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  • Moyes Nails Colours To Mast With No Subs

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 01/10/2020 - 13:05

    West Ham went in to the fourth round of the 'Moose' Cup knowing that progression would be against one of several top clubs, consequently when they went 1-0 down against Everton the writing seemed to be on the wall, after all, apart from the Kudos, the EFL Cup or whatever you wish to name it has become increasingly worthless.

    As soon as European football qualification as a result of winning the Efl Cup was removed, the competition was effectively made pointless, clubs essentially have to pay for the privilege to play in the competition, and most Barclays Premier League clubs are focusing on the bigger picture, either survival or proper European football.

    The Hammers team selected to play against the Toffees was good enough to give it a go, there was an extraordinarily strong bench, but importantly Irons manager David Moyes chose NOT to use any of his 'game changing' substitutes, seemingly content to keep his powder dry for the upcoming match against Leicester City.

    Moyes' approach may appear to have been negative, but a quick glance at the injuries picked up by several Everton players is indicative as to why he was so cautious, West Ham simply do not have enough strength in depth ALL across the squad to risk injuring one of the club's key players in what is going to be a difficult season.

    Fans will be disappointed at the end of what was a decent cup run, but the real deal is the Barclays Premier League, and that it appears is exactly how David Moyes as well as the Hammers hierarchy think, far better to concentrate on the League and then go for a good FA Cup run that DOES offer the opportunity of proper European football. - Ed

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  • Report: EFL Cup Everton v West Ham Utd Starting Line Ups

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 30/09/2020 - 18:53

    Everton: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Digne, Nkounkou, Allan, Delph, Sigurdsson (c), James, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin Subs: Lossl (GK), Coleman, Mina, Davies, Doucoure, Bernard, Iwobi
    West Ham: Randolph, Johnson, Rice, Balbuena, Cresswell, Noble (c) , Snodgrass, Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Haller Subs: Trott (GK), Ashby, Masuaku, Ogbonna, Soucek, Fornals, Bowen

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  • The Real Reason Irons Are Chasing Euro Players

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 30/09/2020 - 13:29

    As the transfer window is about to close, fans from all top flight clubs but particularly those of West Ham United, are constantly scanning sports news media to see what progress, if any, is being made in bringing in reinforcements. Having missed out on some 'real' bargains from the lower leagues, the Irons seem to be concentrating on players available from the European leagues instead of the domestic one, but why?

    Essentially there are two clear reasons, primarily UK based players are invariably disproportionately priced compared with their European counterparts, and clubs in the UK have a different payment criteria to those in Europe. Whereas it is common practise to spread the cost of a player over the entire length of his contract in Europe, the same cannot be said for UK clubs who generally insist on the entire payment up front.

    Consequently it is possible for a club to say pick up a player with a €35 Million price tag on a five year deal which involves only paying €7 Million up front, so if any fan wants to know why West Ham are pursuing Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina they need look no further than the details of the accommodating' payment structure West Ham are currently actively seeking from the Italian club.

    David Moyes’ have placed a £22.8m (€25m) offer on the table for the Serbian, but it is suggested that Fiorentina are holding out for a higher package, Milenkovic is a bit of a 'stylish bruiser', his dominating aerial presence and height of 1.95m in addition to his good positioning in the Serie A has ensured he is a valued commodity.

    The main clincher, should the deal progress, is that aside from his regular central defensive role, Milenkovic is also capable of playing in the right back spot, a problem position that got a whole lot worse when Fredericks had to leave the field of play during the 4-0 tonking of Wolves.

    Hammers were willing to pay £30m for James Tarkowski and also were prepared to 'go large' for Sofian Fofana earlier this month, so a move for Milenkovic is a bit of a no brainer, if the financial details can be sorted to all parties wishes. Milenkovic's wages are small in Italy, compared to the Barclays Premier league , so personal terms should not be an issue.

    The other reason, that the Irons are pursuing 'foreign' players, apart from the beneficial 'HP' facility available from European clubs, is that unlike many Barclays Premier League teams West Ham United have a relatively high amount of players who qualify under the 'home grown players' rule and consequently can look to the foreign market for players with impunity.

    As has been said on many occasions, there are some really, really decent players at West Ham. Unfortunately the squad was completely unbalanced and bloated, and while the recent cull' was very unpopular, with a couple of additions to cover the 'danger areas' David Moyes should have a team that cause could cause 'significant damage' to those who think they are better, Wolves were a classic example!

