The Official West Ham United Thread.
Discussion
He was an England player only last November (although he was royally pissed off by Hodgson apparently), so maybe, just maybe it's a sign of the quality we are signing that we're prepared to let him go.
Shame though, would have liked to have seen what he could produce surrounded by those very players we've signed, too many times last season (especially second half of it) he simply had no options around him.
Shame though, would have liked to have seen what he could produce surrounded by those very players we've signed, too many times last season (especially second half of it) he simply had no options around him.
sjc said:
He was an England player only last November (although he was royally pissed off by Hodgson apparently), so maybe, just maybe it's a sign of the quality we are signing that we're prepared to let him go.
Shame though, would have liked to have seen what he could produce surrounded by those very players we've signed, too many times last season (especially second half of it) he simply had no options around him.
Thought hodgson's treatment of him was a disgrace - waste of time calling him up to play him for 45 mins carrying an injury & then not bother considering him again. Tosser.Shame though, would have liked to have seen what he could produce surrounded by those very players we've signed, too many times last season (especially second half of it) he simply had no options around him.
I'd rather that we kept Downing as I agree - w/ the signings we've made he ought to have fitted in well & would have the support, and potentially be played in position, that he missed out on for 50% of last season.
BrabusMog said:
Did anybody go last night? How were we? I can't believe there isn't a steam online anywhere for these early matches!
Yep I went.I was glad I was 5 minutes late, as when I saw Nolan on the pitch I was relieved I missed the inevitable booing.... unfortunately he got it when he came off. Probably the same knobheads that booed our first backpass after 60 minutes and think that we should have rolled them 8 nil,even though they parked the bus. I seriously hate a lot of our so called fans.
We lacked invention/movement in front of their back four, it was all a bit predictable, most of any invention went through Jarvis ( who looks like a much more confident player now he hasn't got to do the same "dinky" cross each time as was the case under BFS. Zarate was the same as the lst leg, a flash of brilliance followed by 8 touches too many (and somehow got MOM.. sponsors choice again).
Just don't get the negativity, although the team we put out was stronger on paper than our one in the first leg, other than three of the back four and the keeper, none of the rest playing last night are likely to be first choice starters,it was a chance for SB to have a good look at his back-ups.
BrabusMog said:
Did anybody go last night? How were we? I can't believe there isn't a steam online anywhere for these early matches!
Yep. Took a loooooonnnnnggggg time to grind down the oppo - goal in 93 min, corner forced in by Tompkins. Very much pre-season fare but without a result actually being needed plus we were missing a number of main players - pretty strong starting 11 though. Entertaining at the start & end, pretty tedious in the middle against a team determine to stick 9 behind the ball & foul at every opportunity.
Couple of positives - Maiga (!) had a well saved effort & hit the bar. Nolan fluffed one & Amalafitano should've done better with a strike.
Negatives - Cresswell aside there was no pace in the team & we desperately need some creativity (Ravel Morrison would've been ideal). Zarate's needs to learn to release the f
king ball. Nolan/Noble midfield combo doesn't work. There was a reluctance to change formation - no need to play 4 at the back against a Maltesse league side - should've pushed Cresswell forward & gone for a 3. Shame about Downing - should've held onto him for another 12-months; nice transfer fee but in the grade scheme £5m's f
k all really & last night showed that we need his pace & passing. sjc said:
Yep I went.
I was glad I was 5 minutes late, as when I saw Nolan on the pitch I was relieved I missed the inevitable booing.... unfortunately he got it when he came off. Probably the same knobheads that booed our first backpass after 60 minutes and think that we should have rolled them 8 nil,even though they parked the bus. I seriously hate a lot of our so called fans.
We lacked invention/movement in front of their back four, it was all a bit predictable, most of any invention went through Jarvis ( who looks like a much more confident player now he hasn't got to do the same "dinky" cross each time as was the case under BFS. Zarate was the same as the lst leg, a flash of brilliance followed by 8 touches too many (and somehow got MOM.. sponsors choice again).
Just don't get the negativity, although the team we put out was stronger on paper than our one in the first leg, other than three of the back four and the keeper, none of the rest playing last night are likely to be first choice starters,it was a chance for SB to have a good look at his back-ups.
The Nolan booing was pathetic - I got to my seat at KO so don't if it happened when his name was read out - didn't think he had a particularly bad game though. I was glad I was 5 minutes late, as when I saw Nolan on the pitch I was relieved I missed the inevitable booing.... unfortunately he got it when he came off. Probably the same knobheads that booed our first backpass after 60 minutes and think that we should have rolled them 8 nil,even though they parked the bus. I seriously hate a lot of our so called fans.
We lacked invention/movement in front of their back four, it was all a bit predictable, most of any invention went through Jarvis ( who looks like a much more confident player now he hasn't got to do the same "dinky" cross each time as was the case under BFS. Zarate was the same as the lst leg, a flash of brilliance followed by 8 touches too many (and somehow got MOM.. sponsors choice again).
Just don't get the negativity, although the team we put out was stronger on paper than our one in the first leg, other than three of the back four and the keeper, none of the rest playing last night are likely to be first choice starters,it was a chance for SB to have a good look at his back-ups.
BrabusMog said:
Yeah, £5m isn't a great deal but what can you do - I'd imagine he will tear the Championship apart next season.
Not a bad crowd for last night either, 31,000.
Can't hold it against him - played pretty well for us at times, don't think that he ever really wanted to come & play in London.Not a bad crowd for last night either, 31,000.
Suppose it's similar to Nolan dropping down to join us - he did pretty well in Championship.
'Boro must be pretty confident that there'll get promoted this season though.
Stadium was pretty full - the Maltese brought a decent crowd (more than wigan ever managed
) as well. Return game's at the national stadium - 17.5k seats, we've 3k tickets. Be a good one to go to & take a few days off at the same time. AJB88 said:
The 5m rises to 7m if they get promoted apparently. Morrison is doing very well for Lazio.
From wiki: "Morrison made his Lazio debut in a 14–0 victory against C.S. Auronzo, scoring two goals and providing two assists, with his overall performance "sending the fans into ecstasy"" 
TCEvo said:
BrabusMog said:
Yeah, £5m isn't a great deal but what can you do - I'd imagine he will tear the Championship apart next season.
Not a bad crowd for last night either, 31,000.
Can't hold it against him - played pretty well for us at times, don't think that he ever really wanted to come & play in London.Not a bad crowd for last night either, 31,000.
Suppose it's similar to Nolan dropping down to join us - he did pretty well in Championship.
'Boro must be pretty confident that there'll get promoted this season though.
Stadium was pretty full - the Maltese brought a decent crowd (more than wigan ever managed
) as well. Return game's at the national stadium - 17.5k seats, we've 3k tickets. Be a good one to go to & take a few days off at the same time. 
) we've been drawn against Inverness CT in the 3rd round. 
Gassing Station | Football | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff