Hull City 3 - 3 West Ham United

While it's tempting to be disconsolate about another two points lost; we need to reign in our petulant expectations and put things in to perspective: we lost this fixture last season, and, while not entirely due to our own performances, we have moved out of the relegation zone…for now anyway. I think that adds a little bit of shine to this result: this is a point gained over what we should have expected. Hull are no slouches at home – their results speak for themselves.

But what really adds shine to this result is the fact that we appear to have checked one of the three major flaws from our game off the “To Do” list. Basically we have three major flaws to our game, and have had all season. When we rid our game of these fatal defects then we’re truly on the road to recovery.

Our list looks like this:

1. Become more effective in the final third of the pitch and score from open play; stop relying exclusively on set pieces for goals.
2. Vigorously and uncompromisingly defend two goal leads: become tighter and tougher at the back and centre of the field.
3. Assert our numerical advantage such that we kill off teams who are down to ten men more effectively while asserting ourselves in the game rather than allowing the opposition to actually dominate in these situations (Fulham; Sunderland; Hull)

We can safely say that we’ve checked number one off our list now. However, number 2 and 3 are real concerns. Fulham and Sunderland showed that getting ten men behind the ball is an effective way to stop a numerically superior team from scoring. So I’m not sure why Zola and Clark, away from home, when we’re two goals up, don’t switch the formation to a 4 5 1? Crowd the midfield, dominate possession and feed Cole. This may not be the most effective way to score more goals, but when you’re two goals up away from home, surely, the aim is to manage that lead and win game??!!

I’m rarely critical of the Z and C, but three times this season they have showed a naivety, greed, perhaps, and the belief that the attacking formation will just continue to score, knocking the other team into oblivion. Instead, yesterday, and against Sunderland and Fulham, we came under immense pressure as our small four man midfield became overwhelmed and our defense was exposed; consequently, mistakes are made.

Now, while I completely disagree with the first free kick decision and the amazing penalty decision, that is not an excuse. Surely if we had dominated midfield, played the possession game and made Hull chase us – wearing them down and frustrating them, we would have held onto that win, perhaps even scoring another towards the end of the game when they are tired?
So in effect, I am calling for more astute tactical changes to situations early on which dictate the game on our terms, rather than reacting to the other team’s tactics.

Players: I won’t mention all of them.

Green: far more decisive when it came to reacting to set pieces and corners.

DaCosta: Scored, defended and looked the part. A poor decision by Clattenburg to award that free kick.

Faubert: his crosses caused chaos in the Hull box, as did his pace. Something has happened: the man has confidence and is willing to take on players. Not an defending defender, more of a wing back, but given a 5 man midfield, he would be perfect.

Behrami: AWOL. Great player, love him, but recently just runs – seems to have some Nobleitis.

Franko: Intelligent, fast and clinical. What an eye for the game and pass he has. What Michael Owen would like to be.

Cole: Great to see him back, causing problems and determined to win. The confidence he has since last year! Remarkable.

Parker: Human dynamo: man of the match. The reaction he had after they scored both times was magnificent: anger, drive and determination. A leader.

Burnley next. Stubborn, bloody minded Burnley. We have to get three points; it’s United after that.

Here's An Intersting Article...

Jason Burt - the Telegraph reporter with the sole press pass to the inner sanctum at West Ham has some interesting things to say.

And Jason Burt pens what Mr. Duxbury and Mr. Bernhardt feed him. So this is from the horses mouth as it were...

On a new owner that none of the rags picked up on...

Tony Fernandes, the founder of Air Asia and a West Ham fan, has been the closest to taking a stake and was even introduced to Zola. Indeed, at one stage it appeared likely he would acquire a 51 per cent stake in the club. West Ham chairman Andrew Bernhardt even flew to Kuala Lumpur to try to seal the deal but an agreement on price could not be reached. Fernandes remains interested and has been back in contact with Bernhardt but, as yet, nothing has been settled.

On the sale of Upson come the summer...

Of more immediate concern to supporters is the forthcoming January transfer window. Again, there have been predictions of a fire-sale but players such as Carlton Cole, Valon Behrami and Robert Green will not be sold.
The future of captain Matthew Upson, who was wanted by Liverpool and Fiorentina last summer, is less certain because of his age and his insistence on not signing a new contract. Still, Upson should stay until the summer and will then try to find Champions League football.

