Dazza Sparkles as Bale's Dragons are Thwarted

Darren Randolph had to endure a terrible sledging at Bournemouth recently as his goals conceded tally against the Cherries increased to an embarrassing 23 goals in five encounters!

Bournemouth fans treated the visitors to a series of amusing chants, including the pick of the crop "It's happening again" as they mocked the hapless keeper.

Things hardly got any better last week against Leicester as despite dominating the game, the Hammers ran out 2-3 losers having conceded three soft goals. Randolph can claim innocence for two of the goals, but was clearly at fault for the opener.

Hammers famsite Claret n Hugh were prompted to run a poll that has so far found that 70% of fans think Randolph should be dropped in favour of Adrian who has been patiently waiting in the wings.

However, Dazza struck back last night with an assured display for Ireland against a Wales side that included a fully fit Gareth Bale. The Irish claimed a useful point that keeps Wales 4 points behind them at the half way stage in what promises to be a closely fought group that also includes Serbia and Austria.

Randolph looked vonfident behind a makeshift back four and apart from keeping a clean sheet, distributed the ball well as he used his ground skills to provide an extra defender as Ireland frustrated the offensive-minded Welsh.

The game was a physical affair with Wales resorting to some unsavoury tactics in the second half - Taylor being red carded cor a disgraceful leg-breaking challenge on Seamus Coleman. The referee has to take some responsibility for the incident as he bottled giving Bale a red card for a similarly cynical and dangerous challenge on John O Shea just minutes before.

Either way, Dazza sparkled in a performanxe that will undoubtedly boost his confidence.

More Trouble in the Bubble...

YES, we can!!!

Let's face it, that was a pretty tepid display against Stoke. In the first half we got sucked into their system and looked entirely toothless. In the second we were little better and in the end a draw was a fair result. At the time of writing we are one place above the relegation zone and facing a run of four REALLY tough Premiership fixtures. With Tottenham (A), Arsenal (H), Liverpool (A) and Man United (A) waiting over the next month....unless we up our game, we will be back in the relegation zone by mid-December!...Bottom at Christmas? Surely not...With home games against Burnley and Hull in mid December hopefully we can haul ourselves upwards - presuming our confidence isn't too rattled after the run of hard matches before that.

So what can we do? We look tighter at the back and only for Adrian's foolishness we could have nicked an undeserved win in a game with few clear cut chances. It looks like Saturday's histrionics from Adrian, which included a series of fumbles before the goal, may signal a chance for Darren Randolph to take over in the starting XI.

In midfield we need to move the ball more quickly if we want Payet to get some space. That looks unlikely to happen against Spurs with Nobes suspended. Even worse, with Kouyate playing deeper this is a real problem but against better sides we need to prioritise defence.

Up front, Antonio is undoubtedly a presence, but we really need either Carroll or Sakho back to recover some structure. At this point many fans are sceptical about the quoted return dates as both players have 'mysterious' ailments that are dragging on and on. In the meantime it's a chance to see what Andre Ayew has to offer - it's hard to fathom where he fits into our system just now. Young Fletcher always looks lively but has not really delivered anything of substance just yet. On a less positive note, It looks like Slav's finally given up on Zaza.

Young Fernandes looks like a real prospect but what the hell is Slav at now playing him at right back? After the failed Antonio experiment, nit's shocking that we are repeating it with the young Swiss starlet....PLEASE JUST BUY A PROPER RIGHT BACK!!!

Right now, you'd settle for 4-5 points from the next four matches.

Tough times ahead - we need a united front, especially as the media are ripping so much entertainment out of our current plight.

Final word is of congratulations to the Ireland rugby team who finally overcame the mighty All Blacks after 114 years of trying! The bottom line is that anything is possible. Even a four game winning spree against the in form finest of the Premiership!

Holy Mother of God!!!

