IntenseDebate

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - How Many Points to Sta... · 1 reply · +1 points

I'll try and stay optimistic, but like most on here I'm just not convinced we can get the points required based on our defending and the lack of getting 3 points in so-called winnable games. The last 3 games of the season could have been much worse, so if we are in touch by then, maybe I will increase my optimism. Also, If we are going to lose to the likes of Man U and Chelsea, it's key to try and keep it to a low margin. I'm sure goal difference could be a factor this year.

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - A Lost Opportunity, Bu... · 0 replies · +1 points

Whilst we defended well, especially Tomkins, we now have 2 full-backs who offer us nothing going forward as they are centre halfs. Add that to a midfield who aren't the most creative in the world, and Carlton Cole who, one effort aside, I thought was very poor Sunday means we have nothing going forward. Obinna tries his hardest but Sunday was one of those days where he had an off game. Still can't help but think someoe like a Diamanti would have been perfect on Sunday to try and unlock their average defence.

Also, I'm really pleased to see Hines back but I struggle to understand how we have a right winger on the bench in Stanislas, yet he brings on an out and out on the shoulder forward, and plays him right wing. All over the pitch, all I see is minimal effort and fight and a manager still putting square pegs in round holes (I appreciate some are forced by injury). It is now time for a massive shake-up on the management and squad front.

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Brescia Given Diamanti... · 2 replies · 0 points

I think it might be closer to the truth saying 'the guys who said they went after ....'. All this stuff in the press about a marquee signing was probably total rubbish to sell tickets and get fans on their sides. Maybe Beckham was the only one they tried to get due to the Olympic stadium as they know West Ham will eb worth far more than they paid in that stadium.

As for the Diamanti sale ... like everyone, I could handle us getting rid of him (just), if we had at least got back what we paid, but £2m is scandalous. And then to rub salt into the wounds and say it frees up a place in the 25 when we have people far less talented (sh*te basically - and you dont need me to say who they are) taking up a place shows we have incompetent owners and who knows, maybe incompetent manager.

I can only assume we gave him a contract on a high wage and they wanted to get him off it - but why offer Upson a new one. I can't get my head around it. Only people to benefit from this deal are Brescia and Nani, who im sure pocketed all the way to the bank.

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Let's All Play 'Guess ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Totally agree, hence why I preferred him. Those 2 places behind Cole need creativity, Diamanti has that in abundance and hopefully, played in the right position, we will see more from him this season than just the glimpses of last. Added to that his set piece delivery and he gets my vote all the time.

This is why I also went for Dyer. I think he has the ability to play in that hole between the midfield and cole and give the Villa defenders a problem not knowing whether to go and mark him or drop off.

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Let's All Play 'Guess ... · 3 replies · +1 points

When you play 3 in midfield and 3 up front, I think you rely on your fullbacks pushing on and providing width. I dont think this is Tomkins strength so I would go with Faubert / Dyer instead. Only thing which would change that is if we start a little more defensively away from home against a decent Villa side. Really hope not. Da Costa, Upson and lunga fill the other 3 spots.

Midfield - I think we will go with Noble, Parker and Hitzlsperger.

I agree with most, the up front 3 is where we could all have different opinions. Carlton is a cert, I think it is slightly too early for Barerra on the right of the 3 so I would go for Dyer (with faubert at RB). As for the left side of the 3, I think he will favour LBM. Personally I would go for Diamanti, but he seems to like LBM and has played him in the pre-seasons where the '1st team' have been involved.

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Is 4-2-3-1 the Way For... · 1 reply · 0 points

I don't think the players you mentioned will be sacrificed. I think Behrami, Diamanti and Kovac from the midfield will go.

Behrami has an unbelievable engine but sometimes he is a headless chicken and lacks the quality in the final third when it matters. Kovac did improve but I think we all agree that he should be sold to get him off the wage bill. Diamanti definitely suffered playing in the positions he had to under Zola. I would love to have seen him given a floating role behind cole, rather than tracking back into the left back position. He is the one I would like to remain just to see how well he plays under Grant and in this new look formation.

With regards forwards, not only is there a strong link on the Argentinian, KUMB reported we look likely to sign the Ajax forward and the Remy link hasn't disappeared - can't see how they will all fit in !

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Amidst the Transfer An... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'm afraid I don't think Freddie Sears will be around start of the season. If we buy a few forwards, which looks likely, plus with Cole, McCarthy, Hines (when fit) and potentially Nouble ahead of him, I just can't see Sears getting a look in. Plus, I'm not convinced he is premiership class anyway.

One other thing I have to disagree with is Mark Noble and set pieces. It drives me mad that time after time he takes free-kicks and corners and they are usually woeful. With the exception of the one against Wigan which led to Kovac scoring, I can't remember one good delivery. I think, he more than anyone as a senior professional, needs a good run in the side and a good season.

15 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Hammers Eye Dutch Keeper · 0 replies · +1 points

I think the fact the club have now said they won't open negotiaitions on a new contract until January may make him want to leave. I may be wrong but I seem to remember when he was spouting off about being paid lower than the rest, he was supposedly promised by Duxbury that the club would look at it in a years time i.e. this summer. So if he now has to wait another 6 months, maybe he will look elsewhere. He's getting no younger and must be struggling on just 25K a year !!

16 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Transfer Deadline Day ... · 1 reply · +1 points

I'm hoping it's the opposite Matt, he's on a grand now but we will increase it if he bangs in 5 then 10 goals !!!

16 years ago @ West Ham Till I Die - Transfer Deadline Day ... · 0 replies · +1 points

Now it's Kezman according to SSN !

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