I can see very good times ahead for West Ham this New Year. With players returning more rapidly than anyone could have expected we are setting ourselves up for top finish to the season.
It’s been a great campaign and I am so enjoying watching Slaven Bilic’s men with all the credit going to the boss – he’s given us the football West Ham fans expect to see and some of the greatest results ever.
If I’m honest I was a bit surprised at the set up in the first half against Saints – a match we really did have to win. An out of confidence right back in Jenkinson at left back and Alex Song playing too high and Kouyate holding at the back struck me as very odd.
But Slav got it right at half time and that result could turn things around in a big way with Lanzini and Payet ready to link up again against Liverpool on Saturday.
Lanzini is a smashing player and Payet has shown real brilliance. On Saturday we will see them easing their way back into things but we need to keep the expectations down.
However, I’m hearing comparisons made between those two and some of heroes of the past and that needs to stop.
They have only been here a short while and are going to have a big impact but at the moment we need to let them get back on their game and help us towards a big end of season.
Slaven has been impressive at every level. The football apart – which has been great at times – he’s a top bloke with a very honest approach to everything. He brings integrity and always tells the truth. In that respect he reminds me very much of Bill Bonds.
The squad – as individuals – is as strong as any we have seen at Upton Park in a lot of years and can get better and better. I’m pretty excited at what I’m seeing.
With everybody fit we are spoiled for choice but here’s my first team in those circumstances:
Adrian; Tomkins, Reid, Collins, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Lanzini, Antonio, Payet, Sakho
I wish you all a very happy New Year!
Glad you edited this to add Payet in the team !!!
My mistake not Galey’s. Thanks for pointing out. We write a lot of words each day 😉
Ah, there he is…
Galey, I have great time for you my friend but I cannot agree with the team above. I believe that Ogbanna should be in ahead of Collins. I believe Valencia should be in ahead of Antonio and finally I believe imo that Moses should be in ahead of Noble. This is a very attacking team but what a line up with Lanzini and Kouyate in midfield, Payet in the middle of Valencia and Moses and Sakho up front. Next in would be young Oxford. Song we need the original back !!!
Those westham goggles still on when it comes to the home grown players,
Noble would struggle to get on my bench at the moment he remoinds me of Butch Wilkins play the ball backwards sideways but not forward,
I would play Obiang or Oxford alongside Kouyate and leave 4 up front
Valencia,Sakho,Lanzini and Payet
Ogbonna before Ginge at the back
Antonio,Carroll,Song,Collins Oxford or Obiang on the bench
That should bring out our captains fans even Zarate would edge my vote for the bench
Moses as well
Great team from galey and has a great British bulldog spirit spine to it. You can’t have a whole team full of flair players in my opinion. You also need a few of those gutsy determined types.
Exactly Kouyate,Obiang,Ogbonna,Tomkins,Cresswell
That’s over half my team we could go back to the old days and have Nolan as our flair player,
Come on Slaven what a great season and how we have missed that flai in the last 6 weeks
Billy Bonds was my greatest hammer but you still needed a Brooking or Devonshire in the team
Lomas was great but you needed Di Canio and Sinclair to make it happen
Funny how Shearer thought Man U had a way this weekend and this manager did not understand it but does not know what the Westham Way is
Where it suits
All very nice , but let’s beat Liverpool first eh .
Mouth syndrome got us nowhere last season either . ( or any other season )
The best form of attack is not letting your opponents know your game plan .
Too much talk only serves to wind up the opposition . They all want desperately to beat West Ham ,, why ? , ; that’s easy ,, it’s because we keep talking a big fight .
We need to keep quite about our players and thier abilities .. Devonshire , Brooking , Brush , Martyn have gone . We miss a Beniayoun / Devonshire ( did I spell that right ?) ..
But we have new players to replace the 80’s and 90’s who are more than capable .
We all hoping beyond hope that we have a Great season ,, but let’s tone it down a little and stop teams from playing beyond themselves just to beat us .
What exactly are you talking about Kevin – is no one allowed to talk in your world other than yourself of course?
Post comment ;; I would much prefer a non- media attention . The more attention you attract the more pressure you put upon yourselves . Stay Schtum is my moto .
Well if thats your motto you dont practice what you preach do you 😀