Another Injury But Feel That Silver Lining...

As West Ham prepare for their annual Wedgying away to Arsenal, a gap has appeared in the clouds - one with a definite silvery tinge!

Manuel Pellegrini announced that Captain Claret, Mark Noble, will be unavailable for the Arsenal game due to a back injury.

Like most Hammers fans, I love Nobes and despite his advancing years he can still bring a canny football brain to proceedings, as we witnessed during our relegation- dodging run in to last season!

However, as a midfield partner for Jack Wilshere, many observers expressed their concerns about a lack of pace in the West Ham engine room, and the displays against Liverpool and Bournemouth have suggested that their pessimism is well founded. It's no coincidence that Cheik Kouyate's dip in form last year coincided with a dwindling partnership with Noble.

The big question on everybody's lips is who will come in as a replacement? Pedro Obiang seems out of favour, while new recruit Carlos Sanchez is catching up on in match fitness. Personally, I hope Decky Rice comes in from the cold as his energy and physical presence can hopefully stunt Arsenal's free flowing midfield.

So far, Pellegrini has been tight lipped on the matter, but after a poor start to his tenure it looks like any number of changes are possible as we try to identify our best starting XI.

COYI!!!

Obiang Italian Exit Looming - is this a big mistake by Pellegrini?

Hammers best goal of the season?

Manuel Pellegrini has certainly brought a new broom with him to West Ham as they have already brought in 7 new players since the Summer transfer window opened. With a squad that is actually starting to bloat, it is becoming necessary to offload sone of our players to make space for further rumoured signings and to ensure financial fair play compliance.

One player who looks like he may not be staying for the Pellegrini revolution is Spanish midfielder, Pedro Obiang. Singned from Sampdoria in 2015 at age 23 he looked all set to boss our midfield after an excellent 2016/17 season but then suffered a nasty injury and missed most of the second half of the season last year.

However his return to the squad for important wins over Leicester and Everton where he came on to help seal a rare win over our bogey team was received with delight by fans. The sense amongst many fans is that next year will see him further develop feom these decent beginnings.

Now reports from Italy (Bergamo Corriere Della Sera) suggest that he may be going on a year long loan for 1 million to Serie A's Atalanta with a 9 million purchase clause if all goes well for him.

Many fans will ask if this is good business given that he is now reaching his peak at age 26 and is a proven Premiership performer who's main flaw has been to get injured last season. Otherwise, he has grown during his time at the Hammers and is a decent all rounder with good physical presence in a holding role, decent mobility, accurate passing and a good shot (as Spurs can attest to!). All said and done, he seems like an ideal Pellegrini player!

Let's hope these rumours are nonsense!

Player Ratings: West Ham vs Huddersfield

So, finally, West Ham picked up some points to get their season going in an entertaining game at the OS. In truth, the scoreline was a fair reflection of the action as the Hammers played all the football until Huddersfield pushed forward for a final ten minute flurry that ultimately fizzled out. Pedro Obiang and Andre Ayew scored the all important goals but overall how did each member of the team rate?

Hart (7/10) Looked confident throughout and was alert to the rare occasions when Huddersfield threatened, including a decent strike from Billing mid way through the game.

Reid (8/10) Solid throughout. He remains our best defender.

Cresswell (8/10) Looked back to his old self - tenacious in defence and pushed up at every opportunity. Not bad as our principal set piece taker.

Fonte (7/10) Quiet game - always a good sign for a centre back!

Zabaleta (8/10) Was determined to push the side forward at every opportunity by leading through example. Had his best game for the club so far.

Collins (7/10) Unlucky not to open the scoring in the first half. Dependable as always.

Kouyate (7/10) Lively, if a bit wasteful at times. Great to have him back as he adds energy in midfield.

Obiang (8/10) Lucky with a deflection for the goal but a real engine in midfield, keeping things flowing and maintaining pressure on Huddersfield.

Carroll (7/10) Brilliant to have him back. Decent performance and he looked hungry for action. 80 minutes - phew!

Hernandez (7/10) Rattled the bar in the first half when he should have scored. A few decent flicks that almost opened the Terriers up. Will be disappointed to have been subbed at the hour mark.

Antonio (9/10) MOTM - all he needed was a goal to get a 10/10. Aggressive, energetic and popped up on both wings - a real nightmare to mark.

Subs - Ayew (grabbed a Chicharito-style goal from a pinballed corner: 8/10), Sakho (lively for ten minutes: 7/10), Rice (only on long enough to touch the ball twice but good to see him in the picture still N/A).

Two goals, a clean sheet and the pressure off Mr Bilic - job done!

Lineker so right once again...

Well able for anything the Germans might throw at em

As Gary Lineker once remarked "Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win."

And so it was in the Betway cup yesterday afternoon where a youthful Hammers side dominated a lively encounter before ultimately going down 3-2 on aggregate. 