    Sticking with Wolves, they have just spent big, and have not yet got the instant gratification of their new players hitting the ground running, reminds us of a certain club last season! - Ed

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  • We Thought 'Tapping Up' Was Banned

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 30/09/2020 - 12:12

    We at the Org never claim to know all the correct current legislation, FIFA, The FA and the Barclays Premier League rule changes are like shifting sands, recent controversies over the 'ludicrous' hand ball rules hoicked on teams are a classic example. However one 'law' that has existed, but has been constantly flouted, is the 'Tapping Up' ruling, generally the larger and better financed 'elite' clubs have managed to get away with 'cheating' for years.

    Obviating the ruling is currently quite a simple proposition, club wants player, intermediary has a word in player and his agent's 'shell like', and Bob's you Uncle player hands in transfer request citing 'differences' with his manager and board. The reason we are mentioning this is because of the ridiculous amount of media hype surrounding Declan Rice's mooted transfer from West Ham to Chelsea.

    Whether they admit it or not, The West London club have tried every trick in the book, using their pet' Journo's among other methods, in order to 'intensify' the pressure that has been whipped up regarding The Irons' captain (In Noble's increasing absence).

    The Policing of the 'Tapping Up' situations that constantly occur is very sketchy, essentially 'they' are all at it so no one really wants to put their head above the parapet and complain when it is being done to them, because sure as hell they will be 'doing it' to someone else!

    Perhaps people might pay more attention if a club really does 'dig their heels in' and says enough is enough, maybe then the truth of what really goes on will surface, and maybe West Ham should be the club to do it. What right do Chelsea have of publicly pursuing Hammers' greatest asset? Of course Frank Lampard has successfully played the 'whiter that driven snow' mantra that he will not discuss players who are still at other teams, he just gets someone else to do it for him!

    The very unpopular and beleaguered hierarchy at West Ham could do themselves a favour by publicly backing their manager's desire to keep his best player, by holding on to Rice at ANY price they will show that underneath everything, shocking as it may seem to some, they actually do care!

    So we know where Chelsea can insert their Blue flag don't we? - Ed

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  • Cheap skates.

    Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 29/09/2020 - 20:37

    Forums:

    so I half jokingly mentioned on another post that our bid for Tarkowski was probably instalments over 20 years. well, turns out our 'bid' for Fofana was ...wait for it......4 mill up front and the rest in instalments! if there were any doubt left that our owners don't really want to sign anyone expensive, this is it. Leicester have stepped in and signed him no fuss.

  • Refund?

    darrenharry's picture
    Submitted by darrenharry on Mon, 28/09/2020 - 20:13

    Forums:

    Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Hope you are keeping well, distancing, keeping to the rule of 6 and hiding your mouth and noses.
    What a strange time to be alive....
    Almost as strange as this team of ours. Going from abject to wonderful in 2 weeks. In fairness, no change there really...
    Talking of change though, what's the score for paid up ST holders that haven't been to games?
    Is there a refund on a month by month basis? Was curious as to how they would manage this.
    I decided to give the club the money up front. A bizzare part of my brain telling me to help the club out.
    Anyhoo, any insight appreciated.
    Now, time to go. With the staff furloughed the grounds are getting shabby and the scullery is abysmal.
    Toodle pip.

  • Sheep In Wolves Clothing!

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 28/09/2020 - 11:52

    Doom and gloom prevailed at the London Stadium ahead of what was supposed to be a mauling of the Irons by the Nuno Spririto's predatorial Wolves, having just acquired even more expensive 'Portugeezers', the midlands outfit were here to compound what had been an entirely miserable week off the field for West Ham.

    Although misery prevailed in the form of 'Chairman' Sullivan's 'heart felt' radio confessions earlier in the week, the comprehensive destruction of Hull City in the EFL Cup and to a certain extent the performance in the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal showed that on the pitch at least, David Moyes' men were beginning to gel, much like after the season's restart, it took a couple of games before the football started to flow freely, and last night's performance against a Wolves side so 'bigged up' by the commentators that the outcome of the match was a foregone conclusion was the proof that West Ham CAN be a force to be reckoned with .

