West Ham United

[djbhammer]

Official website: http://www.whufc.com/page/Home

Wikipedia Page: http://en.wikipedia....Ham_United_F.C.

BBC Sport page: http://news.bbc.co.u...utd/default.stm

Sky Sports page: http://www.skysports.../westhamunited/

Premier League page: http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/clubs/profile.overview.html/west-ham

Right, I think it's time we started a thread for the Hammers. There appears to be quite a few of us on the forum given the number of posts following relegation ( ) in the football thread so it would be nice to gather our thoughts (sorry moan n' groans) together and discuss all that's West Ham in one place.

Next season in the Championship is going to be tough. There are some very good teams there and we will need an astute Manager to get us back to the Premier League. I want Martin O'Neill but I reckon it will be Chris Hughton if I was a betting man.

So, what is eveyone's view on the club at the mo - we are all over the papers at the moment but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. Relegation, manager, player exodus, gala dinner fracas, Sullivan/Gold/Brady, Olympic stadium - take your pick!

Oh well, just like my dreams they fade and die.....

[Scruff]

If MON can put a cap on his outlandish spending (how much did we fleece Villa for with Reo-Coker amd the beluga headed scorer supreme?) and is prepared to spend a season in the Championship, I wouldn't be averse to singing a few choruses of Martin O'Neil's claret and blue army, but otherwise I'd go for big fat Sam. We desperately need a manager that'll throw a few fucks into an underperforming squad, and won't take any crap from Sullivan/Silkman/Brady. I fear an inexperienced one like Hughton will just be another Zola/Grant in Stratford clothing.

I am slightly buoyed by Sullivan saying that he's offered new/improved contracts to two senior players. If it's Hitzleburger and Ba, and they're along the proviso that they can bugger off for nowt if we don't go up at the first attempt, I think it'll be shrewd business.

[Pochacco]

I am slightly buoyed by Sullivan saying that he's offered new/improved contracts to two senior players. If it's Hitzleburger and Ba, and they're along the proviso that they can bugger off for nowt if we don't go up at the first attempt, I think it'll be shrewd business.

I agree with that sentiment. I'd like to see Spector stay too as he's been around long enough to know what it's like. Saying that though perhaps one of the improved contracts is directed towards Parker in a last ditch attempt to keep him. Like any good team, it needs a strong leader and he's been integral to the squad. But it's understandable for him to want to play in the Premiership to maintain selection for the England squad.

I'm following David Gold and Carlton Cole on Twitter but it's all silent on the western front.

[mrben09]

I would welcome Chris Hughton if he wants it, but i would really like Ian Holloway. Plays football "The West Ham way", knows his way out of the division (and back again ). Also good value for the TV, which baring in mind all our behind the scenes nonsense, could help to hide some of the shenanigans.

Please no Curbs, or Di Canio. As much as Paulo is a legend at UP, a manager he isn't..................yet......

So who goes in the summer. I quote my twitter rant of last saturday.

Green

Faubert

Cole

Piqionne (sp)

Kovac

Barrera

Dyer

Upson

Keane the bottling fuck. Probably getting his mission accomplished medal from the spuds at their end of season dinner.

Reid

Illunga

And for the cash and he deserves it, not because he fits into the clowns above - Parker.

I've probably left some out (Wally Downs, Kevin Keen).

And who comes in. Well, thats the tricky one.

Shay Given

Nathan Tyson

I give up.

Oh and while we're here. Anyone a season ticket holder ? I am and have been for too long? Will you renew, i probably will but mainly for the beer with the chaps rather than any forlorn hope of major honours, or a

Wayne Bridge goal.

[Pochacco]

I only have club membership as it's too costly for me to get a season ticket. From your list you forgot to mention Jacobsen is out of contract and will leave too. We ought to get shot of Boa Morte too. As much as I liked him when he used to play for Fulham he's been pretty rubbish at WHU.

Think Obinna will go too?

