I watched the Barcelona game on Weds night while listening (in dread) to our game against Watford. My mind drifted to thinking that if we had signed Messi in the January window, do you think he would have started a game by now? Messi would fit in well with our tactic of playing people out of position as he seems to have no discipline and turns up all over the shop. Also, Barca probably need Sam more than we do as they need to develop their long ball game.
I must give my Mum a mention here. On 10th May 1980, I was too young to understand bereavement; it was the day my Mum heard that her dear elder brother - my uncle - had just died thousands of miles away in Kenya. I was too busy celebrating our brilliant FA Cup Final win. Suppressing her sadness, my Mum was genuinely pleased for me. She is 88 now and she always listens out for the Hammers' result - so that she can congratulate or commiserate as required when I phone her!!
TV shows clearly ONSIDE - neat pass by Maynard.
No No. This is a ridiculous game, nothing like this would happen in real life.
Next you'll be telling me that a man who can't read or write forgot he had an overseas bank account with hundreds of thousands of pounds in it.
We should not be too harsh on the owners - there is some silly talk and silly money going around and being in the Championship always leaves us vulnerable to being gazumped by PL clubs.
Interestingly, despite the absolute crap performances last season, the signings last January window could have/should have kept us up. I recall the ridiculous "resting" of an on-form Demba Ba for the must win match vs Villa which we lost; and the even more ridiculous misses by Robbie Keane (who is still being transferred around and paid a fortune and scoring for everyone else) in three vital games.
My point? We are top of the division without yet playing our best. The current squad must therefore be good enough. It's no disaster if we get no-one. It may be a disaster if we get a wrong un.
As I recall, after his "Hammer of the Year" first season, Illunga was injured (broken cheekbone?) against Wolves, I think, in the first game the next season. It did not seem a serious knock at the time but as far as I can tell, he never recovered - he lost pace, skill and worst of all attitude. I wonder why? He was a real proud Hammer (his French blog was always very positive about WHU) - so what and why did it go wrong????
I agree with all the positives and negatives listed in this thread about BZ. But, surely we have strikers coming through the youth/reserves/development squad/whatever...Hall, Montano, Montenegro, Nouble etc. Otherwise, what's the point of the so-called "Academy"?
Anyway, rant over. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND COYI!!!!
re: 'Arry for England. If Bonzo, a real WHU hero, can't forgive 'Arry, nor can I. My one hope is that Spuds end up in the same financial state as 'Arry's other 4 clubs did - West Ham, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Southampton (all broke - coincidence?)
Spot on wazza. Parker was a very good player for us who tried his best; but in truth, trying your best is what anyone being paid a fortune should do (I know a lot don't). Parker was rewarded as much as West Ham - club and fans - could do; he was paid handsomely and made Hammer of the Year; he was picked for England (something which was not denied to Bothroyd as a Championship player but denied to Billy Bonds - a real legend). So why go to the Spuds? Success? You're having a Steffi! Money? Well it's a short career and getting more than twice the annual average wage every week - well that can never be enough. No, Scott Parker is a very good but limited player. Legend? Never.
Sorry, I would prefer we stayed down as West Ham using our promising youth rather than win promotion as Man Utd's nursery.
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