What Would Bobby Do?

Yes indeedy folks- the turnout in the fans' poll continues to grow and grow as the Hammers faithful voice their opinions on the best option for West Ham as we move to a new season and ever closer to the Olympic Stadium era. This looks likely to be the greatest show of democracy in the club's history.

But how would Bobby have voted were he here today?

If you haven't voted yet, time is running out and you need to cast your vote now!

www.surveymonkey.com/s/F6HN5LJ

Hammers Face Thorny Trip to Albion in dogfight between the Westies



Our expert responds to suggestions that Sam might chnage his tactics

While Hammers fans have continued to reassure eachother that they are safe from relegation for this season, they still need a result to make that statistically correct and with games rapidly running out, will be keen to finally put any lingering doubts to bed. Albion, meanwhile, are up to their necks in trouble resting just above the drop zone with the clubs below them suddenly pulling out all sorts of amazing results.

 

The clash of these sides earlier in the season was a remarkable encounter as a makeshift Hammers defence was savaged by Le Sulk who celebrated with 'that' gesture. The rest has been done to death and ultimately much of the Baggies woe stems from the failure of Anelka to deliver the crucial strikes that would have earned them the couple of wins they have needed to be clear of the relegation lottery.

Instead, they have stuttered along as draw specialists, unable to kill off games. If they do get sucked into the bottom three come season's finale, they will surely also look to the ridiculous late penalty award that robbed them of a victory against Chelsea back in November. Neutrals, however, may point to the managerial chaos that followed Steve Clarke's dismissal as a key element in their difficulties - a theme that has characterised the relagation battle this year with only Crystal Pulis smiling after opting for radical managerial intervention. Sticking with Allardyce during the December crisis looks like a wise call by the West Ham directors but the future looks set to see this issue revisited. 
 
The speculation over Big Sam's future continues to gather momentun and is set to be informed by a massive poll of fans regarding his suitability to remain at the helm next year. results of this poll are set to be announced soon after it closes on Sunday evening - so if you haven't voted yet, it's a good time to have your say. The survey takes less than a minute and you can access it at

 

 www.surveymonkey.com/s/F6HN5LJ 

 
The teamsheets suggest that both sides are going to throw themselves at this one - the Baggies have the lowest number of victories this season, mainly due to their capacity to leak goals in the final ten minutes, while the Hammers early season defensive parsimony has disappeared as they are now 9 games without a clean sheet. Interestingly, Norbert McShitstats, our in-house dweeb has informed us that over the 97 previous contests between these two sides, the goal tally is 157 apiece!

Guy Demel returns at right back, while it's disappointment for Pablo Armero who is dropped and Georgie McCartney take up the honours at left back. With the pace of Albion down the flanks, and the desire to get a better look at Armero with a view to a more permanent move in the Summer, this seems a strange decision.

The 'Westies' have it out

A point would be reassuring but Albion's greater needs may prevail. Hmmm. Downing to break his Hammers duck in a 2-2 thriller?
 
West Ham: Adrian, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney, Nolan, Noble, Diame, Jarvis, Carroll, Downing
West Brom: Foster, Reid, Dawson, Olsson, Jones, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Brunt, Sessegnon, Berahino 

Mr T has a message for all REAL West Ham fans...

If you haven't voted yet, make sure to do so as soon as possible as the poll ends on Sunday!

Vote at : https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F6HN5LJ

 

BTW, he also aint got no time for Jibba Jabba, so just do it!!!

Vote or die!!! Hammers look to South American way...

You heard it!!!

As the newly formed Hammers Media Consortium launched a poll examining fans views regarding the future management of the club, sources have indicated that they may be considering enforcing compulsory voting for all 'proper' Hammers' fans. Just like the world's premier footie nations of Brazil and Argentina, the east end outfit favour mandatory voting in an effort to embrace the exciting prospect of actual democracy at the club!!!

 

Although death is among the punishments threatened for non-compliant fans, it is thought that the additional punishment of enforced and repetitive scrutiny of the 2006 Cup final penalty shoot out interspersed with images of Frank Lampard's 100 greatest goals selection will 'encourage' most sensible Hammers fans to engage with the poll - although it is thought that Amnesty international are investigating this particularly horrifying and viciously annoying form of torture.

Unneccessarily cruel punishment

Meanwhile, in a crafty plan to 'out' any Millwall fans posing as Hammers faithful, the Kartel have included a question canvassing fans views of the Hammers greatest previous manager - with any votes for Avram Grant immediately excluding respondents from any further participation.

Are Millwall in the third flight yet or not just yet?

