Wednesday 30 March 2016

Latest Payet Outrage



He's been at it again! After a stunning performance in his return to International duty against Holland at the weekend, Dimitri Payet had to wait until the 62nd minute to get some action against Russia at the Stade de France last night.

However, the Hammers star was on the pitch a mere two minutes before he brought the house down with a trademark free kick strike from 37 yards! after a series of audacious flicks he then settled matters in the 76th minute with a delightful through pass for Kingsley Coman to seal things.

Watch out Palace as the man is on fire!

The Happiest Club in Football Right Now?


Monday afternoon at the Boleyn - what a day! Football pantomime at it's very best with all the old heroes there. A packed house paid homage to our latest legend in Mark Noble while also seizing the opportunity to savour the Upton Park atmosphere. It was also clear that the legions of Ex-Hammers who turned out also appreciated the opportunity to get a run on the hallowed turf. This was a celebration of all things West Ham and as we move down the road to our new home, Monday's festival of fun will remain as one of the happiest days out at the Boleyn.

Thank you Captain Claret for providing such a perfect day out.

Tuesday 29 March 2016

Five Things We Learned From Mark Noble's Testimonial


1. Our defence needs to get itself sorted, and quickly!

Conceding five goals against a bunch of aged has-beens was nothing short of a disgrace! Winston Reid and James Tomkins looked like they were out for a stroll and it was no surprise when Craig Bellamy sent then a wake up call early in the first half . However, they didn't heed him as the All-star ex-Hammers pub team ('we ate all the pies and drank all the kegs') comprised of Clydesdale category forwards (yes - you Marlon and Deano!) simply battered them in the second half.

2. Adrian is totally wasted in goal

Our Spanish shot-stopper started out his career as a striker and old habits die hard. His swashbuckling dribble traversing the full length of the field yesterday sent out a clear message to our opposition defences - 'underestimate my goal-scoring capacity at your peril'. Watch out Palace next week cos San Miguel is on a goalscoring run.

Even better, Adrian is so potent a penalty-taker that he celebrates scoring even when the ball doesn't end up in the net!!!

3. Electronic technology is already out of control

They were warned that it would happen but the advocates of electronic goal-line technology wouldn't listen and now we have top stars totally abusing the new relaxed rulings about on field use of electronics! Diafra Sakho's second half goal celebration 'selfie' was just the latest in a series of similar events that will inevitably end up with robot players.

On the up side, maybe they could do a Robocop-style reworking of Julian Dicks' knees so that we could get to witness his supreme tackling abilities once more - the Terminator simply couldn't resist the opportunity to get stuck in yesterday but many fans were left wondering why he didn't participate in the penalty shoot out??? Dicks vs Adrian......my money is on Jules to be honest!

4. Arthur C Clarke's Unsolved Mysteries team need to do a special on absurd and unexplained footballing tragedies.

Watching Di Canio,Sinclair and David James in action brought us back to one of the greatest footballing mysteries of our time - the Hammers Relegation of 2003! Top football scientologists are still baffled as to how that team (which also included Carrick, Cole, Johnson and Defoe) ended up going down???

5. It's not necessarily such a bad thing when our players don't get selected for International duty.

For many, Dean Ashton's spectacular overhead kick served as a painful reminder of his loss. Even worse for many, the second goal highlighted that six-yard poacher element that we still lack in our forward options. Notice how the ball just ended up effortlessly in the net. Maybe Mark Noble isn't meant to play for England for some weird destiny reason or the like???

Too good for England ........but perfect for the Republic of East London (and also Ireland!)



 

Monday 28 March 2016

A Strange mix of Excitement and Sadness...


Red eye for team VeryWestHam this morning with a 4.45 an start heightened by yesterday's time change ( it's 3.45 really!). Ryanair Shannon to Stansted and now a day of celebration at the Boleyn.

Noble really is Captain Claret. He would die for the West ham cause. Can you recall any game ever when he didn't put a big shift in? Although its ridiculous that he remains excluded from the England set up, such is his commitment to West ham that you'd have to wonder if he would really be as good at any other club?

