Diouf Training With Us - Joining on Loan

Yep, you read it correctly.

John Carew tweeted this about half an hour ago:

Now if im not horribly mistaken, that is the upper head of Mr El Hadji Diouf. And the twitter users amongst my readers can work out my reply to John Carew in my timeline!

I dont like this, I understand it will only be on a loan deal and as cover for Matty Taylor who seems to be out for a while, however why does it have to be him? I dont particularly rate him as a player, and i certainly dont rate him as an individual. Makes me sad to think this boy will be playing in the famous Claret and Blue of West Ham. I hate the bloke, and this also means I will be having to take my umbrella to the next home match to shield myself from his infamous spitting at others ability.

Oh well, lets hope he does a job and scores a few goals.

COYI

We are toppa the league

Since my last blog, (sorry I’ve been a busy man  ), we have got ourselves a tidy draw away at Palace, and a thumping win at home against B’Pool, what a lovely day out that was! First time I have said that about a home game in a long time, but it really was a faultless performance in my opinion. We even defended well when they put us under a lot of pressure towards the end, and that really is an achievement - for us!! It was nice to see Sammy B get his first couple of goals, and hopefully that’s the beginning of many. I have seen a lot of people saying that he won’t stop scoring now, so let’s hope that they are correct and he really does start banging them in for fun! He looks a decent buy already, and he’s only young too, so could prove to be a good prospect for the future.

I am off to Southampton tonight, and I hope to see the same line up as Saturday, except Tomkins and Taylor of course, who are both injury doubts. I am praying that Sam doesn’t revert to 4-5-1, however if he does, I am hoping with all I can that he plays Carew as the lone striker and not Cant Control. Seeing a big man upfront that can control the ball well, bring it down, look for the pass, hit the ball accurately with power AND score headers really is a breath of fresh air, and I don’t know what else Carew can really do to prove that he deserves his place in the starting 11!

I would also like to mention Kev Nolan, whom I thought had a very decent game last weekend. He looked a much better performer than he has been this season and lets hope that he carries this on to tonight’s match at St Mary’s.

I really hope we get a result tonight, it would be lovely to see a 1. next to our beloved clubs name wouldn’t it? And I also want to sing the ‘we are top of the league’ song tonight! Prediction: Soton 2-3 W Ham, and I hope Baldock gets one.

Moore Than Just a Podcast Episode 8 was recorded last night and is now online at www.moorethanjustapodcast.podbean.com, on iTunes and on our Facebook Page.

3 points tonight please, COYFI

Thats a very decent signing!!!

I have felt really down all week when it comes to football, which is why I haven’t blogged in a while! Was planning on a blog for the Ipswich game, but the loss in the closing minutes was a killer for me and I have felt down and out about it all week!

Anyway, I was cheered up today with the news that we may have made a loan bid for Carlos Tevez. I don’t think refusing to play for your own club is a good thing, and I don’t think he should have acted that way, but if it means that this could mean in any way that he could once again become a WHU player, then keep on doing it Carlos! His 6 months of consistent play with us was some of the most exciting I have ever seen, and we all remember that goal at Old Trafford, and his apology to us when he scored against us for Man City, and when he made the hammers arm sign on his return to UP with United, and that’s why I love Carlos Tevez. Carlos, por favor vuelve al West Ham!

The thing that reminded me to write this blog is the ‘emergency loan’ signing of Manuel Almunia. What a signing that is! I wouldn’t choose him over Greeno, but realistically he is the best replacement we could have asked for? An experienced, half decently proven Premiership goalkeeper, for whom im keeping my fingers crossed that he can do the business so quickly with him going straight into the starting line up tomorrow. He also has a very simple song which I think we can all pick up nicely if he makes a few good stops.

After these two bits of exciting news, I am definitely happier in footballing terms than I was last night, so now I am looking forward to the game tomorrow. Hopefully the sunshine can help make the game a better one, and would like to see some goals banged in by our lot again! Back to scoring ways please west ham. I think that we will win tomorrow, and I hope by a nice margin, and that they all play well as a team.