On West Ham's actual debts, wage bill and turn over:

...the debts now stand at £38 million and are wholly manageable with a turnover of around £90 million. Furthermore, the club has dramatically cut its wage bill, which had grown under previous chairman Eggert Magnusson, from £62 million to £38 million a year.

Vs Hull

Good news:

We have a new Mascot: delicious Katy Perry: I see our luck turning...
Lawro predicts a Hull victory - we're all set then!

Prattle:

Seriously, this is a big game: you've got to feel that the time is right for a champagne corker: we're under pressure; we have incredible potential to do damage to teams, it's that last third...

Hull are under pressure, and despite Brown's stay of execution result against Stoke two weeks ago, the whole team knows this is a critical game, and one they expect to win.

For West Ham with Cole back, this could be corker; however, if anything tempers our performance, it will be the loss of Diamanti and Illunga. Our results haven't been good. Nor has our average goals against. The two are related: to win this match we need to stop shipping goals. Our average shippage is 2 per game. Let's keep Giovanni off the score board and make sure Bullard leaves with another leg injury. We need to take this game by a goal to nil.

Team News:
As mentioned, Diamanti and Illunga are not travelling. Stanislaz and Tompkins are doubtful, and will not start for sure. Dyer and Gabbs are PERHAPS on the bench for this one.

Hull: who cares. We have to do our bit and not worry about them.

Stats: Last year we lost this encounter by two goals to one. We have only won one on the road this season (at Wolves in our first game), and haven't kept a clean sheet since August... Hull have a good record at home winning 3 of their last five, drawing one and losing one.

Most Popular Prediction in Journo Land:
Hull to win 2-1.

My Audacious Prediction:
Hull 2 - 3 West Ham (because we seem to let 2 goals in every game).

The Likely Outcome:
Hull 1 - 0 West Ham

Despite the loss of Diamanti, we need to play a 442 diamond. Playing Jimi in Diamanti's spot with Cole back, may be more successful than he was against the big Everton defenders with Cole to hold up play.

COYI! Come on Katy!

Phil Jupitus on Katy Perry, Dean Ashton, Chants...

Well worth the watch...

You've Got To Larf...

Really, I suppose it couldn't get any worse could it?

The various newspapers' frenzied fabrications feasting on our supposed pauper-status with garish headlines proclaiming that Parker, Upson, Green, Cole, Behrami are poised to leave. Of course, most of it is diabolical Fleet Street Shyte, which always rears up this time of year. It's Liverpool and Cole; it's Spuds and Upson - or Arsenal depending on your read; it's Cole and United, or is that Liverpool? It's Green and anyone, and Behrami, despite openly declaring his absolute intention to stay a Hammer, is off to a "big club". Well that's the Spuds out then.

Then there's Deano's impending departure, which by all accounts sounds like it is genuine story as there has been no recanting by player or agent...Poor old Deano, somber news, indeed.

Now there's the FA hearing about what is rapidly becoming known as the "Millwall incident" set for after Christmas. And, dear WHUFC fan, you'd better brace yourself: the verdict is in: we're West Ham United: guilty until proven innocent. It's just a question of consequence for us: will it be a fine, a closed door appearance in the Carling Cup next season, or a points deduction?

And there's talk of young Freddie considering leaving what some consider to be a sinking ship.

Frankly I really can't wait for the football to start again. Yes we're in 18th in relegation territory, but I'm looking up. And since the news swirling around the club really can't get any worse, we're due for some luck in the ownership stakes too.

So excuse me if I appear to be aimlessly kicking the can down the street with my hands in my pockets. I may look disconsolate, but if you listen carefully, I'm whistling quietly to myself, biding my time, knowing that round the corner a new year, a chink of light, and the last laugh are coming my way.

Salvation a la Mode, and a Cup of Tea.

"We are West Ham supporters and are deadly serious."

David Byrne: Intermarket's company secretary.

I'm a West Ham supporter too, and, being so, I'm always more than a little skeptical about any good news or luck regarding our capricious fortunes.

I have blogged about my belief that it is critical we are under new ownership before the next transfer window opens in January, or our season is likely going to be a dismal one, followed by relegation. I'm not a negative person, nor am I known to be inflammatory; however, our current owners, CB Holdings, are in no financial position to refuse offers for our star players: Green, Cole, Upson and Parker.

No new buyer means some or all of these players will be sold in January. And we all know what that means.

So it's tempting then, as a West Ham supporter, to clutch at straws and embrace this widely reported story lock, stock, and barrel, shouting "Salvation, salvation. Hallelujah!", just as we did when the Egg took over.