[mrben09]

I was more thinking who i would get rid of. I'd like to keep Jacobsen, injuries curtailed which looked like a good season for him.

I probably would keep big Vic,as i think he has the firepower for the championship.

Chop the Boa as well. Too much cash to only play the last 3 games of every season.

[Oh Danny Boy]

If you can remember the the shit storm signing Bowyer got you then Di Canio will will be worse and deservedly so. Why would you want that wanker anywhere near your club? its bad enough that you have pornographers for owners, throw in a nazi as a manager and there is one strange situation.

Its a shame Orient just missed out on a play off place, i would have loved to have seen West Ham v Leyton Orient . Anyway hope you guys return to the prem soon, i'm really not looking forward to Swansea, Cardiff and Milwall coming down my way

[Scruff]

I think I'm going to be in the minority, but I think it'll be for the best if Parker goes. I think he deserves to have a crack at a higher level (unless he goes to Spurs as the best they can achieve for next season is the EL) and I won't begrudge him a move as he's been fantastic for us the last couple of seasons. I think a year in the Championship wouldn't have any bearing on his international chances, but he's much more likely to get some serious injuries there (more to do with the standard of refs than getting kicked by cloggers) and the club can ill afford another Dyer situation.

I agree about Specs. I know he's maligned but I don't agree with it at all. A very worthy addition to the team as long as he's kept away from the fullback positions. I also think that Barrera and Reid can go someway to repaying their transfer fees and will do a good job in the Championship. Barrera in particular will scare the utter shit out of defences there and he'd be an ideal fit into an Allerdyce team (fast wingers crossing for a big centre forward). I doubt Obinna will want to sign for a Championship team and I'm not to fussed on him anyway.

Clear all the expensive earners excluding the aforementioned Ba and Hitz, and get some good Champ players in and a few kids and we'll do OK.

[Pochacco]

Who will stay in the squad come next season?

Stetch

Boffin

Kurucz

Spence

Tomkins

Spector (?)

Collison

Noble

Stanislas

O'Neil (?)

Hitzlsperger (?)

Hines

Nouble

Sears

Ba (?)

Would we need anymore strengthening in the squad with one or two more veteran players?

[djbhammer]

Here is the list of players who will be out of contract at the end of the season:

Matthew Upson, Danny Gabbidon, Jonathan Spector, Kieron Dyer, Zavon Hines, Lars Jacobsen, Anthony Edgar and Victor Obinna (on loan from Inter Milan). Wayne Bridge and Robbie Keane will return to their parent clubs.

I really hope we can keep hold of Demba Ba. He has been very impressive, especially his heading ability which is superb. He could quite easily end up being the top scorer in the Championship. What with his supposedly dodgy knee, I am hoping this will deter any possible suitors.

[Ironworks]

Wow, really surprised to see Big Sam being wanted. Personally I loathe him, his gum chewing mug, and the way his teams play football, but each to their own i guess. Much prefer the idea of Chris Hughton (spelling?). He did a great job with Newcastle and under difficult circumstances. Worringly i heard Julian Dicks being mentioned - on the bbc this morning i think.

I just hope who ever gets it is allowed to do the job without being undermined by Gold, Sullivan and Brady. Considering they ran Birmingham together for so long i find it inexplicable the way they have gone about things since taking over, blunder after blunder - or was it the same at Birmingham?

Yes, Obinna will go - he's on loan isn't he?

I hope Ba does stay, he should score quite few in the championship. Is Benni McCarthy still there, or is he buried under a pile of pies somewhere?

Edit: Just seen on wikipedis that Benni McCarthy got a £1.5 mil pay off

Don't know what else to say, the whole season has been a shambles and has left me totally depressed with football. Not looking forward to next season, it's going to be really tough.

[mrben09]

OK, starting eleven for our first game.

Boffin

Bridge

Tompkins

Da Costa

Spence

Collinson

Noble

Hitz

Stanislas

Ba

Hines

Add a couple of vets, and bring some more kids through, and we'll see what we get.