However, today is about even more than Mark's magnificence as for us 'international' Hammers this will probably be our  final visit to the old Lady Boleyn. With tickets for the remaining fixtures in such short supply there seems little hope of another trip.

As such it is only fitting that we will be treated to a festival of Hammers fun to see the old stadium off. DICKS, Di Canio, Bish, Ludo....could it really be any better even in Hammers heaven?


But also, there's a real sense of poignancy to the occasion. For us, this is the end of the 'old' West ham. With proper management, a 60,000 stadium anda squad to match the future is bright but definitely different. Kids with no previous connection to the club wear our jerseys, while Nissan ads feature us as the worlds most popular team of the moment.

Yes, we can expect to hold on to the next Cole, Ferdinand, Carrick etc, and we can truly hope for regular European football but still all the same there's a definite lump in my throat today...

We love you West ham...always.


Friday 25 March 2016

Damn You Didier Deschamps!


As Happy Hammers prepare to soak up the party that will be Mark Noble's testimonial on Monday, it has emerged there will be one disappointment. After a season of scintillating form - characterised by an unusual combination of out of this world skill and hard graft for the team, France outcast Dimitri Payet has been handed an olive branch call up by French national team manager Didier Deschamps.

Sadly, his return to International duties will prevent Payet from appearing in Captain Claret's testimonial. Fans will thus be denied the mouthwatering spectacle of seeing a Payet vs Di Canio football face off!!!

However, with the line up to include a host of Hamers heroes from the past, this is truly a party that any diehard Hammer will want to be at!

Just 71 hours to kick off....

Tuesday 22 March 2016

One Worrying Reason that the Cup Replay at the Boleyn could be Very Different

Wayne will try to Ruin-ey the Hammers cup efforts

As it emerged that the scheduled date for the FA Cup quarter final replay is Wednesday 13th April it is dawning upon Hammers fans that this gives enough time for a certain Man United star to return to the fray......Mr Wayne Rooney. The Red Devils have sorely missed their talisman who was on a scoring spree before his injury at the start of the year.

Even worse, Rooney's record against the Hammers of 11 goals in 18 games is only bettered by Everton's Romelu Lukaku who they will face if they can overcome the Mancs. As such, the likely returning availability of both James Tomkins and James Collins could be crucial to the Hammers drive.

However, there is always the Payet factor to consider even if Mr Rooney does bolster Manchester United's efforts!

 

West Ham Pip Mancs in Crucial Champions League Run in



Manchester City – Currently 4th with 51 points
 
Run in:
Bournemouth v Manchester City: 3 points
Manchester City v West Brom: 3 points
Chelsea v Manchester City: 0 points
Newcastle v Manchester City: 1 point
Manchester City v Stoke: 3 points
Southampton v Manchester City: 1 point
Manchester City v Arsenal: 1 point
Swansea v Manchester City: 3 points
 
Predicted total: 66 points
Manchester United – Currently 6th with 50 points
Run in:
Manchester United v Everton: 1 point
Tottenham v Manchester United: 0 points
Manchester United v Aston Villa: 3 points
Manchester United v Crystal Palace: 3 points
Manchester United v Leicester: 1 point
Norwich v Manchester United: 1 point
West Ham v Manchester United: 0 points
Manchester United v Bournemouth: 3 points
 
Predicted Total: 62 points.
 
West Ham – Currently 5th with 50 points
Run in:
West Ham v Crystal Palace: 3 points
West Ham v Arsenal: 1 point
Leicester v West Ham: 0 points
West Ham v Watford: 3 points
West Brom v West Ham: 3 points
West Ham v Swansea: 3 points
West Ham v Manchester United: 3 points
Stoke v West Ham: 1 point
 
Predicted Total: 67 points
 

Saturday 19 March 2016

Hilarious, simply bloody hilarious!

7-2 against: that's ludicrous!!!

Once again the Hammers provide stunning value for money for those wanting to exact revenge on Paddy Poormaker and the rest of the bookies gang.