Prediction 3-0 – Scorers: Lansbury, Cole and Tomkins (not necessarily in that order)

Also want to rant about Adrian Durham. I know his job is to wind us up as fans so we pay ridiculous money to moan at him on his radio show, but do any of you readers follow him on Twitter?? He is a first class idiot and anything we do he makes such an issue out of, this is his latest tweet following the news of Almunia:

talkSPORTDrive
Almunia: 3 issues: 1) proves whu panicking and in deep troub if they don't go up; 2) why have a squad?; 3) are whu paying his £50k a week?

Whats his obsession with us?!? Winds me right up – but no!!! I will not ring your poxy radio show.

Rant over… thanks for reading. Check out Moore Than Just a Podcast on the player over on the right there ----->

Remember Send in your Ultimate West Ham 11’s to moorethanjustapodcast@live.co.uk or on our Facebook page, and hear your team read out on next weeks podcast! COYI

Its that time of the week again.....

Episode 5 of Moore Than Just a Podcast, hot off the press, available to listen NOW below

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Enjoy and thanks for your questions

Avram Grant was a nice man!

So we won our last game out against Pompey, was a decent result but not a great performance. If you want to hear more in depth analysis of that game, then listen to Moore Than Just a Podcast where we go over it many times, and I constantly reiterate my admiration for our new Henri Lansbury who has sadly just signed a contract extension with L’Arse L. Anyway, we got the win and now let’s move on, big game tomorrow!!

Im not going to the den, but I will try and find some dodgy stream somewhere and watch it. The one thing im hoping will come out of Saturdays early kick off (except 3 points), is a debut for Sam Baldock, as im reading this morning that he is well up for showing us what he can do and that there is no better stage for him to do it. I would love him to get a debut goal as I am still keeping my fingers crossed that he is the missing pacey finisher that we so dearly need.

Team will hopefully look like this (it wont but this is what I would choose)

Green

O’Brien Tomkins Faye McCartney

Bentley Lansbury Nolan Taylor

Cole Baldock

But realistically, it will be Lansbury Nolan and Noble, and Cole up front on his own. Prediction: 1-2 With Millwall scoring first and Cole and Baldock scorers!!!

Yesterday saw a fan forum taking place, which again, I didn’t attend. However I am being cheeky, and have c+p’d a summary from a fan on West Ham Online so thanks to the contributor for this!


A brief run down of what was discussed:

• For me DG is a lovely, lovely bloke. Seriously. He is passionate, enthusiastic and down to earth.

• But he said alot without actually telling us much. A polished performance and he is very personable. DS is probably the one to get the gossip from!!

• The evening started with the inevtiable OS questions.

• In a nut shell he is 99.99999% we will get it. Hearn is only after cash and Levy wasnt spoken about in very fond terms. He couldnt say much about the legal action other than I got the impression Spurs may have a problem to deal with.

• The stadium will be named (he mentioned as an example The Sony Olympic Stadium) but West Ham will not change nor the badge (he feels KB was misquoted here)

• The worst seats will be given to the community and we will get the best seats. All options are being looked at for seats including retractable and a Dutch lego idea where we build sections for football over the track and dismantle in closed season.

• Parker wanted to go to spurs, other offers came in but he was only interested in going there.

• Bentley happened after and wasnt part of the Parker deal.

• Cole had offers, and wants PL football but not at any price. Instead he stayed with us. DG was very complimentary about Cole and spoke with warmth about how much he gives on the pitch for the club.

• Green will be offered contract but as per Parker in reality Contracts are worthless anyway if a player wants to go.

• He wont be driving his Rolls to Millwall!!

• BFS let Hines and Junior go as felt hadnt developed. DG felt Junior may still make the grade, nothing said about Hines.

• Huge hopes for current U18 team - especially Elliot Lee.

• Succession plans are in place should worst happen or either of the daves have enough.

• Debt down to £75m from £110m

• The Stech story is true about payments but he wont go on loan to prove his worth

• He loves BFS.