Bejaysus, it's a dream start for Ireland. A 'softish' penalty in the first minute for a coming together of Shane Lond and Paul Pogba, dispatched into the back of the net off the post and it's 1-0.

Payet has been pretty quiet thus far as France look rattled and have been largely reduced to an Irish-style game.

Cunningly, Martin O'Neill has held back Wes Hooligan for Extra time, if it arrives..

That 9-1 against price for an irish win looks like a great deal now!

G'wan ya good thing!!!

 

Anyone For a Nice Salad?..... Irish Klingon to Euro Hope

As they say...."Revenge is a dish best eaten cold". However, who exactly are "they" and when did they actually voice this chilling slice of wisdom? Many historians attribute the phrase to French novelist Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". In fact the phrase is not in any of his writings and neither is there any record of his ever voicing these ideas! How fraudulently French - rather like Thierry Henry's basketball masterclass that allowed Les Bleus to progress to the World cup finals at the expense of a brave but ultimately cheated Ireland.

And so to Ireland versus France today...Randolph versus Payet....Endeavour versus craft......Justice versus Thierry Henry. For many observers this is a no brainer - as hosts, it would be a catastrophe were France to be eliminated. Moreover, Dimitri Payet has been the star of the show so far and those who watch proceedings in order to be entertained (i.e. not proper partisan football curmudgeons) will not want the charming talisman to run out of opportunities to wield his magic.

However, for fans of West Ham and of Ireland this is an entirely different call. While Ireland simply want revenge for the Henry nonsense, Hammers fans want Payet out of the Euro shop window. With Zidane and others purring about his performances, it may take more than his current five year contract to keep him in East London next year. Secretly, many Hammers fans have been wishing for a minor injury to halt his charge.

In terms of the contest, Ireland are quoted at 9-1 against to progress - the worst odds for any side still in the tournament. careful analysis suggests this might be worth a punt. Apart from Payet, France have not been particularly impressive to date with Pogba and Griezmann failing to deliver upon their potential. Moreover, Les Bleus are shaky at the back with an aged defence who will struggle if Extra Time comes into the equation. Patrice Evra in particular looks well past his sell-by date.

Meanwhile, for all their limitations (this is the weakest Ireland squad in decades - there are no Giles, Brady, Stapleton, McGrath, Keane et in the current crop), the Irish are well organised and courageous. One senses that they can cancel out France across the pitch BUT with one exception: Payet. Just what Martin O'Neill has planned is unclear but the return of Jonathan Walters to pair up with Seamus the Coal man on the right side will reduce Irish fears somewhat.

If that works in denying Payet space in his favoured position (quite a big 'if'!), Dimitri will drift more central where he will encounter his old sparring mate James McCarthy. McCarthy will need to be on form if he is to prevent Payet providing another masterclass. McCarthy may be considering trying on another scissors tackle like the one that sidelined Payet for six weeks last season, but unlike at Goodison Park, such tactics are unlikely to go unpunished today.

In terms of free kicks, Payet is simply stunning. However, In the Irish goal will be a keeper who trains with him every day and will be better equipped than most to deal with this threat. However, this is an example par excellence where prevention is better than cure. Let's hope the French crowd don't overly influence the referee into awarding spurious free kicks but Coleman, Walters, Whelan and McCarthy need to be VERY disciplined in order to avoid presenting Payet with gilt-edged scoring chances.

The odds are certainly stacked in France's favour but if Ireland can frustrate them then the crowd will get edgy and the notorious wobbly French psyche may come in to play. One would hazard a guess that Martin O'Neill's men have spent more than just a few minutes fine tuning their penalty taking skills in training. If Ireland can cling on for 120 minutes then they can also benefit from Randolph's big presence in goal. If not, they need to look to Karma and the Klingon proverb from Star Trek II, The Wrath of Kahn, 1982.

