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  • Martin (The Ghost) Peters 1943-2019 RIP

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 21/12/2019 - 18:53

    Football genius is a term that has been ritually over used, as has the term legend, with most of those named actually being leg ends! However in the case of martin Peters such eulogies don't even get close.

    Martin Peters finally succumbed to the crippling neuro illness that he had been bravely battling for years, his great Pal and former club and country team mate, Sir Geoff Hurst, described Peters as a 'race horse' of a player who oozed style where ever and when ever he played.

    Although best remembered for scoring England's second goal of their 4-2 victory over Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, aficionado's of the game will tell you that it was Peters who Ron Greenwood used to provide the template for 'the near post cross' that he developed while he was manager at West Ham, before he took over the England managership.

    A stylish cultured player the likes of which rarely grace the field, he was a one off, and a man of great dignity and kindness. Those of us who were lucky enough to have seen Martin play in his pomp will treasure their memories, those who didn't can only wish that they had! - Ed

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  • Manager Merry Go Round

    boogerscaravan's picture
    Submitted by boogerscaravan on Thu, 19/12/2019 - 10:03

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    Well I'm guessing we will be included in this sooner rather than later. Unless Wurzel Pellegrini's inspired ker-plunk moment of the penny dropping. Means Haller and Antonio doing a Hartson and Kitson for the rest of the season, with us reaching the dizzy heights of the top ten, before the season ends.

    Which beggars the question. What are The Arse and Everton doing, with their prospective new Managers coming in?

    I'll start with Everton. They are getting a World class foreign Manager, who is well respected in the game, not as young as some. But a proven winner including the Premier League. Now does this sound familiar to anyone at all? Ring any bells? Now as a supporter of the club that has gone down that road and been less than impressed by our current position. I'd say to Everton, be careful what you wish for.

    Getting onto The Arse. As a supposed big club (we kicked your Arse in 1980) had to get that in. Why are they going for the unproven Arteta. Now he could turn out to be the next Guardiola, who knows? But a big gamble, I would have thought he'd be better suited to Everton, having connections with both clubs.

    It remains to be seen where we fit into this. But if results don't go our way over Christmas we will no doubt be in the mix. I wouldn't rule out Uncle Harry dusting off his jam roly poly apron and seeing us through until the end of the season.....Ho, Ho Ho..!!

  • Ship Him Out-Sanchez To Sail Off With Gago?

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 17/12/2019 - 13:06

    There are many strange managerial decisions taken by football managers that leave fans dumbfounded by their actions, only for the fans to be proved mistaken in questioning the wisdom of a professional who is highly paid to make those choices, however, West Ham United's manager Manuel Pellegrini proves that is not always the case.

    The current manager's insistence on playing one up front almost led to his dismissal following an appalling run of results that were triggered by the long term injury to 'Europe's best goalkeeper' of last season, Lukasz Fabianski, before he reluctantly bowed to fans' and owners pressure to play Michail Antonio and Sebastian Haller as a front pairing.

    Insisting on the formation that he has found great success with, albeit with much more expensively assembled squads, was not Pellegrini's cardinal sin, after all he did eventually rectify the situation, even if he left it until his situation was almost untenable.

    Pelligrini's most questionable decision though seems to be his compulsion to select Carlos Sanchez for the match day squad, even stranger is his propensity for bringing the 'erratic' Sanchez on to 'see out the game', with a result of achieving mass insecurity for viewing fans and confusion for the players he has just joined on the pitch. When Sanchez comes on, opposition players and fans alike know that (a) Hammers are trying to shut up shop, and (b) that with Sanchez on the pitch there is a very strong possibility that their team will score as a result of Sanchez 'pretending to be a footballer' with his perpetually misplaced passes!

    Sanchez is an experienced international player, from Colombia, which is in South America, as is Chile where Manuel Pellegrini comes from. Chile and Colombia are connected by Peru, but here at the Org we think there must be a closer connection between Manuel Pellegrini and Carlos Sanchez other than they both speak Spanish.

    Of course in order to avoid litigation, we can only suggest, that there are those in Colombia who specialise in extortion and kidnapping, apart from their wholesale cocaine production for export. We wonder if 'arrangements' have been made that include the 'house detention' of several of Pellegrini's family in order for Sanchez to remain at the London Stadium, why else would he have even sanctioned the signing of Sanchez?

