en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/657322 Comments by USHammer http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/04/parish-notice-do-you-prefer-nested-comments/#IDComment308277748 Nested is better in my view. We have the option of replying to a specific point or posting something new at the top. I actually like it that the posts appear in order. I like to begin reading from the first post right from the off so I can follow the flow of conversation more easily. It just seems to flows better from oldest to newest. Other sites I've used that do it newest to oldest I find are constantly jumping as you scroll back up to the top of the page reading the comments.Thanks for caring so much about the quality of the site and the user experience that you are undertaking such a significant overhaul and including us in the design discussion. Keep up the great work Iain. Mon, 5 Mar 2012 02:43:54 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/03/04/parish-notice-do-you-prefer-nested-comments/#IDComment308277748 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/02/20/in-conversation-with-david-sullivan-part-5/#IDComment297243699 Full disclosure up front, I want us to move to a better all around venue which means the football in the park and the transport and amenities around the park. It is a proven fact in professional sports the world over that quality facilities attract fans and top tier players alike. And I believed that the OS, with seating modifications, could have met our needs as long as we "owned" it. Under the new terms, I'm far more skeptical. Any move we make must be right in terms of a good venue to watch football. I believe the OS could have worked if we could make the seating adjustments required. But we must also be able to control the whole match experience. I love UP and would be sad to leave. But I also believe the infrastructure issues around the site are holding us back as a club. We are in a catch 22 at the moment. UP is good but we lose a lot in transport issues and high quality, income generating additions. OS has the facility location we need, still in our manor, great links from anywhere in the world and room to expand the experience through shops, museums and the like. Our venue needs to be a year round West Ham attraction. I offer the NFL's New England Patriots as a great example. Patriot Place combines a world class venue to watch games with attractions such as themed resteraunts, shops, a museum and a hall of fame for Patriot players. It is a place that is alive in the off season bringing in fans and revenue even while the players are sitting on a beach somewhere instead of playing. With the right transport links ala Stratford we can have this type of opportunity and I believe the Davids see that. The ideal is to get the right venue and be able to design the stadium to our specifications. I despise Spurs with every fiber of my being but they had some valid points regarding the design of the stadium. Sadly we are not in a position to pursue that sort of option. So, if the OS cannot be made what we need it to be, we must remain at UP and maximize the experience and dream of the day we have Hammers Centre with a year round West Ham experience for fans from around the world. :-) COYI Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:53:06 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2012/02/20/in-conversation-with-david-sullivan-part-5/#IDComment297243699 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/17/vote-player-performances-v-millwall/#IDComment194475657 Agree on Tomkins. He has been nothing short of imperious thus far and, while Reid is coming on well, Tomkins is the lynchpin. Will be watching out for reports on his status. Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:08:47 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/17/vote-player-performances-v-millwall/#IDComment194475657 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/17/vote-player-performances-v-millwall/#IDComment194469221 Listened to it on the website and came away with the impression that we should have won it but it was not a cakewalk. Very pleased Baldock got on and he sounded lively and made an impact. Obviously we are looking to him for goals but he sounds as if he brings more than just poaching to the team. And despite the miss, I think Bentley will come good. Also, for me, Faubert is really showing some ability. Don't know if he can sustain it at Prem level but, at this level, he seems a man among boys. A bit concerned about Nolan's apparent anonymity. Still, difficult to judge based on hearing commentary. Hopefully he was more involved than it appeared. As for Millwall, they played their hearts out and a had a couple of good sounding lads (of course it's hard to tell for sure when you can't see them play). Agree with leehammer that Millwall played like it was their cup final and, given that, we demonstrated our quality in not letting them get the three points but we should have won. Sat, 17 Sep 2011 13:40:15 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/17/vote-player-performances-v-millwall/#IDComment194469221 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/14/a-bridge-too-far-as-henri-needs-to-beware/#IDComment193433797 I like the look of Lansbury. He plays with skill and passion. I'll admit I was unhappy when I saw he'd signed the new contract but am now hopeful it's part of a plan to ensure a good fee. Regardless, despite my initial reaction, we must use him if he is the best option. Given the number of games to be played we will need the squad depth so he will not take all the playing time away from Collison and Noble. They will all be needed as we move forward. And I very much like how Sam is trying to ensure one or two person depth at each position. For me this is a no brainer when building a squad. Versatility and depth are critical to success in any sport. Look at American football, each position has a depth chart which includes players that can play more than one position. Sam thinks like a coach and acts like a coach. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:56:08 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/14/a-bridge-too-far-as-henri-needs-to-beware/#IDComment193433797 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/14/a-bridge-too-far-as-henri-needs-to-beware/#IDComment193431795 Agree with the plea to all to keep it civil. The lads don't need the distraction as this will be emotional enough a game. I fully expect Millwall to come at us as Portsmouth did and I wouldn't be surprised to see them kicking us up a bit. We must be strong and not get drawn into retaliation. It's the lad who reacts that so often gets the punishment. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:47:42 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/14/a-bridge-too-far-as-henri-needs-to-beware/#IDComment193431795 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/10/match-report-west-ham-4-portsmouth-3/#IDComment192004300 A little surprised by their manager's post match comments. They played well but were never the best side on the park and the penalty was correct. I thought hey came out the second half ready to throw themselves around to include some dodgy diving at near miss tackles trying to steal fouls and cards. Tal Ben Heim the worst of the lot with his nonsense at the end. We will have to stand up to the physicality of this league and Portsmouth played very physical but, for me, they started playing about in the second half which detracted from some good football on their part. As for us, I am encouraged by the attacking play but we must tighten up before we become Keegan's Newcastle! I think we have a keeper in Lansbury and I hope we have a good option clause to buy him because, if he keeps playing like that, he'll be in Arsenal's midfield next season. Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:06:00 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/10/match-report-west-ham-4-portsmouth-3/#IDComment192004300 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/02/galatasaray-bid-8m-for-carlton-cole/#IDComment189024744 No. Piq not good enough, Carew still to prove he's got 90 minutes and goals in him. Baldock exciting prospect but unproven. Cole scores, works hard and is committed. A bid earlier when we could have turned the money into a proven goal scorer is one thing but this is too late. And this event is another comment on world football governing. I do not like the window, I think it has done more to inflate fees than anything else has. But if we must have it then European football transfer windows either need to be common or the rule should be that when the window shuts in a given country it shuts both ways! We just settle down to our new look team and now we have to deal with this potentially unsettling a player and upsetting the manager. And, we can't do any business to address the loss if we were to accept it. Like others here I also think Cole will want to stay but we shouldn't have to even be dealing with this now. Fri, 2 Sep 2011 14:36:05 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/09/02/galatasaray-bid-8m-for-carlton-cole/#IDComment189024744 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/31/lets-now-focus-on-those-that-actually-want-to-play-for-the-club/#IDComment188311239 I agree he is sacrificing money to move to Spurs whether that be as you say (I'm not sure what the rules are here) or through a salary cut (or both) and I appreciate his priorities. He's probably not short of a bob or two anyway but that doesn't stop modern athletes from trying to squeeze out the last drop so good for him putting his money where his mouth is. Agree he wanted nothing to do with QPR. And, as much as I'm unhappy about him going to Spurs I think I'd have been more upset if he had gone to QPR after that so called West Ham fan bought the club and made his first act a run at our club's inspirational leader. No doubt Scott is a class act and believes he must move to further his England career which is why I have an issue with the FA as they, through their England leadership, have contributed to the desire of our player to leave. All in all though I agree with you that it's probably for the best that the saga end and he move on as his heart is set on the move. I've no doubt he would continue to give his all if the move falls through as he has since the season started but we are going to be more than okay without him and he will be happier to be at the club his father supported. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:41:52 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/31/lets-now-focus-on-those-that-actually-want-to-play-for-the-club/#IDComment188311239 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/31/lets-now-focus-on-those-that-actually-want-to-play-for-the-club/#IDComment188268357 I've nothing but respect for Scott. Just wish he wasn't going to Spurs. I'm disappointed that he felt the need to put in a formal transfer request. It is clear that the club were dealing honourably with him and trying to get a deal done at terms fair to the player AND the club. I have no doubt his words to the fans are sincere. I do think the club have grounds to take the FA to task for allowing the England set up to further unsettle our player. Bottom line, I don't agree with him that he needed to go, I think he'll regret it in the long run, but I respect his decision and he has behaved more honourably than most players seem to these days (Modric anybody?) Good luck Scott. We'll see you next year (unless Spurs go down!!!) :D Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:04:52 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/31/lets-now-focus-on-those-that-actually-want-to-play-for-the-club/#IDComment188268357 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/10/2m-bid-for-kyle-lafferty/#IDComment181755797 On football: Don't know much about Lafferty but what I've heard is interesting. Still think we need to find a proven goal scorer though. We've brought in too many in recent years with potential or glimpses of quality. If we learned nothing else against Cardiff we learned that a proven goal scorer, a genuine poacher, was the missing ingredient. As to Barrera, I just don't see him going right now. Sam has spoken of his quality and had positive talks with him and his agent. Looks like another boring recycle of old news to me. On the riots: God bless the innocent victims of mindless thuggery. I was in Los Angeles during the 1992 riots and, after the first protest all the rest of it was lawless thugs taking advantage of an opportunity to steal and hurt others whom they had grudges against. The people that can least afford the damage and looting are the one's most often victimized. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:51:38 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/10/2m-bid-for-kyle-lafferty/#IDComment181755797 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/07/vote-rate-the-players-v-cardiff/#IDComment180979768 Really though Sears had a poor game and was expecting to see Barrera second half. Would have made a difference. And was even more surpsirsed when that wasn't the fist sub made. I thought Cole did well off the bench and was pleased with how quickly he popped back up after falling flat on his back. Showed some passion there. Trying not to be hard on Illunga. He had a pretty good game all in all and watching it it over again on my DVR I think he's got a shout for a foul by the big French lad. He was throwing himself about a bit. Still, we never should have given Miller that space in the middle. After a good defensive game that was a lapse at just the wrong moment. Still no one out there with the close control Scotty shows on the ball and I was enjoying Matt Taylor. If he plays like that all season he is going to be a Hammer of the Year candidate. Great with the ball at his feet and a wonderful turn from free kicks. Cole/Carew in the lone striker role for me. Piq worked hard today but he needs more help up there and he has about 45 minutes of quality and guile and then he falls away. That won't do in the Championship. Sun, 7 Aug 2011 19:32:18 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/07/vote-rate-the-players-v-cardiff/#IDComment180979768 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/05/why-im-warming-to-sam-allardyce/#IDComment180941397 It wouldn't be hard to shift to a farm system with affiliations. You're right that the infrastructure is already there. It would require a willingness to undertake a serious paradigm shift regarding promotion and relegation. You could, conceivably, keep the process between the Prem and the Championship while drawing a line and converting league one and two into the farm system setting up affiliations with the upper clubs. Easy to propose but difficult to sell, especially emotionally, if your club should be one of the teams below the cut line. That said, some practical criteria could be established to define the line and their could always be a mechanism for league expansion under certain conditions to include financial factors. As emotionally captivating the promotion/relegation is, as businesses, the financial impacts of relegation are business plan killers. Having a financial bottom might allow clubs to build more fiscally sustainable business plans. But, again, the paradigm is a large one to shift. Good chat sactown, cheers. Sun, 7 Aug 2011 16:21:47 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/05/why-im-warming-to-sam-allardyce/#IDComment180941397 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/05/why-im-warming-to-sam-allardyce/#IDComment180682571 Completely agree. I actual did a phone-in on Sky a few years back when everyone was complaining about the state of football finance and I suggested a minor league system would extend the life of some of the perpetually