Clear As Mud: Hammers InVARiably Lose Out in Latest Fiasco

OOogh - that looks like a deflection to me!

Friday night's clash between arch-rivals Sheffield United and West Ham was a thriller. The blades came out full of intent and dominated the first 20 minutes but thereafter West Ham slowly took control, playing some nice football and dominating possession. However, the game changed suddenly on 53 minutes when a slack goal kick by stand in keeper David Martin let the Blades in for a simple goal. The Hammers huffed and puffed before Declan Rice decided enough was enough and went on a surging run through the centre, slipping a  neat pass out to Robert Snodgrass to rifle the ball home against the post for a late late equaliser.  Pure Hollywood as the Hammers celebrated with much abandon.

Ant then those buzzwreckers at VAR decided it was handball as in a desperate attempt to dispossess Rice, John Egan had headed the ball against the Hammers player's upper arm. No big deal, usually....BUT the goal was overturned.

Interestingly, many observers have commented that the call was harsh but correct - however, a quick look at the Premiership Website (see below)  suggests that it's far from that simple! The ball went directly from Egan's head onto Rice - surely that's a deflection???

With the Hammers now firmly top of the table for VAR decisions that have gone against any club you have to wonder if the lost point might prove crucial as the season unfolds!



The International Football Association Board (IFAB) updated the Laws of the Game for the 2019/20 season stating:

Handballs


Any goal scored or created with the use of the hand or arm will be disallowed this season even if it is accidental. The handball rule now has extra clarity because it does not consider intent by a player.

BUT:

Deflections

Premier League players will be allowed extra leeway when it comes to ricocheted handballs.  It is often impossible to avoid contact with the ball if it has deflected off the body of an opponent, team-mate, or even another part of the own player. So a handball will not be awarded if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from their own head/body/foot or the head/body/foot of another player who is close/nearby.

Julien's Faux pas #5

With a home game with Watford looming, the Hammers faithful are watching the record books closely as Mr Pellegrini's project is starting to hit top gear. With previously out of favour players like Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio in top form under the gentleman's stewardship, anything seems possible at West ham right now.

Watford, however, have been tricky foes for the Hammers in recent years with 6 defeats, 3 draws and 3 wins in our last 12 encounters with the Hornets! That said, after a great start to the season it looks like sides have rumbled how to overcome Javi Gracia's troops as they have lost four and won only one of their last seven games.

Either way, these are exciting times at the London Stadium..... It may not be Upton Park, but we have a huge stadium, a great squad and an astute manager, and the team play attractive attacking footie.

Credit where credit is due, the board have really turned things around.

 

Pellegrini has saved West Ham Gazillions with his astute Man Management

West Ham were one of the big spenders of last Summer splashing out over £100 million to strengthen a squad that was stale and lacking in the creativity needed to give fans their beloved 'West Ham Way' of football.

David Moyes had done a good job in steadying the ship and had cleverly repositioned Marko Arnautovic into a central role. However, the board decided that they needed to think big and brought in one of the World's top managers in Manuel Pellegrini.

The Chilean endured a difficult start with four straight defeats to welcome him back into the ruthless environment of the Premiership. But even as the media swarmed, sensing a possible sacking, Pelle stood firm about his plans and his style.

Wind forward to December and the Hammers are rocking - looking at possibly seizing sixth place by the end of Christmas and with a squad that is full of performing talent.

Few managers could have handled losing the likes of Lanzini, Reid and Yarmolenko, but Pellegrini has helped underperforming players like Michail Antonio and Robert Snodgrass rediscover their mojo. Both are looking back to their best and scoring goals having weathered confidence problems in front of the West Ham faithful.

Patiently, he has reintroduced them to the squad while maintaining a ruthlessness around selection. In short, Pellegrini rewards good performances and is ultra quick in dealing with substandard play. He is one of the few Premiership managers who has the courage to replace players at half time if things are not working out and has turned a number of games around with astute decision making.

Add to that the remarkable growth of Rice and Diangana and its pretty clear that Pelle has boosted the value of our squad considerably. The whole Premiership want to try and prise Anderson and Diop from the London Stadium but you get the sense that Pellegrini's relationship with his players is strong enough to allow them to stay at the London Stadium and to believe in the West Ham story - one that looks set to rise and rise in 2019!

With the January window about to open who would have thought in early September that the Hammers would be mostly disinterested in bringing in new players (apart from a Midfielder and a right back perhaps!). We didn't get to see much of Carlos Sanchez before his unfortunate injury but given how all the other signings have worked out you would speculate that he will be another diamond!

Happy days!!!

COYI!!!

