Once again our own George Green has kindly reported from the "thick of the fray" and once again I've not been ready with a fresh Saitch, So here's George's despatch, copied from the end of the Palace thread:
George GreenAugust 31, 2014 at 2:04 AM Word from the trenches is shell shocked!! Can't believe how poor the same team that beat Palace was. No passion, desire, fight, or Plan B. Soton deserved their win and played how I would like the Hammers to play. I would imagine that after that Alex Song was thinking "what the f**k have I let myself in for?". Crowd was quiet for most of the time and a lot left once the third goal went in. Boos at the end, I know it was only a kids for a quid game but they could at least put some effort in.
That's one colourful brain there Mr P. No doubt as colourful as the language ringing around the Boleyn against Palace. Song, and now Amalfitano. It's gotta get betta....hasn't it?
It's hard to imagine much worse than the second half against The Saints Filthy, but being a veteran Hammer's man I not only can but have even seen what it looks like. Lets hope Southampton are a better team than we thought they were. But when you can't get hold of the ball, gift it straight back the rare occasions that you do have it, don't defend set pieces and are half a kip when they take a corner you can't expect to win. I'm sure our mob have more varied and colourful reasons as to why we played so pitifully than there are sections of the Saitch Brain !
I said Palace in my last comment, I meant Southampton of course. But it really doesn't matter who you play against if you play that badly. I have a sneaky surreal vision that Alf is on some kind of twisted revenge mission, where his tactics and management are completely irrational and constantly changing, leading to the utter bemusement of the fans, players and even opposition. Occasional moments of wonder followed by lashings of crap, with a maniacal grin on his face! Take that Gollivan, that'll teach you to diss the one and only Sam Allardyce in public.
Is it revenge, or could it be that Alf's just completely out of his depth Filthy ? How many of these new players did he actually want ? The amount and type wont of Fresh faces all fit into his traditional "percentage" football style - but can he conjur up anything else ? What does he know about developing the creative inside Ravel ? Still either way being "El Kippo" when a corner is taken is still not on !
I wasn't sure at the time if they were suddenly brilliant or we went into whowhatwhere mode after some dodgy lemons and bargain tea at half time. In retrospect it was definitely WWW. Much as I'd love to totally blame the Large One I think the lads deserve some of the shame. Either of you could be right about Alf but until he goes- please please, we'll have more of who's going to show up silly games. Let's hope we can at least not fall apart in time for the Who Can Beat Manure By The Most Derby.
Not time to panic yet. We'll know that when AC & Nolan get fit and walk right back into the starting 11.
In the meantime Smitty (while nobby's "nobbled" - OUCH !) I'm beginning to have doubts about Noble's ability as a Captain - nothing to do with him as a player, but we were all over the shop on Saints' set pieces and someone has to be in charge. There's no doubting his solidity as a player and he has the crowd on his side,but is he a leader ? Another one for the Time Will Tell List ?
Lets give him the benefit. After years of keeping your gob shut it's hard to get mouthy especially as you're replacing the love of Alf's life and you're bound to get an earful right or wrong. On the other hand the set piece gaffs that were made shouldn't be made by professionals it's not as though they were all new guys, so no excuses there.
Still can't believe how bad it was on Saturday. Doubt if it is a cunning plan by Sam, just a really poor performance from the team, let's hope it was just a one off. Agree I think we need a strong captain and at the moment one who will kick some buts, Nobes is a brilliant player but not sure the best captain at the moment.
I'm not glad you agree on the Cap'n Noble front, but am glad that I'm not necessarily "way off target". Just because he's a local lad shouldn't mean he's "untouchable" - i'd like to see him dish it out when called for.
Goodbye Mo. Not the success he could have been, and both sides have there points as to why. Not exactly top 6 team, but good luck to him. Be interesting to see the reception he gets, odds on boos methinks.
Isn't his first game for Hull against us Smitty up there ? Our next match, no ? Knowing our luck he'll play a blinder, but for me he hung on to the ball too long and was a low percentage finisher. From the little I've seem I'd say Kouyate was an upgrade !
Yeah I watched that, all good fun DP captain, now there's a thought. Nice follow up on the pen, typical WHU Quality whiff from Mr Song ( worthy of AC at his best) that ended up quite tasty, ( fooled em all!!) All in all unlikely score for the prem, and I doubt if we'd get even that many shots in , but I'd be happy to see that kind of buggering about even if we lost / drew.
Saw the highlights of the Ipswich game - wish we could play like that against PL teams! Re Mo he was too erratic for me blinding one game, Chelsea for instance, then poor for a few. Think the main reason they let him go is that he only had 10 months left on his contract, Hull made a decent offer and they decided to take the money, purely a financial /business decision. Good luck to him though let's he doesn't do the new club/old club trick.