[djbhammer]

McCarthy had his contract cancelled by mutual agreement about a month ago. He must be finished in football now with his weight problems.

Tony Carr (Head of Youth Academy) and Steve Lomas (Reserve Team Manager) will be very important in the summer. They will need to nurture through some of the young regular reserve players to the first team squad in a very short space of time.

I don't think you can include Bridge in the first eleven. There is no way we can afford to sign him on a permanent basis. We have been paying his wages of £90,000 per week while on loan and I doubt he would drop to Championship wages. Man City would command a decent fee aswell.

[Pochacco]

Hmmm and Da Costa is involved with this alleged rape case that can't be a good image for the club.

Despite Noble being linked with other clubs he's pledged his playing career to WHU.

Just glad it ain't Warnock coming to the club. Can't stand him.

[neoELITE]

Although I am a Plymouth Argyle fan/season ticket holder and have been since 1986, my top flight team at school was West Ham because they're the first team I ever saw live (and I was surrounded in Plymouth by Liverpool fans). My Uncle lived in Boleyn Road in the 1980s in one of the flats that overlooked the ground... they're still there I think and he took me along to watch a few games over theyears that we visited London. I loved going as it was always a friendly place to go and the ground used to be amazing and noisy.

During the 80s, West Ham had a fantastic team. An ageing Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Ray Stewart, George Paris, McAvennie, Cottee, Tony Gale, Alvin Martin, Phil Parkes, Mark Ward, Billy Bonds, Paul Allen, Geoff Pike... not a foreign import among them

I loved the team that Redknapp built and I've always enjoyed that tradition of West Ham playing football... real football that came out of that European style pioneered by Ron Greenwood.

What I see now is a mediocre side run by the wrong people with the wrong ethics. They aren't that "academy of football" any longer and it's a real shame.

[Scruff]

Team wise, what I'd like to see next season is something along these lines:

4-4-2 as we're not sure if Hitz will still be with us

Boffin (not sure what the deal with Stech is. I heard he needs one more appearance to trigger a fee clause which is why he's been unceremoniously dropped)

Spence

Reid

Tomka

Left back - a position we're desperate in. Ideally need another more experienced right back too but Spence can step up and do a job for a while.

Sears

Noble

Collison

Barrera

Tombides

Cole (unless he goes for a few million, otherwise a big seasoned striker, Nouble is too raw still IMO)

A few youngsters on the bench (Vose, Lleget, Lee) and a couple of other signings and I think it's a pretty good team.

[Sirloin]

I would welcome Chris Hughton if he wants it, but i would really like Ian Holloway. Plays football "The West Ham way", knows his way out of the division (and back again ). Also good value for the TV, which baring in mind all our behind the scenes nonsense, could help to hide some of the shenanigans.

Please no Curbs, or Di Canio. As much as Paulo is a legend at UP, a manager he isn't..................yet......

So who goes in the summer. I quote my twitter rant of last saturday.

Green

Faubert

Cole

Piqionne (sp)

Kovac

Barrera

Dyer

Upson

Keane the bottling fuck. Probably getting his mission accomplished medal from the spuds at their end of season dinner.

Reid

Illunga

And for the cash and he deserves it, not because he fits into the clowns above - Parker.

I've probably left some out (Wally Downs, Kevin Keen).

And who comes in. Well, thats the tricky one.

Shay Given

Nathan Tyson

I give up.

Oh and while we're here. Anyone a season ticket holder ? I am and have been for too long? Will you renew, i probably will but mainly for the beer with the chaps rather than any forlorn hope of major honours, or a

Wayne Bridge goal.

Certainly knows the way out to League One.

[SharkEnergy]

Latest comedy fest - Sullivan and Gold stating they want a British born manager with knowledge of the eastend. Are they looking for a football manager or someone interested in property development ffs? Surely that just means "Our buddy Curbs".

