One Hull of a night for Zola's Hammers

I was at Upton Park the last time West Ham entertained Hull - West Ham running out 7-1 winners on that occasion.
I don't remember much about the game - but in those days i stood on the South Bank so we were probably doing the conga for most of the second half or singing 'Let's all form a circle' - a 'safe-for'work' version of a popular football chant of the time.
I was also at Upton Park last night and although the score was a much less resounding 2-0 i doubt the game was any less one-sided.
West Ham were awesome.
I don't say that lightly either.
They were far from perfect but they oozed passion and the passed like a West ham team of old.
My Dad said to me last night that he felt like the last two or three years the team has 'not really been like West Ham' and i know what he means.
I know we've got Arsenal and Man U up next so it's going to be a tough couple of weeks but let's just bask in the glory of some of last night's football.
Going forward, chasing back, tackling, neat passing - they gave everything.
Well done Zola and well done the boys.
Carlton Cole held the ball up like Drogba and worked three times as hard as the Chelsea man ever will.
Parker was immense.
And how about Savio - i make that £2million a step-over. Not a bad start!

Hats off to West Ham's owner and CEO Scott Duxbury

You have to take your hat off to West Ham owner Bjorgulfor Gudmundsson and CEO Scott Duxbury.
At the end of last year the national newspapers worked themselves into a frenzy describing how 'Crisis Club' West Ham were likely to offload everyone but the tea lady in a bid to stave off administration and the resulting nine-point penalty.
The way it was reported it was clear that West Ham's money men wold have their hands full just trying to keep the club alive in some form or other.
As we stand, ahead of tonight's clash with Hull City, the West Ham Fire Sale - everything must go - has rsulted in the departue of Mullins, Bowyer, Etherington - possibly Davenport - and a failed attempt to shift Boa Morte to tonight's opponents.
And of course the move engineered by the Welsh Chav to Disneyland.
Not exactly ripping the heart from the club.
Zola has kept hold of Upson, Green, Parker, Ashton, Behrami, Noble, Collins - in fact all of the players he would've wanted to keep - apart from the tattooed one.
In return the club has brought in somewhere between £16 and £20 million pounds.
Money which any good Fleet Street hack will tell you is needed to avoid Mr Gudmundsson being visited by the bailiffs.
So.... how do they explain yesterday's capture of £10million striker Savio Nsereko??
Whatever you think abuot the pedigree of a 19-year-old from Serie B it is clear that the club's money men have been good to their word and allowed Zola to re-invest in the team.
Hats off to them - i hope Nsereko goes on to be as good as Zola clearly thinks he can be.
We watch with interest.
Hats off to the club.

West Ham are the Best Team in the World - it's unofficial!

I liked this when I came across it on the internet yesterday.
For years now the 'Unnoffical World Championship' has been tracking who beat the 2006 World Cup winners Italy and awarding them the title of 'Best Team in the World' and now it seems something similar has been done with club sides.
And believe it or not, West Ham ARE the Best Team in the World...
According to Barney Corkhill's Unnoficial World Championship the Hammers succesfully defended their title again at the weekend - and even better news - avoided allowing Hartlepool to become the 'lowest ranked team to hold the title' an honour that currently belongs to Tottenham!!!
PS - i've switched the comment function on in this blog now - previously it only allowed 'registered Google account holders' to comment - now it's open to everyone - even Spurs fans.
Please feel free to comment on anything past or present.
Cheers.

Agent Redknapp in danger of becoming Hammers hero again

Harry Redknapp is fast becoming a hero in my eyes again.
I used to love Redknapp, i still had a lot of affection for old saggy face even after he went to Spurs.
He went down in my estimations though when he sat in the post match press conference after his Spurs side had won 2-0 at Upton Park and said 'no-one is more West Ham than me'.
Jusy days later he tried - and it seems succeeeded - to unsettle West Ham's star striker Craig Bellamy.
Redknapp wanted to sign Bellamy for Spurs and rather than approach the club behind the scenes he decided to tell the papers.
"I don't know who told the papers i was interested in Bellamy," said Redknapp, clearly unaware that he was talking to a TV camera at the time - just in case Bellamy had missed the paper that day.
Anyway, like the Caffreys, i'm not bitter - honestly...
And I'm starting to wonder about Agent Redknapp. Remember, this is the man who suffered death threats when he left Portsmouth to join rivals Southampton.
Then returned to Portsmouth a hero after taking Southampton down to the Championship.
Could this be the most cunning West Ham plan ever? Redknapp, if you take Spurs down I will defend your right to call yourself 'The Most West Ham Man on the Planet' like you did in the press conference.

Carlton Cole says he is still only half the player he can be

Carlton Cole remarks that all of his goals have come in the second half of games and he might start drinking coffee before kick-off to give himself a 'kick up the backside'.

Goal hero Carlton was talking to Dave Evans

FIVE IN FIVE IS NOT BAD GOING IS IT?

Yeah, I’m really happy with the way it is going, and I just want it to carry on now – I want six in six!

