Forum | Non-Football Related
Behind 'Er' Indoors PL Push
Such is the fear of fiscal meltdown due to Corona Virus 19, that football authorities througout the globe are looking at any and every option to ensure their respective seasons can be brought to fruition. The implications are enormous, they are particularly focusing attention in England due to the massive TV and rights deals that are applicable both nationally and internationally, in excess of £5,000,000,000 is at stake and no one wants to be onthe losing end of any negotiated settlement.
Such is and was the global pulling power of the Barclays Premier League, that vast support industries have grown alongside the 'main beast', consequently the fall out of football being cancelled is far and wide, significantly impacting the livelyhoods of many people apart from the viewing masses. However, there are invariably some positives thrown up by such a blanket of despair, one of which is the high number of unusually 'generous' offers being offered by the Bookies in order to kick start a business that has almost 'died on it's backside', there are a plethora of deals on offer, betting metrics being one of the providers who can offer extremely good sign ons, which if used intelligently can be very lucrative.
In order to finalise this season, the powers that be are looking to get domestic leagues completed during the 'window' that was created by the postponement by one year of the Euro 2020 football competition, the practicality of staging remaining domestic matches during that window is still mind boggling with all sorts of daft suggestions. The reality is that in order for games to be finished within the new time frame, it will be neccassary to have one match played virtually every day for three weeks BEHIND CLOSED DOORS! Obviously not an ideal situation, but there is little if no choice, the ramifications of curtailing the season as it is particularly the financial aspects, are such that the season HAS to be brought to fruition, otherwise the legal and litigational aspects of the situation will explode.
It was perhaps inevitable that one day 'the monster' that the Barclays Premier League and the Elite European cup competitions created would 'eat itself'. Many people were already under the impression that money had overtaken perspectives, and that for the good of the game there needed to be a rebalance of football finances with more assistance for grass roots development, well who knows what will eventually transpire, but that old adage "be careful what you wish for" does spring to mind.
If you think the situation is bad enough for West Ham United, then spare a thought for poor old Daniel Levy, as he looks on what is his massive, empty, and perpetual drain on his club's resources newly built stadium. Sometimes renting is better,ask anyone who lost their shirt by owning property in the late eighties!
The stake holders of the Barclays Premier League and those of the Championship will push for the final matches to be played 'er indoors' because they have no other option, but even if they do complete the season, what about the play offs and player's contracts that were going to expire or be up for renewal?- Ed
Nobody Knows FA Really!
How long is a piece of string? No matter what you think, the answer is nobody knows, except that it is the same length at both ends! The will they won't they stance regarding the completion of the Barclays Premier League, the EFL, the Champion's League, the Europa Cup and all of Europe's domestic cup and league competitions has created more questions than answers. With the best will in the World, but also with a keen eye of football's enormous finances, the footballing powers have almost unanimously agreed that this season must be brought to a conclusion on order to avoid massive claims for refunds by those companies, Sky and BT TV and a host of other Global territories.
The desire is there to fulfil the final games in order to finish the season off, by cancelling Euro 2020 the football authorities have created the window of opportunity' to play games way past when they would have been played, however the caveat is the matches will only be able to proceed even behind closed doors until and when the 'Tango' virus Covid 19 has dissipated enough for players and officials to risk being in the same proximity.
Of course 'Lady Brady' put her size nines in it by prematurely calling for the season to be null and void, a request that was generally seen as correct but also extremely pernicious given Hammers' precarious league position of being just above the relegation slots only on goal difference! Despite Brady's complete lack of grace, there is a general feeling among club's hierarchies that she will eventually proved to be correct. Part of the group tasked with trying to reconfigure the European season told the assembled media that unless teams start training again by the beginning of May, it would be "difficult" to complete the season.
Given England went from hosting 3,000 Atletico Madrid fans in Liverpool to having its entire school system closed down within the space of a week and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of "further and faster measures" being possible, there is simply no guarantee about professional football being played at any point in the near future. Without that, there remains the distinct possibility for Brady's assessment to become reality, although so too is the possibility of the season being declared over on the 30th of June or the campaign being extended into July and beyond.
