West Ham United Blog

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Ihenacho to inch closer to West Ham?

West Ham's search for a striker will intensify this week, with promising young striker Kelechi Ihenacho the main target.  Wary of the interest of Leicester City in in the starlet, the Hammers have tried to reach agreement with Manchester City over a buy back clause, which has been the main stumbling block in negotiations.  City are said to be seeking a 40% clause whereas the Hammers are holding out for 50%.

As the players start to return to training and the new season gets closer, a new striker remains the priority for the team.  Calleri and Zaza are long gone with Carrol and Sakho still both on the treatment table, at the moment we might have to play Randolph up front!

Hammer Of The Year

It’s certainly not been an easy season but at least we are ending on a note of optimism at the London Stadium.  The win over Spurs created a memorable night for the fans which could go someway towards making the new place a home.  We are attached to Upton Park because of the memories, none more so than the last game there, but if we start to make points of reference like the Spurs game, then the goodwill can flow from there.

One of the biggest contributors to the feel good factor was the performance of Manuel Lanzini, who was outstanding, but this is not the only reason I consider him Hammer of the Year.  When Dimitri Payet left, the club was already in a rocky patch.  In spite of the crucial December wins, we entered January with beating by Leicester City and the two Manchester teams at home.  Dimi left after considerable drama and it would have been very easy for players to become unsettled and complain about their lot.  When a top player leaves any club, it is natural for those he has left behind to question the ambition and direction of the club.  Lanzini, as the most naturally talented player at the club could have been at the top of the list, seeing an opportunity with a bigger club in Europe or even top 6 here in the UK.

Fortunately for us, the very opposite happened.  Not only did he score in our first game without Payet (Crystal Palace) but he continued to step up in the subsequent matches.  Manuel is pretty much the only creative outlet we have, he must know that and has revelled in not only becoming our main playmaker but popping up with goals as well.  His contribution should not be under estimated.

There is certainly a case for Winston Reid as well, who has been a rock.  For me, he is a definite second with Pedro Obiang third for his performances earlier this season, but for now, we should embrace the jewel in the West Ham crown….Manuel Lanzini…we salute you….

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Will Slaven Save Our Season?

It's a game most fans look out for when the fixture list comes out but there will be no sterner test this season than when Tottenham come to town.  Spurs have become a well drilled outfit this season, even down to ensuring they get marginal penalty calls.  Meanwhile, the Hammers need a couple more points to ensure safety and be able to relax going into our final games against Liverpool and Burnley.

According to the Guardian, these last games will define his future but I think the board already know, though which they will act, I can't yet tell.  Just as last season did not mean Bilic is a managerial genius, this season does not mean he is a managerial failure.  He is still learning, especially when it comes to the Prem, and the fact is he exists in a world between the two.  He is a competent manager who will have his ups and downs.  There are very few managers who are not like this and those that are will be out of our salary range.

I'm all for giving Slaven another season.  With the Payet and Stadium issues largely behind us, a decent transfer window could see a good season.  We certainly have the foundations with the likes of Reid, Antonio and Lanzini, add a bit more depth and magic and we could be there.  Come on you Irons!

Upton Gardens - Take a look at the new flats at Upton Park

Upton Park is slowly fading as memory but the wounds may well be re-opened with the announcement that the public can register for the flats at the newly named Upton Gardens.

There are 842 properties in total, ranging from one to four bedroom homes.  The site includes a fitness centre, underground parking, 24 hour concierge and private outdoor space.  Starting to sound more Chelsea than West Ham in all honesty.

(image courtesy of Barratt Homes)

I sincerely hope that the development works for the area.  As we know, many businesses have been affected by West Ham moving to Stratford, such as the Pie and Mash Shop and Ken's Cafe, and this development could hopefully seen an upturn in fortunes for them.  Tough Ken's Cafe may have to start selling Lattes and Croissants rather than double egg and chips.

Meanwhile, the London Stadium is starting to feel more like home.  Against Leicester on Saturday there was a good atmosphere, certainly helped by the vocal away fans and hopefully we are reaching a tipping point on and off in the pitch in our favour.  

The Snodgrass Could Be Greener

West Ham have completed the signing of Robert Snodgrass, the Hull midfielder who has scored seven and assisted three so far this season.  Just a passing thought on Hull, they must be about to enter the market losing Snodders and of course Ryan Mason to injury, they have some spaces to fill there.

On to our new signing and I for one am pleased.  Clearly he is being brought in to fill the rotund hole left by Dimitri Payet, but we should keep our expectations realistic.  Payet, for all his faults, is an exceptional footballer, definitely in the top three of those I've seen in a claret and blue shirt.  Snoderrs will not show quite the same quality but he will show more work rate, be more of a team player and have a much more positive effect on the dressing room.  He does posses excellent technique and a left foot that will surprise many.  Preferring to cut inside from the right, rather than being an out and out left winger, he will be able to play across the wings for us.  In a world where James Tomkins costs £12m, I think £7m for him is a fair price and I think he will have a really positive effect on our season.  Welcome to the London Stadium Robert....