 

Julien's Faux Pas #4

Another day of happiness was had at the London Stadium yesterday as West Ham put more distance between now and the dark times of last season. We no longer have Payet, Tomkins and Kouyate, but instead have Anderson, Diop and Rice. As for pitch invasions, the atmosphere has evolved and the place truly exploded when Filipe Anderson curled in West Ham's third just going to show that good football and some success helps to heal most wounds.

COYI!!!

Player ratings as West Ham come from behind to beat Palace

Bubbles the Bulldog was there to witness a great comeback from his beloved Hammers after they had trailed 0-1 at half time, running out 3-2 victors. Here's what he thought of the West Ham players on the day:

Lukasz Fabianski - 7

For once caught out and he was slow to react and come out to clear the danger as Palace got a soft opener. Otherwise looked assured with good distribution. Could do nothing about Palace's free kick that clanged off the crossbar just before half time or for Schlupp's goal.

Pablo Zabaleta - 7

Blessed with a wise old footballing head, Pablo looked solid in defence throughout and added to the forwards momentum with some ambitious runs in the second half. Was unlucky not to score with a deflected scorcher early in the second half.

Issa Diop - 7

Booked in the first half for a 'necessary' challenge on a marauding Andros Townsend and came close to a second yellow just before half time for a crude lunge on the edge of the Hammers box. Otherwise, was solid and dominant, as usual!

Fabian Balbuena - 7

Solid throughout with plenty of sound decision making and a determination to pass out from the back. Looks to have a great Hammers career ahead of him.

Arthur Masuaku - 6

Looked a bit shaky for the first 20 minutes as things were just not going his way. Might have done better to clear the ball for Palace's opener. Grew into his role as the game progressed and had a fine second half opening up space on the left and whipping in a fine cross that Chicharito should have converted late on. Arthur is a player of extremes!

Declan Rice - 8

Outstanding once again. You constantly have to wonder how a 19 year old can look so assured in the holding midfield role? Numerous important tackles and always in the action when needed. He plays like a young Bryan Robson or even Roy Keane depending on which country you think he will ultimately opt for!

Mark Noble - 7

Another big performance from Captain Claret. Might have done better from a few good attacking positions in the first half but keeps us ticking over and makes sure that heads don't drop when things go against us.

Robert Snodgrass - 8

What a rehabilitation for a player who bacame an outcast last season. Looked like the player we paid £10 million to Hull for three years ago as he zipped about the pitch and created numerous chances. He will be delightwd to have scored the goal that turned the tide with a classy curling finish just after half time.

Felipe Anderson -9.

Our MOTM. A constant threat throughout with jis nimble footed play tjat creates opening after opening. Topped a cracking performance off with a stunning goal on 65 minutes that looped over Hennessy and will surely win him goal of the month for the Hammers in December? He is now our top scorer this season with six goals to his name.

Lucas Perez - 6

In and out of the action in the first half but largely ineffective and will have fallen back down the pecking order after Carroll's impact. Harsh to be substituted so early but Pelle is ruthless and the change worked.

Javier Hernandez - 8

Looked lively throughout if caught (? unfairly) for two offsides early on when we looked to be building momentum. Looked very comfortable alongside Big Andy in the second half and picked up a trademark poachers goal as Hennessy spilled Anderson's rasping free kick. Almost bagged a second from Masuaku's excellent cross soon after that. A good days work!

Substitutes

Andy Carroll (for Perez, 46') - 8

Created a palpable sense of fear in the Palace derfence and won the free kick that led to Hernandez's goal. Adds plenty of muscle when defending set pieces as well. Great to see him back in action.

Grady Diangana (for Hernandez 75') - 6

Brings a frisson of excitement to proceedings but we were reminded of the naivity of youth as he lost Schlupp to allow Palace's second goal. He will learn!

Pedro Obiang for (Anderson, 84') - 7

A solid 10 minutes as he helped us see the game out.

What a bench!

 

 

The irritation of trying to get something out of Manchester City has been completed and now the season really begins in earnest as the Hammers face a series of very winnable fixtures.

 

Starting today away to Newcastle, we the play Cardiff City (H), Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A), Watford (H), Southampton (A), Burnley (A), and then Brighton (H) on the 2nd of January.

 

Anything less than ten points from those games would propel the Hammers into a relegation dog fight but with the return of Carroll, Wilshere and Noble things are looking positive.

 

Today, Pellegrini has again demonstrated his ruthlessness by making wholesale changes to the starting XI with Masuaku and Obiang dropped to the bench and Grady Diangana off the squad. Noble and Snodgrass come in along with a rare start for Chicharito.

 

Newcastle leapfrogged West Ham last week and are on a run of three straight wins. It's tight odds with the bookies with Newcastle at 6/4, West ham at 9/4 and the draw at 2/1. West ham's subs bench is possibly as strong as it has ever been so we can expect Pelle to shake it up if things don't go our way early on.