As not even the experts have any real idea as to when the Virus will subside, or as to when, if ever, they can come up with a serum to prevent it, it seems likely that despite their best intentions football authorities around the globe will have to come up with alternatives that limit the damage caused by the non completion of tournaments and competitions. The idea of adding two teams to the Barclays Premier League has been mooted but what about the teams in the play off places?
These are unique and troubled times, people deprived of their 'sports fix'go stir crazy, perhaps there could be a new 'League of greedy bastards' created using the number plates of all those stocking their 4 x 4's up with anything they can possibly buy in the supermarkets? It could be called the ANPROGB (automatic number plate recognition of greedy bastards league) League.
Football as we knew it 'ain't gonna be back' for some considerable amount of time, no one knows FA really ! Be safe and stay lucky - Ed
West Ham are safe!
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Despite the postponement of games until at least April 3 one bright light I see is that West Ham will be safe! I've heard that games will potentially be played behind closed doors at neutral grounds, so provided any closest rivals for relegation have their games at the BOM we should be good, but also remember this. West Ham's well known injury curse will most likely result in at least 95% of our squad coming down with Covid-19 so will be unable to play games and the season will have to be declared null and void. Christ I half expect TBBB (The B*tch Baroness Brady) to be actively sourcing vials of the virus and slipping it into player meals!
Diet
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All these years i have been trying different diets how stupid was i if only i had realised the Andrex Pasta Rice Diet it seems very popular in my part of the world:-)...of course i would like to point out to others(millenials mainly)that Pasta from Italy and Rice from China mmmmm i wonder what links those two foodstuffs!
Stoke Mandeville Closed To Visitors
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Off topic I know, but my dear old Mum is in the critical ward at Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury and they have just stopped visitors from entering the building, i would advise anyone with relatives in hospital to either get them out or at least visit them while they can, I managed to do so early this week and am glad I managed to get a visit in while it was still allowed.
COVID-19 Accepts No Substitutes All Games Off Until April 3rd!
Inevitably the Barclays Premier and EFL football clubs have come to the conclusion, in a similar way to how Australia did when canceling the Formula One grand Prix at the eleventh hour, that they can only sanction the playing of games behind closed doors in order to try and prevent the spread of The COVID-19 Corona virus. However with the situation being so fluid, it now transpires that all games will be postponed for an initial two week period but with the potential for the season to either terminate early or for all results to be nullified and the season played again next year!
Of course the logistical and financial consequences of such a decision would be massively felt, particularly for example by those clubs who are in the driving seat to get promoted and who will potentially miss out on the vast wealth attained by entering the 'promised land' that is the Barclays Premier League, with all it's commensurate wealth.
For teams currently in the middle order, who are not in danger of getting relegated or still involved in cup competitions, there will be little or no concern, but for those at the bottom or the top of their leagues there will could be serious implications. Some lower league clubs, as well as some more high profile clubs, could go to the wall as the financial restrictions of closed door matches, or even no matches at all, kick in!
West Ham United fans would be quite keen to see the season end as it is now, it would mean relegation for Norwich, Watford and one other from Bournemouth or Aston Villa because of Villa's game in hand. Meetings have been held this morning which confirm all Uefa competitions, including Champions League and Europa League matches due to be played on 17th and 18th March, have been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The draws for the next rounds, set for 20 March, have also been postponed. In the Champions League, Manchester City v Real Madrid, Juventus v Lyon, Barcelona v Napoli and Bayern Munich v Chelsea are all postponed. Manchester United, Wolves and Rangers' matches in the Europa League are off.
In the light of this most recent development, it appears highly unlikely that ANY Barclays Premier League matches will occur after this weekend in front of crowds, the issue as whether to allow matches to be played at all is now being addressed and it seems as if the Premier League clubs will take their own decision rather than waiting for advice from the Government.