It's got to be though George hasn't it ? Diame has the game of a lifetime in his first game for Hull which happens to be against us. If that doesn't happen I will consider it a "sign" - in the meantime I'll be polishing up me gris-gris !
I can see what your hoping for here Smitty, Allardyce's name will somehow be implicated in this match fixing scandal and hey presto - he's nicked and we're off the hook ! What shall we call it - Bolton Gate ?
I can't actually say hoping, but someone's got to carry the can, and in some cases the more the merrier. Even if he wasn't involved hard to imagine he didn't get a sniff. Admittedly oofball is easily led astray, so might be hard to prove unless he took a cheque. Would be a nice easy out though, wouldn't it.
Didn't a few players already get done on this one ? I could be wrong being Bolton I didn't pay so much mind to it - but now you've made a connection, although I must say it's got be an extremely long shot, no ?
Time to start thinking about the Hull game, even if it's not until Monday. In theory should be the easiest of the next three to win - I haven't been paying too much attention to the comings and goings up there, but I know they've bought in at least a couple more players than Mo. Also I note Spuds will be looking for a ground share for a season - lets hope it's not The Olympic, although I'm not sure how much say we have in that as we're only tennants!
I think Hull should be a good test for us, some / all of our newbies should be close to "match fit" so lack of excuses there. Had some time for practice so they shouldn't be lost. No guesses as to score but should be close with us on top.
The Top 4 Smitty - any chance of us being up there will have to wait until the start of next season at the earliest. Still Hull are up for sale and Steve Bruce is getting linked to Pardew's job, so there may be the odd distraction up there.
Once again our own George Green has kindly reported from the "thick of the fray" and once again I've not been ready with a fresh Saitch, So here's George's despatch, copied from the end of the Palace thread:
ReplyDeleteGeorge GreenAugust 31, 2014 at 2:04 AM
Word from the trenches is shell shocked!! Can't believe how poor the same team that beat Palace was. No passion, desire, fight, or Plan B. Soton deserved their win and played how I would like the Hammers to play. I would imagine that after that Alex Song was thinking "what the f**k have I let myself in for?". Crowd was quiet for most of the time and a lot left once the third goal went in. Boos at the end, I know it was only a kids for a quid game but they could at least put some effort in.
That's one colourful brain there Mr P. No doubt as colourful as the language ringing around the Boleyn against Palace. Song, and now Amalfitano. It's gotta get betta....hasn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to imagine much worse than the second half against The Saints Filthy, but being a veteran Hammer's man I not only can but have even seen what it looks like. Lets hope Southampton are a better team than we thought they were. But when you can't get hold of the ball, gift it straight back the rare occasions that you do have it, don't defend set pieces and are half a kip when they take a corner you can't expect to win. I'm sure our mob have more varied and colourful reasons as to why we played so pitifully than there are sections of the Saitch Brain !
ReplyDeleteI said Palace in my last comment, I meant Southampton of course. But it really doesn't matter who you play against if you play that badly. I have a sneaky surreal vision that Alf is on some kind of twisted revenge mission, where his tactics and management are completely irrational and constantly changing, leading to the utter bemusement of the fans, players and even opposition. Occasional moments of wonder followed by lashings of crap, with a maniacal grin on his face!
ReplyDeleteTake that Gollivan, that'll teach you to diss the one and only Sam Allardyce in public.
Is it revenge, or could it be that Alf's just completely out of his depth Filthy ? How many of these new players did he actually want ? The amount and type wont of Fresh faces all fit into his traditional "percentage" football style - but can he conjur up anything else ? What does he know about developing the creative inside Ravel ? Still either way being "El Kippo" when a corner is taken is still not on !
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure at the time if they were suddenly brilliant or we went into whowhatwhere
ReplyDeletemode after some dodgy lemons and bargain tea at half time. In retrospect it was definitely WWW. Much as I'd love to totally blame the Large One I think the lads deserve some of the shame.
Either of you could be right about Alf but until he goes- please please, we'll have more
of who's going to show up silly games. Let's hope we can at least not fall apart in time for the Who Can Beat Manure By The Most Derby.
Not time to panic yet.
We'll know that when AC & Nolan get fit and walk right back into the starting 11.
In the meantime Smitty (while nobby's "nobbled" - OUCH !) I'm beginning to have doubts about Noble's ability as a Captain - nothing to do with him as a player, but we were all over the shop on Saints' set pieces and someone has to be in charge. There's no doubting his solidity as a player and he has the crowd on his side,but is he a leader ? Another one for the Time Will Tell List ?
ReplyDeleteLets give him the benefit. After years of keeping your gob shut it's hard to get mouthy
ReplyDeleteespecially as you're replacing the love of Alf's life and you're bound to get an earful right or wrong.