• Tried to manage Avram out in Dec/Jan. Offered MONeill the job but he was indecisive, then story leaked (still dont know by who) and so stuck with Avram once Feb came as no other manage wanted job if they couldnt bring in own players. All done in secret even DGs girlfriend didnt know they had gone in for MONeill.

• Said Avram was a lovely bloke, was excellent in interview and was best candidate at the time. Crap manager though!!

• Defended Brady and her Sun articles and said she was excellent at her job.

• The Icelandics "rape and pillaged" our club and some of the deals were a joke.

• DG said we could have got Freddie L for £1m rather than £3.5m if only they had waited 2 days!

• There is no transfer kitty just the two Daves pockets. They are prepared to dig deep to invest in BFS.

• BFS ambitious wants to manage in PL and then England football team.

• Disgusted with 5 sub rule (blamed small clubs like Peterborough!) and the UEFA financial rules need tweaking.

• Will look into comments on catering.

• Will look to take as much to the OS from UP as we can (like gates etc) and looking to do replica world cup winners statue

• We have to get OS otherwise Spurs will nick all our corporate. He can see OS from the Boardroom and doesn't want to see Spurs flag flying over it.

• Potential is massive as is income stream.

• Also said he hoped Lansbury would sign for us if we got promoted and if Arsenal still only offered bench football.

• Said all Henri wants is to play and is a top bloke.

• Also very complimentary on new little Sam and had high hopes for him also.

• Rough figures to buy into club and 30% stake are £30m to bank and £20m to club as a gift.

• Fernandes wanted to do the above figures at 51% and so become majority shareholder.

• DG and DS adamant that they want 3 equalish partners.

• Terry Brown wont invest any more into club. Lovely bloke, mad fan but dull!!

• DG mentioned 30% as stake left as from memory didnt Brown and someone else buy 3%?!

• Banks etc all aware we want a new partner in club.

• Said last year too many injuries, and this year none. Speaks volumes about BFS regime.

Very interesting read I think you would agree? Overall a real positive feel about our club at the moment. Loving it.

COYI Lets beat that Millwall scum!

IRONS

Episode 4 - Moore Than Just a Podcast

Now live on itunes to subscribers, or listen here:

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Moore Than Just a Podcast - Transfer Special

The transfer special podcast is now up on podbean, on itunes or subscribers now... non subscribers probably tomorrow, or listen below!!

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Carlton Cole is leaving

Galatasary have made an undisclosed bid for him...

Shame as he has been doing well so far at this level but not that bothered as it is Carlton Cole (Cant Control)

COYI

We're gonna break league records

We’re gonna break records

Wow. Congratulations to the two Daves and BFS, the signings we have made this transfer window have been immense. The best transfer window for us since we signed Dean Ashton (IMO).

I was so so happy at the news Henri Lansbury has joined is on loan for the year. Having seen him play quite often last year for Norwich and England U21’s, I honestly think this lad is a great signing to help us in this league. And then this was made even better with the news of David Bentley. I know he has his critics and that he has been walking around loving himself whilst not playing and bringing in his wages, and performing no better than averagely when he has played…… However, I honestly think the fact that he has come on loan shows that he wants to play as much as he can, and at Championship level we may have a real gem on our hands this season. He offers us great vision, passing, delivery into the box, and also his set pieces and scoring of free kicks is something he is known for. I don’t know much about Guy Demel, but when the signing came through on SSN, Iain Dowie was saying ‘ Wow, this kid can play football’ and went on to say how he should be playing in Premiership and how he will be a ‘revelation’ for us in the Championship, so I take it he’s good Iain?

Put these 3 alongside the decent signings of Nolan, McCartney, Baldock etc. and I think we will be the strongest team in this league. If BFS can get them working together as a team, which should be an achievable feat looking at how many British players we have which always helps increase the team spirit, then in my opinion, the bookies were right to put us favourites to win the Championship. We could break records with this squad!

Hope anyone who has listened to the Moore Than Just a Podcast has enjoyed it, thank you for listening! And for those who haven’t… its available in my last post and also on iTunes!