    Anyway, it appears that the 'house guests' have now been released, on account of the fact that the club are making Carlos Sanchez and Roberto Jiminez Gago available for transfer during the January transfer window. Now, before you ask who or why anyone would want either player, just remember two can play at the 'family' game, rumour has it that even as you read this article, action has been taken by 3rd parties to ensure the smooth exit of both players.

    The only tell tale reference of the'events' will probably just be a small invoice tucked away in the club's financial accounts, but they will bury it next to a shed load of Willy McKay stuff, even Sherlock wouldn't find it! - Ed

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  • Who On Earth Would Want Roberto?

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 16/12/2019 - 14:27

    Maybe it is because it is Panto season, but for some reason there has been a media groundswell as to whether Roberto JIminez Gago will be at West Ham by the time the transfer window closes at the end of January. The Hapless Hammers '2nd' choice keeper has had an inordinate amount of criticism dumped on him for his 'terrible' stint between the sticks that saw the club go from being Champions League contenders, to being in the battle to avoid the Championship!

    Why would anyone in their right mind want to sign Roberto? He was once a relatively decent keeper with a lot of experience, but prior to being signed by the Irons had not featured prominently in a first team role for some considerable time, and it showed in his nervy performances. The fact that '3rd' choice keeper David Martin, had to replace Roberto shows just how poorly he performed.

    Ex-Millwall keeper Martin, son of West Ham legend Alvin Martin, was originally signed on a free transfer to provide 'robust' keeping against the main squad and the U-23's, his role was essentially to be 'canon fodder' for the strikers! Martin's debut in the 1-0 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge couldn't have gone much better, however he was quickly brought down to earth by the 2-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor, and the chastening 3-1 capitulation against fellow London strugglers Arsenal.

    Things picked up well for the visit to St Mary's, and the well earned 1-0 victory over Southampton, however we are talking about West Ham United here! So it was rather inevitable that right near the end of the match David Martin should pick up almost the identical injury to that which has seen '1st' choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski out of action for four months!

    It could only happen to the Hammers couldn't it? Fortunately there is a optimism that Fabianski will be fit enough to start the Boxing day match away to Palace, if not the club have the option of using U-23 keeper Joseph Anang for this London derby. The club also have the right to recall Nathan Trott from his loan spell at AFC Wimbledon if Fabianski 'breaks down' or needs more recovery time.

    But Roberto? There is no way fans will tolerate the 33 year old Spaniard being in the starting line up, such is the loss of belief in him that Pellegrini and his staff have distanced themselves from him, sighting the fact that he was given a 'very decent' run of games to prove his worth, and his worth is..........nothing.

    As they say, there is always a bum for every seat, but what kind of arsehole would want Roberto? - Ed

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  • Lets all Pray

    mcbikeman's picture
    Submitted by mcbikeman on Sun, 15/12/2019 - 13:30

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    That Martin(the latest sufferer of the injury curse)has not injured himself the same way Fabianski did but it looked very similar and i that happens surely we cannot play Roberto!!! had one sleepless night already just thinking about that.so lets all say a prayer and hope for a swift recovery.

  • Has the penny dropped or not,

    Submitted by alby foreverirons on Sun, 15/12/2019 - 00:21

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    It was great to look at the lineup and see that Pell was finally going to play 2 up front and it worked. Mick the Mighty playing alongside Haller and playing to his strengths worked a treat to give us a much needed win. Antonio ( definately the energiser bunny in disguise) played his guts out as per usual and it gave the rest of the team the lift they needed. Bad refs decisions cost us a definately penalty when Haller was taken down, I know people are saying it's var but it's intimately the video ref that interprets the video. The goal that Antonio scored was a more accurate decision as the ball did hit the hand and was always going to be disallowed.
    The thing that really makes me wonder about whether Pelligrini can sustain his change was his decision to send Sanchez on and take Haller off. I understand the need to protect a lead but Sanchez, was Pell trying to get himself sacked with benefits or what, as soon as he came on Southampton seemed to lift and if not for the posts we could have snatched defeat from the jaws again. If you want to go defensive why not Diop for Haller and a back 5. I don't know what he see's in Sanchez but for me his best position is back in London providing fodder for the under 23s.
    We have twelve days before our next match and anything can happen but let's prey for a miracle and get Fab back because Martin didn't look good at the end and with the teams we face in the next few matches we can't afford Roberto. Only a couple off weeks to go until the Jan transfer window and the circus will start again when we will be linked with every reasonable player on the planet and as usual buy a few cheap imitations of footballers but that's the life of a West Ham fan. That's why we are the most passionate fans in the league.