However, there were many talking points from the two legs as injuries to key players forced Slaven Bilic to field a side that was dominated by players who are on the fringes of the first team squad and, by and large, the youngsters took their opportunity to shine.

Top of the list was young Declan Rice. The Irishman may only be 17 years old but he already looks the part and put in two highly assured displays to build upon his Premiership debut at the end of last season. He seems to have jumped ahead of the two Reece's but only time will tell. With rumours that James Collins may be about to depart, maybe there is room for Rice in his preferred CB spot?

Nathan Holland also shone with his direct style that added considerable excitement to proceedings. At 19 he has plenty of time to make his full break through but on the basis of his preseason performances so far things could happen sooner rather than later. The departure of Sofiane Feghouli and continued disappointing form of Robert Snodgrass add weight to such a possibility.

Toni Martinez has been banging in the goals for the U23 PL2 team for some time and got to open his account yesterday with a delightful headed goal from Andre Ayew's delightful cross. Martinez is now 20 and is surely close to transitioning to the first team squad - that Ashley Fletcher was let go despite the continued injury issues with Carroll and Sakho suggests that SuperSlav may well be thinking of promoting Martinez this season?

Otherwise, Josh Cullen and Reece Burke also enjoyed decent performances, while amongst the more senior players Marko Arnautovic looks sharp and scored on his full debut. Hart and Zabaleta look to be settling in well, while at left back Arthur Masuaku seems to be winning the contest with Aaron Cresswell for the left back berth for the Premiership opener on August 13th against Man United. In midfield, it's good to see Pedro Obiang back to his energetic best and also assuming leadership responsibilities as Captain.

Next up it's off to Hamburg to face minnows Altona 93 where one assumes we can expect to see more of our developing talent and possibly a debut for CHicharito?  With our current injury situation whereby Lanzini, Noble, Kouyate, Reid, Antonio, Carroll and Sakho are all absent, we may well need some of the youngsters for the Old Trafford tie.

Hammers Ready to Sting Hornets

A Hammers win today for sure, Ted!

Thank God the FA Cup break is over - even though the heroics of Lincoln and (ahem) Millwall made for entertaining viewing, the absence of Hammers activity was frustrating. Anyhow, today Bilic's boys are heading across London to seek revenge against a Watford side that inflicted an embarrassing 4-2 defeat on the Hammers earlier in the season. Seemingly coasting at 2-0 up, West Ham then suddenly fell apart - with their defensive frailties cruelly exposed by the angry Hornets.

The word is that Superslav has been focusing on defensive training during the Dubai warm weather break and will be hoping to keep it tight at the back today. Presumably, jose Fonte and Woinston Reid will be getting well used to each other by now and

With ongoing debate about Andy Carroll's groin strain most experienced Hammers fans will wearily concede that the big man will be out again today. With Diafra Sakho still at least a fortnight short of returning, SuperSlav will probably go with Michail Antonio up top with Feghouli, Lanzini and Snodgrass supporting from midfield.

With Sam Byram back in the reckoning, Cheik Kouyate will move centrally into midfield with the unthinkable possible - Captain Claret on the bench!!! Word is that Bilic will stick with Darren Randolph in goal despite an under par performance against the Baggies that allowed two soft goals to the otherwise totally outplayed visitors to the London Stadium a fortnight ago.

'Mystic' Mark gave Hammers fans a prematch boost by predicting that Watford will coast home by two clear goals at 2-0. Meanwhile, Paddy Poormaker agrees giving odds of 15/8 against a Hammers win - even though Slav's troops have won six of their last ten games, including three away wins!

Maura Zarate may get the chance to say hello to his former team mates as he is available for the Hornet, while Pedro Obiang will be looking to impress in front of his former Fiorentina boss now governing Watford, Walter Mazzarri.

Obiang Heavily Criticised after Southampton Showing

A pathetic 2/10 for Pedro

He may have picked up the MOTM award for a performance of relentless domination and that included a Payet-esque assist followed by his first goal for the club, but Pedro Obiang left Hammers fans in disbelief and disappointment with his strangely limp goal celebration.

After failing to find the onion sack in his previous 54 appearances, he had taken on the Guy Demel position of mystery goal celebration man! Demel, who managed a single goal in 76 appearances turned out to have a chest thumping celebration routine that was awarded a modest 4/10 by a special football theatrics panel.

Many fans had speculated that Demel might have a Victor Obinna-style somersault routine and were disappointed by the lack of creativity displayed  by the Ivorian right back. Similarly, Obiang seemed to freeze and just wait for his teammates to bail him out by surrounding him with hugs and the like. Pedro's stoicism was all the more surprising given that the strike was from well outside the box and perfectly placed beyond Fraser Forster in the Saints goal.