Listen here on podbean http://moorethanjustapodcast.podbean.com/

Subscribe on Itunes here itpc://moorethanjustapodcast.podbean.com/feed

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COYI

Moore Than Just a Podcast - Epsiode 2 - With Jeremy Nicholas

Up now on Podbean, on iTunes now for subscribers, and iTunes tomorrow for new listeners!

Listen Below!

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Parker is not a legend

4 goals away from home again, can’t complain! I was really impressed with our performance after we scored our first goal until the end of the game. We genuinely look a different team away from home. I completely agree that the reason the poor performances come at home is because of fan pressure, but with the amount of new and experienced players in the team e.g. Kev Nolan and Matty Taylor, I really don’t think that this can be an excuse?

I was also very pleased with one man in particular on Sunday, and I can’t be the only one who would never thought he would say this…………. Carlton Cole was quality. Held the ball up well, made some clever passes (to Taylor for the first goal), ran at the defence with great power and control (winning the corner for the second goal) and topped off the performance with a goal for himself, albeit one he tried his very hardest to miss!! Well done Carlton, MOTM was well deserved.

In other news - Parker to Tottenham. Doh . Don’t care about losing Scott; I actually thought our midfield looked quality on Sunday without him, a lot more productive, and definitely not as crowded or hectic as it has looked in the other games this season. But Tottenham? Why Tottenham? Why are we even considering doing business with this lot? It’s not even just the fans rivalry now, it’s the clubs themselves and the executives, and I am surprised that they are doing a deal. Im not angry at him for leaving at all, he can do what he wants and I will give him a clap if he ever comes back to Upton Park. It’s not because of where he is going that my blog is title ‘Parker is not a legend’.

Tony Cottee played for Millwall after us, and I would like to think he is considered somewhat of a legend at Upton Park? I just don’t think a man who done his job very well for 4 years then packs it all up when we go down is a legend? I know he is doing it for England etc etc but he got called up for this week’s game and SURPRISE SURPRISE he has played for us and still got called up!! You don’t need to play in the prem Scott! He has just been a very good player in a very poor team, continued to maintain his decent performances, and shown a bit of passion when the others didn’t care. Does that really make him a legend? Agreed, he is more of a legend than Faubert, or even Cole, but he is not a ‘legend’ similar to the ‘legends’ that are Moore, Bonds, Brooking or even Di Canio. And Im not too keen on that Jake Livermore who is supposedly coming the other way. Saw him play a few games last year at Leeds and also Ipswich I believe? and he did look pretty average, that was at the level we are at now.

We have brought in Sam Baldock from McDons, who seems to have been scoring goals for fun this season so let’s hope he can carry it over to our place. Potentially a good signing by BFS, lets wait and see! And who is Brian Montenegro?! I don’t know anything about him, except knowing he has a rather humorous name and we should welease Bwian. He is not a prolific goal scorer it would seem looking at his stats, but apparently very fast and small which is what we need upfront, so I am looking forward to seeing him in the first 11, which is where I would like to see him given a chance, as bringing in a youngster on a years loan and sticking him in the reserves with the other youngsters doesn’t make much sense? However, I am glad they haven’t paid over the odds for him and given him a nice little contract like they did with Savio………………. you’ve gotta laugh at that one?? Heard that Bwian can also play on the wing, so let’s see if he can do a job there. He is not Paraguayan; he’s a very naughty boy.

So biggest news of the week is probably that Scott is going, was nice having you about Scott, I don’t wish you well at Tottscum.

Little break now till the next game and I see that Greeno has just pulled out of the England squad ‘injured’. When is he ever injured? Where is he off to then???? QPR I reckon.

Listen out for the next Moore than just a podcast. If you listened and downloaded our first episode thank you for your support!! Hopefully Jeremy Nicholas on this week and will either record tonight or maybe wait till tomorrow for the transfer deadline day.

COYI

Moore Than Just a Podcast Pilot Episode Up.....

Only on podbean for the time being - listen below if you would like!

