Go on..take a sneaky peek,- its Hammers new jersey (probably)

In developments that will shock and amaze Hammers fans, the proposed new strip breaks with longstanding tradition by adding two claret diamonds to the sleeves.

Otherwise, its all Bobby Moore era to mark the final year at the Boleyn.

Thankyou to Paximus and the rest of the ladies down at the fashion design shop for their hard work. Pity to spoil it with the Betway logo.

What do you think? Will it become a fashion accessory that fans of other clubs envy and resent.

At times like this you have to feel sorry for Fans of Spurs and Fulham who have the most boringly boringest jerseys in London.

It's the Wounded versus the Weary as West Ham and Sunderland discover the Harsh Truth about Squad Depth



Each year, the transfer windows provide all sorts of excitement and for clubs with even a modicum of ambition, the inevitable arrival of a handful of potential 'legends'. The top signings prov=oke all sorts of speculation and fantasy, but in reality, these newbies often take time to settle in, especially if they hail from foreign leagues where the pace and physicality is often considerably less than the Premiership. And even as these hopefuls arrive, the more average players get quietly pushed down the squad rankings. The upshot is, that when everyone is fit and available, most sides can put out a first eleven that on its day will have a rattle at beating most of their Premiership competitors.

However, as the season reaches its final third, the clubs with less resources find themselves having to dip deeper and deeper into the squad. As a consequence, the points haul during the run in is often decided more by how good the Matt Jarvis' and Joey O'Brien's perform, rather than whether Alex Song or Diafra Sakho hit top gear. At Christmas, Hammers fans were outraged to learn that despite the Hammers fourth-placed position,both Arsenal and LIverpool were still predicted to finish 15 plus points ahead of them in the final table. But let's face it - as we look to Matt and Joey and the like, they can rely on World Cup stars to come in and do a shift.

And so it is for tommorrow's clash wioth Sunderland - both sides are missing half of their preferred starting XIs. For West Ham, our fate may well be decided by the performances of a makeshift centre back pairing and whether Carlton Cole can produce something up front. Sunderland, meanwhile, will probably be forced to do battle without John O’Shea, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Cattermole, with the under a cloud Adam Johnson possibly thrown into action in a desperate bid to produce something incisive up front.

Next Summer, look out for the movement down the squad as well as the marque signings - these squadfillers are the ones we ultimately rely on to get the results when the chips are really down!

COYI!!!

 

Clarkson in Pole Position to Replace Allardyce

With Sam Allardyce's exit from the hot seat at West Ham seeming increasingly inevitable, bookies have begun to speculate as to a suitable replacement. A myriad of possible managers have been suggested - from David Moyes to Slaven Bilic, but top sports psychobabbleologists have suggested that, having become dependent upon being governed by a big arrogant authoritarian figure, similar qualities in any replacement would lend themselves to a smooth transition for the emotionally-fragile playing staff.


With that in mind, the free and available Jeremy Clarkson has been mooted as the ideal candidate. Larger than life, bombastic and handy at pugilistic enforcement if needed, it has been suggested that he could readily fill the shoes of big Sam. Moreover, the desire that any new manager would add flamboyance to the current 'efficient but on the dull side' Ford Mondeo-like squad would be more than welcome as the East End giants try to rediscover the West Ham way.


Clarkson's odds were slashed when he was spotted at the recent West Ham versus Chelsea game on what was in all likelihood a scouting mission. Moreover, other sources have revealed that Messers Gold and Sullivan have commissioned Ferrari to provide a signing-on softener for the automotive fanatic.




However, Clakson's appointment would not come without it's problems. Having little or no knowledge of basic football tactics could be an issue, although this did not prevent Avram Grunt from occupying the role for a whole season of entertainment. Perhaps more problematic would be his well documented difficulties working with Argentinians. This could prove to be a serious obstacle in working with Mauro Zarate who, it is rumoured, will be paired with fellow Argie and Hammer's legend Carlos Tevez when he returns to the Premiership next season!

What do you think - could Jezza do a job for the Hammers?

 

Top of the mornin to ye!!! Irish Hammers: Past, Present and Future...

On St Patrick's Day we get to celebrate all things Irish and it provides an ideal opportunity to consider how a team comprised of the greatest Irish Hammers might look. After a trawl through club records, we have coddled together a team from the most notable Irish players to turn out in the claret and blue.

Goalkeeper: We have had a lot of short stay Irish netminders at the club with no single player really making the position their own. Allen McNightmare was certainly the most memorable, sadly for all the wrong reasons – possibly making the greatest contribution of any single player to our relegation in 1989. Will we ever forget those many crazy moments when he came running off his line only to get stranded in no-man’s land!