With West Ham 7-2 against to win at Stamford bridge, a comparison of these two sides recent form suggests that the East Londoners are certainly in with a shout despite going 13 years since their last win away to Chelsea.

On that day, a certain Mr Di Canio decided to take control of proceedings. Aided and abetted by a side blessed with Carrick, Cole, Defoe, Sinclair and David James, you can see why they came out on top.

Oh, and let's not forget that Frank Lampard Jnr was on the losing side that day.

Since then, Chelsea have won eight with two draws, but let's face it, this season is totally different under Bilic who, if anything, seems to prefer the role of underdog away side.

Today Chelsea are without Diego Caustic and Eddie Izzard, while for West Ham the good news is that Winston Reid is fit.

Bilic has gone for an attack-minded side with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia claiming starting berths. Big Andy is lurking on the bench ready to repeat his heroics from earlier in the season when he scored a cracking winner against a hapless Chelsea who soonafter lost their manager and are in rebuilding mode until a new long-term boss arrives.  

WEST HAM UNITED starting XI: Adrian, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble (c), Lanzini, Payet, Valencia, Sakho

I guess all that's left to say is 'Over to you Mr Payet...'

Friday 18 March 2016

Let's Raise a Glass for a True Hammer!

En route to the Blackburn home game in 1995
We never expected to last more than a few posts but after 4 years VERYWESTHAM has reached the million hits mark.

There are tons of ways we could mark this moment, but for all four VWH dudes we want to thank Seamus Meagher for introducing us to the crazy world of West Ham United.

Sadly, Seamie watched his last Hammers game in 2008 - some 44 years after his first introduction to Upton Park. He will be remembered at the new Olympic Stadium with a plaque.

Please God whatever else they have in the afterlife, let there be live Premiership coverage as he would be simply loving the Bilic era and, of course, a certain Mr Payet.

RIP big man.

Thanks to everybody who has visited our site to date. No doubt there will plenty of fun and games ahead to savour - and we'll be watching every move through our somewhat tilted Verywestham lenses!

COYI!!!

 

Has Beens could yet foil Hammers Euro plans



As Manchester United and Liverpool played out a soul-less draw in the Europa League last night, the new kings of English football were focusing upon their preparations for next weekend's crunch Premiership fixtures.

Among them, West Ham travel to Chelsea seeking point(s) that can maintain their push for the fourth Champions League spot. However, it has emerged that fourth spot may not necessarily bring qualification as UEFA rules allow only five clubs per nation and with Liverpool and Man City still in contention for the Europa League and Champion's league respectively, if they both win then the fourth placed club would be pushed out to the Europa League.

However, while Liverpool have a reasonably decent chance (quoted at 6/1 to win), Man City are quoted at 18/1 against a Champions League triumph and anybody who watched their shambolic performance against Dynamo Kiev in midweek would consider those odds a bit mean! More significantly, the loss of Vincent Kompany puts Man city's challenge for a top four Premiership finish in serious doubt such that Pep Guardiola may be excluded from Europe's biggest competition next year!!! 

Thursday 17 March 2016

Hail Glorious St Patrick: The Irish Hammers XI

Happy St Paddy's Day all you Hammers folk! On the day we get to drink green Guinness and celebrate all things Irish let's consider how a the greatest Irish Hammers XI might look.


Goalkeeper: Adrian is a top, top keeper, but as a replacement Darren Randolph is superb! He has been excellent whenever the opportunity has arisen this season and been a key part of our FA cup charge, conceding only two goals to date. Already 'Randy' has usurped the likes of Gerry Peyton, Roy Carroll, Stephen Henderson and, dare I mention him....... Allen McNightmare!

The defence was…frankly, worrying! Unbalanced and not endowed with aerial presence. There would undoubtedly be much sweating at set pieces.

As full backs Joey 'the Lips' O'Brien and Georgie 'Linda' McCartney are well-solid, but Centre back is a real patch up and forced us to bring Georgie more centrally alongside Gary Breen, with Noel Cantwell taking the left back spot.