    All the negativity regarding the lack of new faces, and the sale of Grady Diangana as well as a couple of fringe players had set the tone for events, however despite not buying any new players, Moyes does have an 'attractive' choice of available players, a facility he utilised to the full.

    During Moyes' first tenure as manager, before he was so rudely dumped for the 'Pellagrinophile', the manager had 'converted' both Marko Arnautovic and Authur Masuaku in to an attacking player, and the latter a speedy forward/winger. 'King Authur', as he was once known, is a superb player when used correctly, and Mauaku's ability to run at players scares the opposition, however there was an additional bonus for the team with Masuaku playing left of midfield, he can be free to bomb forward knowing that his run is covered by Aaron Cresswell, Cresswell in turn didn't need to worry if he forayed forward because Masuaku could cover him.

    Essentially Cresswell, who had come in for a lot of criticism recently, looked like the player he was of old, freed of having to run the line all the time, his lack of speed was made up for by some accurate passes and meaningful work rate. Of course the rest of the team played superbly, too many good performances to list every one, except special mention needs to go to Michail Antonio who absolutely bullied the 'sheep in Wolve's clothing', you can guarantee they will be nursing a few bruises here and there!

    Jarrod Bowen's brace, Soucek's superb header (sod the dubious goals committee) and a fourth beautifully taken header by Sebastien Haller during his five minute cameo role were proof enough that there is a very decent squad at the London Stadium, obviously the squad is still imbalanced, but it only needs a tweek or two to really excel.

    A word to all the gloom and avarice merchants, Wolves have just gone out and spent big, really big, similar to what another club did last season, the other club? West Ham United, be careful what you wish for, it might not be what you really want. -Ed

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  • Whats the majic ingredient

    Burkie1's picture
    Submitted by Burkie1 on Mon, 28/09/2020 - 10:55

    Forums:

    I cant get my head around the metamorphosis in west ham ,they seem to have gone from a dull bunch of losers last year to a bright entertaining team that are fast becoming the club that no one wants to play ,so whats your views ?,i know its early and maybe it wont be possible to keep up this level of spectacular
    football ,so whats the reason and how long will it last .
    Is it :one or two outstanding players ,
    A great management team ,
    The no fans element,
    new found determination on the part of the team ,
    Increased energy levels ,
    A desire to prove the media (who had us in the championship already) wrong ,
    Finally found a formation that suits everybody ,
    We finally have a striker that can cause havoc and get a shed load of goals ,
    Could it be their finally enjoying life in the concrete fish bowl.
    I for one cant figure it out ,i do know that every time i see Rice i am amazed at how he is turning into a worl class player ,and how Ant should have been playing striker all his life ,and at how Souchec and Bowen have slotted in so well and even Massu and his runs with the ball from wide deep position's are slometimes mesmerising ,that Cress maybe getting a second wind in a defence that a lot of people had writen off but in the last 2 games have shown a resiliency bordering on outstanding, its as if they love playing together ,they hate the middle of the week when theres no game .
    If you look at teams with expensive players ,like for instance Wolves ,and look at our boys with no one coming in you have to think maybe ,just maybe the board were right to say enough ,we spent massively last season and where did it get us ?,fact is even if you bought in new players where would you play them ?.
    You could see the pride in Ant and Bowens faces when they walked off together last night.
    I like everyone dont know how long this will last but i know im going to enjoy it while it does .

  • The Formation

    Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 28/09/2020 - 10:35

    Forums:

    5-4-1 yesterday. The back 3 were rock solid, each one seeming to know their task. the General was back and looking really solid. The wingbacks were freer to get forward more and Masuaku looks good because he doesnt have as much 1-1 responsibility was a wing back. I have to say he seems to have the best close ball control out of our entire squad. Several times he's able to 'ballerina' around the ball, twirl and emerge from a crowd with it. The four in midfield were excellent - working hard and the wide players Fornals and Bowen getting forward as much as possible. Still cant trust Fornals finishing though, how did he miss that one? Up front Antonio seems to love the battering ram role. Wolves back 3 couldn't deal with him.

    I think Moyes needs to stick with this formation, in fact I insist upon it. The 4-2-3-1 should be binned. Im fed up of watching us get carved open in wide areas. Noble? well, I think most will agree his best place is the bench now, coming on later or for a change up, taking off soucek or rice when/if needed. he cant play in the 'hole' in that wretched 4-2-3-1 if you ask me.

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