A trip to the Boleyn on a cold January day – what delights the football calendar brings us. It is many years since I last visited that part of East London but I started my working career just down the road and still have many friends who support the Hammers. More fool them.
There are not many positives with this West Ham team; Scott Parker, the running of Piquenne, Noble can be effective occasionally, Robert Green, but the current Hammers deserve their current League position. The problem for us is can we get back to winning ways after a poor run of form over the last 2 weeks?
Looking at the WHU side one thinks back to this time last year when there was clammering on the AFC websites to sign Carlton Cole. What a difference a year makes! This season there has been talk of Scott Parker, a man who really is a diamond in the rough. Should we sign him when the Hammers take the inevitable drop at season’s end? If so, where would he play?
Avram Grant is a strange manager, I cannot see any reason why he has the job. He appears to be a decent chap and has his coaching badges, but what is his footballing philosophy? WHU have a sorry history with manager’s over the past few years, one which is well deserved because if AW and SAF reigns prove anything, it is that consistency to one’s principles as a club reaps rewards. The future is bleak both for Grant and West Ham. Fat Sam is waiting in the wings !!
As to our team, I am still in shock over Wednesday’s debacle. AW looked totally exhausted after the game and for once really looked his age. Many more performances like that and I can see him walking away from the Grove because there has to be a point when the physical and psychological toll becomes too much to bear. This is a point I would like to emphasise, Arsenal should be grooming our next manager and at the moment there seems to be only Plan A – Wenger is manager as long as he wishes, but what happens when he has had enough?
My team:
We really have to take 3 points today and hope for a slip up by MU at Spurs (should be a cracking game) if we are to have title pretensions.
Ham was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) and the first mention of West as opposed to East Ham occurred in 1186. Ham, meaning a place between rivers or marshes – in this case the Lea and Thames. Flatlands; murky, damp and without prospect, much like their team … hence the song , “And like my dreams they fade and die!!”
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Good read BR, “And like my dreams they fade and die!! LOL
They said on the radio that the odds on Martin O’neill as manager of West Ham have been slashed and Ladbrookes have stopped taking bets
Dont worry about our man BR,like all things he does he will have his disciple organized for when he is ready to move upstairs.
Expect an away win today.
DD. Should MoN take this job he will be making a poor career move. I can only imagine that he has been made promises by the Directors whom he worked with at AV. Or perhaps he has a thing for teams that play in claret and blue.
MoN is a fine manager and deserves to be at a good club. I am surprised Liverpool didn’t approach him or perhaps they have and he turned them down.
And my hope is that DB ‘s work with Ajax will set him up for an Arsenal future
Morning,
Great post Raddy. I’ve always liked Wham – they hate totnum more than us 😛
Only a win is acceptable today. We’ve lost the wining momentum again just when we needed to maintain our form, but far better a draw and a loss in the cup competitions than in the league.
On a different topic, this passage from AW regarding AA concerns me ….
“He has played almost every single game since the start of the season – he has played for his national team as well and he is physically a bit less fresh. But he will come back stronger than ever because he works very hard in training.”
I am beginning to wonder if we work the players too hard in training? AW said that the players were tired in the Ipswich game but half the team had hardly played this season. He seems to be saying that the way for a tired AA to get back to form is to work even harder in training – wouldn’t that make him even more tired? There have certainly been games this season when our player have looked jaded, maybe we should preserve their energy more by a lighter training regime when the games are coming thick and fast.
I hope that with all the scientific tests done on the players these days AW knows how not to over-train.
If not it is a desperate state of affairs
We can only go by the evidence of what we see on the pitch Raddy, whereas AW sees everything – but who is the more objective?
The scientists change their minds all the time. Maybe AW was just bemused after the Ipswich game because that was an odd thing to say and so obviously incorrect.
A few thousand years ago, the worlds’ greatest scientist all said the world was flat!
.
BR, another corker, thanks, and this will be 11/11. I see that Rasp has cocked up on the formation. We know you meant 4-4-2 🙂
Rasp,
The tired line from the Ipswich game was truly pathetic. I do agree that it appears we over train, but what would I know.
Morning micky,
I think our usual formation is 4:3:3, 4:3:2:1 or even 4:6 – but against Ipswich it looked like 2:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1 😕
Ipswich excuses:
Dreadful weather
Awful pitch
The players were tired
Our passing was a little off
Eboue
Grow up Rasp, it was 1-9 and you know it 🙂
By the way, can you leave the jumpy Keown pic there forever. Fantastic! (well that or Nigella).
Another effect of over-training is of course to make the players more prone to injury. As micky says – what do we know? …. but you do wonder 🙄
Raddy,
The pitch was awful at OT again the other day. Do you think this is a deliberate tactic by baconface because his team is not as technically gifted any more?
What I failed to mention in the post (which was written in haste) was how good Green is when he plays us. Year after year he plays his best game against Arsenal. At the Grove this season we scraped a win in the 89th minute thanks to his heroics.