But wait a minute.

While, on the surface the Intermarket group sound like their viability as potential purchasers is now validated, we, as West Ham fans have to remember who is claiming what. David Byrne, Intermarket's company secretary, and one of its two founding directors claimed on Tuesday that it had signed a non-disclosure agreement with Rothschilds. Byrne said:

"Some people were dismissing us as not being serious bidders but we are. We have satisfied them [Rothschilds] that we have proof of funds."

While the Telegraph's Jason Burt is widely acknowledged to be the official and authentic journalistic conduit between the media and the heart of the Boleyn via Duxbury, and that when he writes something it is because Duxbury and the West Ham board want us to know something, I have a few problems with the story.

Firstly, the only claims being made are by the interested party themselves: Intermarket. There is no substantiation to back up Byrne's claims, least of all from Rothschilde's yet.

Then there's the conflicting reports that Intermarket group have signed a non-disclosure agreement with the club. A NDA does not mean they have access to the club's books; it does not mean they have provided proof of funding, and it does not mean that they've been granted due-diligence, despite Byrne's claim that he expected to see "official figures" next week which will lay out West Ham's finances.

And suppose all of this is true, and that Intermarket get to access the books? Reports suggest that Intermarket value West Ham at £100 million. That's £25 million less than our current owners wish to sell for. Furthermore, the Intermarket valuation includes taking on the club's current debts that they estimate at £48 million and also the costs of the Carlos Tevez affair. This means Intermarket's true purchase price is to be around £30 million.

CB Holdings and their creditors surely are simply not going to accept that. It's not as if the two sides are close, either: £95 million apart is not what you'd call "wiggle room" is it?

Apple pie and iced cream is never hard to swallow is it? But as Ian Anderson says, you might want to do the English thing, and stew on this over a cup of tea before you allow your hopes to be raised too high.

I hope I'm wrong. Really I do.

West Ham 1 - 2 Everton: Best Peformance of the Season So Far...

Codswallop to you West Ham bloggers out there who suggest that we were disappointing today: I say to you that we outplayed Everton in a way that we never did against Aston Villa. It was the result that was disappointing, and certainly not the West Ham performance. Last season we were woeful both home and away to Everton; this was definitely a step up.

Our downfall, two well taken strikes from Everton that were incisive but perhaps undeserved, and had more than a dash of luck - Saha's looking like a snatched hope and Goslings leaving Green wrong footed as it appeared between Upson's legs. West Ham played with heart, dominated the game for vast periods of time, and, but for a lack of finishing, would have been two or three to the good.

And you can't blame Hines or Stanislaz for their finishing: two slight, young and inexperienced players almost snatched the game several times. Everton's defence was solid and physical. With ten men behind the ball and no Cole to collect and hold play, it was always going to be a tough ask.

I thought Da Costa was huge for us; Spector played out of his skin; Faubert looked fabulous down the wings, and Parker was the driving spark that forced us forward when we got too square-ballish. We certainly didn't miss Noble's square balls and ragged passes.

Jiminez was the only disappointment, being out of sorts and lacking real penetration, and, again, Diamanti showed why that role should be his - automatically! Hines had a torrid time with his finishing, but, by the same token, he got himself into great positions: the composure will come. Initially I thought taking Collison off for Stanislaz was a mistake, but, again, Zola and Clarke were on the money: it seemed to give us impetus.

Let's hope the two weeks sees Cole back. With him, we would have won that game. He may not have scored, but he would have caused the otherwise solid Everton defensive wall to lose their composure...And with Hull away, Burnley and Man Utd to come, we are going to need to play like we did today to stand any chance of points.

COYI!

Vs Everton

Injuries to both teams mean this is a bit of an unknown. I have waited as long as possible for news on Illunga and Cole: I don't think we'll know until right before the match whether they'll play a part or not; however, they're not hamstring tears, but "strains" whatever that means. The fact that Nouble and Deprela have been named to the squad indicates to me that Cole and Illunga won't play any part. Not that I'm too worried about our attacking options: we've got a rested Diamanti, Jimi, Kovac and a resurgant Hines, plus Nouble. Defence is an issue; no Illunga means that we'll be using an out of position Spector on the left to fight off some of the Yakuba and Cahill; I'm not sure if DaCosta is able to play that role, but given his great defending against Villa midweek, perhaps he's a better choice, assuming Tomkins is back in his traditional RCB spot. Perhaps Daprela? To tell you the truth, I wasn't very impressed with him last time out, but give the boy a chance - but perhaps not against Everton...