   

Hammers Starlet Preparing to Step Up to the Big Time

Hot on the back of Darren Randolph's performance in goal during Ireland's midweek demolition of World Champions Germany, young Josh Cullen starred for the U21 side in a 3-0 thumping of Lithuania last night.

Cullen put in a commanding performance in midfield that won him the man of the match award. Having recently broken into the first team at Upton Park making a series of Europa League appearances before his Premiership debut in the 3-0 victory over Liverpool, its clear that his star is on the rise.

All of which is great news for club and country. With only modest creative resources available to him, gaffer Martin O'Neill will be watching with interest. Although Ireland missed out on Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, Cullen offers an equally exciting prospect and although Southend born, has no hesitation in recognising his Leitrim roots.

He may be an outside bet for the upcoming Euro Championships, especially if he continues on his current trajectory!

Long and Randy Night in Dublin

Baitin the Germans...Sure that's mad Ted!

Hammers back up netminder Darren Randolph had a night to remember at Dublin's Aviva Stadium last night as the Republic of Ireland overcame World champions West Germany.

Randolph came on as a second half substitute for the injured Shay Given and was quickly in the action pulling off a string of dramatic saves. Clearly buoyed by his recent excellent performances in the Premiership for West ham, Randolph lapped up the atmosphere urging on his under fire defence.

And in the 70th minute even better was to come when his long kick out found striker Shane Long who used his pace and power to break through the German defence and rifled the ball home. The stadium went bangers, Irish style.

After a full five minutes of celebrations the Germans restarted proceedings and immediately set siege to the Irish goal. However, Martin O'Neill's men could sense history in the making and Randolph was in no mood for being breached, looking big and strong through a series of German efforts.

Four minutes of injury time...

Yes!!!!!

Ireland now travel to Poland seeking a win to seize automatic qualification with a play off place now guaranteed. With Given stretchered off Randolph will surely start. Let's hope he can keep another clean sheet and add to his goal assists tally!

Top text in the long night of the text was the Fentonesque offering "FILTHY" from HOC straight after Shane Long's goal. The result will serve as a useful reminder to HOC and the rest of the Irish Liverpool followers that the Germans don't always win!

HOC on International duty...

However, it was a bad night for Tipperary man  JB who will need to up his game if he is to keep Long behind him in second place in the Tipperary Soccer legend rankings.

GOSH!!! Wasn't that Exciting!

No, not the scrap at Upton Park, but the rugby. The action was simply spellbinding as France and England went toe to toe and Ireland watched on hoping the crazy French wouldn't be too... crazy. And so it was, the game went right to the final play as England came within a whisker of an unlikely result.



Oh Dear!

Back at Upton Park, the action was a little less compelling as a grim first half  was livened up most by the failure of Jermain Defoe to take a gilt edged opportunity to put one over on his former employers. Hammers fans sighed with relief followed by a hearty chuckle or two. If Sunderland go down one wonders whether he will wait for the following day to deliver his transfer request  or maybe get it over and done with on the team bus on the way home after the match?

The second half trundled along aimlessly until the 88th minute when Diafra Sakho pounced to slot home the only goal of the game. It was harsh on Sunderland and their new manager Dick Advocaat, but the Premiership is no playschool and as West Ham know only too well, you've gotta keep playing until that oversized chanteuse breaks into song.

Speaking of which, what has gone wrong with Alex? Another performance where he looked out of sorts. The rush to find £100K a week to keep him at the Boleyn next year has slowed considerably. Similarly, what's up with Stewie Downing?

42 points and, after a few fumbled efforts, we are finally safe. Surely its time to let some of the up and coming talent have a run out. Of these, only Diego Poyet was named amongst the subs today and didn't get on. We want and need to get a look at the Likes of Elliot Lee, Josh Cullen, Dan Potts and the two Reeces. Speaking of up and coming talent, on loan Sean Maguire scored for Accrington Stanley today adding to the Irish cheer! 

Next a break and then Leicester away. We have a relatively 'soft' run in but, as we will be facing relegation threatened sides, we might prepare for more dour encounters as our opponents will be desperate for results.

Would you prefer to be in the relegation mix or drifting in mid-table obscurity? Sometimes it's hard to tell!

Finally, congratulations to Ireland on winning back to back Six Nations Championships!

 

Ireland do Hammers fans a big favour ahead of Sunderland clash

You're welcome!

Many Hammer's fans are facing the dilemma of whether to keep a sly eye on the rugby during the match with Sunderland this evening but, after Ireland thumped Scotland by 30 points in Murrayfield, England will need to squash Les Bleus by a margin of at least 26 points if they are to take the Six Nations trophy.

For Ireland, this would be a rare consecutive season's win but unless England can produce something remarkable at Twickenham the title will be going west. As such, Hammers fans can (probably) safely keep their full attentions on the footy!

Meanwhile, the Hammers will want to get back to winning ways against a Sunderland side who are in crisis and start the match on the edge of the relegation zone. The teamsheets have just be released:

West Ham United XI: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Kouyate, Cresswell, Song, Noble, Nolan (c), Jarvis, Downing, Sakho
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Poyet, Amalfitano, Nene, Cole

Sunderland XI: Pantilimon, Reveillere, van Aanholt, O'Shea (c), Brown, Larsson, Gomez, Rodwell, Defoe, Wickham, Fletcher
Subs: Jones, Bridcutt, Johnson, Graham, Vergini, Watmore, Mannone

COYI!!!

Noble Would be a Sensational Capture for Ireland!

                                                                Just a few Irish lads having the craic

 

The mystifying exclusion of Mark Noble from the England set up took a new turn today with speculation across the media that the management team for the Republic of Ireland, Martin ‘Earnest-person’ O’Neill and Roy ‘Cuddly’ Keane, have finally persuaded the Hammers superstar to opt for the Republic.

West Ham fans have become increasingly perturbed as midfield maestro Mark Noble continues to be overlooked for England duty despite his consistently excellent performances as one of the few English-born midfielders in the Premiership and history of impressive contribution at underage level to the England set up. Moreover, the industrious Noble is consistently at the top of statistical ratings in respect of ground covered per game and goal scoring opportunities created by a midfielder.

Given the shortage of midfield talent in the current Irish squad, Noble would be a massive capture and would undoubtedly find himself in much demand rather than waiting for a sympathy call up from the myopic-minded Hodgson. Noble continues to be overlooked in favour of a variety of unknown kids and past-it geriatrics like  Stevie Gerrard. With Noble positioned beside the ever-improving James McCarthy the Republic would be a force to reckon with as they prepare for the European Championships campaign.

VerywestHam met with Noble in 2013 during the Hammers fabulous preseason tour to Ireland and, ironically, to Cork – apparently the birthplace of Mark’s grandmother, making him uber-eligible for the Irish National side. We took the opportunity to question Mark about a possible Irish call up but he opted to stay silent on the matter, raising our suspicions that it is to the forefront of his thoughts! No doubt the prospect of having some away days in the company of Joey O’Brien, and former Hammers, Robbie Keane and Stephen Henderson would appeal given that European football has eluded the Hammers for this year!

 

                                                     

                                                              Ah Go On, ah go on, Ah Go On!!!!

A representative close to the Irish Football Association of Ireland remarked, ‘we’ve been waiting to get revenge for the whole Rooney business – bloody mad that he was allowed to play for England given his obvious Irishness – and then there’s Kevin Nolan with the bloody map of Ireland written all over his face and his talents wasted on a country that wouldn’t even be bothered to give him a run out even when he was at his peak!’

                                                            Suspiciously Irish looking

Other Irish sources confirmed that they consider both ‘Morrison’ and ‘Carroll’ to be naturally Irish surnames, and that James Collins looks just like many young  farmers from Roscommon.

C'mon Ireland!!!