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  • Make Someone Happy- Watch Stella Street

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 02/04/2020 - 10:23

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    With all the doom and gloom allied to massive fears about income and health, do yourself a favour and dig out Stella Street to watch. If you are old enough you will remember it well, if you are too young, feast your eyes! They filmed the entire show in Shepherds Bush, right opposite my friend's parents house, I am pleased to say the show is even funnier now, happy viewing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r-bYi36OQo&list=PLBj-d69ga0vapRMcyjdEMY.... -Ed

  • something other than corona to think about

    hammergirl's picture
    Submitted by hammergirl on Thu, 02/04/2020 - 06:39

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    Martin Braithwaite.....i cannot believe we are thinking about wasting £15million on this player ex Barcelona they will say ex Middlesborough i will retort. Moyes this kind of player is why many fans are totally unsure of your ability in the transfer market considering the Hugill drama Olly Watkins though unproven in the Prem is a far far better prospect and if Brentford do not get promoted(who knows if anyone will be?)he has professed the point he wants to play in the prem but at £22million+ i am guessing the board will baulk at that and a more ambitious side will sneak in and steal a great prospect.

  • Time To Forget Squabble With Mayor

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Wed, 01/04/2020 - 11:13

    In these unique and troubling times, there is a general consensus that we should all stick together in order to get through the potentially dreadful possibility of casualties rates along similar lines to those suffered by both Italy and Spain. Barclays Premier League Clubs have all committed to helping out in any way they realistically can.

    West Ham United are no exception, and along with fellow London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham, are in possession of large facilities that may be needed in order to supplement the newly built Nightingale Hospital at the O2 centre in the East of London. Whether it be to provide over night accommodation, or use of medical resources.

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan and West Ham United have not enjoyed the best of relationships with the former accusing the club of 'taking advantage', and the latter accusing the Mayor of 'interference' in a situation that was not of his making, the Hammers hierarchy felt that Khan was using the London Stadium situation to gain brownie points' for political gain, and Khan felt that the Irons had 'gotten' too good a deal!

    Fortunately, and as you would expect given the current circumstances, all previous issues have been put on the back burner and Khan has written to Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and West Ham, as well as Brentford, Charlton, Fulham, Millwall and QPR, requesting assistance, and his call has been heard loud and clear.

    "I’m grateful for the hugely positive response we have received," said Khan."I have outlined what they can do to help our fantastic NHS as we work together to tackle coronavirus, the community spirit of London’s football clubs has shone through."

    As well as providing skilled staff and stadium facilities, clubs have been asked to help with creating accommodation for NHS staff working away from self isolating families so they can continue to work, and care workers also require lodgings in order to stay close to the makeshift field hospitals being created in London.

    It's good to see that the 'squabble' between West Ham United and Sadiq Khan has been put to one side in these 'once in a lifetime' circumstances, perhaps when things eventually return to normal, negotiations can resume, with both parties seeing a different side to the opposition. - Ed

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  • Will These Youngsters Come A Cropper?

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 30/03/2020 - 19:55

    West Ham have a wealth of young talent at the club, a vital essential for any team other than the very rich in order to survive in the top flights of football, so we thought we'd take a look at the new generation of players to emerge. When it comes to young promising goal keepers the Irons are spoiled for choice with Nathan Trott and Joseph Anang on the books as well as two youth internationals in the U-18's with Daniel Jinady and Serinne Sanneh, there is also the 17 year old Hungarian Krisztian Hegyi, who was wanted by Manchester United and Real Madrid, he has trained with the first team and has played with the U-23's this season.

    Scottish youth international Harrison Ashby has played well for the U-18's and has also played for the U-23's a few times this season, he made his U-23's debut earlier this season as an emergency centre back after an injury crisis, helping the team to a clean sheet .

    Centre half Jamal Baptiste became the 2nd youngest Hammers U-23 player in history earlier this season when he made his debut in a Premier League International Cup win over Valencia two months ahead of his 16th birthday. His England U-17 debut followed not long after and he has been a regular in U-23s match squads ever since making the step up, he is very highly rated at the London Stadium and there are hopes the future will see him develop in to a top player.

    Goncalo Cardoso was signed from Boavista last summer for more than £1million, big things are expected of the Portuguese youngster, who has been a regular for his country across all age groups. He is essentially a centre back but can also play at left back which he has done on a few occasions this season for the U- 23's.