Just to remind you that Stuttgart wasn't the first!
Midfield is by far our strongest zone. Steve Lomas as enforcer and water carrier and a nice partner for Chippy Brady. Although Brady is primarily a Gooner, we got two very decent seasons out of him that included some cracking moments, and a delightful strike against the Gooners!.

Wee Michael Hughes was a great seizure from Wimbledon - gamey, if lacking in physicality, and with a useful habit of scoring at key moments. Both Frank O’Farrell and Tommy Moroney were key contributors in the early fifties but Tommy Moroney gets the final nod, mostly based upon his presence on the glorious Ireland team that was the first foreign team to beat the old enemy on their own turf at Goodison Park in 1949.

The rise and rise of Josh Cullen gives cause for hope that the 2017 March 17th update will see him seize a midfield spot but with Noble, Kouyate, Payet, Lanzini, Obiang, Song et al on the books first teal opportunities are rare for the talented youngster.

Up front, David Kelly underachieved – too light for top-level English football. David Connolly was too, well, David Connolly (i.e. perfectly average). Jimmy Quinn was a decent contributor in the late 80s while Robbie Keane came and went in the blink of an eye, with most of that time spent on the injury room table, but on the basis of what might have been he gets the nod, just!

And finally, Iain Dowie – a true Hammer who was not prolific by any means but always gave 100% and created opportunity for those around him. A real servant who had two determined spells at the club and is one of the more refreshing TV pundits about. Loyalty – a rare thing amongst our footballing folk these times.

So, a team that would by no means be worldbeaters, but we might expect plenty of effort and any team with Liam Brady could always find a moment of magic, while Michael Hughes would be sure to spoil a few Man United celebrations and Robbie could always find cause for a party!
 

Wednesday 16 March 2016

The Beginning of the End


The Lyall Gates at the entrance to Upton Park are one of the most popular scenes for Hammers fans to get that 'crucial' shot to evidence their fandom. Not surprisingly, the gates are coming with us to the Olympic Stadium but their removal earlier this week has caught many fans off guard.

In response to a report in KUMB (http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=129621) a host of fans have indicated how they planned to get another final shot of the gates in their original place. Sadly, that moment is gone, highlighting the increasing urgency for fans to get their final Boleyn acts sorted.

On a recent visit to the ground I was lucky to get a final shot to add to the many pics with friends and family from over the years. We must move forwards but at times like this we are reminded that it isn't easy to let the past go.

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Hammers Receive Two Further Champions League Boosts

Just as Winston Reid confirmed that he is fit and injury-free after Saturday's clash with Manchester United, poor Vincent Kompany has sustained yet another injury and has been substituted tonight during Manchester City's Champion's League tie against ex-Hammer Sergei Rebrov's Dynamo Kiev.

The double news is just the sort of thing that can tilt the balance in West Ham's favour as they chase the teams above them for one of the much-coveted Champion's League spots. The release of a table depicting current form over the past eight games confirms how SuperSlav has timed the Hammers run to perfection as they top the Premiership on performances during that crucial period! even better, both Arsenal and Man City are in the bottom half of the table!!!



With the Hammers facing a tough tie away to a recovering Chelsea side, Arsenal face a tricky away visit to Everton while the Manchester sides slug it out at the Etihad on Sunday.

After that, the Hammers face a series of tough ties but will be buoyed by the number of returning players which gives Bilic plenty of options as he plots his tactical strategy home to Crystal Palace and Arsenal and away to Leicester. Thereafter, every game is a cup final.

Speaking of which, the real cup final may also intervene upon our fixture calendar before the season is done.

Happy, happy days!!!

 

Sunday 13 March 2016

Have West Ham Signed a Terrifying Sadist?



As news filters in that West Ham have agreed a free-transfer signing of Norwegian international Havard Nordtveit from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Munchengladbach, fans are trying to find out as much as possible about the 25year old midfielder.

Known for his defensive attributes, Nordtveit prefers a deeper position in front of the back four but also has an impressive range of passes in his armamentarium. With 24 caps for Norway, he could make a perfect partner for the more attack minded Martin Samuelsen who has impressed during his loan periods this season and may well be ready to move up to the first team next year.