BEFORE CHRISTMAS YOU WERE GOING THROUGH A GOAL DROUGHT, WHAT HAS BEEN THE DIFFERENCE DO YOU THINK?

I’ve never scored goals consistently really in my career. Now it is coming with consistency, I am asking a lot more of myself and trying to get in more goalscoring positions and it is just happening for me right now, and I’m just happy that I’ve got the opportunity to be playing in the first team and doing well.

FRANCO SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO WORK ONE TO ONE WITH YOU, HAS HE DONE THAT? AND WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU BEEN DOING DIFFERENTLY IN TRAINING?

The manager certainly has been working one on one with me and I also have lots of processes that I go through before the games, that is helping me and I’ve just got to keep on doing them.

I can’t complain with what I’m doing, so I just have to keep persisting.

JACK COLLISON TOLD US YOU WERE DISAPPOINTED WITH YOUR FIRST HALF DISPLAY, IT CERTAINLY PICKED UP IN THE SECOND HALF

I stated that I was disappointed with my first half. I think I piss away all my first halves, all my goals have come in the second half in this run, if you look at my statistics all my goals have come in the second half, so obviously I’m not doing well in the first half and waking up in the second.

I don’t know if I need to start drinking coffee before kick off, but I seem to get a kick up the backside at half time, saying that I’m better than what I’m showing and I go out there in the second half and prove what I can do.

YOU’RE SHOOTING MORE OFTEN, IS THAT SOMETHING THE MANAGER HAS TOLD YOU TO DO?

Yes. Everyone was telling me to shoot more because I’m a striker and that is what I’m supposed to do. I noticed what I was doing that was wrong and I’ve been trying to correct it, in every game and every training session.

YOU HAD A DIFFERENT PARTNER UP FRONT, WAS THAT DIFFICULT TO ADJUST TO?

It wasn’t difficult. Di Michele is a very intelligent player, a great player, good on the ball, scored one goal, laid one on for me which was an important goal, so he has a goal and an assist to his name, so he is probably happy with his day’s work.

When you are playing with intelligent players you just have to try and adapt.

Hammer Noble backs friend Bellamy for success at City

Mark Noble speaking to Dave Evans

CAN YOU UNDERSTAND SOMEONE WANTING TO LEAVE A CLUB THAT YOU LOVE?

Yes, I can understand it, as a friend and a colleague of his, I think wherever he does go he will be a great asset to them, because as much as is written and said about him, he is probably one of the best professionals I’ve played with.

He is so fiery, he wants to win every game and I can’t see what’s wrong with that.

He is great for the young lads, good for the team. He says what he thinks and I don’t think that’s a bad thing, there have been some players over time who have done that.
But he gets the best out of people and obviously we are going to miss him.

WERE YOU SURPRISED

I don’t know really. Obviously there was so much written about it, so it came almost like a normal occurrence really. We see it every day in the papers.

He’s my friend, he’s a great player and as I say he will be a great asset to whoever he is playing with.

Zola will spend any Bellamy cash on a striker

Gianfranco Zola has been assured by West Ham’s board that he will be able to spend the money raised by any player sale during this transfer window.
The Hammers manager said he did not want to lose any of his squad but was determined he would strengthen any weaknesses which were forced upon him.
The Italian looked in need of a rest after the 3-1 win over Fulham and said the whirlwind events of the last week had made preparation for the game very difficult.
He said : “There has been so much talk about this club all year but this week in particular I’ve only had one day to think about this game.
“But I am so proud of my players, they decided it was going to be our day and they made it happen.”
Zola said he would celebrate the victory - courtesy of goals from David Di Michele, Mark Noble and Carlton Cole - with a nice glass of wine adding that he had been through “some very difficult moments” in the past week.
Zola had special praise Cole saying: “Remember what I said about Carlton Cole at the beginning and I wasn't a fool when I said that."I knew the potential of the player because I can recognise a player. I’m proud to say the difference between us and them was definitely Carlton Cole. “He made it happen. In the second half he changed the game around. Although I have to say he was supported by ten other fantastic players because the whole team looked very, very comfortable on the pitch. “They are playing as a team. Within the team there are always one or two individuals who change the game and it was Carlton Cole.
“I'm pleased. I'm pleased for him because in every training session we are working out new ways to improve him and his attitude towards our exercises is excellent and it's making a difference right now.”
The win over Roy Hodgson’s Fulham - who were level at 1-1 following a wonder strike from former Hammer Paul Konchesky - saw the Hammers extend their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions and rise to eighth in the table.
The players had Monday off and went back to training yesterday - as they prepare for Saturday’s testing FA Cup fourth round trip to Hartlepool.
After that they face Hull City at Upton Park next Wednesday - another league win and Zola may be tempted to crack open a vintage.

