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  • Stan And Mo Show

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 22/09/2023 - 08:22

    New boys Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mohammed Kudus were both given their first starts for West Ham in the tricky Europa League fixture against Backa Topola yesterday evening in London. Neither failed to impress and aided and abetted by fellow new signing James Ward-Prowse the trio showed that there IS life after Declan Rice.

    Hammers rain lashed Stadium was nowhere near full, especially the away end, but considering it was an unglamorous Thursday night game held in atrocious weather conditions it was still a good turn out, the envy of so called 'elite' clubs like Citeh and Chelsea, although not this season for the latter of course because they failed to qualify for ANY European competitions this season.

    The boot was definitely on the other foot as the visitors packed their entire team behind the ball and began time wasting and play acting from the off! The time wasting was understandable but the feigning of injuries was embarrassing for any team, especially a team from Serbia where 'men are supposed to be men'.

    David Moyes had made a lot of changes and it showed with a lack of cohesion in the pick and mix team he put out despite their efforts they were unable to break down the visitors who were attempting to 'out West Ham' West Ham! There were several clear cut chances that on another night would have seen Hammers two or three goals up, instead the visitors began to grow in confidence towards the end of the first half and start the 2nd half with a spring in their step.

    An atrocious error by the usually reliable Angelo Obonna let the visitors go a goal ahead which kick started the crowd and the team into a positive response. James Ward-Prowse has already justified his £30 Million fee and continued to do so with his precision set pieces.

    Mohamed Kudus was the beneficiary on two occasions as he forced a defensive error for Hammers first goal which he swiftly followed up with a header to put the home crowd at ease and make for what ended up a comfortable victory. A win that was compounded by Tomas Soucek who came on as a late sub and scored a header that was straight from the 'Old Tomy' hand book.

    Soucek has come in for a ridiculous amount of unfair criticism from a large section of the team's fan base, they should remember that 'Big Tomy' was sacrificed last season in order to let Decal Rice play a more advanced role. Soucek is now showing glimpses of being the superb player he once was when he first arrived at the club, Moyes knows it as well and it seems there is now an aura of positivity around the big Czech.

    Several players got a run out to show what they are about, unfortunately for one of them fan favourite Pablo Fornals, the night was not so good, his play went from dreadful to anonymous before he was finally hooked, he looked to all intents and purposes to be a player already preparing for life in La Liga, don't be surprised if he is off in the January window.

    All in all a decent night, but also a salient portent of what can happen if you underestimate the opposition!- Ed

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  • Live West Ham v Line Ups TSC Line Ups

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 21/09/2023 - 17:36

    West Ham: Fabianski, Kehrer, Mavropanos, Ogbonna (C), Cresswell, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Fornals, Benrahma, Kudus, Ings
    Subs: Johnson, Zouma, Coufal, Antonio, Cornet, Areola, Aguerd, Soucek, Coventry, Emerson, Mubama, Anang
    TSC: Simic, Cvetkovic, Antonic (c), Dordevic, Petrovic, M Radin, Dakovac, N Stojic, Kuveljic, Stanic,
    Jovanovic

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  • Wham Bam Backa Man-Mubama!

    Submitted by Louis Nixon on Wed, 20/09/2023 - 08:31

    TSC Backa Topola arrive in London later today ahead of what their fans are calling the club's 'travel cup final'. A game in which they have nothing to lose given it is only one of their group games ahead and against the top seed in their group.

    It is unusual for Hammers to be at such lofty heights as normally the club are the under dogs domestically. This'accoalde' was hard earned last season but will mean nothing if the team believe their own myth and try to rest on their Laurels.

    Konstantinos Mitraponis, we'll call him Stan to save time, is scheduled to make his debut for the club in what will be a bit of a re jig of the team that suffered Saturdays to Man Citeh. Edson Alvarez is unavailable due to having to serve a one match ban that he picked up playing for Ajax, so there needs to be an 'enforcer' in his place.

    This is of course an issue for Moyes because Alvarez has seamlessly slotted into the first team and his presence will be sorely missed. That said there should be more than enough players available to fill the gap, Connor Coventry could step up to the plate or even fan favourite Pablo Fornals could 'do a number' there.

    Elsewhere, Divin Mubama could well lead the line to give Big Mikey Antonio a break and the hardly used Danny Ings could be back up depending how the game progresses. The club need to get SOME value out of Ings and Thursday night might just be HIS night, although in the long term his future at the club must surely be in jeopardy.

    Mohamed Kudus is also in line for a start, his blistering pace will put the opposition on the back foot leaving room for others to exploit. Moyes may elect to have Lucas Paqueta on the bench with Kudus starting instead, if he does then James Ward-Prowse will probably be given free range to bomb forward and relinquish his duties to 'Stan the Man' who may be used as a CDM despite normally playing as a centre back, his presence in the opposition's goal mouth WILL strike fear into defenders, especially if he has JWP pinging balls in for him!

