Forum | Non-Football Related

Up until a couple of days ago Hammers starlet Reece Oxford looked to all intents and purposes as if he was on his way out from The London Stadium, but manager Manuel Pellegrini, known for his man management skills, has apparently sat down with the lad and had a good heart to heart about how things should progress. The meeting, which was held without Aidy Ward of Colossal Sports management being present, was to clear the air because of all the negative press surrounding Oxford and the club.

It should be noted that Aidy Ward is also Domingos Quina's agent and not above forcing a move for his clients, after all it was he who forced through the transfer of Quina to Watford. An agent's role is to get the very best deal for their client, which of course inherently is a good deal for the agent due to their perentage commision which can range from 10 - 25 %. The Oxford situation is unique in that Ward has already managed to negotiate a very healthy deal for his young charge, so there is litttle else he can do to extend his commision apart from moving his client on to another club.

Hammers ludicrously extensive injury list has also rather dictated the club's stance on Oxford leaving, if the injuries continue to be accrued at the present rate there will be a need for back up players, and why not Oxford? Pellegrini has already shown that he is not afraid to use young players, Oxford's attitude cannot be that bad can it? There are obvious similarities between Reece Oxford and Ravel Morrison, even the mighty Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't tame Morrison and neither could anyone else, including Sam Allardyce when he was Hammers' manager.

Before accepting Oxford's departure as a fait accompli, it is worth remembering the 'redemption of Robert Snodgrass' that was instigated as a result of Pellegrini's management skills, perhaps it can still happen for Oxford. - Ed

A goal from Hammers nemesis Troy Deeney via a penalty and a late Gerard Deulofeu strike inflicted West Ham's first defeat since November in the final home game of 2018 at the London Stadium. The 'feel good' factor was there courtesy of both defences but it was a rare and potentially very costly error from 'the General' Fabian Balbuena that led to Watford's first goal.

Balbuena's challenge on Roberto Pereyra not only gifted the visitors a penalty, but more importantly saw the centre back substituted with what looks like a nasty injury. Hammers had made a strong start, with both Michail Antonio and Pablo Zabaleta finding a lot of space and time to attackdown the right, but despite being largely in control of the ball whenever the visitors found their way into the final third, things looked to go wrong and Watford began to peg West Ham back. Roberto Pereyra had a shot on target that was blocked by Mark Noble, but it was only a portent of what was to come.

Pereyra via a one-two with Deulofeu, was then subjected to a poor challenge from the usually reliable Balbuena, who collided the back of the player’s leg, conceding the pen and picking up his injury in the process. This was not what was expected but that which many of a certain age feared! Hammers nemesis Deeney stepped up and ended Lukasz Fabianski run of five consecutive penalty stops, sending him the wrong way with a shot in to the top corner. Deeney did his image little in glory as he aimed his celebration straight at the Hammers fans whose team, after a 4-2 win two years ago, he thanked for ‘showboating’ and credited them with giving his team the motivation to go on and win, he had a plastic cup thrown towards him from the stands which in the current climate will doubtless be blown out of all proportion and will hide what an odious character he really is on the pitch.

Things might have been different just before the break as Felipe Anderson swung an inch perfect cross over for Antonio, his header found Javier Hernandez but he scuffed his effort and didn't really trouble Ben Foster, who tipped the shot wide. Antonio so nearly had Hammers level just after the break as he rose to meet Snodgrass’ corner at the near post, only to see it come back off the upright on the far side, which in a way summed up the game, sooner or later some of the good luck the team has had was going to evaporate and today was the day that Hammers luck left the building.

Watford looked set fair until Andy Carroll was introduced in place of Mark Noble, they then proceeded to play a brand of anti-footbal the game had up until then not deserved, who needs a pantomime when you have so many 'fairies' falling over? Anderson who had been on the receiving end of a bit of Watford's 'physicality' supressing the recent brilliance he has shown in the last month or two, so nearly enabled Chicharito to score and the game should have been level. Andy Carroll clipped the ball towards Anderson, who trapped it with the outside of his foot and left Kiko Femenia for dead and then with a flick of his right boot squared for Hernandez who was five yards out, he spun, missed the ball and fell to the ground knowing he had just blown a golden opportunity.

Chicharito had a further chance to redeem himself after doing well to beat Christian Kabasele in the box, but he hesitated, and was denied. Doucoure, having just had a shot saved by Fabianski, took advantage of Henandez's daliance before pulling the trigger and poked the ball behind for a corner. That would be Hernandez’s last chance, he was replaced by youngster Grady Diangana moments later. Luck was not going to be on Hammers side as Snodgrass’ deflected header was pushed into the path of Michail Antonio who, with the entire goal gaping guided his headed effort on to Ben Foster’s bar.

A home goal goal was surely coming, and Hammers deserved at least a point after a far improved second half, but then Watford out muscled and out niggled Hammers once more, Pereyra passed to Deulofeu who had raced into the penalty area and slotted past Fabianski, an ugly win but three points sealed for the visitors. Manuel Pellegrini had spoken of top six ambitions ahead of the match, and the long term plan will be to reach the heights of European qualification, but Watford's agricultural approach will have reminded Hammers of their limits.

The visitors will leave happy with a job well done, but we know which style of play Hammers should aspire to, and it definitley is not that of Watford's, had Chicharito had his shooting boots on today Hammers could and should have been in sixth position in the Barclays Premier League, instead they find themselves in tweflth. - Ed Cold and miserable from the London Stadium, Happy bloody Christmas- Bah Humbug!