As a West Ham fan, I’m sure the greater percentage of us didn’t anticipate being in the top 7 of the Premier League albeit after just 6 games, and continuing the celebration of promotion from the dark, dank, doldrums of the quicksand filled Npower Championship.
A master stroke from our gum chewing, glum faced, wily campaigner? Or simply the avoidance of any real quality opposition for the past 10 games, which includes a Blackpool team failing to show up for the play-off final.
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I for one think this question will be answered after 5.30pm on Saturday evening, where our mighty Hammers take on the so far impressive Arsenal, under the autumnal weather, and glaring lights of Upton Park, in front of its usual dedicated sell-out crowd vying for a gutsy, hardworking performance, that will give us the opportunity to at least walk, with our heads held high.
Now here is the part where my negative tendencies start to seep through my claret and blue veins, and into the old grey matter, throwing out all kinds of sensible theories. Now Arsenal in my opinion will be the second team this season to expose our armadillo like negative formation, but in spectacular fashion. Our team lacks natural width even with the inclusion of Matt Jarvis, who is capable of delivering crushing balls into the box from either flank. However, our system, even when Jarvo plays, drags him into the slow paced central dogfight. Yes we break quickly which suits RVT and Jarvo, but the likes of Carlton Cole, Mark Noble, and Mohamed Diame, do not have an aggressively attacking bone in their bodies. Take Kevin Nolan out the equation and we would be battling with QPR for bottom spot.
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I have said for seasons that we need a creative midfielder that picks open defences, where even Cole given enough chances would then get his name on the score sheet. I have also harped on about the modern game being built on speed. I mean, how dangerous is a Bale, Young, Lennon, Oxlade-Chamberlain like figure, coming at you at the rate of knots, happy to knock the ball past you and race you to the touchline, or if you’re lucky, turn you inside out, and leave you to watch your best bits on MOTD!
When you look at the signings that were made to arm us for an assault on the Premier League, most were made as championship signings. Take away the excellent loan of AC, and the superb free signing of my so far player of the season Diame, the rest of the signings were hardly awe inspiring. Maiga, Jussi, Collins, Jarvis, McCartney, & co. will hardly be sending shivers up Sir Alex Ferguson’s spine anytime soon.
Yes, I am delighted with the start we have managed, but with some really tough games to come, and a long hard look at our squad, which still has no prolific goal scorer or pace, I can only ask the question, did our manager and board really have a look at what was going to make our squad great? Or did they merely just paper over the cracks?
Written by Craig Murray
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What a pessimist, I´ve heard of kicking some one when they are down but we are not are we ? Rejoice at what we have and thats good to build on, confidence from good games builds for the ones in hand.
What’s your problem mate, got out of the wrong side of the bed or even the wrong bed? I can imagine waking up to see the staring face of your mother in law from the adjoining pillow.
Anyway, we are now playing in a manner in which we used to beg our team to play many moons ago. Simply put, every West Ham fan regretted losing to the top teams but would yearn, kick and scream for the team to pick up points against teams which we should be beating.
For the first time in a long time, it has happened. So stop your moaning and enjoy the moment. Us Hammers haven’t had these moments for such a long time. COYI
This article must be some kind of joke. How you expect us to attract players of the Bale and Young type when we have just been promoted is beyond me. Noble, Diame and Nolan have proven to be such a solid midfield that its kept the likes of Benayoun and Diarra on the bench. As for a proven goal scorer that will come in time when Carroll and Maiga have settled in the squad. Jussi has been extremely reliable except for that one mistake at Swansea along with some kicking issues. Collins hasn’t had the best of starts but he’s formed a fantastic partnership with Reid and is an experienced no nonsense premier defender which is what we needed. The two areas of the pitch I feel we need improvement on currently is at left back and right wing. Other than that we have a fantastic squad for our first season back in the big time
Agreed
I stopped reading after “we would be battling with QPR for bottom spot”. How can you be so negative? The 4-2-3-1 formation is the most used among the top teams now so you can’t bash that and saying we haven’t played a decent team so far is ridiculous too. We haven’t played a top team but to be where we are after 6 regardless of who we’ve played is something to be proud of in the PL. You seem like one of the fans who’s never pleased, we’re doing well you pessimistic moron, be happy. Even if we lose by 2 or 3 tomorrow I’ll still be optimistic because they’re a top team.
Were u bullied at school mate and as a result you have become a pessimistic, over analytical opinion writer?
The signings made by BFS have all been brilliant in my opinion. Every player has been playing for each other and we actually look like a united team. There is such a fine line between winning and losing in the prem league and every ounce of effort is required by 11 players to achieve this. Too often we had players that were carried by other players but believed they were top players! All too evident in our relegation season.
I for one will be backing our team to continue there fine form and as long as they put in 100% week in, week out we will have a great season.
Call yourself a supporter.
As for strengthening the side, i think for this season we are strong in every position. Jussi has commanded his defence better than Green used and made some top saves since that error at Swansea. Demel has looked very solid. We have 3 great centre backs competing for 2 spots. And Linda was a model of consistency last season. O’Brien has filled in adeptly at LB so far, hence why Linda hasn’t come into the side. Our midfield has been playing so well that Alou Diarra can’t even get a look in. I feel slightly sorry for him because he is a quality player, but I can’t see him playing unless someone gets an injury. Jarvis, Vaz Te, Taylor & Benayoun all possess a threat going forward. And we have the big man Andy Carroll upfront
In defense of Craig Murrey (because i hate 5 against 1 situations), the reality is we can improve the team and the squad. He’s right to point that out. And we will need to improve further to be a consistent top 6 side. And we all want to be a top 6 side dreaming of glory for west ham. …
But on the flip side, which most of the commentators have mentioned, things are going very well so far this season. A win tomorrow against Arsenal and they’ll be going very very well. And there’s no law written which says that players cannot outperform themselves and reach heights beyond the ordinary man’s expectations.
We’re all hoping for the best and hoping that this squad, with these players, with the crowd 100% behind them, can give their all and give us a team to be proud of. … After all, before we reach the top 6, we must realise that finishing the season in 7th, for example, would be a bloody good season for West Ham United (when comparing with the history books). COYI !!