Bilic and co will really have to look at the intensity of goal celebrations on the training ground next week as its clear that the Hammers are free scoring ever since the burden of always having to pass the ball to Dimitri ended.

Obiang will be pleased with his goal as it cemented a series of excellent performances over the past 6 weeks that have seen him rise from utility player to  definite first team starter.

Let's hope there are many more goals to follow and that he works on his celebration routine!

Are You Ready For A Ripsnorter?

A definite ripsnorter!

The word for the day today at dictionary.com is Ripsnorter or 'something remarkably wild and exciting' and that's what awaits at White Hart Lane today. Hammers fans have to grudgingly admit that the current Spurs squad is strong, but SuperSlav's men relish getting a pop at opponents who fancy themselves and will be hoping to show the form that recently tamed Chelsea.

With Captain Mark Noble on a suspension, Bilic has a big call to make in terms of his midfield and whether he should persist with the back three set up which has steadied our previously very leaky defence. Central to that call will be the fitness of Reid / Collins to team up with Angelo Ogbonna and, of course, whether Cheik Kouyate should be pushed further forward to add some bite to our attack.

Young Edmilisen Fernandes has done really well since forcing his way into the starting XI. Despite being shifted around the formation, his close control has stood to him and today could well see him given a role somewhat like Ravel Morrison had in the famous 3-0 thrashing of three years ago. It will be a huge day for Pedro Obiang as he will have the opportunity to develop upon a string of decent performances of late but with Nobes in the stands on this occasion Obiang will be the conductor of our midfield orchestra .

Just how Bilic uses Michail Antonio today remains a mystery! Right Back, Right wing, Striker, Goalkeeper? Who knows except the Croat himself! Andre Ayew may get the responsibility up top with Antonio at wing back, but there is also the Diafra Sakho factor to consider as a possibility. Mr Sakho seriously damaged his popularity at the club last year and may well be just being prepared for a January exit, but many fans would love to see him properly back in the picture at West Ham. We expect him to come off the bench for the final fifteen .

In the goals there is also much to ponder with Darren Randolph really pushing for a starting role. Adrian is a great keeper but he has become erratic this season and may have cooked his goose with a poor display against Stoke.

And then there's a certain Dimi Payet who quite likes a big stage to demonstrate his unusual skillset!

The good news for Hammers fans is that Mystic Mark Lawrenson has predicted that we will lose.

Probable Starting XI: Randolph, Antonio, Reid, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Obiang, Lanzini , Payet, Ayew.

 

Vitality Teamsheets: Big Opportunity for Pedro

The starting lineups for the Hammers visit to Bournemouth's Vitality stadium are in. While the Cherries will be looking to build on their improved recent form, West Ham are unbeaten in eight and now pushing again for a European spot. The Cherries have boldly decided to start newboy and record signing Benik Afobe, but have left their two other new transfer window acquisitions on the bench (Juan Iturbe and Lewis Grabban).

With Cheikidh Kouyate still recovering from injury and Alex Song struggling to recover his optimal form, the Hammers have given a start to David Gold's MOTM against Wolves last weekend, Pedro Obiang. The positive signs are that Obiang is starting to fully acclimatise to the Premiership and tonight represents a big opportunity for him to impress.



Not so long ago!

Otherwise, the Cherries will hope that Hammer's Academy graduate Junior Stanislas can continue his good form against his old club. With 5 goals in 14 appearances so far this season he seems to be finally realising the potential he showed as a youth at West Ham.
Enner Valencia is fit, thus providing the Hammers with a variety of attacking options as he lines out alongside Payet, Antonio and Andy Carroll.

The Hammers will be looking to make a better start than in the Upton Park meeting in August when a series of laughable defensive gaffs left them chasing the game. Of note, their reconfigured defence has performed so well of late that there is no automatic starting spot for the returning Winston Reid. Similarly, a measure of Slav's perception of Carl Jenkinson's rehabilitation is evident in the continued use of James Tomkins as a makeshift right back.

Can Bournemouth cope with the pace and power of Valencia and Antonio, the physicality of Carroll and the craft of Payet?.....No. Unlike media footie expert Mark Lawrenson, who has predicted defeats for West ham in 14 of 16 games this season, We predict 3-1 to the visitors!


Starting XIs:

WEST HAM UNITED: Adrian, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang, Noble (c), Antonio, Payet, Valencia, Carroll. Substitutes: Darren Randolph, Carl Jenkinson, Reece Oxford, Winston Reid, Josh Cullen, Alexandre Song, Nikica Jelavic.

BOURNEMOUTH: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Gosling, Surman, Arter, Daniels, Smith, Stanislas, Afobe, Ritchie. Substitutes: Adam Federici, Sylvain Distin, Eunan O'Kane, Marc Pugh, Lewis Grabban, Juan Iturbe, Glenn Murray.