Stoke, Sunderland and Spurs - 3 GREAT RESULTS.

Well what a week it was – from doom and gloom leading up to the Stoke game to pure feel good factor after the Spurs game!!!

After the much improved performance against Chelsea, despite losing 3-1, many Hammers fans were praying for a good turn in fortunes. In fact West Ham Manager Avram took this a step further by taking the day off for the Stoke game and praying for 25 hours. Whether it was this or his team tactics that have changed our fortunes we will never know – but one thing is for sure... they have certainly changed!!

Against a tough tackling Stoke we battled well and it seemed, for the first time in a long time, that we were starting to play as a team as we run out with a deserved draw and an even more deserved first point on the table.

From there we had a tricky mid-week away tie against Sunderland. Now at this point the West Ham of last year would almost definitely have slipped up – but no... another great team performance, a 2-1 away win and we’re into the last 16 of the cardboard cup!!

So with heads held high we take on our old enemy Spurs and it seemed like a great time to be playing them. Injuries in defence and one eye on the mid-week Champions league game – could we scrape another point from this one. Well we went beyond that against a very good Tottenham team who we played off the park for 80% of the match. Ok it could have been different it is wasn’t for the return to form of the mighty Robert Green who pulled off 2 or 3 world class saves. But, hand on heart, that was about all Spurs could throw at us and we really should have put the game out of their reach by half time – that’s how dominant we were.

So now we look ahead to Fulham this coming Saturday and a game that we should win comfortably if we play to the same standard and tempo as we did against Spurs. Fulham are quite a negative team, but they can also be quite effective, so I hope we go at them straight away with a few hard tackles and a fast tempo to let them know we mean business. I think the West Ham fans are going to be looking forward to this and with tickets almost sold out I am expecting them to bring the house down at Upton Park.

We must respect Fulham, but we must also believe, quite rightly, that we are the better team.

I wouldn’t make any changes from the team that won against Spurs – consistency is everything in football... if aint broke don’t fix it! However, if Hitz is fit then it would be nice to see him come on after 60 mins or so.

As for Piq and Vic (love that from someone on the WHTID forum) – I think this is a great striking partnership and may also wake Cole up to the fact that his place isn’t guaranteed and we expect goals from him.

My prediction is 3-1 to West Ham with "Piq & Viq" and Dyer finding the net!!! COYI

I hope to have the game live on http://www.hammerstv.com/ this Saturday and don’t forget that you can chat to other Hammers fans from around the world in the new Hammers chat room.

West Ham v Chelsea and a look ahead to Stoke.

Well nothing changed against Chelsea as we let in three goals for the 4th game on the trot, although we did score 2 at the other end - a great piece of team play that allowed Carlton Cole to score, only to be ruled off-sided by a step and a sublime individual goal from Scotty Parker 10 minutes before time.

Although this was a much improved display, especially in the 2nd half, the same problems are still there! The most concerning is the defence which has to be the worst currently in English football – highlighted drastically by Chelsea’s second goal when a Rob green fumble was then cleared terribly by Upson off the back heal of Esienne and back over the top of Green. Comical errors for anyone watching - except us long suffering Hammers fans!

Positives were the excellent debut of Obinna alongside Cole – given time, and if Cole can get into second gear, you can see this being a good strike force. Piquionne can also step into the role of Cole, so the only worry there is if Obinna gets injured as we don’t have a like for like player to step into his shoes. Other than that the continued fitness of Dyer is a huge bonus – why wasn’t he on from the beginning? Maybe to rest him for the Stoke game and use him as an impact sub against Chelsea?

The key to our success this season is for Avram to choose his first choice defenders and stick with them. Only after half a dozen games will we see if we have a back 4 that can really work well together. If we keep leaking 3 goals a game then we aren’t going to win many this season!

Looking ahead to Stoke and this is the game we should be looking at to turn our season around. On paper, if the tactics are right, Stoke are a team that we can get a result from. For me a clean sheet and a win (2-0 would be nice), coupled with a confident display, could be just what we need ahead of the Spurs game at home. Loose against Stoke and I think we will have our heads down against Spurs and will struggle. It’s amazing how much difference a good display and a decent result can make!!

I’m going to stick my neck out and go for a 2-0 win to us. With Grant not there who will be in charge of tactics I wonder??!!

Watch the game live as always at www.hammerstv.com...

C.O.Y.I

Man UTD 3 West Ham UTD 0: But some positives?