    The reason 'successful' clubs have a strong bench is because it is an absolute necessity to be able to 'go long' in competitions, strength in depth is the order of the day and INTELLIGENT use of the substitutes. Moyes HAS the tools at his disposal, it is to be hoped that he uses them correctly! - LN

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  • What Next For Women's Football On The International Stage?

    Submitted by USA Hammer on Tue, 19/09/2023 - 22:01

    After the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, find out what the international calendar has in store for the next 18 months.

    We will also talk about the use of CBD in football, and if you want to learn about the CBD market and promotion in Europe, click here.

    FIFA

    The Women's Olympic Football Tournament 2024 will be one of next year's flagship events. The FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups will also be on the menu in 2024 Qualification for the tournaments is underway Missing the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 already?

    We do too, but if 2027 seems too far away to thrill again, fear not. Various regional and continental tournaments will soon bring together some of your favourite teams, and at the global level, three mouth-watering competitions await you in 2024.

    Women's Olympic Football Tournament 2024

    The Women's Olympic Football Tournament 2024 will start in Paris, France, next year. In July and August, 12 teams will compete for the title.
    AFC

    The second qualifying round will begin in October 2023. Three groups of four teams will be hosted by Australia, China PR and Uzbekistan, respectively. The winners of each group, as well as the best runner-up of the three groups (with the highest
    number of points), will then take part in the third qualifying round, which will take place in February 2024 in the form of two two-legged matches. ∙FYI: Two Asian teams will have their ticket to Paris 2024.

    CONCACAF

    The United States' qualification is already assured after winning the 2022 Concacaf World Championship. A play-off for the final ticket will take place in September 2023 between
    defending gold medallists Canada and Jamaica.
    ∙FYI: Two Concacaf teams will also take part in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament.
    CONMEBOL

    The South American Zone qualifiers have already been played. Colombia and Brazil will meet in Paris after reaching the Copa América Femenina 2022 final.
    OFC

    The centralised tournament comprising two groups of four teams will occur between 5 February and 10 March 2024. ∙FYI: Only one team from Oceania will qualify for Paris 2024.
    UEFA

    In the past, the top European teams in the FIFA™ Women's World Cup have qualified directly for the Women's Olympic Football Tournament. For this edition, however, Qualification will be via the UEFA Women's Nations League.Sixteen teams divided into four groups of four in League A will compete in September, October and December 2023. The winners of each group will play in the finals scheduled for February 2024. The two finalists will qualify for Paris 2024. If France reaches the final, the winner of the third-place play-off will also be eligible for the Olympic Games. ∙FYI: Two European teams will go to the Olympics, in addition to France, which, as the host country, automatically qualifies.
    Football: CBD authorised by FIFA since 2018

    CBD consumption is becoming increasingly widespread among top-level athletes. FIFA is taking a stand by authorising it. The world of sports is not just about meetings, matches and championships. Athletes use a variety of methods to stay in shape. Between training and recovery, a strict lifestyle is essential. In recent years, many top sportsmen and women, including footballers, have turned to CBD. CBD is a cannabinoid with a number of benefits for the body. CBD is excellent for combating stress and anxiety. Consuming CBD boosts concentration. It also relaxes muscles and makes it easier to unwind. Thanks to CBD, you can sleep better and longer.

    It is for all these reasons that athletes are adopting CBD. For example, it allows them to detach themselves from stress before a match. It is very effective during the recovery period. In training, it improves performance and preparation. Natural and without side effects, it is widely preferred to anti-anxiety drugs, painkillers and artificial sleeping pills. Whether in the form of CBD flowers, oil or crystals – as you can legally buy online at JustBob.shop - cannabinoid-derived products are very popular with sportspeople. It is important to note that consuming CBD does not alter a sportsperson's abilities.

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  • Gary Mason..

    Submitted by Hammers65 on Tue, 19/09/2023 - 10:13

    Forums:

    Wow watched a documentary on you tube...remember Gary back in the day...so unassuming because he kind of shunned the limelight & moved from south london to Kent..all the focus was on Frank & quite rightly so but Gary Mason was a seriously good boxer who beat loads of opponents that Mike Tyson beat also in his prime...its only now that I can really appreciate the likes of Garr Mason God rest his soul..as I quietly go about my business now,a but deep guys but if you have time there are amazing docus on telly if you swerve the mainstream stuff
    Coyi

  • Baka Topola Bannana Skin Awaits

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 19/09/2023 - 09:58

    Hammers begin their Europa Cup campaign this Thursday evening against little known Serbian side FK TSC Bačka Topola, while the name is new to many the club has been around since 1913, so they are hardly novices! This could well be a tricky tie with Hammers expected to 'roll over' teams they meet in the early group stages, but make no mistake TSC as they are more commonly know will be NO pushovers!

