en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/702742 Comments by Ironsider http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment160332187 Agreed. I know we will all have our own personal 'turning points' from last season but for me it started back in August. We had swarmed all over Bolton at home for the first half hour playing some great stuff with a tasty looking starting eleven, and then we started to see the shape of the season unfurl: After almost relentless pressure we get a break and have a penalty. Carlton Cole was desperate to take it. Did anyone feel confident? Why not Noble? Anyway he duffed it and the keeper made an easy save. Bolton somehow made it to halftime at 0-0. Writing on the wall. After the match Grant said something to the effect that he didn't like to choose penalty takers and preferred to leave it to the players to work out on the pitch: Writing on the wall. Three minutes into the second half Upson stumbles under a challenge and heads past Green into his own net. Writing on the wall in 6 foot high letters. We lose 3-1. Spine of the team? Hilarious. Tue, 7 Jun 2011 14:00:07 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment160332187 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment160240856 Still have to disagree on this. As I said, we are losing four experienced players but that is no more or less damaging because of the positions they play in. Last season, even with those players in the squad and in the team (when they were all avaiable) we had little or no discernable extra benefit simply because they happened to be in each of those four positions. I take your point perhaps about some good / great teams (though the spine tag has become trite in that context too) but we certainly were not that type of team last year. So though we will have to replace some experienced players in the squad, the issue of replacing a so-called spine doesn't arise for us as it was never really there as an effective unit in the first place. Big Sam will be looking to create units all over the pitch I'm sure, probably starting with a settled back four / defensive midfield combination to make us harder to beat. Tue, 7 Jun 2011 06:15:01 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment160240856 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment159953587 Hopefully Stanislas will have a lot to contribute too. Mon, 6 Jun 2011 10:41:57 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment159953587 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment159947318 I'm not too worried about loss of our so-called 'spine'. Like most footballing cliches, there is often an over-emphasis placed on the significance of this. Is having a 'spine' any more important than an effective and settled back four, midfield or forward line? Or a an organised pattern of play or tactical foundation? What we are facing, irrespective of their position, is the loss of some experienced players. But they are not indispensible when it comes to mounting a promotion challenge and the good news is that we are not in financial meltdown and we have a manager who will be able to attract players. What our season showed last year is that the development of a settled style and some spirit in the team is just as important as the talent of any given group of individuals within the squad. Because we are looking at a rebuilding job I personally think that to expect a return in one season is optimistic. But I am certainly confident that Sam will get the job done in two. Mon, 6 Jun 2011 10:21:10 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/06/an-unnerving-fact-about-big-sams-rebuilding-project/#IDComment159947318 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/31/are-the-board-split-on-the-managerial-appointment/#IDComment157782834 Yes agreed. The headline in particular is based on nothing. We could do with a lot less of this sort of ill-considered stuff during uncertain times. Tue, 31 May 2011 10:29:03 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/31/are-the-board-split-on-the-managerial-appointment/#IDComment157782834 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157510030 Fair enough but it's interesting to compare differences here. I'm much less concerned about the background / newspaper stuff regarding our board. They made a mistake with Grant (and Sullivan has been frank enough to admit this) but the more important fundamentals for me are that they are the reason why we are not being deducted 12 points for going into administration and they are the ones injecting £20 million to help deal with relegation. If we do bounce straight back, these will be key factors. What worries me much more is HOW are we going to bounce back and what sort of team will be watching for the coming seasons? What is going to happen to the academy and Tony Carr? If the board go for Allardyce that is definitley a decision that I am really concerned about. Mon, 30 May 2011 12:06:02 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157510030 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157506946 This is an excellent description of the worries of many, me included. For some people to be so dismissive of this simply because we have been relegated is both sad and baffling. If Sam were to read anything on here today I hope it would be your second paragraph and I would just pray that he could take it on board. Mon, 30 May 2011 11:49:23 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157506946 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157504897 Fair enough Goaty and I was actually talking about being lectured by Bolton fans rather than you. And no, we can't judge him yet and I will wait and see. But deep down, I think we all know what we are going to get and I can't help but be angry about it. Mon, 30 May 2011 11:38:19 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157504897 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157504533 "I have let football take the back seat in the hope that the future is stronger......." Yup you have indeed. Just remember what the "FC" stands for. Mon, 30 May 2011 11:35:59 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157504533 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157503387 Have we been relegated before Tom? Has the club seen bad times before? The one thing we all know is that fortune's always hiding. Where I fundamentally disagree with you is your idea of what consitutes our 'foundations'. The foundation of this club is the supporters and what brings us to matches week in and week out. If it was all about results (or the occasional relegation) then many of us would have given up years ago. Can't you understand that the biggest danger to our 'foundations' is the alienation of our support?? You only need to take the time to understand the fears and concerns on here to know that the foundations of our club are this morning under greater threat than at any time in the last 50 years. And it's nothing to do with the fact that we are in the Championship. Mon, 30 May 2011 11:29:13 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157503387 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157499362 It's nothing to do with the 'good old days' or whether what the team is doing now is any good (clearly it isn't). It's about what we go to a football match for. We can all make our own mind up on that but I do not (and would never) go week after week to watch a team that plays like Bolton did under sam or how Wimbledon did in their 'glory' days. I