With just three yellow cards in 30-odd appearances this season, Nordtveit looks to have good discipline while his remarkable similarity in appearance to the terrifying cruel Ramsey Bolton of Game of Thrones fame will surely have opposition defences running scared!

Meanwhile, rumours as to further Game of thrones 'collaborations' are growing with the news that first team coach Edin Terzic has just returned from filming of the new series where he is thought to play the part of Loras Tyrell.


 

Saturday 12 March 2016

The One Big Reason Why West Ham Will Get a Result Today


West Ham fans will watch more in expectation than hope today as they face 'mighty' Manchester United at Old Trafford. Their confidence is based upon the performances of a talented and cohesive side but even more so on the tactical nous of their manager. Meanwhile, LVG prefers a predictable game with the occasional outbreak of attempted flair football when the criticisms get too loud. After Thursday night's poor showing against Liverpool, the calls for a new manager are growing in volume again.

If Man United come out attacking, Bilic will enjoy sitting back with a 4-2-3-1 formation and waiting for the openings that will follow. With Noble and Kouyate in such excellent form, LVG needs to get a misfiring midfield running better in order to deprive the Hammers of possession that, if they can get it to Payet, will create opportunities. Meanwhile, Bilic needs to decide who will play alongside Angelo Ogbonna at centre back and who to start with up top - Carroll, Sakho or Emineke. With Moses, Song and Valencia also available it seems crazy but West Ham will probably have the stronger bench to choose from!

Hammers Sign the New Gunter Netzer


West Ham's preparations for Champion's League action next season continue with the announcement of a deal to bring Norwegian midfield ace Havard Nordtveit to the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 25 year old was at Arsenal for three years as a teenager and has been a key element of a resurgent
Borussia Munchengladbach side for the past five years and compared to the famous BMG midfielder Gunter Netzer.

Netzer is recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of all time and remembered for his classic entrance as an extra time substitute in the 1973 German cup final where he decided himself that it was time for a substitution and as he startd to unzip his tracksuit 'instructed' the bemused BMG manager "i am ready to play now".

He scored 2 minutes later as Borussia seized a cup and league double!

Good luck to Nordtveit if he tries that stunt with SuperSlav!

Welcome to the happiest club in the world Havard!

Welcome to 'New' Trafford: a place where visitors can party on success!


The bookies always win in the end. My grandfather and the majority of male members of our clan are bookies. They all make a comfortable living. However, the bookies do suffer occasional losses - something they see as a necessary part of drawing the punters in.


Which is as good an explanation as any footballing factor in understanding the odds quoted ahead of the FA Cup quarter final clash between a buoyant and on-form West ham versus a confused and tottering Man United.

Despite already slaying the 'top' clubs of the Premiership this season, William Hill have Man U at evens to win, with the Hammers at 3-1! Go for a 1-0 and they give you 9 to 1 , or even 2-0 and it's a whopping 20 to 1 against.

Undoubtedly, home advantage is cited as a factor for these odds, but Mr Bilic loves to counterpunch and has a host of pacey and clinical forwards to put overcommitted opponents to the counterattacking sword.

Moreover, the increasingly disgruntled home support can be readily used against their side these days. LVG has served to galvanise these frustrations as anybody listening to 'shy' Paul Scholes ripping into the current crew on Thursday night will have noted. Manchester disUnited are very vulnerable tight now, mostly because of LVG's rigid and predictable tactics which contrast massively with the dynamic schemings of SuperSlav.

The draw is 5 to 2. I think we will score at least once. I  not so sure about the current Man U's attack to match that. Wedt ham to win 2-1 is 12 to one.

Rory Nostradamus says settle for a tenner on the Hammers to win.

Friday 11 March 2016

Win a Season Ticket for the Olympic Stadium



Last night's Europa League encounter between Liverpool and Manchester United was illuminating in many ways. First up, it reminded me of the episode of Family Guy where the two old geezers (Herbert and Franz) get it on! As the new Premiership order hits home, it was obvious that this was a battle between two has-beens who both have seen better days. That both sides put out their best sides only served to emphasise how the substantially inferior prize that is the Ropey League is the best that these pair can muster these days.