Well we expected to get thrashed so 3-0 is probably not a bad result. We didn't play badly in spells, especially in the first half, but our play broke down in the last third where we had nothing to offer.

Negatives: Carlton Cole looked isolated up-front and even when he got in a (semi) dangerous position he looked off the pace like his mind was elsewhere - Liverpool perhaps?
Spector on the team sheet is bad enough, but predictably it was his poor play that lead to their penalty and the opening goal of the game just before half time. For those of you defending him last season, saying he is played out of position at LB, well he is just as bad at RB and is a Championship player at best! Another Negative was Avrams team selection - It was very Negative and that is no way to play against a team like Man U... yes you need to be tight but you also need to take the game to them. Sit back and you will get punished.

POSITIVES: Upson, Faubert and Parker were better... and the one man that stood out for me was Dyer who looked sharp and wasn't afraid to run at or take on players - he needs to get a bit stronger but if he stays fit then that can be classed as a new signing. He certainly has the ability - bat can he stay go the distance?
Green also had a good game pulling of some great saves that kept some credibility to the scoreline.

Despite all the Negatives and the Positives one thing was far to plain to see - the lack of passion and commitment that us West Ham fans have come to expect. We could loose 10-0 at Old trafford and the fans would still dance home singing as long as we see 110% commitment and 11 men that are proud to wear our famous shirt.

Can Avram bring that back to the players and give the fans something to Cheer about? The jury is out...

Great live West Ham stream on Hammers TV this week and I am expecting the same a week Saturday against Chelsea - lets hope the result is better...

Watch it live at http://www.hammerstv.com/ completely FREE.

COYI

WEST HAM: MAN UTD v WEST HAM UTD

After two desperately disappointing games to start of the season, loosing both (conceding 6 and scoring just 1), we now have to travel to Manchester for very tough game against the red Devils.

On paper we should be loosing this game about 10 - 0 and if Grant hasn't sorted the defence out by 5.30pm today then there's a real chance that is what the score line will be. However, we can take heart from the fact that Fulham last week held Fergie's side to a 2-2 draw showing that they are just 11 men and not invincible!

This is the first of two games that could see us bottom of the league 4 games into the season with a goal difference of about minus 20 - the next game up being against free scoring Chelsea at Upton Park next Saturday!!

As always I am really looking forward to this game, being the the premiership is all about playing teams like Manchester UTD, in the hope that we might pull a shocker and get a surprise 1-0 win... we live in hope!

Remember you can watch the whole MAN U v WEST HAM stream LIVE and completely FREE at www.hammerstv.com

See you there - COYI

Hammers sign Obbina!

Well I have to admit that I know little about this chap, but if the official website is to be believed he is lightning quick and that could be just what we need along side a holding forward like Cole or Piquionne.

It's unlikely he will have his work permit in place before the trip to old trafford, however we could see him starting, or at least on the bench, next week against Chelsea at home.

Lets hope this chap gives us what we need - 20 goals a season!!!

Read the full report here:

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100827/hammers-capture-obinna_2236884_2133509

COYI

VILLA 3 - WEST HAM 0: What a let down!

For most West Ham fans the 14th August could not come quick enough – with a great pre-season under our belts, some interesting new faces and the snowballing optimism surrounding the club, we were all looking forward to Saturday’s opening game against Aston Villa. By 5pm it was back down to earth and the reality that this is going to be a long, long season of discontent.

When the team was announced you could have been mistaken in thinking that it wasn’t the new season but end of the last – in fact many looked at the bench expecting to see Zola sitting there instead of Grant.

From the very start West Ham were out paced, out played and out of the game. Ok the first goal was off-side, but it was no more than a Managerless Villa deserved and we were lucky to be just 2-0 and not 5-0 down at half time – saved on more than one occasion by the great skills of Robert Green. Who, for the record, was by a mile our best player on the day.

The one positive is that Grant is brave enough to make changes when they are needed, unlike Zola who would wait until the 85th minute, and we did look a little better when Stoke bound Kovac was replaced Piquionne and Boa Morte made way for Barrera.

Still it wasn’t enough to turn the tide and the fantastic Milner made it 3-0 before the end to mark a miserable day for us Hammers. Milner should be off to Man City any time now and Villa are really going to miss him.

There was so much bad about this West Ham performance that you could spend all day going through the negative points – so I am just going to say that Grant needs to ring the changes, forget the likes of Kovac, Tompkins (who had another nightmare game) and Boa Morte, and give us a team to be proud of come Saturday at home to Bolton.