Let us hope for an England style display
Definitely Rasp.
Like we water the pitch at the Grove to make the ball move faster across the pitch!
Rassssssspppppppppppppppp: time to be positive my friend WE ARE GONNA WIIIIIINNNNNNNN.
You know its right: Simples.
Where do the rules on the game stand regarding grass cut. Could we allow the stuff to grow to 8″ for the Barca game?
dandan,
Wow I hope you are right. We really cannot have a loss and a Utd win.
Micky. Have no fear – we will beat Barca at the Grove. How we fare over there is another matter 🙂
Mr green owes us a dodgy game, Contrary to the opinion of some on our blog, AW will have let our lot Know he is less than pleased, shouting isn’t the only option nor is throwing boots, management itself is a scientific skill and a man of his intelligence will use them all.
I heard Tony Adams say some time ago that AW,s practice of making them sit without speaking at half time made them all concentrate their minds on what had gone on in the first half and the bollocking to come, so that by the time ten minutes had passed they didn’t need the bollocking AW’s quiet well directed words were enough, they went out focused and determined.
Morning dandan,
I’m with you on a win today, it’s just a question of by how many 😆
However, I am definitley not with you on the efficacy of whatever AW does at half time. The 2nd half performances against the spuds, Leeds and Ipswich were all considerably worse than the first half, and this is a pattern. The players look far too relaxed when they come on for the 2nd half IMO, I’d like to see much more hand clapping and clenched fists as we kick off.
Gurning and gnashing is the way to go!
Pub lunch, walk on Dartmoor, visit to the best cheese shop in England and back for the game. Perfect day.
Have a nice day all.
Who am I to argue with TA. He was the hand clapping type, I wonder however Rasp if the players are that relaxed how they score so many late goals.
?
Morning/evening gnarley,
What’s up – I don’t know how to respond to ‘?’
dandan,
I’ll most likely get shot for saying this, but if Carling made football managers, the result would probably be 80% Wenger / 20% Redknapp
You could well be right Rasp, the perfect man/manager/coach/motivator has never been found.
BR,
re: your 10:43.
You forgot to mention Cesc’s excuse “they played rugby”. I wish he wouldn’t! 😦
A Bill Shankly and Arsene Wenger mix.
Dandan,
I’ll probably be shot for this but surely old red nose at old trafford has man management, motivation skills and tactical nuance. so too jose mourinho. the reaction of inter players when mourinho left shocked me. so loyal and motivated by him.
now they’re style of football is a different story
Fergie is an old style fear manager, like Cloughie, whether that will continue to work with the rich young men he brings in as the older players leave will be interesting to see.
Mourinho an impact manager, which is why he could never stay and do what Fergie/Wenger have done.
Anyone tuning in – we are going to need a volunteer to write the match report for tomorrows post please 😛
Szczesny, Eboue, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Fabregas, Nasri, van Persie.
Subs: Shea, Vela, Denilson, Arshavin, Gibbs, Chamakh, Bendtner.
Afternoon all, back at HT.
Spot on for the team line up Raddy.
Peaches you managed to make the comments section go dead by asking for a volunteer.
I’ll be watching, not sure of my writing is up to a match report but i’ll give it a go if you’re desperate for a volunteer.
Come on the Red and White Dream Machine.
Oh and I apologise for the City result and the Chelsea one, took two Chelsea defenders out of my Fantasy League line up and replaced them with City ones.
Re Cesc on Rugby:
From Ben, London, on text: “Jonathan, I must defend Cesc as you seem to have joined the masses. He was asked ‘did Ipswich play long ball tactics or rugby football?’ To which he replied ‘I don’t know if they played long ball or rugby style but they did what they had to’. Got to love the English media!”
In the nick of time. Join you half time.
Just do it lads…come on
BR 11/11
Couple more before half time boys.
Half time,
van Persie has been absolutely fantastic – Boy wonder doesn’t do him justice. Theo has also been excellent as have Cesc, Jack and Nasri. Obviously the balance is right and we need these players on the pitch for it to work the Arsenal way.
On the down side, E is only slightly better than he was against Ipswich – most of their attacks have come down the left (our right) because EE doesn’t track back fast enough when we lose possession.
I am having a very very saturday.
Said it all there Rasp.
I think TH has had words with Theo. He is playing with more maturity.
very GOOD saturday
Theo’s left boot and RvP’s right!
Very good half. Two more goals and a clean sheet please.
Lets also hope that Big Yoyo changes his boots at h/t
Irish,
Looks like its the match report then!!!!
Now concentrate boys – remember what happened last time we were 2 nil up at half time…….. we should win this game 4 nil.
BTW, I think the treatment of Avram Grant is disgraceful – it’s like a public execution, the commentator said that O’Neil has accepted the job.
Anyone see Nasri roll his eyes when brought off?
Nice to see.