We got a slice of Gerry Peyton towards the end of his career, mainly in a covering role while Roy Carroll performed pretty solidly until personal problems interrupted. David Forde never really got a proper chance and Noel Dwyer was well before our time.

Most recently we have had the services of Stephen Henderson who exited for Charlton in 2014 after a mere two league cup appearances. On balance, Roy Carroll gets the nod!

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

Joey O’Brien at right back is a consistent and dynamic defender who has become a great servant to the club. His chances this year have been limited by karl jenkinson's availability but he is always willing and has never let the side down.

Centre back is a real patch up…..Gary Breen and Clive Clarke…Hmmm. At times we have seen Georgie McCartney provide pretty solid cover in that position but he was better suited to full back. Never the less, Clarke was too lacking in mobility and not suited to top level footie so we are left with Gazza Breen and Georgie.

Left back provide a more challenging call – We got a useful turn out of Chris Hughton at the twilight of his career but Noel Cantwell was a much more formidable left full from long ago and a previous club captian - he gets our selection.

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.

 

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!

Suits you Sir!

Of note, Kevin Nolan should be on this list but no manner of persuasion has been able to get him to use the Parents rule as qualification. Similarly, Mark 'O' Noble may yet decide to opt for Ireland as for some bizarre reason he has been unable to convert from U21 captain to full England honours and until Hodgson changes his mind or departs he remains eligible for Ireland by virtue of Cork grandparents.....C'mon Mark, join the party!


The new Tony Cottee??? 

Hammers fans will be hoping that our Irish youngsters in the development squad (striker Sean Maguire - pictured presently on loan at Accrington Stanley - and midfielder Josh Cullen (on the bench last weekend for the Arsenal match) as well as our academy lads - Declan Rice and Anthony Scully will eventually make the step upwards into the first team. Fingers crossed!

                                                                           

Hammers Presented with Excellent Chance to Salvage their Season

I love getting Hammered ...

After Saturday's irritatingly predictable capitulation to the Gooners of Middle Arse and only two wins since Christmas, Hammers fans find themselves at a loose end for the rest of this season.

In freefall, but with a 39 points cushion, there is absolutely nothing to fear except fear itself and the extreme boredom of mid-table obscurity.

and our better players leaving as they sense the lack of ambition....

Now that a European place is clearly beyond us, surely now it's time to give our youngsters a run out in the first team - good news at least for Elliot Lee, Diego Poyet and the promising Reeces -  Oxford and Burke...

Maybe even Dan Potts might get back in the reckoning? C'mon Sam - you really don't have anything to lose this time.

Remember these kids...

 

Dubai Trip Turns Sour as Hammers' Star Flown Home

West Ham’s hard earned sun break in Dubai appears to have turned sour today as reports emerged that their experienced defender James Collins has returned home from the training camp in Dubai. Sources indicated that the flame-haired defensive star is in a critical condition after sustaining second degree burns during a game of beach football.

Collins, who is nicknamed ‘Ginge’ due to his preference in tasty biscuit snacks, is especially vulnerable to such problems having previously sustained similar sunburn injuries during the pre-season trip to Southend on Sea FC a few years ago.

Ouch!!!

The unlucky Hammers medical team will be cursing their bad luck as the East End side are lacking in ‘ginger experience’ having had a dearth of red-haired players over the years. Apart from rubicund Steve Lomas, only Hayden Foxe and Robbie Slater’s brief periods at the club the only previous need for high factor sun screen in living memory.

 
Meanwhile, Winston Reid sustained a career threatening injury just days after finally committing himself to West Ham for all of eternity.

Actually, the Reid report is a joke....... even West Ham couldn't be that unlucky with injuries - could they Andy?

Put the Passports Away Lads...

"Anyone got any biscuits?"

At Christmas Hammers fans were dreamong of European football next year but after a subsequent run of just 2 wins in 14 matches (yes...2 wins, 7 draws and 5 losses!) West ham are merely making up the numbers as the business end of the season starts in earnest.

The players must have been dreaming of their annual 'warm weather' holiday to Dubai on Saturday as they fell apart against a very modest Crystal Palace side succumbing 3-1 at home.

The single bright moment for the Hammers was that it was good to see Enner Valencia back scoring again - our prediction is that he will realise his true potential in his second Premiership season.

http://youtu.be/uW2WT4zdd4E

With Chelsea buoyant after their league cup win over Tottenham yesterday, the Hammers will need to up their game if they are to get anything from Wednesday's trip to Stamford Bridge.

Either way, the season has petered out. Now the work will focus upon trying to hold what we have for next year's campaign as out of contract Winston Reid And loanees Alex Song and Carl Jenkinson look set to depart.

It's time to get out into the garden again...