Bellamy and Redknapp deserve each other

Craig Bellamy has reportedly 'gone on strike' and said he will not pull on his boots again until he is allowed to join Tottenham.
Awesome.
When West Ham signed him, everyone said he was a .... but West Ham and West Ham fans took him in.
The club paid his astronomical wages while he went all round the world getting treatment on a mystery stomach injury.
And only in the last six weeks has he looked anywhere near worth the price (£7.5million) that the club paid for him.
As soon as that happens - in steps Mr Integrity (Harry Redknapp) - who tells the papers - "I don't know who told the papers we were interested in Bellamy, it wasn't me!"
....!
To be honest i will be really gutted to see Bellamy leave - but he has to go now.
I cannot understand the draw of Tottenham at the moment.
Granted they are not going to get relegated but they are also probably not going to finish in the top eight.
West Ham offered Bellamy more money - so it can't be that - and all the players like playing for Zola and Clarke.
Gutted.
The only thing that eases the pain is the knowledge that Bellamy and Redknapp will both leabve Spurs under a cloud - they are serial offenders.
Ask Pompey, Saints and West Ham fans what they think of saggy face and ask Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle fans what they think of the tattooed Welsh chav.
....s!

Carlton Cole for England?

A few weeks ago you would've been carted off screaming and kicking for uttering the words "Capello could do worse than look at Carlton Cole".

You would probably still find yourself the subject of much derision if you started a conversation in the pub with the same line now - even after his fourth goal in four games.

However, those who watch West Ham regularly will say that the only thing missing in Cole's armoury is the ability to put the ball in the net - granted - quite a big drawback for a centre-forward.

He holds it up better than almost anyone in the league. He is physically imposing, fairly fast and has a decent football brain.

The only problem was that if he was in the area with the ball at his feet and the goal gaping - you still wouldn't bet your mortgage on him scoring... until now!

The messages from Chadwell Heath have always been that Cole is awesome in training.

Former Chelsea manager - and Capello's friend - Claudio Ranieri said Cole was the best young player he had ever worked with.

'Cole for England' anyone?

West Ham fire sale starts...with Etherington

Okay, i'm a big fan of Matthew Etherington. I am always defending him when Spurs fans say how rubbish he is. I think his style of play - direct and fast - is good to watch and with 10% more on his final ball i reckon he could've played international football.
Please, stop laughing, i'm serious.
I think he added a new exciting dimesnion to West Ham - especially under Curbishley when structure was so rigid.
However, the national press must feel a little let down - perhaps even ashamed (is it possible for a national newspaper sports journalist to feel the emotion of shame?) after weeks - nay months - of predicting the demise of West Ham and the 'fire-sale' to end all fire sales - including Woolworths - as we approach the middle of January West Ham appear to be on the verge of selling...........*drum roll please*.........Matthew Etherington to Stoke for £3.5m.
How will the club survive i hear you ask? I don't know the answer to that but watch this space.
Whilst i'm on the subject could i also say 'Take a bow son' to Guardian 'sports' reporter Tom Lutz who reported the INCREDIBLE news that West Ham would consider selling any of their players - consider it i tells you.
Tom my good man - could you point me in the direction of a club anywhere in the world who would not consider selling a player, any player, if a reasonable offer came in? Astonishing story.
'if someone offers us money for our players we will think about it' - astonishing. Good work.

Hammers' Clarke fields questions on 'fire-sale'

West Ham eased into the fourth-round of the FA Cup following a 3-0 win over Barnsley at the weekend but even that performance was not enough to stem the fire-sale rumours.
Manager Gianfranco Zola was conspicuous by his absence from the post-match press conference – choosing instead to shoot to Sardinia with a festive message for his family rather than stick around to field calls from Premier League vultures circling his players.
Zola’s absence left assistant manager Steve Clarke to trot out the ‘we are just concentrating on the football’ line.
And he is quite right to do so.
West Ham were convincing in the way they dispatched the Championship opposition who enjoyed a run to the Semi-Finals last year - so the players at least are clearly concentrating on the football.
Matthew Upson’s absence was put down to ‘the flu’ rather than any imminent transfer and one ‘new’ face made a welcome appearance – Kieron Dyer finally getting on the pitch after more than a year out.
Clarke was impressed with the England international’s performance but recognised he has a long way to go to full fitness.
He said: “It was good to get Kieron back. He’s obviously had a terrible time with injuries.
“We all feel for him and he’s been working ever so hard just to get on the pitch again.
“Today was good for him. I thought he showed some good touches.
“He also showed that he is nowhere near full match fitness as he looked tired at times.
“But now we can work on building up his fitness and he is like a new signing.”
Speaking of signing’s Clarke was in bullish mood as to whether or not the club’s star names would be around for the fourth round ties at the end of the month.
He said: “The January transfer window is something that is there and you just have to put up with it.
“There is going to be a lot of speculation about players coming and players going.
“We come in every day and we try to do our work as best we can. We have one more FA Cup tie in January, hopefully we get a nice home draw and we will put out a strong team and try and progress in that competition.”
He added: “I think you see by the performance that all the players are committed. You can talk about speculation in the transfer window all day, but that is all it is.
“You guys love it, I understand it, but we are just concentrating on the next game and that is Newcastle away.”
West Ham will head there on the back of three straight wins – whether or not Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker and the other ‘transfer targets’ will be with them remains to be seen.