Ahead of Sunday's FA Cup encounter, last night's spectacle provided clear evidence of Manchester United's demise under LVG. Liverpool ran rings around a befuddled devils back line and should have dished out a proper hiding - imagine how the departed Luis Suarez would have fared against that lacklustre defence! And remember, this is a Liverpool side that West Ham have brushed aside with relative ease on two occasions this season.

All of which poses a dilemma for Slaven Bilic - Manchester United are very vulnerable right now. While the Hammers have defensive concerns at centre and right back, they look blunt up front but more importantly, are weak at the back. They say the best means of defence is attack and that certainly seems to be the case in dealing with Man U right now. However, away from home Bilic likes to hit the opposition on the break and may choose to sit back.

Many observers would be only too happy to take a draw. Earlier in the season we dominated at Old Trafford but settled for a 0-0. While we all love our (rare) Old T victories, good sense says keep it tight and see what happens. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing how Man U cope in the final quarter of the game when Payet starts swinging in crosses for Sakho, Carroll and Antonio. In good news for the Hammers, after chasing around trying to get a look in all night last night, they may not have fully recovered by Sunday and are likely to tire towards the end if we impose a high tempo from the start. 

West Ham are 14/5 against to win.....remarkable odds methinks! A £95 punt could well win you the price of one of the additional 6,000 category 5 season tickets the Hammers are looking to add to the Olympic Stadium. Just saying... 

Bring it on!!!

Monday 7 March 2016

Mixed News for Hammers in Premier League run in

After three big wins in a row it's truly game on for West ham as they push for a Champions League spot that would likely generate £50 million-plus for the rapidly rising club! With just nine games to go the Hammers are a point off Man City in fourth and with the Gooners stuttering, anything looks possible!

Meanwhile, the statsgeeks at footballwebpages.co.uk have put akl available data into a supercomputer to predict a final table. Hammers fans will undoubtedly be delighted with the predicted 4th place finish, but their celebrations might be tempered by the fact that the computer reckoning is for arch-rivals Spurs to nobble Leicester on goal difference for the title...perish the thought!

Interestingly, although the bookies rate Arsenal as the side most likely to buckle during the run in, the computer reckons that Man City will slip behind the Hammers.


However, with 9 tough games to go, West ham would need to win four, draw 4 and lose just one game if they are to reach the predicted 65 points haul.

Meanwhile, both Newcastle and Sunderland are predicted to make the drop, with Norwich scraping home in 17th. Big Sam 's love of statistics may thus be a little dampened but, in all honesty, most Hammers fans would bet on Sam keeping Sunderland up.

Beware: computers know nought about injuries and a simple hamstring or calf tear to Dimitri Payet or Harry Kane could massively change all of this. All the same, it's great to be in this position...dream on Hammerheads!


Sunday 6 March 2016

Martinez Faces the Sack as Toffees left to rue sticky fingers


The 'displeasure' of the Goodison faithful at yet another home defeat yesterday was more than matched by the delight of West Ham's heroic warriors, caught here in post-match euphoria reminding all of their three goal haul in the final 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, poor Roberto Martinez is increasingly sounding like Brendan Rodgers with his shallow efforts to repackage the awful truth that Everton are underperforming because they are leaky at the back and too often tactically naïve. With David Moyes lurking out there as a free agent, you'd have to feel that Roberto's days are numbered.

All of which provided easy meat for the tactical shark that is Slaven Bilic. Fearless, Bilic risked getting a proper hiding yesterday as he persisted with an offensive formation through the second half that almost handed a three goal lead to Everton on a number of occasions.

However, fortune favours the brave, and once again Lady Luck shined on the Hammers as Everton's defensive efforts descended into chaos as they tried to manage the triple aerial threat of Carroll, Sakho and Antonio. Make no mistake, Andy C may not have scored, but his presence as a decoy for both of the first two goals was crucial.

