Forum | Non-Football Related

It is a well known fact that Mrs Moyes peruses all the Hammers fan sites and media outlets in order to keep her very busy Hubby up to date on the groundswell of opinion of fans. David Moyes HAD to have been impressed with the stunning victory of his youth set up as they won the FA youth Cup for the first time since 1999.

The fact that the victory was at their opponent's Arsenal's Emirate Stadium AND that the oppostion were coached by Jack Wilshere surely made the emphatic 5-1 win even sweeter. Incidentally the fact that 'Wheelchair' paraded his daughter in full Arsenal colours ahead of the match is indicative that all the 'he supports West Ham parlance' was a load of old guff!

Even a blind man could see that there was some serious talent within Kevin Keen's team, surely enough for even the most miopic of managers to notice, including 'Dino' Moyes. The players put on such an impressive display that it would be plain madness not to include at least one or two of them in the match day squads for the weekend and onwards.

It can be argued that this was a 'boys' match and that the serious business of the Premier League and the much maligned 'Con Cup' are up on another level, however it can also be stated that David Moyes was once hailed for his innovative use of youngsters when he was at Everton, who else would give a sixteen year old a starting berth in such a league?

Moyes seems to have forgotten his own modus operandi when it comes to youth players, perhaps he cannot see the forest for the trees anymore? What is the point of having an academy and youth set up if the talent is not utilised? Majority shareholder David Sullivan has been aggrieved in the past that so many of the club's youngsters get 'snaffled' by other clubs and that Hammers only receive the paltry fee assigned by the compensation board.

Well there is a simple answer to that, let SOME of them have some game time and they WILL stay at the club irrespective of the riches on offer by other clubs, players want to play! It is as simple as that, if they feel they have little or no chance of making the first team's squad then of course they will look elsewhere.

Moyes needs to take a leaf out of his OWN book and start giving youth a chance, that doesn't mean they have to start games, but with the additional substitutions now allowed he MUST give some of them a chance otherwise there will be a mass exodus of an incredibly talented cohort of players the likes of which have not been seen for over two decades, come on David be brave, be sensible, be ambitious! - Ed

Ex-Hammers Kevin Keen and Jack Wilshere will be the opposing managers in this evening's FA youth Cup final, one served with distinction, the other fleeced the club for millions while occupying the medical room! Wilshere had plenty of 'gob' to say about the club when he finally left with over £10 Million in his sky rocket.

The fact that it is he who is managing the Arsenal youth team is testimony as to where his 'heart' has always been, this despite his 'family' having allegedly always been Hammers fans. Wilshere's once blossoming career was blighted by a series of catastrophic injuries that denied him the opportunity to shine on the major stage as much as his talent undoubtedly deserved, perhaps if he had looked after himself a little better as a youngster things might have panned out differently!

Keen brings his promising youth team to face Arsenal on the back of a stellar season that has seen them sweep all and sundry aside, although ALL the team have played their part Divin Mubama is the stand out player. Forwardds always grab more of the headlines, a stat that is reflected in the financial value placed on strikers by clubs, goals win games!

It won't be long, IF the club aren't stupid before we see Divin appearing regularly for the first team, such is his prowess on the pitch, particularly in front of goal, although his all round game contribution ia also extremely encouraging. A bright prospect who seems like a decent lad who has been 'schooled' correctly, Mubama has all the attributes to make it to the very top and it is up to the club to handle his development with due diligence and not risk having his head turned by rival clubs who will be 'sniffing' around and offering his parents luxury homes in sunnier climes/

Oh, by the way, that is what Chelsea and Manchester United have done for years! It borders on the ethically incorrect side, if not the illegal side but is widespread within the game. We know that as a matter of fact having been closely tied with a couple of Premier League players' families.

A good result tonight will confirm just how GOOD a job Keen has done since taking over the managerial responsibilities. It is about time he and his players received the recognition they deserve. The games can be seen either on the club's extremely amateur media channels or via the FA's own dodgy live feed. either way we are sure that everyone wishes the players succeed and hopefully emulate the team that last won it that included Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick. - Ed

Much loved Hammers player Pablo Fornals used to be one of the first players on David Moyes' team sheets but the need to 'accommodate' new signings has seen him drop to the bench in all but a few Premier League games, although he has featured in all the 'Con Cup' games.