  • 21st Century Schizoid Ham

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 14/12/2019 - 21:35

    Back in the day when we relaunched the Org, James Mad Hammer and I wanted wanted to have 21st century schizoid man to sound off as soon as you logged in, unfortunately dear old Bob Fripp, a distant colleague is fiercely protective over the rights to the track and we were unable to use it, however even dear old Bob won't mind us paraphrasing some of the lyrics*.

    "Cat's foot, IRON'S claw, neuro surgeons scream for more, at paranoia's poison door, 21st century schizoid man". There couldn't be a more apt description of how it is to be a West Ham United supporter, player, or even owner. How is it that a team can be so utterly inept one match, and then outrageously sublime the next, a team that can be so paradoxical that you know it will put you through the same roller coaster of anxiety, and yet you still support them, is it an illness?

    The answer is quite simple, this is West Ham,VAR somehow deprived Manuel Pellegini's side of the two goals that would have really reflected his side's overall performance, it is not a new phenomena, it has always been thus, and is one of the reasons that the club, despite all that is thrown at it, is, and always be unique, exasperating, annoying, infectious and occasionally rewarding, it is the way it has always been, and is probably the way things will always be.

    Antonio is in danger of getting called up for England, and you know how bad things usually end up in that scenario, and of course David Martin had to get injured, possibly fairly long term, there's nothing left to do other than promote Joseph Anang, or get Doris to dust off her socks!

    Is this the West Ham Way? - Ed

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  • Southampton FC v West Ham United Team Sheets And Links

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 14/12/2019 - 16:32

    Southampton: McCarthy, Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Djenepo, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Redmond, Ings, Long. Subs: Gunn, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Adams, Romeu, Armstrong, Obafemi.
    West Ham: Martin, Fredericks, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Cresswell, Rice, Noble, Antonio, Fornals, Snodgrass, Haller. Subs: Roberto, Zabaleta, Diop, Masuaku, Yarmolenko, Sanchez, Ajeti.

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  • Wils Here, No He Isn't

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 14/12/2019 - 13:54

    When West Ham United signed Jack Wilshere there were those who thought it was a wonderful bit of business, although eyebrows were raised at the terms of his contract, three years on £100,000 per week for a player with a hideous injury record? The management team, especially the medical people, have almost run out of reasons as to why Jack Wilshere will not be playing each week.

    There's more chance of finding Dianne Abbot when she goes missing than there is of seeing Jack Wilshere kick a ball in anger, no one doubts his desire to play, he even pays for his own fitness 'guru' in order to enhance his recovery from injuries! Herein though lies the issue, injuries are plural rather than singular, and in Jack's case they just keep coming. It must be soul destroying having to spend so much time in recovery, but that does leave him time to plan his future using the £5 Milllion per year that the club gives him.

    Apparently David Sullivan was aghast at the prospect of giving such an injury prone player a three year contract, but that was the player's agent's pre-condition for Wilshere's signature, it was a move heavily sanctioned by Pellegrini. Perhaps because the Hammers manager hadn't endured year after year of the 'Andy Carroll' syndrome he was oblivious to the danger, but for whatever reason he got his way, and the club are paying dearly for it now, it's not just about the money, Wilshere also occupies a registered squad place that might have been used to much more effect by a fit player.

    Unfortunately Jack Wilshere will never 'suddenly' regain his fitness, because he has rarely had any prolonged injury free spells in his entire career, and there is nothing to suggest that things will change any time soon. At one point there were rumours that Manuel Pellegrini was thinking about building the team around Jack following the long term injury to Manu Lanzini.

    Ironically Lanzini has recovered, got injured again, twice, and will still be back ahead of Jack Wilshere. If any club does show an interest in signing Wilshere during the transfer window, Hammers should bite their arms off before they come to their senses.

    Finally, there are a disturbing amount of fans wishing for a defeat against Southampton this evening, in the fairly deluded view that Manuel Pellegrini will get the 'tin tack' as a result of the loss. This would be a highly improbable course of action for a Hammers hierarchy known for their penny pinching, just look at the training facilities at Rush Green and Chadwell Heath compared to other 'less wealthy' team's facilities! - Ed

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