What Bilic decides to do with Carroll at the end of the season will be fascinating as there can be no doubt that he brings a unique physicality to the table that really can change the flow of things when things aren't going your way. Historically, the 'Supersub' status has been regarded as a lesser role in a team, but in these times of squad rotation, and with a manager who is as tactically dynamic as Bilic, coming off the bench can be a key role!

But it was only right and proper that the final word went to Mr Payet. Martinez has a reputation as a likeable guy but listen more closely and he is shameless in his partisan comments. James McCarthy's scissors tackle on Payer earlier in the season was utterly cynical and ultimately may cost West Ham a top four placing as it was followed by a series of drawn matches that a Payet-positive Hammers would likely have won. As Payet pounced to break Everton hearts in injury time, you have to wonder who does the script writing for this Bilic odyssey that we find ourselves wrapped up in.

After all the hardship on Merseyside over the years (and that incudes a cup defeat to Tranmere in 1999!), you'd forgive the club for giving two fingers instead of three! As for the Goodison hoodoo - along with the awful Anfield and Arsenal records, Mr Bilic says goodbye and good riddance.

Onwards, and definitely upwards!

Saturday 5 March 2016

Is there no end to the magic of Mr Bilic???


WaaaatafrghhHHHHHHHH?#????! He's gone and bloody done it again. SuperSlav has beaten Everton at Goodison.

Even better, if twitter is anything to go by, he's also started a civil war in the Toffees camp as fans expressed their considerable annoyance at losing from a remarkably strong winning position.

As Lukaku stepped up to kill off the game with a penalty and already two up with 21 minutes remaining, it looked like another Everton disappointment.

No. Adrian saves.

No, Antonio scores a super header with just 11 minutes left. It's 1-2. Game on again.

No, Sakho scores an equally fantastic header with 9 minutes left. It's 2-2...we could snatch this????

Nooooooooooooo, Dimitri Payet, the unfortunate victim of what Martinez labelled a 'fair' challenge from James McCarthy earlier in the season, pops up to slot home a super Diafra Sakho back heel.......It's 3-2.

Yes, a Hammers victory at Goodison.


Let's dedicate this super victory to all the Hammers players who have been 'unlucky' to lose over the years at our hoodoo ground - but perhaps especially for emergency goalkeeper extraordinaire, Mr Julian Dicks!

Slav - Big Sam followed by Spurs at home and then Everton away, all in a single week - anything,
                yes, anything
                          is now possible!!!

But spare a thought for those disappointed Everton fans..........just kidding, your luck had to run out sometime.
  

Oxford Sleepless with Nerves before Lukaku Test


While the victory over Spurs in midweek was a most enjoyable affair, the injury to James Collins was a definite dampener. With both Tomkins and Reid also unavailable to start, all eyes have turned to young Reece Oxford.

Oxford enjoyed an impressive display for the final half hour on Wednesday. Tucked in behind the ultra-impressive Ogbonna and Kouyate, the lad looked assured.

However, with Everton comes the plague that is Romelu Lukaku. Having scored in all seven previous games against the Hammers, and currently in top form with 17 strikes this season, it'll be a big test for young Oxford.

Slaven Bilic says that the lad has no nerves. Certainly pictures of the journey up to Liverpool yesterday confirm that he isn't experiencing any sleeplessness!

After managing a League Cup draw earlier in the season, maybe today is the moment to put the Goodison jinx to bed.

Sweet dreams Reece!

COYI!!!

Nostradamus Sits on the Fence as Hammers Prepare to Chew Toffees!



There have been many surprises this season. Leicester's sustained excellence, Chelski's bland mediocrity and Man United's refusal to attack. But through all this crazy uncertainty there has been one anchoring constant - Mark 'Nostradamus' Lawrenson's conviction that West ham will lose!

As such, Lawro's prematch prediction for West ham's visit to Everton will gravely unsettle those who crave consistency and order. The wise one has opted for a 1-1 draw which, we are pretty certain, means he doesn't believe West ham will lose!!!

Whatever next? Lukaku to NOT score in a game against West ham? Dimitri Payet in misplaced pass shocker? Maybe even the totally unthinkable, MARK NOBLE FOR ENGLAND???