Otherwise, all eyes are on whether computer hackers can access the personal accounts of Hammers stars past and present to identify how they are voting, in what will surely turn out to be the greatest demonstration of footie democracy in the modern era!

Err...probably a spoiled vote?

If you haven't voted yet, make sure to do so as soon as possible as the poll ends on Sunday!

Vote at : https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F6HN5LJ

Should Sam Allardyce be retained as West Ham manager next season?

Social media gives West Ham fans a voice. Sometimes that voice makes uncomfortable listening for those in power. Hundreds of thousands of us use social media to vent our views on all things West Ham most days of the week. It’s rare that we all come together as one but in a unique, probably one-off initiative, virtually all the most popular West Ham sites, blogs and forums have decided to come together and run a unique poll on Sam Allardyce's future. It asks one significant question:

Should Sam Allardyce be retained as West Ham manager next season?

The participating sites are listed below. Between the sites we probably have more than a quarter of a million unique users each month between us. Maybe many more. We hope as many supporters as possible will take part. You will also be asked how often you go to a game, your age and where you live, just to ensure transparency and so we can't be derided as armchair supporters who never watch a game.


Please only take part in this poll if you are a supporter of West Ham United Football Club. And please only vote once. Multiple votes will be rejected by the polling software. Each of the participating sites will publish the results of the poll simultaneously next week. The results will also be forwarded to David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady. Please spread the word and encourage all your West Ham supporting friends to register their vote.

The survey can be accessed by clicking on this link.

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F6HN5LJ

Blowing Bubbles, Claret & Blues, Claret & Hugh, Forever West Ham, Iron Views, KUMB, Moore Than Just a Club, Very West Ham, West Ham Online, West Ham Till I Die, West Ham World

Hammers Enter the Crystal Maze

What is going on? Palace were no hopers when Pulis took over - with only seven points and sinking fast under the likeable, if occasionally foolish, Ian Holloway. Suddenly they are safe and, even worse, arrive at the Boleyn having already overcome the Hammers finest efforts earlier in the season and also on the back of a whopping four straight victories (is that a record for the Eagles in the top flight?)

Truly Tony Pulis deserves recognition for his immense efforts to transform an apparently  substandard squad into genuine Premiership contenders. Depending on Brendan Rodgers ultimate achievements, Pulis may have earned manager of the season!

The key to Pulis' success has been a familiar one - excellent organisation at the back, and fast counterattacking - perfectly set up for today's clash where the Hammers will be looking to dominate and must be careful not to get caught on the break.

And then there's Maroanne Chamakh - abject at Arsenal, hopeless at West Ham, and now a reasonable attacking option, and as Hammers fans will recall, the difference between the sides when they met in December. Interestingly, West ham have only one one of their last 6 matches with the Eagles. Even stranger, only 4 of their starting XI in December will start today.

Our prediction is that Big Sam will be looking for revenge and knows the Pulis method only too well to be fooled into playing too far forward against a side that relies upon space when they break from defence for most of their goals. Despite both sides apparent safety from any relegation fears, we expect a dour affair between two chess grandmasters who will relish the opportunity to outwit eachother in a game of attrition.

Hmmmm: 1-1. Carroll and Chamakh to score.

Every Football fan should read this...NOW!!!

As the footballing community comes to terms with the untimely death of 20 year old West Ham player Dylan Tombides after a 30 month battle with testicular cancer, we reflect upon a condition that has doubled in frequency over recent years. While there will be a minute of applause in Tombides honour before today's game, perhaps this time could be used to reflect upon key information that can help reduce the risk from this condition. For all men, regular self-examination is crucial to beating this condition – here are five key facts to consider:

ʘ Each year in the UK just over 2,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer. It is the most common type of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 44 and the rate has doubled over the last 30 years.

ʘ The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling in one of the testicles. This is typically about the size of a pea, but may be larger. Less than 5% of testicular lumps are cancerous, but a lump should always be investigated – go to your GP asap!

ʘ The best way to combat testicular cancer is for all men to self-examine their testicles at least monthly – during or after a shower is an ideal time.

ʘ Examine each testicle with both hands. Place the index and middle fingers under the testicle with the thumbs placed on top. Roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers. It’s normal for one testicle to be slightlylarger than the other. Also, the epididymis is a soft tube behind the testicle that collects and carries sperm - if you are practiced at self-examination, this shouldn’t be mistaken for a lump.

Probably best done in private

ʘ And remember, even if you do find something sinister, testicular cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer. Over 95% of men with early stage testicular cancer will be completely cured. Even cases where the cancer has spread outside the testicles to nearby tissue have an 80% chance of being cured.