On the other hand the set piece gaffs that were made shouldn't be made by professionals
it's not as though they were all new guys, so no excuses there.
Still can't believe how bad it was on Saturday. Doubt if it is a cunning plan by Sam, just a really poor performance from the team, let's hope it was just a one off. Agree I think we need a strong captain and at the moment one who will kick some buts, Nobes is a brilliant player but not sure the best captain at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm not glad you agree on the Cap'n Noble front, but am glad that I'm not necessarily "way off target". Just because he's a local lad shouldn't mean he's "untouchable" - i'd like to see him dish it out when called for.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye Mo.
ReplyDeleteNot the success he could have been, and both sides have there points as to why.
Not exactly top 6 team, but good luck to him.
Be interesting to see the reception he gets, odds on boos methinks.
Isn't his first game for Hull against us Smitty up there ? Our next match, no ? Knowing our luck he'll play a blinder, but for me he hung on to the ball too long and was a low percentage finisher. From the little I've seem I'd say Kouyate was an upgrade !
ReplyDeleteYep, if he plays.
ReplyDeleteWile E deffo an upgrade even granting The Mo's best was central midfield.
As said, the jury is out but he did have moments
Speaking of moments it's only against the Ipswich reserves, #1 Son sent me this clip featuring Alex and Ravel getting their game on :
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWoHGy1dZ1Y&list=UUCNOsmurvpEit9paBOzWtUg
Yeah I watched that, all good fun
ReplyDeleteDP captain, now there's a thought.
Nice follow up on the pen, typical WHU
Quality whiff from Mr Song ( worthy of AC at his best) that ended up quite tasty, ( fooled em all!!)
All in all unlikely score for the prem, and I doubt if we'd get even that many shots in , but I'd be happy to see that kind of buggering about even if we lost / drew.
Saw the highlights of the Ipswich game - wish we could play like that against PL teams! Re Mo he was too erratic for me blinding one game, Chelsea for instance, then poor for a few. Think the main reason they let him go is that he only had 10 months left on his contract, Hull made a decent offer and they decided to take the money, purely a financial /business decision. Good luck to him though let's he doesn't do the new club/old club trick.
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be though George hasn't it ? Diame has the game of a lifetime in his first game for Hull which happens to be against us. If that doesn't happen I will consider it a "sign" - in the meantime I'll be polishing up me gris-gris !
ReplyDeleteNot related to the game in any way but
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29016502
That was BFS's watch. Wonder if they'll be questions in the house.
I can see what your hoping for here Smitty, Allardyce's name will somehow be implicated in this match fixing scandal and hey presto - he's nicked and we're off the hook ! What shall we call it - Bolton Gate ?
ReplyDeleteI can't actually say hoping, but someone's got to carry the can, and in some cases the more the merrier. Even if he wasn't involved hard to imagine he didn't get a sniff.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly oofball is easily led astray, so might be hard to prove unless he took a cheque.
Would be a nice easy out though, wouldn't it.
Didn't a few players already get done on this one ? I could be wrong being Bolton I didn't pay so much mind to it - but now you've made a connection, although I must say it's got be an extremely long shot, no ?
ReplyDeleteDunno, never went into it. Just thought of the BFS connection.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know or can be assed to look it up?
Time to start thinking about the Hull game, even if it's not until Monday. In theory should be the easiest of the next three to win - I haven't been paying too much attention to the comings and goings up there, but I know they've bought in at least a couple more players than Mo.
ReplyDeleteAlso I note Spuds will be looking for a ground share for a season - lets hope it's not The Olympic, although I'm not sure how much say we have in that as we're only tennants!
I think Hull should be a good test for us, some / all of our newbies should be close to "match fit" so lack of excuses there. Had some time for practice so they shouldn't be lost.
ReplyDeleteNo guesses as to score but should be close with us on top.
I'm under the impression we usually lose up there - so 3 points not only much needed, but a step up too. Come On You Irons !
ReplyDeleteWell it's grim Oop North.
ReplyDeleteSo they say.
Well , isn't that good news?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=127808
This years results for a rerun of last year anyone?
AC's back in training, but in view of the money lost on bringing Dean Ashton back too quickly, I can't see him playing any time soon.
ReplyDeleteI see TheSaints just done Newcastle 4-0 makes me feel a bit better about our loss.
ReplyDeleteInteresting looking top 4 right now, you could've got odds on that a few weeks ago
ReplyDeleteThe Top 4 Smitty - any chance of us being up there will have to wait until the start of next season at the earliest. Still Hull are up for sale and Steve Bruce is getting linked to Pardew's job, so there may be the odd distraction up there.
ReplyDelete