It’s only the first game – but much more of this and it’s going to be a very long season!

West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins (Diamanti 72), Upson, Faubert, Ilunga, Parker, Boa Morte (Barrera 46), Kovac (Piquionne 46), Noble, Carlton Cole

Subs (unused): Stech, Gabbidon, Spector, Sears

WEST HAM target Miralem Sulejmani denied work permit?

According to reports on sky sports this morning West Ham have been forced to abandon their bid for Ajax's Miralem Sulejmani after he failed to secure a work permit.

No official announcement has been made on the WHUFC website, but it is understood that the 21 year old Serbian International has just eight caps to his name and they have been spread over two years, meaning he did not automatically qualify for a work permit under Premier League criteria.

If these reports are true then this is a real gutter as Sulejmani was considered by many to be the final piece of the puzzle, and we may now have to settle for someone like Yakubu or Aliadiere.

FINGERS CROSSED that Sky have got this one wrong!!

Hammers confirm Miralem Sulejmani signing!

The official West Ham Utd site confirmed today the 1 year loan signing of Ajax striker Miralem Sulejmani subject to a work permit hearing. The statement said:

Providing his work permit is granted this could be the signing of the summer for Avram Grant and the West Ham board if they are able to get the best out of a striker that has undoubted potential.

West Ham: Hitz German captain, Parker to sign new deal and other stuff.

West Hams summer signing Thomas Hitzlsperger is celebrating his return to the German International squad by being made captain by coach Joachim Low. Hitz only missed out on the German world cup squad through lack of match play with his former club Lazio. Low said "Thomas is an experienced player, he has been around for a long time and has the leadership abilities”. Hitz has been in fantastic form for us in pre-season and this will be a major boost for the player ahead of the new Premierleague season.


At Upton Park the talented Scott Parker, who has been drawing interest from both Spurs and Liverpool, looks set to pledge his future to West Ham by signing a new 4 year deal. Despite being tempted by the lure of European football Parker respects the Decision of the clubs owners that he is not for sale. Maybe with the new squad he could look forward to European football but in the Claret & Blue... let’s hope that’s true and let’s get that contract signed ASAP!

Other news is that Miralem Sulejmani will have to wait to secure his work permit as he hasn’t had enough International football playing time to automatically qualify. It is expected that the work permit should still be granted with West Ham making a special application. In a recent interview Sulejmani stated "I am happy that I will play in the strongest league in Europe. I am up to the challenge and I am convinced that I will get the chance and the opportunities, as Avram Grant was very positive about my qualities”.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that West Ham have made an improved offer of £8million for Everton striker Yakubu. Apparently, Everton boss David Moyes may well be willing to sell the burly Nigerian in order to finance other deals... ironically one of those reported deals being the signing of long time West Ham target Loic Remy. Of all the summer deals I think most Hammers fans will be least disappointed if the Yakubu doesn’t go through providing Sulejmani gets his work permit.

No-one going out of the club yet – surely that will have to change soon and hopefully not any of our major players.

3 days to kick-off – 3pm (GMT) on http://hammerstv.com/livestream.html

COYI

West Ham transfer latest!!

Despite 5 new arrivals and the promise of at least one more, things have gone very quiet on the transfer front. Lots of names are being touted as the tabloids go into transfer rumour overdrive – but nothing has been finalised.


The most likely announcement in the next day or two is confirmation of the 1 year loan signing of Ajax striker Miralem Sulejmani. It seems that the player himself has said his goodbyes to his Dutch teammates and has been in London where a deal has been agreed and medical passed. However there are suggestions that there is a hold with his work permit that the club and player hope to be sorted out quickly. As soon as this has been sorted then West Ham can unveil the player officially – the 6th major signing of the summer.

Elsewhere West Ham target Loic Remy is now apparently interesting Everton – slowly the player is being linked with just about every team in the Premierleague with Spurs, Stoke and Liverpool already having strong links with the player. His desire is to play in the English top flight, however it is unlikely it will be at West Ham once the Miralem move is confirmed.

Other speculation has seen Carlton Cole linked with Everton, Stoke and Liverpool. Kovac is apparently on his way to stoke – and if we do get £2.5m for him as is being reported then that will be a bit of business most hammers will be happy with.

Talk of Scotty Parker going to Spurs seem to have died down much to the delight of us Hammers fans. Although Parker himself hasn’t spoken out, the owners and Manager have both said on numerous occasions that he is not for sale – so it seems likely he’ll still be with us unless a bid of £15mil plus is tabled.

