en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/661105 Comments by MickeyN http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/11/twelve-things-we-learned-from-the-doncaster-game/#IDComment314770156 I watched the Barcelona game on Weds night while listening (in dread) to our game against Watford. My mind drifted to thinking that if we had signed Messi in the January window, do you think he would have started a game by now? Messi would fit in well with our tactic of playing people out of position as he seems to have no discipline and turns up all over the shop. Also, Barca probably need Sam more than we do as they need to develop their long ball game. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:17:49 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/11/twelve-things-we-learned-from-the-doncaster-game/#IDComment314770156 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/06/my-first-game-phil-bones/#IDComment309967425 I must give my Mum a mention here. On 10th May 1980, I was too young to understand bereavement; it was the day my Mum heard that her dear elder brother - my uncle - had just died thousands of miles away in Kenya. I was too busy celebrating our brilliant FA Cup Final win. Suppressing her sadness, my Mum was genuinely pleased for me. She is 88 now and she always listens out for the Hammers' result - so that she can congratulate or commiserate as required when I phone her!! Tue, 6 Mar 2012 23:30:45 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/06/my-first-game-phil-bones/#IDComment309967425 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/04/match-thread-cardiff-city-v-west-ham/#IDComment307781031 TV shows clearly ONSIDE - neat pass by Maynard. Sun, 4 Mar 2012 13:37:11 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/04/match-thread-cardiff-city-v-west-ham/#IDComment307781031 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/02/09/scruples-whos-the-baddie/#IDComment288370788 No No. This is a ridiculous game, nothing like this would happen in real life. Next you'll be telling me that a man who can't read or write forgot he had an overseas bank account with hundreds of thousands of pounds in it. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:43:39 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/02/09/scruples-whos-the-baddie/#IDComment288370788 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/01/30/mondays-rolling-transfer-rumour-mill/#IDComment279110857 We should not be too harsh on the owners - there is some silly talk and silly money going around and being in the Championship always leaves us vulnerable to being gazumped by PL clubs. Interestingly, despite the absolute crap performances last season, the signings last January window could have/should have kept us up. I recall the ridiculous "resting" of an on-form Demba Ba for the must win match vs Villa which we lost; and the even more ridiculous misses by Robbie Keane (who is still being transferred around and paid a fortune and scoring for everyone else) in three vital games. My point? We are top of the division without yet playing our best. The current squad must therefore be good enough. It's no disaster if we get no-one. It may be a disaster if we get a wrong un. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:38 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/01/30/mondays-rolling-transfer-rumour-mill/#IDComment279110857 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/01/25/transfer-forum-wednesday-25th-january/#IDComment276338131 As I recall, after his "Hammer of the Year" first season, Illunga was injured (broken cheekbone?) against Wolves, I think, in the first game the next season. It did not seem a serious knock at the time but as far as I can tell, he never recovered - he lost pace, skill and worst of all attitude. I wonder why? He was a real proud Hammer (his French blog was always very positive about WHU) - so what and why did it go wrong???? Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:41:34 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/01/25/transfer-forum-wednesday-25th-january/#IDComment276338131 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/12/24/would-we-really-want-zamora-back/#IDComment246635738 I agree with all the positives and negatives listed in this thread about BZ. But, surely we have strikers coming through the youth/reserves/development squad/whatever...Hall, Montano, Montenegro, Nouble etc. Otherwise, what's the point of the so-called "Academy"? Anyway, rant over. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND COYI!!!! Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:05:40 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/12/24/would-we-really-want-zamora-back/#IDComment246635738 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/11/10/maybe-drawing-at-home-with-bristol-city-was-not-such-a-bad-result/#IDComment220117981 re: 'Arry for England. If Bonzo, a real WHU hero, can't forgive 'Arry, nor can I. My one hope is that Spuds end up in the same financial state as 'Arry's other 4 clubs did - West Ham, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Southampton (all broke - coincidence?) Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:48:54 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/11/10/maybe-drawing-at-home-with-bristol-city-was-not-such-a-bad-result/#IDComment220117981 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/30/brian-in-but-progress-on-scotts-move-unknown/#IDComment188170093 Spot on wazza. Parker was a very good player for us who tried his best; but in truth, trying your best is what anyone being paid a fortune should do (I know a lot don't). Parker was rewarded as much as West Ham - club and fans - could do; he was paid handsomely and made Hammer of the Year; he was picked for England (something which was not denied to Bothroyd as a Championship player but denied to Billy Bonds - a real legend). So why go to the Spuds? Success? You're having a Steffi! Money? Well it's a short career and getting more than twice the annual average wage every week - well that can never be enough. No, Scott Parker is a very good but limited player. Legend? Never. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:27:43 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/30/brian-in-but-progress-on-scotts-move-unknown/#IDComment188170093 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/06/anton-ferdinand-andor-george-mccartney-to-return/#IDComment180622987 Sorry, I would prefer we stayed down as West Ham using our promising youth rather than win promotion as Man Utd's nursery. Sat, 6 Aug 2011 09:37:05 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/06/anton-ferdinand-andor-george-mccartney-to-return/#IDComment180622987 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/07/02/vote-for-the-new-whtid-banner/#IDComment169163413 planetman666 is absolutely correct. We should not be seen to be endorsing ignorance or carelessness. Sun, 3 Jul 2011 00:26:48 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/07/02/vote-for-the-new-whtid-banner/#IDComment169163413 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/13/in-case-you-had-doubts-about-diouf/#IDComment162406791 You gotta laugh. Diouf is the consummate modern pro footballer - cheating, thick, disloyal, rich. But for Jamie Carragher to criticise someone for lack of pace is like a Karren Brady (working for pornographers) denouncing Andy Gray's sexism...in the Sun. Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:31:48 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/13/in-case-you-had-doubts-about-diouf/#IDComment162406791 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/03/kovac-not-missing-you-already/#IDComment159117609 Kovac's comments are out of order - if, that is, they have not been media moulded. In his defence, he was played out of position; he was picked and dropped at random. He was an establshed international in a good Czech team - so how come he played so ineffectively? - could it be that he was undone by two particularly poor managers? After all, his international record is better than their managerial records! Sat, 4 Jun 2011 10:47:02 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/06/03/kovac-not-missing-you-already/#IDComment159117609 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157372592 I'm with Iain on this, there is no statement yet on the official site but... Anyway, what happened about Ancelotti's interest in managing us? Without Keane and Bridge, we must have enough dosh to pay him. Sun, 29 May 2011 22:29:20 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/29/so-big-fat-sam-it-is-but-not-in-my-name/#IDComment157372592 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/15/grant-is-finally-sacked-four-months-too-late/#IDComment152442144 OK Avram was awful, the owners still are BUT they did not miss a shedload of open goals (Keane, Cole, Piq), or run around like headless chickens (Obinna), or panic like schoolkids when the opposition scored (second half of many games), or demonstrate an inability to pass (Parker, yes, Parker), an inability to play against a right winger (Bridge, Illunga, Gabbidon), an inability to play for 60 (leave aside 90 mins) or an inability to even look like a captain (Upson). I love West Ham but it's hard to love players who cannot do the simplest things. Remember, these guys get paid in ONE WEEK at least twice the national average ANNUAL salary. Sure, blame Grant, Gold, Sullivan and Brady, but save some criticism for the clowns who have disgraced the shirt too often this season (Liverpool away, Newcastle home and away, Man U home and away, Arsenal home, Wigan away, Birmingham home, Blackburn home, Villa home and away etc etc etc) Sun, 15 May 2011 22:25:41 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/15/grant-is-finally-sacked-four-months-too-late/#IDComment152442144 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/15/match-preview-wigan-v-west-ham/#IDComment152287062 Iain - LBM is not the best of players but for you to single him out is unfair - there have been a number of more fancied players who have let us down big time. If they had put in the shift that LBM always does we would not be in such a predicament. Sun, 15 May 2011 08:34:04 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/15/match-preview-wigan-v-west-ham/#IDComment152287062 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/13/jack-collison-the-harbinger-of-better-times/#IDComment151760519 Scott Parker is a very good player in a very poor side; he gave a huge amount and his effort made up for his flaws (his passing at times was awful). No question. But his interview in the Evening Standard yesterday and the reaction of a lot of fans here is disappointing. Why should it be a "given" that SP should leave if/when we go down? He is on a long contract, he gets a great wage and (no matter what the rose tint) he was part of the problem taking us down. And before we call SP a legend, think of Billy Bonds, a better player, a more loyal player who did not get the personal rewards (huge pay, England caps and FWAward) yet stuck with the club (until he was shafted by his mate who of course would love to take SP off our hands). Scott Parker should stay and lead us out of the mess next year (Prem or Championship). If he is good enough, he'll get picked for England (eg Bothroyd). Fri, 13 May 2011 15:47:17 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/13/jack-collison-the-harbinger-of-better-times/#IDComment151760519 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/07/vote-player-performances-v-blackburn-2/#IDComment150441914 I hope any crying is confined to the ladies or kids - if anyone. I remember seeing Geordie fans (big ugly blokes topless and in Newky shirts) crying when they lost some game to Man U or something - they looked ridiculous and the TV loved showing them. I love West Ham and I get upset, I get angry, but cry? Having said that, if we stay up, tears of joy/relief may be a different matter! COYI Mon, 9 May 2011 23:00:47 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/07/vote-player-performances-v-blackburn-2/#IDComment150441914 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/07/vote-player-performances-v-blackburn-2/#IDComment149991386 but why then have an injured player on the bench for one of the most important games of the season? Sun, 8 May 2011 10:31:14 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/07/vote-player-performances-v-blackburn-2/#IDComment149991386 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/07/vote-player-performances-v-blackburn-2/#IDComment149799419 Has anyone said why Tomkins, who had a top game against Citeh, was not in the starting 11? Sat, 7 May 2011 16:55:12 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/05/07/vote-player-performances-v-blackburn-2/#IDComment149799419