RvP MotM surely
Rasp,
I totally agree with your comments about Avram Grant. Sullivan and Brady? Mmmmm, I am not suprised.
With the three points, it has to be a Spurs win against Utd.
Micky, I’d prefer a draw – 4 points lost to those around us, spuds stay in 5th and we get to bring an end to manure’s unbeaten run (Theo dive for a pen a la Wayne Rooney?)
I’d definitely take a spuds win tomorrow.
Once the mancs lose once, they’ll lose again.
I don’t get this looking over the shoulder bit, if they get more points than us, then so be it.
Let’s look at the stars rather than in the gutter where the spuds are! 🙂
Rasp,
Theo was taken down. That’s not me being biased. If you want biased, wait till next week when I bring my son. Oh jeepers, Arsenal NEVER do anything wrong. EVERY opposition tackle is a red card. Minimum.
Must point out that Song and Wilshere do an outstanding job of protecting our defence!
Great win. Really looking forward to game tomorrow. Whichever way it turns out, we will read a positive.
Goodnight all.
Whoever came up with the theo van nasregas moniker got it spot on! Somehow my jetlag has disappeared and I now feel reet!
If Theo had dived he would have owned up……clear pen.
Good post BR.
I smell a rat in the seeming public execusion of Avram Grant…..I think he was in on that, he used it to garner sympathy….ahhhh look how dignified the poor Avram Grant is, let’s all feel sorry for him, tosh absolute tosh.
I agree with the Boy Wonder being MOTM though.
Hi London
The Boy Wonder is indeed the Boy Wonder again and phew don’t we need him. When he plays you realise what a fantastic footballer he is and I’ve really missed that.
Its so good to see that ‘Theo van Nasregas’ isn’t a flash in the pan and that …. whisper it quietly …. we look sooooooo good 😀
micky, London, guys – you’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t suggesting Theo dived today (it was a clear pen), I didn’t even think he dived for the one he confessed to!
I was just reminding everyone that Rooney had dived to stop the 49 unbeaten run and how great it would be to repay the favour when they come to the Emirates.
chas, a draw is 4 points lost to those around us whereas a win and a loss is 3, it’s just mathematics – but I’m guessing you don’t live near N London otherwise you’d be as reluctant as I am to want totnum to win anything after the comments I’ve had to endure this season from their fans.
…… still need a match report ….. not directed at you London …….
London,
You’re cynical about everything except Arsenal 😆
Never want a spud win – well sometimes when they’re facing a team we’re close to but generally why would you want them to win? Definitely a draw tomorrow is the best result although ending the manks unbeaten run is important too 😆
Carlito,
I agree. It is becoming apparent that for ‘the system’ to work right across the pitch, it must contain Cesc, Nasri, Theo, Song and RvP. It looks like Chamakh will start against Leeds. I hope he is rested and is regaining his confidence.
One small point and please don’t jump on me because I am delighted with the victory, but ….. some of the crosses from EE and Clichy were pretty poor …. Theo’s delivery into the box though was generally very good.
Peaches
GiE @5.23 volunteered to do the match report!
Another good win with most of the First Team playing… RvP definitely MoTM but I though Jack, Song and Cesc all did well in midfield. I thought we out-muscled Wham from start to finish.
The result is nothing more than we should expect against the bottom side, but it’s nice to get back on track after those two cup games.
Rasp
I too would like a draw tomorrow. I feel ManUre will be found out in time, but the Spuds would gain a lot of confidence from beating them.
RLives … Shhhh I typed that in post shopping pre match euphoria 🙂
Good result…..expected result. Solid performance from all except probably JD. Players running from deep and Nasri running with ball made a huge difference.
Felt sorry for Grant, had to play a £90k a week signing who wasn’t up to it against Theo’s pace. You could tell the West Ham squads heart wasn’t in it.
Sorry GiE
Had to dob you in it or she’ll be after me, using that old ‘transatlantic time difference’ argument…
Thought we were decent but not great today. But we did the job. Big Johan was strangely indecisive at times.
Did you go GiE?
Thanks Rocky for the heads up, I’ve collared him by email 😛
GiE – hoping you’re true to your word 😀
Ha!
Nice one Peaches.
I will be true to it Peaches.
Couldn’t get tickets today Rocky. Problem with away games is they go to Gold and TC members first, London away games are always a sell out as are Man U and Liverpool.
Well, even without you the lads (and lasses) sounded like they were in good voice throughout.
Rasp, you’re right I don’t live near N.London.
I don’t envy you at all, living in fear of what some feckin spuds might say.
Very pleasing performance yesterday. So many positives, even Eboue had a decent game.
The only minus was a very poor game from Djourou which is beyond explanation. After a run of fine performances he ought to be confident and at the top of his game, instead he was hesitant, got caught in possession and out of position, plus his passing was wayward. Let’s hope for better at Leeds.
Im guessnig Djourou was just outta sorts. He’ll be alright for the next game.
New post……
Morning all
Theres a New Post