 

 

Starting XI: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell, Felipe Anderson, Rice, Noble (C), Snodgrass, Chicharito, Arnautovic.

 Subs: Adrian, Masuaku, Ogbonna, Obiang, Wilshere, Lucas Perez, Carroll

Lanzini Benched as Snoddy Gets Full Debut for Hammers

Sam Byram is out and its back to makeshift defence for Bilic's men. Manny Lanzini is relegated to the bench as Robert Snodgrass gets his full debut. Southampton's big January signing Manolo Gabbiadini starts.

West Ham United
1. Darren Randolph
8. Cheikhou Kouyate
2. Winston Reid
23. Jose Fonte
30. Michail Antonio
14. Pedro Obiang
16. Mark Noble
3. Aaron Cresswell
7. Sofiane Feghouli
9. Andy Carroll
11. Robert Snodgrass
Subs: 10. Manuel Lanzini, 13. Adrian, 19. James Collins, 24. Ashley Fletcher, 28. Jonathan Calleri
31. Edimilson Fernandes, 36. Domingos Quina

Southampton
1. Fraser Forster
2. Cedric Soares
24. Jack Stephens
3. Maya Yoshida
21. Ryan Bertrand
16. James Ward-Prowse
14. Oriol Romeu
8. Steven Davis
19. Sofiane Boufal
20. Manolo Gabbiadini
9. Jay Rodriguez
Subs
4. Jordy Clasie
5. Florin Gardos
7. Shane Long
22. Nathan Redmond
23. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
28. Stuart Taylor
38. Sam McQueen

City at Full Strength While Parker is Out for West Ham

There was a time (2007-2012 to be precise) when the absence of Captain Fantastic Scott Parker would have been devastating to West Ham's chance of getting a result. However, time moves on, and it's the absence of Peter Parker AKA Spiderman that threatens the Hammers hopes of getting a smile out of tonight's clash with the Blue Moonies.


The last time the Moonies visited the London stadium they dished out an almighty 5-0 hiding to a lacklustre Hammers. The night that had virtually nothing to redeem it until in the 87th minute two pranksters entered the field dressed as Spiderman and a generic cosplayer and proceeded to re-enact Man City's soft penalty that opened their account and tilted what had been a tight game up until then in their favour. 


With pitch invasion now condemned by the authorities and legally considered equivalent to trespassing since 1991, Spidey and his mate await their punishment and are unlikely to be in any position to offer a repeat performance to cheer the crowd if Man City produce another demolition job. with Aguero and Toure both fit and ready to play, it'll be a baptism of fire for Fonte and Snodgrass (can we call him Snods or Snoddy yet?)

BTW even at the grand old age of 36 years and three months Scott Parker is still putting in the performances for Fulham - more than 20 so far this season!

As for VERYWESTHAM, we'll be watching the game from Leamington before going to see top Man City fan Mark E Smith and the fall bash out a few tunes. Word is that the Fall are on stage at 9.45....that should give them just enough time to catch Michail Antonio's injury time winner?


Confirmed Teams:

West Ham: Randolph, Byram, Reid, Fonte, Cresswell, Noble, Obiang, Feghouli, Lanzini, Antonio, Carroll. Subs: Adrian, Snodgrass, Collins, Fletcher, Calleri, Fernandes, Quina

Manchester City: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov, De Bruyne, Toure, Sane, Silva, Jesus. Subs: Bravo, Kompany, Zabaleta, Aguero, Navas, Delph, Fernandinho

 

 



 

Are West Ham Still Slipping Backwards?

Looking back to November it was abundantly clear that our Summer transfer campaign had failed miserably. With Andy C out again on the sick list, leaving a bunch of hapless strikers who hadn't managed a goal between them and our woes further compounded by a defence that had lost its confidence after trying to compensate for a San Andreas faultline at right back, Hammers faithful took solace in the looming January transfer window and the opportunity to bring in some new recruits.

Then came a couple of (very) scrappy wins and we dragged ourselves out of the relegation zone until Arsenal and both Manchester sides delivered thorough spankings to bring us back to reality. Then Dimitri Payet went loco...

Since then we have circled the wagons and found a couple of decent results, but the cracks remain. At right back Sam Byram has returned and so far looks decent, but he's inexperienced and we have no back up plan apart from the Michail Antonio crazymadness option. Hmmm. Up front we got rid of Zaaaaaaaaza and Calleri may possibly depart (let's face it - his breakthrough goal came by virtue of a fortuitous deflection) leaving just Ashley Fletcher as back up to Andy Sicknote. Again, Fletcher is a prospect but he's still a kid.