    Marauding left back Sam Caiger has finally returned after nearly two years out through injury and has scored a couple of goals in a win over Spurs, he is well thought of at Chadwell Heath.

    Midfielder Conor Coventry recently signed a new contract extension until 2023 before being sent out on loan to Lincoln City, Coventry made his first team debut against Macclesfield Town last season in the Carabao Cup and took over the U-23's captaincy after Moses Makasi was sold, he’s continued to progress and is another one for the future.

    Creative midfielder Bernardo Rosa won the Premier League 2 Player of the Month nomination for November having made the move up to U-23 level from the U-18s. The Brazilian, who began his career at Vasco de Gama in his homeland before making the move to London in his early teenage years has really impressed the U-23 bosses.

    Nathan Holland is a winger who has been on loan this season at Oxford United, scoring in an FA Cup replay against Newcastle United, before his loan was cut short after suffering a hamstring injury. Unfortunately Injuries have meant his career has been sporadic since signing from Everton but that hasn't stopped him from being the U-23's top scorer this season having scored 11 times in the PL2 before he was loaned out for his League One experience.

    Amadou Diallo was immediately handed his first professional contract at the club signing on the dotted line with his boyhood club on his 17th birthday. Diallo was in fact just 14 when he made his debut for the club's U-18s against Arsenal in 2017 under former coach Jack Collison and last season he broke into the U-23's setup, scoring two goals in his first three appearances at that level and has gone from strength to strength, well above his age range,

    Striker Xande Silva suffered serious bowel obstruction that required emergency surgery last summer which set him back a bit, but he has scored three times since his return this season. In 2019-20, the Portuguese hitman was stunning scoring seven goals in his first six games and making a first team debut at Burnley, he made his senior full debut in the FA Cup win over Birmingham.

    Mipo Odubeko has only been at the club for three months having been sniped from Manchester United, but the striker has made a big impact already, he has scored 35 goals for the Iron’s academy last season and has seven goals in six games for the U-18s since signing. He also scored with his very first touch off the bench on his under-23s debut earlier this year as well.

    Mesaque Dju joined the club at the end of the January transfer window during the 2018-19 season from Portuguese side Benfica, the youngster joined on a three and a half year deal and joins fellow countryman Xande Silva in the Club's U-23 squad.

    These aren't the only youngsters on the horizon, ironically it was the 'pulling power' of ex-manager Manuel Pellegrini that attracted many of the youngsters and the approval of their signatures by their parents and advisers, strength through youth sounds a bit Hitleresque, but realistically it is the only way a club like West Ham can possibly survive and progress in the top flight, until and when the current owners sellup to buyers with deep pockets, but don't hold your breath! - Ed

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  • Hammers 'Fire Sale' To Begin ASAP

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 29/03/2020 - 12:38

    The continuing doubts as to when, if ever, the Barclays Premier League 2019-2020 season will be completed occupy the sports headlines, with extension after extension being mooted until there is physically no time left to fulfil all the remaining fixtures. That situation in itself throws up more questions than answers, but one reality is that there are many players at clubs whose contracts are due to expire in June, what will the situation be with regards to them?

    Irrespective of a club's wealth, there will come a time when even most of the best financed clubs will have to consider their position with regards to honoring existing contracts, terminating those that are due to finish, and seeking to sign players up on new contracts. West Ham United are in a slightly unfortunate position in that they have several 'high' earners that are still under contract that they would like to cut from the wages bill, but no one else really wants them. Jack Wilshere's £100,000 per week is at the top of the list, he has the remainder of this season* and another full year in addition until his contract expires.

    Winston Reid has moved on loan to Sporting Kansas City, but they are only paying 15% of his £85,000 per week wages, Reid is contracted to West Ham United until 30.06.2023. However, although his wages aren't that high, the real Turkey in the shop window is Roberto Jimenez Gago, the worst goal keeper ever to have donned the gloves for the Irons, and that is saying something if you remember the likes of Peter Grotier back in the day! Astonishingly despite being loaned out to Deportivo Alavés, Gago is due to return to the London Stadium and pick up another £35,000 per week for another entire season!

    The in excess of £200,000 per week being frittered away on these injury prone, or completely useless players would provide enough funding for two or three 'young tearaways' from the lower leagues, and yes David Moyes was responsible for the signing of the spectacularly unimpressive Jordan Hugill for £8-10 Million from Preston on a very lucrative £35,000 per week which expires on 30.06.2023, Hugill is currently on loan at QPR in the Championship where he has performed quite well accruing ten league and two cup goals, but he is definitely not worth the fee that West Ham paid Preston North End.