They really haven't got a clue what is best. All this "eastend roots" shit they spout is such a transparent attempt to connect with the fans.

I feel sorry for Avram to an extent - as shit as he was it transpires that SIX managers were offered the job in January and turned it down. Great for your confidence.

Next season I want to see us keep Tomkins, Noble, Stanislas, Collinson, Hines and Spence. Was Nouble just out on loan or did we flog him? I reckon the 2 senior players offered contracts were Spector and Gabbidon - can't see us keeping Parker, Ba, Hitz or Green. Loan players can go as far as I'm concerned.

We're gonna need 5 or 6 good championship grafters and a sh1t hot striker if we want to bounce straight back. Then hopefully we our younger members will have matured enough for sticking on in the prem.

[Rev]

I feel sorry for Avram to an extent - as shit as he was it transpires that SIX managers were offered the job in January and turned it down. Great for your confidence.

You've only got that fact from Grant's friend.

[Pochacco]

Nouble went out on loan to Charlton.

Mark Noble hasn't missed a penalty for us this season has he? I could be wrong (not that we had that many penalty appeals upheld).

Metro this morning puts Chris Hughton 2:1 and worth a punt as he ended his playing career with West Ham, although Kevin Keen has expressed his interest in being considered for the role.

[SharkEnergy]

You've only got that fact from Grant's friend.

Yeah I don't trust anyone involved in the club right now. They are all talking out of their backsides.

[Scruff]

I reckon that Sullivan's comments about an English, manager (that was quickly changed to British) and all this 'East End' nonsense is a major signpost for Hughton. He's from Stratford and represented Ireland (the British angle? don't shoot me any ROI posters! ) but if it is, I think it'd be a big mistake.

I've heard conflicting reports about why he was sacked - too chummy with the players v. contract finishing and knew they'd have a hefty pay out if they gave him a new one and he started getting poor results.

And I can't believe that people still want Hines. He was great when he was terrorising Carragher the season gone, but since his knee injury he's lost his pace and he looks like he couldn't finish his dinner.

[Pochacco]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/7523/5/sunderland-set-offer-ba-route-out-relegated-west-ham

I hope Ba stays. He's been great for WHU for the dozen or so matches he's played and the number of goals he's notched up during his stint with us thus far pays testament to that.

[Scruff]

Sunderland? I'd rather ply the Championship for a season.

I'd imagine whatever fee is commanded (if he goes) will most, if not all go to Hoffenheim. Unless there is a relegation clause in his contract I'd be inclined to hold him to it for a season.

[SharkEnergy]

Looking forward to getting £7 million for Carlton Cole from Newcastle

[djbhammer]

Looking forward to seeing the team for todays game - looks like a number of youngsters will be involved. Kevin Keen has said the side will mainly consist of players who will be playing for us next season and I think it's definitely the right idea.

[djbhammer]

Today's line up:

Green

Spence

Bridge

Gabbidon

Tomkins

Sears

Collison

Hitzlsperger

Boa Morte

Hines

Piquionne

Subs: Boffin, Jacobsen, Kovac, Parker, Stanislas, Obinna, Tombides

Well, from that starting eleven, I would expect Green and Hitzlsperger to be leaving. Bridge loan will expire. Like to have seen a different keeper aswell.

[djbhammer]

I don't think Kevin Keen will get the job.

90th minute third goal was the icing on the cake for our season. Thank goodness it's finished.

[Pochacco]

No spirit, no fight, no desire, no nothing

Where the heck was Upson, Noble, Cole and Ba anyway?

I hope that this isn't the sign of things to come in the Championship for the Hammers, I really do.

[Scruff]

^^

Upson was probably doing his usual when the going gets tough: cradling his knees with his arms and rocking back and forth on the dressing room floor. Amoebas have more spine than that 'man'; and club captain at that

If we get another Silkman appointed manager, then we're properly fucked. We'll be hitting League One before the Premier and I really fear for the clubs future if that cancer of a man is allowed to hold court over anymore decisions.