Still we look to have captured Robert Snodgrass - a decent signing but hardly up to Payet standards. And then there's Jose Fonte - clearly recruited to allow Angelo Ogbonna to get a much-needed operation. In reality, we have fallen further backwards in the past month and have done nothing to address the screaming deficits at right back and striker positions.

Still there's 5 days still to go before the curtain descends. David Gold tweeted today that you never know what you might get before the fat lady sings.......Take your time you oversized chanteuse, we've got work to do!

Snoddy goes Claret and Blue - But which club?

Unlikely to ever paly on the same team?

It is clear that Hull have agreed a £10 million fee for their top goal scorer and tormentor-in-chief Robert Snodgrass. Reports indicate that both West Ham and Burnley have agreed to meet the fee which essentially leaves it down to the fine detail and Snodgrass' own preferences to determine where he will move to.

The smart money is thus on a move south as with Dimitri Payet almost certainly on the move and Sofiane Feghouli still an uncertain force, West Ham clearly have room for attacking midfielders who can play out wide.

For Hull, in one sense the transfer is a good deal as Snodgrass has only 6 months left on his contract and at 29 is no spring chicken. However, Hull will need to find reinforcements quickly if they are to avoid the drop as they will miss Snodgrass' goals having only managed 11 goals outside of his 9 strikes this season.

Both Burnley and West Ham will see Snodgrass' arrival as further insulation against any lingering relegation worries. With the current Table it seems likely that 38 points will easily be enough to ensure safety which both clubs should reach with ease as they are 10 points (Burnley) and 12 points (West Ham) above the drop zone at present..

Snodgrass has been a consistent performer over the years for Leeds, Norwich and Hull with his direct style bringing an average of just over a goal every five games. Moreover, his ability from free kicks will be a big asset for West Ham in the post Payet era.

Overall, this looks like a decent signing for the Hammers, albeit at an inflated January window price.

Transfer Odds for PAYExiT and Hammers targets - Downing to return?

The bookies are always right in the end, aren't they? As we enter the crucial phase of the January transfer window its worth taking a look at Paddy Poormaker's odds about Mr Payet's future - Top of the list as his next club (purchase or loan) at 4/6 on are Marseille, followed by PSG at 13/5. Then come Premiership rivals with Arsenal (14/1), Chelsea (16/1) and Man United at 20/1. After that it's Juventus (20/1), Any Chinese club (25/1) and Barcelona at 33/1. Despite their widely reported interest in the Summer, Real Madrid are at 50/1. 

If you're betting on this you've got a gambling problem

Payet's fascination with a return to Marseille is strange - particularly when one considers that he was only there for two years and did not enjoy anything like the success he has found at West Ham. Moreover, the fans have mixed feelings about a return.  

Otherwise, West Ham are reckoned to be in the hunt for quite a few players  before the window closes - Robert Snodgrass at 4/7, Joe Hart at 10/11, Cesc Fabregas at 6/4,  Jermain Defoe at 6/4, Daniel Sturridge at 3/1, Bojan Krkic at 9/2, Moussa Dembele at 7/1 and Marouane Fellaini at 10/1.

In one interesting possibility, Stewart Downing - our last player like Payet to want a transfer back home  - is quoted at just 2/1 to return as he has dropped well down the pecking order at Middlesboro. However, unlike Payet, Downing managed his departure with dignity and is fondly remembered by fans.


 

Payet to Stay as Snodgrass switches to Marseille!

More evidence of a conspiracy

Ok, so maybe it's a crazy thought! However, consider this - Marseille deny that they have had any part in unsettling Payet and are merely in the market for an attacking midfielder. Meanwhile, Hammers fans are becoming increasingly irritated by their transfer antics as it is widely believed that Marseille area  cash-rich club who could readily afford the asking price for Payet. The latest rumour is that Marseille are creeping towards the required £30 million and are preparing a fourth offer. C'est ridiculeuse, n'est pas?

Actually, no. Spare a thought for poor old Hull fans. Just like Olympic Marseille, West Ham are preparing a fourth bid for Robert Snodgrass as they edge towards his £10 million valuation. Clearly the Hammers have the cash having dodged the Zaa Zaa compulsory £20 million purchase clause, but are playing scrooge with Hull - a club who will desperately need reinforcements if their top scorer leaves and will want any business concluded in time to allow for a replacement to arrive.

West Ham and Marseille - perhaps not so different? Maybe Snodgrass should just go to the French side while Payet can make his apologies and earn the £1 million loyalty bonus he received only a few months back. If he starts banging in a few goals then one suspects that many fans would forgive him (Ed: actually that's unlikely as only 10% of fans would keep him in our PAYExiT poll!).

The other trouble with this theory is that with the way we are playing at the moment Dimitri wouldn't get back into the side!