“Yes, we did play it out from the back at times when Arsene Wenger took over, but as soon as the goalkeeper got the ball, it’s up to the halfway line and you’d play from the knockdowns.I think the whole ethos of the game, particularly how quick it is, has changed.“When I first started, the game was a lot slower. You think about the conditions, very rarely would you get a green pitch after Christmas.”The quality of the pitches has certainly made a huge difference to defenders’ ability to play out from defence."

    The nature of the challenges that defenders come up against has also changed, back in the day there were some 'brutal' exchanges that would be classified as 'horror storys' in the current climate. There was no such thing as a ‘false nine’ in the 90s, while it was normal practise for teams to line up with two strikers rather than one. Consequently defenders were in for a potential battering every time they stepped on the pitch. Players like Wimbledon's Fash The Bash and Mick Harford saw it as their duty to rough up centre halfs and intimidate them.

    There are few, if any, 'full force' tackles that were 'commited' then that would be allowed today, indeed Hammers legend Billy Bonds was renowned for being able to send players way over the advertising hoardings and into the crowd as a 'welcoming' gesture, usually within the first few minutes of a game, how things have changed?

    It's impossible to go back in time and although many fans view the past era through rose tinted classes as the halcyon days of the sport, they should remember how atrocious the pitches were AND how rampant hooliganism was as well as the endemic racism that was associated with the game at the time.

    We miss the hard tackles, but not the career ending injuries, the Racism or the risk of getting a kicking on the way home from grounds, especially as a visiting supporter! - Ed

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  • Irons Need Look No Further For CDM-Conor Calling!

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 17/08/2021 - 11:07


    Hammers recruitment, or lack of it, is a continuing bone of contention among the majority of fans, the need for an additional striker, centre back and central defensive midfielder is as blatant as a tapped call instigated by Daniel Levy! Having been 'linked' with a plethora of players from many different clubs for each 'vacancy' the club have as yet overtly appeared to have done very little as the transfer window closure looms.

    Fans used to the traditional Hammers 'transfer window pantomime' are invariably incredibly optimistic to begin with, seduced by promises of 'exotic' players's' arrivals, they always end up extremely disappointed! The 'bilge' that has emanated from the club in the past is embarrassing, fans no longer accept such continued 'propaganda' which is why, paradoxically, the distinct lack of 'genuine' transfer news is palpable and should be greeted with enthusiasm.

    The majority of fans, even those who were initially sceptical about David Moyes' reappointment, will acknowledge that despite his tendency to take his time, Moyes is very good in the transfer market. His due diligence has earned him the nickname of 'Divering Dave', but his modus operandi is so much more efficient and ultimately far more successful than the club's previous efforts, which have almost always been overseen by David Sullivan.

    Although it is incredibly frustrating for fans to see other teams 'buying players for fun', in Moyes there has to be trust. With the exception of his ill fated Jordan Hugill purchase the first time he was manager, Moyes's signings have been spot on, so having to operate in the light of a chronic cash shortage, his actions should be lauded and not criticised.

    That doesn't mean the board should get off scot free, far from it, but in the here and now solving the recruitment issues is far more important than recriminations, they can follow later. David Moyes has already 'let slip' his desire to promote Jamal Baptiste to the match day squad as a potential centre back should an 'experienced' player acquisition not come to fruition, he has also intimated that Conor Coventry is going to stay with the club instead of being sent out on loan.

    Some might say "This is penny pinching as a result of having no money" whereas others will say "This is prudent use of the facilities Moyes has available to him", the truth is probably somewhere in between, but being able to call on Baptiste and Coventry is a whole lot better than nothing, throw in Armstrong Okoflex who scored a hat trick last night for the U-23's against Arsenal, the club West Ham took him from and things don't seem so grim.

    We haven't even mentioned Thierry Nevers or Mipo Odubeko, both of whom are highly thought of and are also pushing for inclusion with the seniors, obviously there is still an acute need for reinforcements, but cast your mind back to some of the 'fillers from the past', the list would read like a who's who of dismal dross with the odd very rare exception.

    Conor not to be sent to Coventry, you betcha! - Ed

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  • Rio The Iron? Leave It Out!

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 17/08/2021 - 08:32

    The Pai(n) 'wash your dirty linen in public' attempted take over of West Ham United had one major flaw that most Hammers fans saw through almost straight away, the use of the Ferdinand name! Now Sir Les is a QPR legend, even after his big money move from what was then called Loftus Road, his little Porsche could regularly be seen in one of the prized parking lots outside the ground as he revisited the club that made him.

    Things are different when it comes to the Ferdinand brothers, Anton, the younger of the siblings, actually played 11 more games for West Ham than his elder and more illustrious brother making a total of 138 appearances before moving on to Sunderland.