Current bottom six of Barclays Premier League Table
15 Brighton 29 -8 29
16 West Ham 29 -15 27
17 Watford 29 -17 27
18 B'mouth 29 -18 27
19 Aston Villa 28 -22 25
20 Norwich 29 -27 21
It would be a rum deal for any team relegated without the opportunity to make one last push to survive, equally it would be tragic for the supporters of Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion to be denied their place at football's top table,either way there will be winners and losers unless the Premier League and the EFL can come up with a cunning plan that suits all parties involved. We will bring you all the details as soon as they are available. Asst Ed
New: Hammers Game Against Wolves In Doubt
Due to the rapid spread of Coronavirus 19, the advice being given by the chief medical officer is being updated on an hourly basis, consequently there is more than a distinct chance that West Ham United's crucial home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to be played at the London Stadium will be postponed.
If the match were postponed, it would be of far greater benefit to Wolves than the Irons, as Wolves will have played their Europa League quarter final in a behind closed doors game against Olympiakos on thursday. Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently self isolating, ironically that game is due to go ahead whereas the weekend's fixture stands a very good chance of postponement.
There are some suggestions that the entire Barclays Premier League might be suspended or even curtailed in the next couple of weeks, if the season was brought to an abrupt halt those in the relegation slots would have an awful lot to say about the situation, and that is before anyone tries to address the nightmare of deciding the play offs!
Whether we like it or not, this 'C' word 'ain't gonna go away', so be prepared for a lengthy break from the trials and travails of supporting West Ham, some say it is a blessed relief to not have to endure the current relegation scrap, we will see, won't we? - Ed
Arsenal FC v West Ham United Team Sheets
Arsenal: Leno, Sokratis, Mari, Luiz, Saka, Xhaka, Ceballos, Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang, Nketiah. Subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Lacazette, Nelson, Willock, Guendouzi, Martinelli.
West Ham: Fabianski, Ngakia, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio, Haller. Subs: Randolph, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Anderson, Lanzini, Snodgrass, Soucek
I'm Not Alright Jack-Wilshere To Go!
There was a time when Manuel Pellegrini used to do his obligatory pre-match presser for the Barclays Premier League with hopeful references as to when one of his highest earners would be fit enough to play, Pellegrini has gone now but the player in question is still at the club, drawing an enormous salary and will be beginning the third and final year of his lucrative contract next summer and is still injured!
Step, or limp forward someone who was once one of England's brightest prospects, Jack Wilshere. Jack's injury ravaged career makes Andy Carroll look like a regular marathon participant, that is of the running variety, and not the peanut candy bar of the same name, Hammers' main share holder and much disliked co-owner David Sullivan was aghast when Pellegrini handed Wilshere a three year £5 Million a year contract. Sullivan insisted on only a one year deal, but was over ruled by Mario Husillos, the then head of recruitment, the 'Huse' also signed Roberto Jiminez Gago, a signing that 'did' for Pellegrini as well as Husillos!
Jack Wilshere is the exact polar opposite of the type of player David Moyes wants, and it seems that a summer move or even the cancellation of his contract is inevitable given his appalling injury record. Some might say look at the huge amount of money he has cost, what if we release him and he goes on to score freely and be without injury for another team? Others would then refer to what has happened to that other massive drain of resources, Andy Carroll, since he left the club, as they say, a leopard cannot change it's spots and dear Andy has, as expected managed just a handful of appearances for Newcastle.
Fact is Jack Wilshere 'ain't ever gonna' get better, if he can be moved on without further cost at the end of the season it would be better for all parties, and perhaps Jack may have to take the unfortunate decision to retire, in a similar way to Dean Ashton. It wasn't that the mind wasn't willing, it's just that the body couldn't comply, sad but true.
At least Jack will have more than a few quid in retirement and he will be wished well by everyone, but isn't it about time there was a West Ham United squad that wasn't being sucked dry by expensive long term injury injury prone players? Thanks Jack but no thanks, it's time to move on, David Moyes as much as confirmed that in his summing upof how things are within the squad. - Asst Ed
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