lower league teams while building a quality youth development system. Anyone who goes to a minor league baseball game at any of the three levels sees a very competitive environment because all these lads are fighting to move up to the "big leagues". And you see many old boys sprinkled throughout the ranks providing experience to the up and comers and keeping the level of competition high as this is their living. Of course I also proposed breaking up the prem into regional divisions as part of that system setting division champions competing for the national champions title. This would make for a more positive system with a winning rather than "don't lose" attitude and wouldn't have half of the league with little or nothing to play for except ensuring they were the best of the worst teams so they wouldn't go down. Needless to say the presenters were having none of it. Sat, 6 Aug 2011 15:22:53 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/05/why-im-warming-to-sam-allardyce/#IDComment180682571 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53492362 They sent the email to everyone registered with the club's website. I got one and I was rather pleased that they have started as they said they would, by engaging with us. I was also a bit skeptical about the Davids and it's still early days but I think they mean it when they say they are leading with their hearts. And they've proven they know how to run a club so I'm cautiously optimistic. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:30:40 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53492362 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/10/12/parish-notice-maintaining-standards-on-whtid/#IDComment38449813 Iain, Always enjoy reading this site and if a few simple rules mean we can continue to enjoy good discussion that my kids can read then I'm all for it. Bottom line is that it's your site. We either follow your rules or move on. For those complaining I invite them to start their own blogs and run them as they wish. WordPress is easy to use if they want to have a go. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:10:27 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/10/12/parish-notice-maintaining-standards-on-whtid/#IDComment38449813 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/18/full-stength-against-liverpool/#IDComment35086416 Yeah, I just started reading about that in the press. I just watched Zola's interview on WHUTV and I'm pleased he commented. I try to ignore all the rumour mogerers that call themselves the press these days! I'm not optimistic but I still hope for him and for the club that it all comes out well in the end. Cheers mate. Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:55:18 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/18/full-stength-against-liverpool/#IDComment35086416 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/18/full-stength-against-liverpool/#IDComment35047107 Totally agree that Jimenez and Diamanti in the same team is an exciting prospect. We have missed a little creativity and bald faced confidence in the squad. Love to get Dyer into the mix. He isn't afraid to get involved and has a nice turn of pace (if we can keep him fit). Just not sure where he would fit in with Jimenez and Diamanti playing the attacking roles. Also agree that the club need to give us a little feel for the Ashton situation. Dean used to post to a fan site but I haven't seen anything for a while. Wouldn't mind him speaking up. Looking forward to a great weekend of sport. I'd like to see Collison in the team. I like Noble but I think Collison will give us a bit more offense and help make up for the potential lack of width in the current formation. I think we have the ability to turn Liverpool over if we play well. If we come out flat like last week we'll struggle. Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:10:03 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/18/full-stength-against-liverpool/#IDComment35047107 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/17/tristan-mk2/#IDComment34961597 I saw his goal against the US and he has a good eye for goal. It was a good solid opportunistic goal where he made a good move on the defenders to open a sliver of a window to shoot from outside the box. I think the lad can score and he has good movement and a turn of pace. Every year a club finds a gem in the free market. Franco has the makings of one for us but time will tell. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:03:06 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/17/tristan-mk2/#IDComment34961597 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/17/tristan-mk2/#IDComment34961404 Nice post. I was wondering much the same thing. When given an option to pass or take someone on I have noticed that, lately, he is more likely to try and go it alone. This does show his confidence level is up but I wonder if he'd settle in with a partner. As much as I love the possibilities in the current system it does rely on the big man up front and I recall that we got back to winning ways last year after we went back to a more traditional formation. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:59:53 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2009/09/17/tristan-mk2/#IDComment34961404