    Any complacency by the team David Moyes puts out could be severely punished, fans hoping for a goal fest in London might well be disappointed. A firm but comfortable narrow victory is all Hammers need, there is no point in throwing everything at the visitors, especially bearing in mind that Hammers have to play a midweek Moose Cup game against Lincoln swiftly followed by a visit to Anfield to face Liverpool.

    Moyes does now have a much more comprehensive squad to select from, the impending fixture will give him the chance to give certain fringe players a run out as wells giving some of the new signings more game time. Moyes will be able to field an 'experimental' side but retain a lot of strength in depth on the bench should they be required.

    It will be the beginning of yet another European adventure, the third in three years. it is a pity that David Gold won't be there in person to witness his beloved Hammers fulfilling the "European' dream that he used to talk about. Who knows, perhaps he will be up in the sky looking down through all the bubbles floating upwards? -Ed

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  • Giraffe Time-Toon Want Pacman For £50 Million- Try Triple That!

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sun, 17/09/2023 - 10:23

    Newcastle are the latest club to have 'expressed an interest' in acquiring Hammers mercurial midfielder Lucas Paqueta, and the Toon are apparently prepared to offer the princely sum of £50 Million for the Brazilian who signed for Hammers last season in a deal that would be finally worth around £52 Million with add ons!

    So why on earth would West Ham even countenance the sale of Paqueta? Well as is common knowledge, EVERY player has his price and Hammers were offered around £80 Million for 'Pacman' before the betting scandal engulfed the deal putting it on hold.

    Eddie Howe's Newcastle, supposedly the richest club in the World, would have to match and go a whole heap higher than Citeh's bid to even stand a chance of wresting Paqueta from East London! Sometimes it beggars belief what is 'leaked by agents' or spuriously written in the media, but in this instance who ever 'broke' the story is having a right royal 'Girraffe' at their readers expense.

    £50 Million? Double that and Newcastle might stand an even chance, triple it and they could be in with a REAL chance, but valuing Paqueta at Fifty? Someone needs to learn their Maths don't they?

    Because Newcastle's original take over by a 'pariah' state that kills journalists continues to be under extremely close scrutiny, there is no way they will be able to get away with ANY FFP shenanigans, meaning they simply CANNOT afford Paqueta.

    Newcastle fans deserve their moment of glory having waited so long for it, the fact that their club is financed dubiously won't put them off either. But if they think they can just swoop into London and 'heist' one of the best players in European football for a song, they had better try hosting the Eurovision Song Contest where they would likely have more success! - Ed

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  • At Least Hammers Won A 1/2!

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 16/09/2023 - 16:48

    For a brief moment in time on a gloriously sunny day, West Ham managed to put reining Champions Manchester City's nose out of joint! Of course things reverted to type after the interval but boy was it fun while it lasted. City are a behemoth of a team that invariably crush all their opponents asunder, but at least Hammers gave it a good go, especially in the 1st half.

    Buoyed up by a vociferous and enthusiastic crowd, the home team surrendered possession but hit City on the break with new signing James Ward-Prowse adding another goal to his already impressive account! As expected, City came out all guns blazing and got their revenge, but no one had really given Hammers a prayer for the game so the disappointment was only to be expected.

    Going head to head with the World's top team, at least in the first half, was no mean feat and David Moyes and his players should feel proud of their achievement, at least they didn't just roll over and capitulate like most teams do when facing the Premier League champions.

    So although the eventual result was not as many had dreamed of, it was still a great showing bythe Irons and hopefully bodes well for the future.With the new signings yet to fully make their mark there are indeed reasons to be cheerful, the gulf in class might still have been obvious, but it was a far better showing than some of the past drubbings administered by Pep's team when battering previous Hammers line ups, particularly when Pellegrini was manager.

    The next Premier League fixture is away to Liverpool which is always an awkward proposition, but on this showing you never know! Fortunes are always hiding, but sometimes it CAN be found! - Ed

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  • Live West Ham v Man City Line Ups

    nevillenixon's picture
    Submitted by nevillenixon on Sat, 16/09/2023 - 10:34

    West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Bowen, Antonio.
    Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Fornals, Kudus, Mavropanos, Ings, Ogbonna, Benrahma, Kehrer.

    Man City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Akanji, Rodri, Silva, Foden, Alvarez, Doku, Haaland.
    Subs: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Ake, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.

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