So as the new season is upon us, and we approach the last couple of weeks of the transfer window, it seems that most hammers fans will be happy with the final acquisition of Miralem with Kovac and maybe Diamanti or Behrami going the other way... and of course if we can GIVE Spector away then we should to whoever will take him.

Four days to the premiership kick-off and I for one am very much looking forward to seeing who starts in the West Ham team against a managerless Aston Villa.

Watch it all live at http://www.hammerstv.com/ completey free!

COYI

WEST HAM: Reid not in it for the Money!!

Winston Reid says he has joined West Ham to play in the best league in the world and not for the Money. His words, in a televised Interview on New Zealand channel Scoop, are a breath of fresh air in a day when players seem increasingly motivated by bumper pay packets instead of which club they play for and what they may achieve.

Watch the full interview here:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/39382.html

COYI

OFFICIAL: West Ham - Winston Reid Signs

It has been confirmed on the official West Ham UTD site they we have signed the exciting young International player Winston Reid from Danish Club FC Midtylland for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £4million on a 3 year contract.


This is a very exciting signing which should be a good one for the future. He put in some confident displays at the world cup in South Africa, even chipping in with a goal, so lets hope that he recreates that form for the Hammers this season. This is the 5th signing made by west Ham so far this summer and there are still promises of one or maybe two more... exciting times!

See the full report here: http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100805/reid-signs_2236884_2112684

COYI

West Ham to Loose out on Remy to Stoke!

According to some emerging reports Loic Remy is due to fly into the UK to finalise a permanent move to the Premierleague, but not with West Ham, Spurs or Liverpool – but with Stoke City!


According to this report in The Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1300522/Liverpool-West-Ham-target-Loic-Remy-jets-Stoke-talks.html Loic Remy is set to stun West Ham and choose the Potters after all. It was thought that Remy may be swayed away from a deal with the Hammers by one of the Big 4 (or Spurs), but to loose out to a team like Stoke would be a major kick in the teeth.

This is all just tabloid gossip at the moment, with no official confirmation, but we will monitor the situation and keep you posted. I for one will be gutted if he chooses Stoke over us and will not look forward to lining up against him next season.

Ironically it seems that because Pullis can't get his hands on the in-form Carlton Carl, this is why he has now turned his attentions to Remy!!

Elsewhere it seems we are still being linked with a move for 21 year old Serbian striker Miralem Sulejmani on loan.

Hammers to sign 'International' Winston Reid

According to a report on one of my favourite sites "West Ham till I Die" we are on the brink of signing young New Zealand International Winston Reid. If this is true, as suggsted in the New Zealand press, then this seems like another good signing that has plenty of pottential - confirming West Hams approach of building a team for the future with young, International talent.

Full report here:

http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/08/04/a-new-kiwi-hammer/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WestHamBlog+%28West+Ham+Till+I+Die%29

COYI

'FACEBOOK BUDDIES' fantasy league!

I have for the past 3 season's been running my own league on the official Premierleague Fantasy football website called the 'FACEBOOK BUDDIES' fantasy league.

If you would like to enter a team, which takes just a few minutes, please visit the Facebook Page @
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events#!/event.php?eid=136859109680734

or follow these instructions:

This is the third year of the official 'FACEBOOK BUDDIES' fantasy footbal league and we want to see more people than ever taking part.


For those of you that took part last year you can just use the same log-in details, choose a team and you 'should' automatically enter the Facebook Buddies league.

For those of you that haven't done this before it takes just a few minutes to register at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ and then choose a team. Once you have chosen a team you can go to the 'LEAGUES' link on the left hand side and then enter the code 361165-92180 to join the the FACEBOOK BUDDIES league.

NOTE: You can Auto-select a team and the program will do it for you (this is much quicker) then you can change your team as much as you want until 1.30 on the day of the games. After that you can make one FREE tranfer a week (more cost you points).

You start with £100 million to purchase 15 players - 11 play each week with 4 subs.

ONLY ONE TEAM PER PERSON TO ENTER THE FACEBOOK BUDDIES LEAGUE - Anyone entering more than one team will have any additional teams deleted!!

FULL rules available on the site...

This is just for fun for anyone who loves football and even people that don't!!

Think that's it - see you there and GOOD LUCK!!! ;o)

Busy Summer for West Ham

Well it's been a busy summer on the transfer front - by West Hams standards at least.