 

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'Slav Wanted To Keep Me' - Kevin Nolan

Kevin Nolan has revealed that Slaven Bilic offered him th chance to stay at West Ham but he felt the time was right to move on.  In an interview with the Daily Mail, Kevin talks about how he didn't want to be an 'enigma in the background' and wanted new captain Mark Noble to have a fresh start.  He also has kind words to say about our chairmen.  

On the Payet situation, Kevin stands up for his former teammate 'I've played with Dimitri, he is a lovely lad, got fantastic ability, but he has been really badly advised' but he does recognise how the incident has tarnished his time at the Hammers 'For all the good Dimitri Payet has done for West Ham United, this has overshadowed it 10 times over, and no fan will ever forgive him'.

 

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Overall, Kevin comes across really well, as one would expect him to, he always gave 100% for us and I hope he succeeds in his new role at Notts County and who knows, maybe one for the West Ham future?

Jose Fonte - The Southampton Fans View

So, we've got our man, but what do the opposition think of the one who got away?  There's certainly a tinge of sadness among many, along with some bitterness which I won't feel too much schadenfreude about having gone through the same with Payet.  But we're defintiely talking of Simone Zaza style relief here..Views courtesy of SaintsWeb..

'Massively overrated player. He's been a good player and good servant but nowhere near as good as everyone makes him out to be. He makes just as many mistakes as Yoshida. I won't wish him well but won't wish him bad either.'

'There will be a lot of posts like this, so let's nip the narrative at the bud, shall we?  Jose Fonte has been an absolute giant for us, one of our best players and a symbol of our progression. To step down from the Championship to League One and end up as a Euro 2016 winner and one of the best defenders in the Premier League, all at this club and in the space of seven years, is remarkable.'

'Shame, fantastic servant to the club and a big loss to us.'

'Fonte has been a powerhouse for Saints, and his leadership on and off the field has been immense. So he's gone to a flawed though ambitious club'

'We have had a lot of deals that have been described as 'good business ' lately but we seem to be getting weaker by each transfer window. I'm sad to see him go'

'Fonte was absolutely class for us over the years but feels a bit like when Lambert left, he's on the decline and he's served as well. Just a shame it was West Ham he ended up'

Jose Fonte Signs For West Ham - Pictures

Delighted to announce that West Ham have signed former Southampton Centre Half Jose Fonte for £8m.  I must admit when he handed in his transfer request, I assumed he'd be off to a top 6 club so am very pleased he has chosen the Hammers.  Some are pointing out his age at 33 as being too old but he'll be a good experienced hand to handover the baton to Reece Oxford and it's an area where we desperately need some cover.  The arrival of Fonte will also mean Kouyate can move back into a midfield role he does so effectively.

 

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A really solid signing and when the Payet business gets done, I imagine it will be followed by a right back and definitely a centre forward.  As some of you may have read, Dimitri Payet may have been dropped from a Whatsapp group this week, so we imagine an exchange looking a bit like this tonight....

 

The 32 Strikers Signed by Gold and Sullivan Who Have Delivered 125 Goals in 642 Games

I'd like to analyse this more a little later, but wanted to point you in the direction of an excellent article on the Guardian website which has looked at the poor record of Gold and Sullivan when it comes to signing strikers for the club.  The saying 'a stitch in time saves nine' comes to mind, with an earlier outlay on a good striker would have cost the club less than continual mistakes such as Wellington Paulista and Simone Zaza.  A good read...

West Ham 3 Crystal Palace 0

A fantastic response after a terrible 8 days for West Ham United.  From Man City tearing us apart to former Hammers favourite Dimitri Payet throwing his toys out of the pram and deciding he wants to leave.  

Although Payet was on the radar before he joined us, he did not have the same profile that ourselves and the Premier league gave him.  For me, it's clear the club treated him well and somewhat indulged him with the undoubted talent he has.  It's shame then that having given him that platform, he rewards us with such behaviour.  I'm a big believe in karma, and though he will always have money, it's unlikely he will look back on places where he was truly loved when his career comes to an end in the not too distant future.  Perhaps he should have had a word with Carlos Tevez, who left without sulking and who will always be hugged by a West Ham fan no matter where in the world he is.  Additionally, I do not put this on the board at all, yes the Summer signings have not worked out as we had hoped, but it is pretty appalling to turn round and behave as he has.  The buck stops with Payet, he is a grown man who can makes his own decisions, and I hope to never see him in a Hammer shirt again.

To today's game and there was an excellent vocal backing for manager Slaven Bilic from beginning to the end.  We were nervous in the first half and things were not quite panning out how they were intended, so Slav moved to four at the back by taking off Ogbonna and moving Byram to right back.  It turned out to be a masterstroke as our attacking prowess subsequently improved.

 

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The three goals has everything...a tap in, a scintillating scissor kick and a dinked one on one.  Lanzini did not shy away from the role bestowed on him today, that of creative playmaker.  Without Payet, he is the only one on the pitch and was buzzing around looking for the ball.  Other great performances came from Obiang, Feghouli, Antonio and Carroll.  I also thought Sam Byram did really well when he came on and hopefully we now have ourselves a right back!

A great result and performance and one which we can take to Middlesborough with some confidence.  Hopefully some of you go onto the more than 2.5 goals action and the Hammers completed your weekend.  Irons!