    The signing of Jarred Bowen is similar to that of Hugill's, with the exception that Bowen is a proven natural out and out goal striker capable of scoring goals anywhere from a playing field to a top stadium, he wasn't cheap, but he is quality. When the Corona Virus Covid 19 'dust' finally settles, there will be extensive and long overdue 'culling' of what is an unbalanced squad that currently has too much dead weight attached to it.

    When fans are eventually able to return to watching 'live' games, the sight of a fast paced and youthful West Ham will be a delight for those hankering after the good times that they experienced in Slaven Billic's first year, football that was of course aided and choreographed by Le Snake. -Ed

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  • Premier League's Emperor's New Clothes

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 27/03/2020 - 11:35

    With their heads firmly buried in the sand, Premier League clubs are due to meet again on the 3rd of April to discuss what arrangements can be made in order to 'close out' this year's season, it is almost certain the current postponement of all games until the 30th of April will be extended again which will take it past the official end of the EFL league season and towards the last round of Premier League fixtures, which was supposed to be on the 17th of May.

    The mooted dates are very close to the point where the game has to restart if it is to meet the loose 30th of June deadline European football's governing body is working towards as the end of the 2019-20 campaign. Either the powers that be are in complete denial, or they have not taken on board the most basic of information with regards to containing the Corona Virus19 that has shut down sport globally.

    In fact the football authorities at both domestic and international level seem to be completely oblivious as to the far reaching implications of this Global pandemic, much as in the old Hans Christian Andersen story about the emperor's new clothes, they cannot see the folly of their indulgences such are their conceited opinions driven by greed.

    Of course declaring the season null and void would be extremely beneficial for a West Ham team that is only out of the bottom three positions on goal difference, but that is the way it is, no one realistically believes the season can be completed, EVEN behind closed doors, although this myth is being perpetrated by stake holders and broadcasters alike.

    These are unprecedented times, sport,particularly football, is the Nation's panacea, it gives us the 'hit' for the weekend and/or midweek and as such is irreplaceable, but given the circumstances it is perhaps better to batten down the hatches and wait for this dreadful 'plague' to dissipate, then and only then should football be back on the agenda.

    The Barclays Premier League, Sky Sports and BT Sport along with other broadcasters and involved parties World Wide are going to take a massive financial hit, but hasn't that happened to everyone else in the 'real world'?

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  • Inertia Reel For West Ham

    Submitted by Akira Andersson on Wed, 25/03/2020 - 11:50

    If or when the Barclays Premier League season opens up for business again, David Moyes will have his work cut out instilling the same type of siege mentality that he had encouraged prior to the sudden suspension of the season. The team seemed to be turning the corner as they bought in to Moyes' playing philosophy, the last match against Arsenal should have ended up with three points to the Irons, and everyone at the Emirates Stadium knew it!

    The problem for Moyes will be to 'crank up the volume' and motivate the players once more for what will hopefully be the last hundred yards of the Barclays Premier League survival race, one would assume motivation would hardly be an issue, but footballers are a different breed and some will come back stronger, whereas others will not. From a plus point there will be players who have had constant 'niggles' that have will now have had the time for complete recovery, however the lack of match fitness will be an issue and is something the medical team will need to keep an eye on.

    With the possible exception of Jack 'always injured' Wilshere the entire squad will be available, that is assuming Ryan Fredericks doesn't break down following surgery on his shoulder. Hammers' paper thin squad has been remorselessly exposed this season, the balance, or lack of it, is plain for all to see and the suspension of football as we know it might well have brought the club just enough time to give it a real go should the season be restarted.

    Having 'got out of jail' Moyes will certainly appreciate the extra time he has been given in order to avoid the drop, but then again, all the other managers of clubs in peril will have had the same amount of time to rally their troops and will approach their battle for survival with renewed vigor. The number crunchers think West Ham will survive whether the season is actually played out or resolved by algorithmic formula, but this last season has been a wake up call, and is a classic example of 'be careful what you wish for' syndrome, perhaps the Hammers' hierarchy will have learned from their lessons.

    We are talking about West Ham after all, not Barcelona! - Asst Ed

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  • Behind 'Er' Indoors PL Push

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    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 22/03/2020 - 10:57

    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

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