don't care what division we are in. Hoofball is hoofball and it's not what the game (or our club) is about. If you want to support that stuff its up to you, but don't have the cheek to criticise those of us who care deeply about this team and about football as a game. When times get tough you need to rely on your core principles and foundations, not abandon them. Mon, 30 May 2011 11:08:55 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157499362 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157495523 I'm not remotely reassured by this. If it's written by someone who followed Bolton during Sam's time then almost by definition their judgment is skewed. I saw Bolton plenty of times during that period, often when they were beating us. So I don't need any lectures about how effective it can be. The fact is I don't care. I said at the time that there is no way I would follow a team that played like that every week and I still feel the same way. The only doubt in my mind is whether Sam will try to impose the same style at West Ham or whether he will modify it in some way. We shall see but I fear the worst. Mon, 30 May 2011 10:46:12 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157495523 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157488239 The 60,000 stadium IS the point. If Sam has us playing the way some of his previous teams have, Upton Park won't be half full, let alone the Olympic Stadium. Mon, 30 May 2011 10:12:08 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157488239 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157487651 "....pretty footballs in the air. They fly so high, nearly reach the sky to think that's my team, I think I could cry" Mon, 30 May 2011 10:08:41 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157487651 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/17/is-chris-hughton-the-front-runner/#IDComment153110829 I really hope this is reading too much into Sullivan's comments. We are not in a position to take risks here and we need a really experienced guy. Hughton just does not have the experience. In many ways his background / time as manager reminds me of Roeder. There are only 3 gettable British names that really have the experience to do this: O'Neil (excellent), Allardyce (disastrous) and Warnock. I would have ruled Warnock out completely last year but having seen the style in which QPR have played I have changed my view a bit and I think he would be ideal to bring us straight back. But not Hughton please. Tue, 17 May 2011 18:49:47 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/17/is-chris-hughton-the-front-runner/#IDComment153110829 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/02/02/match-preview-blackpool-v-westham/#IDComment125438633 The problem with this is Obinna. Yes he is in form and Avram will be keen to get him into the side. But it leaves Bridge very exposed if he has Obinna in front of him in a 4 man midfield. Blackpool will come at us there and Grant should be wary of repeating his mistake in the Arsenal game where he left only Hines as cover in front of Bridge, with disastrous results. Yes I know Blackpool are not Arsenal but this would still be a risk. Given the balance of our squad though, we may have little alternative. Wed, 2 Feb 2011 14:46:26 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/02/02/match-preview-blackpool-v-westham/#IDComment125438633 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/31/transfer-deadline-gossip-thread/#IDComment124899747 I see where you are coming from but would still keep him. Those 2/3 performances have all been recent and all after a significant change in playing position. How good would Noble have looked if he had spent the last 3 years playing where Spector has played? He has clearly been a (pretty good) midfielder played out of position. And if we have learnt anything from our injury record in recent years it's that we cannot rely on our long-term injured returning to rescue us. I will believe (as I most certainly hope) that Collison and Hitz still have a lot to offer us when they have both played half a dozen games without further knocks and are match fit again. Until then, a bird in the hand etc etc... If Kovac goes (as I would dearly like) then we still have a need for Spector this season. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:01:31 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/31/transfer-deadline-gossip-thread/#IDComment124899747 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/31/transfer-deadline-gossip-thread/#IDComment124889996 I would agree with that list apart from Spector. At only 24 years old he has shown enough in his midfield appearances to hang on to. That said, if I were him I would go. He is only ever one bad performance away from being booed at this club and if he could play regularly elsewhere he has a chance to establish himself as a very handy midfielder who contributes goals. Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:35:16 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/31/transfer-deadline-gossip-thread/#IDComment124889996 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/18/the-sorry-saga-continues/#IDComment122055414 All of this is an irrelevant side-show. The fact is, if we don't get enough of our best players fit enough to perform then we are doomed whatever happens. Arsenal showed us a lot of respect on Saturday by picking their best side. Apart from Green and Upson, every other player in our team would not get into our first team if we had a fully fit squad (ok, Tomkins and Cole may be debateable but I doubt they would be first choices at the moment). If this injury situation carries on then we are doomed pure and simple. Even allowing for Grant's laughable tactics of leaving a rusty Bridge (no pun intended)exposed to Walcott and Eboue with only Hines in front of him for cover, we were doomed in that match and will be this season unless we get our best team - or something remotely resembling it - back on the pitch. There is no dealing that can be done in January to rectify this scale of problem I'm afraid. We should be spending much more time focussing on the physio reports than the identity of our manager. Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:02:22 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/18/the-sorry-saga-continues/#IDComment122055414 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/14/poll-results-yes-to-the-olympic-stadium/#IDComment121305495 I think West Ham are stuck between a rock and a hard place on this and the reality is we have little choice but to go for the move. Sure the stadium with a track is not perfect, but the fact is that if we do not get the stadium then Spurs will, and that would be a much greater disaster. Whatever happens a football team will take over that site / stadium, and that means us or Spurs. What we have seen recently is that Spurs are deadly serious about this. Their bid has gone way beyond any tactical move relating to planning permission in Tottenham. They may well win this. In the long run what that would mean is that we would be on a long, slow route of decline as we are gradually squeezed out by our better equipped neighbour for sponsorship, attendance, publicity, marketing and future support base growth. It's a tough one but I think we have little choice. Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:18:36 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/01/14/poll-results-yes-to-the-olympic-stadium/#IDComment121305495