Everton had our number last year: after Collision's amazing goal at home, Saha came of the bench and scored two. They ended up beating us 1-3 at home and did the double with the same score at Goodison. They are a tough team with bags of character. They've drawn their last three away. Anyone who thinks their midweek tussle will have left them downbeat is deluding themselves: they will pose a real problem for us, and I'd be happy with a point from this match. It does look like Everton will be without Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar, Victor Anichebe, James Vaughan, Leon Osman and the suspended Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. Saha looks like a doubt too. One person that will be up for this match is Lucas Neill. I honestly think he should get a welcome befitting an ex captain...I suppose we'll see.


Our best chance is a 442 diamond. We need Behrami and Noble to kick into high gear. We need Faubert to continue his second half performance against Villa. We need Diamanti on the pitch. Franco looks like a real poacher. Our problems will come with our lack of height at the front. We're not going to be scoring headers from corners...We need Diamanti's left foot.

Part of me would like to go with the following because of lack of a true wingback on the left and a true right back... We get to crowd midfield and play to our squad strengths...but it's highly unlikely....



The result...a draw: 1-1. I'd love to see us leapfrog Everton and move up, but it's a big ask...

Ashton Hanging Up His Boots?

Generally, the older we get, the wiser and more patient we become. Perhaps it's a virtue of the accumulation of experience, the tempering of emotion, and the inability of the mind and body to function as sharply as they once could. And events that once would have sent us into an apoplectic rage, foaming at the mouth, and spouting nonsense, are now more likely to be dampened by a dull, fuzzy past-memory of something similar, or a cautious weariness developed by years of burnt fingers...

And as the years fly by a few home-truths emerge: jumping to conclusions without evidence is often the quickest way to end up with egg on one's face; another is the Daily Mail, The Sun, The People, The NOTW and The Mirror are really just comics that publish stories (in the true sense of the word) without quotes or evidence.

However...that said...the latest story in the Mail has the implacable ring of truth about it. Dean Ashton, it is reported, is about to hang up his boots due to the chronic ankle injury which has plagued him for past three years, which, say the Mail, won't ever fully heal according to two world renowned surgeons - Calder and Van Dyke (not Dick, we hope).

Despite returning for 31 games and scoring a creditable 10 goals, he never really recovered from that initial crunching ankle injury he sustained in April 2006 for England. Dean Ashton hasn't made an appearance in a West Ham shirt since early last season; after he sprained the same ankle in Zola's first training session.

After posting monthly for much of 2008, his blog has resolutely remained silent since his last entry on October 24th, 2008.

In fact his last entry was:

"I have had ankle problems in the past but I´m not sure if this is a flare-up of the old injury, even though it is the same ankle I broke in England training. I don’t know if it was the recent sprain that exacerbated it either. It´s not anything that can be explained to be honest. Basically there were pieces of bone floating around inside my ankle and they had to come out. Surgery was the only option. I saw James Calder, the ankle specialist here in England. I´ve also seen Van Dyke in Holland. He did the surgery on Cristiano Ronaldo´s ankle over the summer. So I have been in good hands...I hope you´re enjoying the new-look website. There are still a few things being worked on, but I´m almost there…feel free to post videos, send messages and explore the new site. I´ll be back soon with more."

Not a peep has Deano blogged since.

Ashton has steadfastly trained up in Manchester and not at the revamped Chadwell Heath facility; this is something you would do if you were far from recovery; if you were wanting to mask the severity of your injury from the public eye and your employer.

Dean's absence has been a loss for West Ham: we have missed him sorely; however, I'm not sure Cole ever would have bloomed under Ashton's shadow. While Ashton has been away, Cole has been forced to focus his game, receiving the lion's share of input, advice, coaching, fan and media attention.

And perhaps that's the silver lining to this sad tale. Dean, on his day, is the most gifted of English forwards: a technical game-changer whose speed and acrobatics turned many a game on its head for us, but out of his shadow has stepped a formidable forward who may well surpass Deano's legacy. At his considerable best, Dean Ashton scored an average of 1 goal every three games; this season, Cole has scored 6 goals in 11 appearances - better than a goal per 2 games...

I hope, for our sakes and Deano's, that the Daily Mail is on form; that is, up to it's usual level of journalistic barrel-scraping best: bottom-feeding and grasping at straws just to sell papers.

But something tells me this story has more than a grain of truth to it. Perhaps, for all concerned, we should be put out of our misery.