    Rio of course made a very high profile move from West Ham to Leeds as they began to do ' a Barcelona' and then on to Manchester United, his club, in what was a british transfer record. Rio Ferdinand became a stalwart and figure head at United. rarely if ever referencing his time at what was the Boleyn Ground, preferring to regale and delight in his Old Trafford surroundings.

    It was only following his retirement and since he became a TV pundit, that Rio began to 'reinvent' his time at West Ham once the club began to garner widespread media interest as a result of moving to the London Stadium. As if to prove his 'true' allegiance, despite having recently publicly stated his 'support' for the PAI(n) bid in order for the club to move forward, this is what 'Rio the (sic) Hammers fan' has just had to say.

    “I think if the right player becomes available for the right price, Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] will go and get him,” said Ferdinand. “The problem is who’s out there and who could be a good fit? Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez and Declan Rice are ideal signings for the club."

    The IB Times head line of 'Manchester United LEGEND' indicates Rio's true past and fair play to him for supporting them, but you cannot be on two stools when it comes to loyalty, so Rio the Hammers fan? You are having a true Giraffe! - Ed

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  • Spuds

    Burkie1's picture
    Submitted by Burkie1 on Mon, 16/08/2021 - 00:47

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    I did something today i never dreamed i would ever do, i actualy cheered on the scum ,i have a feeling the so called top 4 are on their way to fucking up the premiership with their limitless funds they think all they have to do is buy who ever they want ,hence the male model to shity for a 100 mill, and a reported one and a half for kane ,its blatant arrogance, yesterday the commentator on the Chelsea game said they have a squad of 42 or 43 of which 10 are on the list and not one of the for a penny less than 25 mill ,astounding stuff ,time for the F A to grow some balls and put a stop to it .

  • Irons play a different Toon

    Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sun, 15/08/2021 - 20:38

    Hammers overcame the club's six year opening Barclays Premier League voodoo with a resounding, albeit hard fought, 4-2 victory at St James' Park. The home team, roared on by a packed 50,000 crowd of Geordie supporters, bossed the 1st half for significant periods, they snatched their opening goal courtesy of who else but Irons nemesis Calum Wilson.

    The player who just loves scoring against West Ham headed home Allan Saint-Maximin's cross after just 5 minutes following some chaotic defending by a very rusty looking back line. Dawson had a very difficult game, constantly getting skinned by the Newcastle front men and wide players.

    Instead of wilting under the cauldron of pressure, Hammers stuck to their task and were rewarded by an equaliser midway through the half after a VAR review ruled Aaron Cresswell's cross come shot had gone all the way into the net untouched, despite the flag initially going up against Jarrod Bowen for offside.

    Newcastle regained the lead just before the break when Jacob Murphy nodded in Matt Ritchie's cross, again as a result of poor defending, a better team could have been 3 or 4 up by then!

    Early in the 2nd half Pablo Fornals was viewed to have been fouled by Murphy inside the box for what was a very 'soft' penalty. Antonio stepped up, but saw his penalty kept out by debutant keeper Freddie Woodman, however Tomas Soucek reacted quickest to the rebound to put Hammers ahead for the first time.

    Minutes later Benrahma headed in a beauty and after that it was virtually one way traffic as the Irons ran the Toon defenders ragged. Benrahma was almost unplayable at times and was part of a dominating Hammers front line.

    Antonio then wrapped up the win, driving in a corker of a shot for his 47th Premier League goal for the Irons, equalling Paolo di Canio's record in the competition for the club.
    At the end of the day it was a clinical high energy performance once the early cobwebs had disappeared, Declan Rice was immense, but all the players were 'up for it' and proved the team's traditional soft centre is getting a lot harder, the team no longer look terrified when under the cosh, ever!

    There will be much sterner tests ahead, but at least the club have got rid of the very unwelcome start of season record. This is a David Moyes's West Ham team, moulded in his image and hewn from hard work, they play a different toon. LN

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  • Live Newcastle v West Ham Line Ups

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 15/08/2021 - 13:02

    Newcastle: Woodman, Krafth, Fernandez (c), Clark, Murphy, Hayden, Shelvey, Ritchie, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson Subs: Gillespie (GK), Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, S.Longstaff, Hendrick, Fraser, Joelinton, Gayle
    West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice (c), Souček, Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma, Antonio Subs: Areola (GK), Fredericks, Johnson, Baptiste, Diop, Coventry, Lanzini, Noble, Yarmolenko

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  • Hammers To Make Major Transfer Update

    Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sun, 15/08/2021 - 11:42


    Never ones to miss a trick, the PR department at the London Dome have 'let it slip' that the club are going to make a 'major transfer update' following the away game against Newcastle this afternoon. Long suffering Hammers fans won't question the timing of the announcement, because they know it is scheduled in case ANY of the club's irreplaceable players pick up a long term injury, and let's face it there is a very strong likelihood.

    Having successfully played the 'we retained all our best players, unlike other teams' card to the max, the PR department are having to work with 'slim pickings', not to be confused with one of the stars of Pat Garret and Billy The Kid, Dr Strangelove and Blazing Saddles, Slim Pickens.