Fornals came on with 25 minutes to go and scored a 'Scorpion Kick' goal as well as providing an assist for Cornet who had come on as a sub at the same time, unfortunately the Cornet goal was adjudged offside but Fornals' goal stood. Anyone with a heart would have felt moved as the emotion of scoring such a goal overwhelmed the lovable Spaniard, leaving him unable to control the tears that streaked down his face.

Now that's what you call emotion, pure love of the club and it's supporters shone from the self confessed 'cockerny', it was obvious to all and sundry just how much he has missed starting for the club this season. David Moyes alluded to Fornals' lack of game time in his post match presser and reiterated what an important player Pablo is for the Irons despite the paucity of his EPL starts.

A top, top player who did not look out of place in the same company as Declan Rice, Pac,man and all the rest of the players who clearly think the world of him as was illustrated by the amount of 'man cuddles' he received following his tearful episode.

For once Hammers were on the front foot from the get go and were rewarded within the first 5 minutes with a Big Mikey Antonio bullet header that left Neto no chance. Things got even better a few minutes later when 'Pacman' leapt like a salmon to score another header that the Bournemouth defence were unable to cope with.

2-0 up after 12 minutes was an incredible way to start the game and things got even better when the captain,Declan Rice, added another couple of million to his sale value with a beautifully executed shot from the edge of the box just before half time.

The 'Cherry' on the cake was Fornals' 2nd half goal but also the rigid defence and authoritative way the players bossed the midfield and restricted the home team to 'spirited' efforts that were well dealt with by Lukasz Fabianski and an evergreen performance from the much maligned Aaron Cresswell. We have absolutely no idea what the medical team have been giving him, but long may it continue!

The win has helped Hammers move up the table and put a few points between the club and the bottom three, but it is still early doors when it comes to survival, the club needs a bare minimum of another TWO WINS before fans can start to relax.

Of course there is the small matter of the 'Con Cup' semi final to deal with along with the crucial Premier League 'monster schedule', the club should never have found itself in this position, but at least everyone can see that the players and yes including the manager, are showing a bit of.....now what is it called? Oh yes, the West Ham way! - LN

PS: Match of the Day will be a 'happy place' tonight irrespective of the amount of time devoted to the Cherries v Irons game, seeing Tottingham gubbed always brings a smile!

Crucial games towards the business end of the season, particularly for those clubs embroiled in a Premier League survival battle, are often called six pointers. If ANY game deserves to be given that name, then West Ham United's game away to fellow strugglers Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium surely lives up to that title! Defeat would plunge Hammers back to the brink of the relegation abyss, a draw or a win could see the club virtually safe and sound depending on other results.

For those NOT directly associated with the teams fighting it out at the bottom of the Premier League it makes for entertaining viewing, for fans who ARE directly affected it is an extremely stressful time. So many clubs have sacked their managers this season, more than any other Premier League season in it's history, such are the financial rewards available.

Fine margins can define success or failure and the inevitable "result from nowhere' is quite a common factor in deciding who stays and who drops out of the richest league in World football, even a late spurt of form can see clubs fall short, so points on the board as opposed to games in hand are crucial. West Ham have TWO GAMES in hand on most of the other clubs that are desperately trying to avoid relegation, however those two games in hand are against Manchester City AND Liverpool!

Even a solitary point from both fixtures would be an achievement, but realistically Moyes and his staff will have metaphorically written both games off, which brings us back to tomorrow's games. Bournemouth have shown how resilient they can be so NOTHING short of a supreme effort will do on Sunday, even then it might not be enough to overcome a good side playing in a stadium that isn't big but has a tremendous atmosphere.

The Liverpool game follows on Wednesday evening so Moyes might be tempted to go 'strong' for the Cherries and 'rest' players up against a Liverpool team that have come into form recently, points on the road or a stirring display at the 'disparate' stadium? That is the question that Dini needs to answer emphatically, there is a groundswell of opinion that 'saving' players is counter productive and that there is a need for the current momentum to be carried on as opposed to the side being re jigged.

From a financial point of view staying in the Premier League IS the be all and end all, however Moyes will be thinking that IF he can win the club's first 'proper trophy' since 1980 then he would be guaranteed of having his contract renewed DESPITE being a very unpopular choice among fans, many of which have VERY SHORT memories, it is NOT personal, it IS what fans of ALL clubs do!

Realistically anything could happen in the club's European adventure in the next two games, but survival IS the most important thing. But given the options most fans would elect the latter rather than the former. The concept might smack of a lack of ambition, but it is what it is.....survival is the key! - Ed