Many expected a long line of players walking out the door this summer after our chairman placed everyone up for sale except Scotty Parker. Couple this with the 'terrible' state that the clubs finances are in and we were lead to believe that there would be more going out than coming in. But apart from a few fringe / loan players like Ilan, Mido and the likes there have been no major players leaving the club. In fact no less than FOUR new signing have been made with the promise of more apparently on the way in the next 72 hours.

A club statement read: “Club officials have stepped up their bid to secure a fifth signing and hope to have the deal finalised within the next 72 hours. The potential recruit is a young international, who represented his country to distinction at the World Cup.”

Of the players that have come in West Ham seem to have done some good business with the arrival of German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexican winger Pablo Barrera, French forward Frederic Piquionne and the latest 'signing' being a 5 month loan deal for Tal Ben Haim - apparently he has a Groin problem that needs to be monitored but when fit he should add some strength to the back line and he has premierleague experience.

Hitzlsperger has been an instant hit and will add some steal to the midfield as well as a few goals. Barrera is lightning fast so the width that was missing last year should return with more crosses for the likes of Cole and Piquionne to get on the end of – the latter arriving from Lyon via a loan spell at Portsmouth under Avram Grant.

So that brings us nicely on to the new Manager – there were mixed feelings when Zola was given the boot just 48 hours after last season finished... In much the same way that we fans had mixed feelings about our new owners. However the feeling I have at the moment, which I think many fellow fans share, is, for the first time in a long time, one of optimism. In Avram Grant we have a Manager that has managed at the highest level. Given stability, time and the backing of the West Ham board he could build a west Ham team to go on to much bigger things. In our owners (if not everyone’s cup of tea) with have people that have Claret & Blue Blood in their veins, people that have a sustainable vision for the future of our club and it seems are happy to put their money where their mouth is and hold on to our top players.

It seems it will be hard to off-load a few of our fringe players, but unlike in previous years players like Parker, Cole, Behrami all seem to be staying at the club. If they can all hit the form we know they are capable of at the same time, along with the new signings, then we could have an exciting season ahead.

I for one will be happy with plenty of goals, good football, a cup run and a mid-table finish. Saying that, if we can just not have to worry about relegation for the last 2 months of the season I will still be pleased!!!!

Pre-season has seen 4 wins and a draw which is a good warm up for the players – mentally as well as physically. The 1-1 draw coming at Southend last night were both teams played mainly second string players.

We have a great game to look forward to this Saturday against Deportivo La Coruna at the Boleyn Ground and then the real test – away to Aston Villa on Saturday 14th August.

And finally – the new kits. It seems that they are a hit with everyone and I for one agree. For me the away strip is the one and I have mine on order as we speak!!

Remember you can watch EVERY West Ham game LIVE and completely FREE at www.hammerstv.com

COYI

West Ham safe and sound...!

Well after a battling performance against Wigan last week, and other results going our way, WEST HAM are safely back in the premier league for another season... unless Hull can win both their remaining games and score 24 goals in the process. Knowing the luck we’ve had at times this season you may feel justified in thinking that this may just happen – but I don’t even think The Hammers can be that unlucky!!!

The Wigan game was messy in parts and we looked dodgy in places – but the fighting Spirit that was so badly missing against Liverpool was back, even if not 100%, and no-one expressed this more than the outstanding Scotty Parker. Not his best performance in the Claret and Blue, but his spirit and fight were second to none and of course he scored a stunning goal to give us the full 3 points. Others of note for me were Ilan with another vital goal, Cole who had a much better game despite not getting on the score sheet, and Noble – who proved he and Scotty can play well in the centre of the park together.

So now we can enjoy the last 2 games – and not worry about the Tevez goal that could send us down on the last day of the season against Man City. In fact, we can now even enjoy it, if it comes, as it could be the goal that sends the Spuds into 5th and out of the Champions league – could be a great end to the season after all.

So all the talk now is who will come and who will go over the summer. There are sure to be changes, but the new owners need to make sure that they keep the talented youngsters, along with players like Parker, Cole, Behrami, Noble, Ilan (IMO) and one or two others. Clear some of the dead wood and start the transfers early to bring in some quality – a natural left back, some flair in mid-field and a 20-a-season striker would be a good start!!

COYI

Hammers TV and LIVERPOOL v WEST HAM!

As you can see Hammers TV has had a revamp and, I hope you'll agree, is looking much, much better. Things should also run much more smoothly. This isn't the finished article, but you should notice a vast improvement.