    Hammers rivals from North london have a habit of 'sniping' the club's transfer targets, David Moyes's policy of keeping his cards close to his chest has helped, but it hasn't stopped the need for media 'tenna pads'! The 'high profile' played out in the media approaches for various players have come to nothing thus far, one gets the feeling that if and when new recruits are announced, that their names will have hardly featured in the Press & Media gossip columns.

    So who could the surprise announcement be about? Well our guess at the Org s that it will be regarding Jesse lingard, a player who will have yesterday witnessed just how much his current club, Manchester United, DO NOT need him and are very unlikely to needed him at anytime in the near future.

    Bearing in mind lingard is in the last year of his contract and there is no extension clause in place, Manchester United will look to recoup as much money as they can ahead of January, at which time the player is free to sign pre-contract agreements with any club of his choice.

    There are many who feel signing Lingard is an unwise move as he seemed to really go of the boil towards the end of his loan spell at West Ham, whereas others say he is a class act who would still have a decent sell on value after a couple of years, especially if he comes back into Gareth Southgate's reckoning again for the England Team.

    The work has just begun on the 'late late transfers' that are the lot of most teams, picking up the scraps from football's top table might be demeaning but it is a common task for those teams who are not ridiculously bank rolled, who do YOU think the announcement is going to be about? - Louis N

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  • Good And Mad Hammers Transfer News

    Submitted by Neville Nixon on Sat, 14/08/2021 - 17:35

    As with all things West Ham when it comes to player acquisitions, the club's tenuous transfer approaches are being 'stonewalled' for various reasons, the 'elephant in the room' being agents fees and low ball offers. As targets drift by the wayside, the cream of the crop are fading away, just like fans's dreams!

    As the transfer window closure looms large, expect plenty of 'Hammer negging' from the Press and media, let alone the fans. Reports of the club rekindling their interest in Manchester United's Jesse Lingard are inaccurate because David Moyes has NEVER given up hope of signing the midfielder who is probably now leaning towards an Old Trafford exit.

    Many fans do feel that Lingard was a 'busted flush' by the end of his time on loan at the London Bowl and they have a point, but maybe he was just cream crackered as a result of not playing 'proper' games for nearly two years? Unfortunately the Lingard story is the GOOD news, the MAD news is that Martin Braithwaite is threatening to become the 'last turkey at christmas' IF media reports are to be believed.

    Well we can tell the Board with alacrity that IF they do sign Braithwaite as striker number 50, they will be inundated with fans wanting to 'defer' their season tickets by one year, as is their right to do due to the pandemic. Braithwaite does fit into the old and past it category much beloved of David Sullivan, he couldn't could he? - LN

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  • Hammers Spared 'Hey Joe'

    Submitted by Louis Nixon on Sat, 14/08/2021 - 09:41

    West Ham United's opening fixture of the Barclays Premier League is against Newcastle up at St James' Park on Sunday, much has been made of Hammers' recruiting 'black hole' as Moyes's boys prepare to take on the Geordies. Toon fans have been equally vociferous as those of West Ham when it comes to their owners and the lack of funds provided for transfers, but have been 'buzzed up' by Newcastle completing the signing of Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock on a six-year deal.

    Fortunately for Irons fans, the 21-year-old will not feature in the Magpies' opening Premier League home game on Sunday, but will be available for the away match at Aston Villa six days later. This is just as well, as Newcastle have become somewhat of a 'bogey' team for West Ham, being one of the four teams to have done the double over the club last season, with top four finishers Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United making up the list.

    Newcastle supporters are very similar to West Ham fans, every season they turn up in their droves and every season they are disappointed, but still turn up! They also share Hammers fans extreme dislike of their club's ownership. Mike Ashley and the Twins, what a bunch of *******!

    Ashley finally 'splashed the cash' by bringing Willock, who had a superb loan spell with them for the 2nd half of the season and helped them stave off relegation, to Newcastle for around £20 Million. If David Moyes gets Jesse lingard to join him at the London Dome again he will be as happy as toon manager Steve Bruce.

    Hammers owe the Toon from last season, the two defeats suffered at the 'feet' of the bar codes put the mockers on any chances Hammers had of reaching the Champions League 'promised land'. Even avoiding defeat will be a progression for Moyes and his 'under strength' team.

    Hopefully Arsenal will still be bottom of the Barclays Premier League table come Sunday evening! - Asst Ed

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  • Injury corner

    mcbikeman's picture
    Submitted by mcbikeman on Sat, 14/08/2021 - 07:57

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    Oggy and Lanzini unavailable for the barcodes game one with a hammy the other with a Knock! the very word knock strikes fear into West Ham fans hearts.....So how many more before the end of the month mmmm? start of a season always leads to players pulling up and getting niggling injuries as there bodies adjust to another season but as a club we do seem more susceptible than most when it comes to injuries.

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