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Featuring myself, @georgewhufc, @westhamfootball, @westhamjb and AFC Wimbledon and Wales u21 midfielder, @reecej100

SEND IN YOUR TOPICS/QUESTIONS

To myself or @westhamfootball - we are recording our very first 'Moore than just a podcast' podcast tonight with a very 'special' guest in the shape of Wales U21 International and AFC Wimbledon midfielder Reece Jones popping in to give his view of various things football as well as answering any questions you have for him.

Kill 'em off....

... No not Ilunga... kill teams off!

Thats what we didn't do today, and with numerous chances to do so, we still have the same problem of lacking a finisher. I hope we sign one before the end of the window, Nicky Maynard looks like he could be coming in, which would be nice.

When we went 1-0 up after 5 minutes of play, and after our midweek drubbing of Watford, I couldn't have been the only one secretly thinking that we were in for more of the same and we were on our way to another victory. We then struggled after scoring which is so typical of us (Brum away in the cup semi final springs to mind) and we let them get back into the game and luckily for us Max Gradel doesn't want to upset his potential new boss by scoring a pen against us. He did look half decent apart from that today though didn't he?

Second half and I genuinely think we were second best to a decent Leeds performance. Julien Faubert came on and whipped some good balls in (for once) and we managed to get ourselves back in front. Now here is where I think Allardyce should have bought someone else on rather than bringing another striker on in Freddie the fly tipper, with only 10 minutes (ish) to go and only being ahead by one goal. We then sat back and our piss poor left back in the shape of Ilunga again let us down in the closing minutes of the match and it really did feel like 2 points lost rather than a point won.

Allardyce - Why do you play a centre midfielder, Jack Collison, out of position as a winger? Does anyone else feel like our midfield is too crowded? Jack seems to sneak back into the middle without realising himself, and before you know it we have him, Noble, Parker and Nolan all too close together at times. A natural winger would keep out to the sides and make runs and cause trouble for the opposition, something I thought Julien did well when he came on. Don't bring on another striker when we are holding on to a narrow lead, and don't put on the bench two players who can offer you the same thing as someone already on the pitch, Piq OR Carew on the bench would have done today, not both.

I hope this last minute conceding stuff don't carry on as we could again see our lots heads drop like they did last year, and its hard to win games as a depressed and negative team.

Bring in Gradel to cause problems down the wing, and bring in Nicky Maynard to partner Carew up front and lets see how many goals that gets us.

IN OTHER NEWS

Myself and @westhamfootball, who some of you may know on twitter, are recording our first podcast tomorrow so keep an ear out for that.

Come on you irons and lets destroy Aldershot on tuesday.

This is fun...

http://www.sporcle.com/games/luk/hammer

Hello everybody.... Tony Fernobhead

My first blog - dont expect anything exciting.

Just noticed that there was a few West Ham bloggers about and I quite often share a different opinion, so thought I would give it a crack myself.... and also I'm watching the new big brother and its s*** so trying to find something to entertain me.

I wanted to rant about Tony Fer"nobhead"nandes just like most other West Ham fans. I think his measly £4 million offer for Scotty P is enough to prove that he really is a business man before a sports fan. The bloke who sent endless tweets about how he thinks our club should be run, and how much he loves us and then comes in and insults us like that. I, for one, am glad that he is no longer in the running to be investing in our club, because I think he is too big for his little F1 boots and hasn't got the money to put where his mouth is. I would be disappointed if Scott decided to go to QPR. I know its only the first game, but I am pretty sure that their 4-0 loss to Bolton is a little taste of whats to come this season, and I think they are gonna be at the wrong end of the table for most of the season, and I would assume Scotty dont want that again! He can do better than that.

On a lighter note, I was at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night, and was really impressed with our lads. I missed our first goal queuing outside, (quality crowd control from the Watford staff), but our other 3 goals were well made and well taken, then again, even Carlton Cole couldn't miss that one! The attitude seems to have changed at our club, there is just a better feeling amongst the fans at the 2 of the 3 games I have attended, and looking at the players, especially Nolan's antics with the keepers at free kicks, it is a breath of fresh air to see them actually trying hard for our club again.

Thats it for now. Hope you enjoyed, or at least read, my first blog!

Bring on the Leeds, COYI.

P.S. Follow me on twitter - @georgewhufc