Whilst this has been going on I haven't been able to keep the News Blog up to date, so appologies for that. The Blog will be kept up to date once the site finally gets to where I want it too be - so from the start of the 2010 - 2011 season.

Just recently we have had a couple of good results picking up 4 points against Everton and Sunderland - finally bring an end to that horrible run of form. And despite Wigans shock turn-around against Arsenal at the weekend, coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, we are still 3 points clear of the drop zone - so I am still confident we will stay up.

So tonight we travel North to take on the might of Liverpool in a game that they will play without their goal machine Tores - which can only be good news for us. If we can grab a point I will be very happy and you never know we may take all 3... stranger things have happened.

Then 3 points at home to Wigan the next weekend 'should' be enough to see us safely in the top flight for another season.

Watch the game live and completely free on http://hammerstv.com/livestream.html

COYI

Arsenal v West Ham Preview

Well some might say that these are the sorts of games where West Ham pull a trick out of the hat and walk away with a point or three. But in order to get these kind of results you need a team playing with the kind of passion Fulham showed the other night against the mighty Juve - a comback sparked by an ex-hammer no less... Bobby Zamora. Unfortuantely this kind of fight, passion and belief has been in short supply recently and in our last 2 trips to one of the 'big four' - Man U and Chelski - we have been turned over far to easily. So will today be any different against the Gunners? We have a good record against them to be honest, but we are facing a team in the finest of forms.

As far as the Hammers team that will start today - well after the starting eleven we saw at The Bridge your guess is as good as mine as to who will be there come 5.30pm this afternoon. In the first hald it seemed like Zola had gt it right with a respectable 1-1 scoreline. However, after they scored their second everything went to pot. I would like to see Benni on with Cole if he is fit and if not Mido in place of Benni. I would also like to see Daprella get a start to see how he can cope at the back for 90 minutes.

Ayway - only a couple of hours till kick off. Watch it live here on http://www.hammerstv.com/ and chat to other Hammers around the world whilst watching the game.

COYI

Talk Chelsea Interview

Read my interview with some of our friends at the bridge - http://www.talkchelsea.net/west-ham-opposition-views.html

Chelsea v West Ham preview

At 3pm Saturday afternoon Chelsea host West Ham for what is a vital game for both teams. For Chelsea another loss could seriously damage their Championship charge, whilst for us every point counts at the other end of the table - so if we can get anything from this game it will be a huge bonus ahead of another tricky game away to Arsenal next week.

The main thing is putting in a couple of good team performances so moral is high going into the home games against Wolves & Stoke – 2 games that ‘should’ give us a very good chance of survival if we win them both.

Not much change on the team front except for the return to full training for Benni McCarthy who could, if deemed match fit, figure alongside Carlton Cole for the first time since going off injured on his debut. Personally I would like to see Mido get the nod to start up front with Cole, with Franco dropping to the bench. Apart from that I don’t see Zola (Clarke) making too many changes from the team that faced Bolton last week. However it will be interesting to see if Dyer gets a rare start (providing he doesn’t break a leg warming up) and what can be done about the problems we have been experiencing down the left hand side. Chelsea will look to exploit that area of the pitch so Zola/Clarkes tactical ability, which has been questioned heavily this season, will once again be under scrutiny.

This game could go one of two ways – we will fold easily as we did against Man U a couple of weeks ago and end up losing 3 or 4 nil... or... we will put in a battling display that will see us walk away singing ‘BUBBLES’ with a point (or three) in the bag. If we frustrate them from the off, get at them and break up their play, I think we can get something from this. The only question is whether we have the players with the passion and the fight to put in that kind of a performance.

I’m expecting a lively game here with a few nerves from both sides - watch the Chelsea v West Ham live stream here at www.hammerstv.com and chat to other Hammers fans at the same time.

PH

COYI

Hammers TV goes live!

Finally HammerTV is up and running, has been now for 2 weeks, and the live broadcast of West Ham v Bolton went ahead (shame the team didn't turn up on the day).

Next up is a trip to Chelski where we hope that even the mild mannered Zola will be able to fire the team up to put one over his and Clarks old club.

There's still loads of work to do on the site which I will deal with over the coming weeks.


However the live stream page and Live chat are all up and running - now I just need some people to start watching/chatting!!

Your feedback is always welcome so please drop me a line if you have any suggestions on how I can improve the site.

COYI