en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/704943 Comments by aj_telford http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67987996 I like your thinking. Having wider right (and wider left) players that are ball players makes us stronger going forward as well as giving something extra defending - a la McCartney/Etherington. It could benefit his game to come in now, too. As a future centre back seeing Upson/Tomkins/Da Costa at close quarters will, I'm sure, be an experience he will learn from. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:21:51 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67987996 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67966187 Gav, West Ham website suggests it was planned for him to play half a game and the medical team were happy with his progress - good news for him and us all I think. To be fair he looked good and by the way he was twisting a turning I'd say it's match fitness he needs now and the ligament seems okay. Who knows, with Collison out perhaps we could see him soon. As there's only one more reserve fixture left he may not have the chance to be re-introduced gradually with Dyer's team. I agree with you, though, this is by far the best way bring a player back. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:53:44 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67966187 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67961707 Hi Devo, Spence looked calm & cultured – more Rio Ferdinand than John Terry – clearly a good footballer. His experience – with club and country – showed. Wolves, with a strong team featuring several full internationals did a lot of pressing. There were several passages of play early on were Blake, Vokes and Keogh put our young defenders under a lot of pressure. Spence (captain) seemed very comfortable on the ball under this pressure, didn’t go hiding and showed a good range of passing and distribution. Callum McKnaughton seemed to be detailed with coming to meet the aerial threat with Spence dropping off slightly. It’s difficult to gauge his tackling ability on this performance alone but I was impressed overall. Conceding 4 goals would suggest we struggled at the back but this doesn’t tell the whole story. Their 3rd and 4th goals went in during the final 15 minutes – after Brown’s injury led to his departure (all subs being used). Dixon looked okay but a long way from the first team. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:37:56 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67961707 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67809319 Nevermind, perhaps next time, Shropshire. I always enjoy a West Ham game, even a 1-4 defeat... well sort of always. It was nice to see quite a few hammers fans at the game. It was interesting that Wolves reserves all had first team experience and 4 or 5 were first team regulars. The only player we had with regular first team experience was Boa Morte. We played the final 20mins with only 10 men, too. Edgar, Montano & Lee all looked sharp - tho' sadly not all at the same time. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:11:17 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67809319 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67757256 It would be nice to see the great man back. I think he's one of the few sportsmen that might make a decision not based on the financial implications - there's no way we could afford him, surely. Re. season run in: I hope we don't experience a Dennis Law moment during the last game of the season and Tevez has a hand in sending us down. Slightly off theme here, but is anyone going to the reserves game tonight? I'm likely to be slightly outnumbered. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:02:23 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/13/tevez-i-will-play-for-hammers-again/#IDComment67757256 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/10/west-ham-1-sunderland-0-match-report/#IDComment67152159 Just in from the game - it's so nice to come back up the M1 and not have to dodge opposition fans at service stations for fear of their gloating. Great result. We have to build on this in the next game though. I felt only Noble (MotM for me), Behrami, Faubert & Da Costa excelled. Green was good - but he wasn't tested too much - fortunately & Upson was okay. I really think Spector is struggling. Nothing is coming off for him. With a balanced and fully fit squad I don't think he'd feature. Stanislas was quiet but playing on the left, where we are so weak, I don't think he could 'push on' with any real confidence. Ilan deserves a run in the team. He didn't do enough for me, at times, and this could be down to fitness. We need to see more of him - if only for the 'lucky talisman' effect. Typical we're last game on on MOTD. Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:21:15 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/04/10/west-ham-1-sunderland-0-match-report/#IDComment67152159 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/27/vote-player-performances-v-stoke-city/#IDComment64461272 If Zola connot develop his leadership style beyond focusing inwardly when our players are out performed he must step down. A good coach and a talented, technically gifted man at the helm is not what football teams need. We need someone who is hard to please, ruthless. Someone who, when his team are 5-0 up against Burnley, gets pitchside and shows even more hunger , desire and passion, someone motivates his players afterward in preparation for the next game, and faces the media making it clear there is still work to be done. We don't really need a manager with a high profile. We need a manager who doesn't like to lose and who will put the fear of god into the players if they don't deliver - in the way our boys haven't delivered. Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:59:30 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/27/vote-player-performances-v-stoke-city/#IDComment64461272 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/27/vote-player-performances-v-stoke-city/#IDComment64460031 My fear is that we are developing some great players for the future who will go on to leave feeling they have a lot to prove – they will feel more inclined to prove this back at West Ham with future clubs – a la Carrick, Defoe etc. The policy with bringing in older players, who would ’mentor’ these youngsters on and off the field, can be a good one. It is in danger of backfiring, though, as the core of any squad needs to be both experienced, capable, and time served. The ‘revolving door’ practice gives the imbalance of senior players having fewer games and less time at the club than the players they are mentoring. Obviously the dynamics of the mentoring role are seriously undermined as a result. I do wonder whether Zola is the right man for management. Not because of the results that leave where we are, but because if you look at successful managers, they are nothing like Zola. He is really nice bloke. A manger, any manager, needs to be a blend of things and ruthless comes first, nice bloke is not on the list. Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:43:28 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/27/vote-player-performances-v-stoke-city/#IDComment64460031 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/27/vote-player-performances-v-stoke-city/#IDComment64459913 I Iogged on several times yesterday to post comments but just couldn't bring myself to such was my disappointment. Going right back to the sale of Ginge, the failure to make signings, the poor balance of the team, the seemingly inflexible and predictable tactics, and the lack of guile I think we all saw this battle with relegation coming. We are renowned for discovering and developing fresh talent through our academy. However, this season like, the relegation season of 2002, too much has been expected of them too soon. When Hines, Stanislas, Tomkins, Edgar, Nouble, Sears and Deprela came into our side this season it was not because they were ready, it was because we had no better option, no strength in depth. I know people will argue if your good enough your old enough but these lads have been expected to do a job beyond what would be expected of them at many other clubs. I think the same is true of Zola. They have all been hurled in at the deep end. The purchase/loans of older players, last year (Tristan, et al), was clearly to help nurse through some of these young lads – it had limited success in the eyes of some because we only finished mid table. Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:41:58 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/27/vote-player-performances-v-stoke-city/#IDComment64459913 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/23/west-ham-1-wolves-3-match-report/#IDComment64262629 I feel your embarrassment and humiliation Headmaster. Not only do I travel back up the M1 & M6 to get home after games - often dodging opposition supporters at service stations - I live near and work with so many Wolves supporters it is frightening. The aftermath of this game has been almost too painful. The only saving grace is that getting home at 2am left me too tired on Wednesday to care what most people said. Isn't allowing children to support Millwall a form of child abuse? Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:00:11 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/23/west-ham-1-wolves-3-match-report/#IDComment64262629 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/13/west-ham-v-chelsea-match-thread-2/#IDComment61895569 Total mismatch today. There seems to be a gulf between us and some other premiership teams - sometimes class, sometimes skill, sometimes passion, sometimes all three. We need to start finding each other more often when we're moving the ball. For heavens sake we're West Ham and the West Ham way is to pass the ball. Man for man I think we had a good enough team today to do better job. A defeat against some teams somehow feels bitterly painful - I hate loosing to them (I can't bring myself to even write their name). Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:22:27 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/13/west-ham-v-chelsea-match-thread-2/#IDComment61895569 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/06/match-report-westham-1-bolton-2/#IDComment60108008 I'm more disappointed by the performance today than by the result. Upson and Tomkins both very poor - couldn't tackle, pass, mark or read the game. Cole looked embarassingly idle and didn't seem to care. Sat, 6 Mar 2010 22:33:52 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/06/match-report-westham-1-bolton-2/#IDComment60108008 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/06/match-report-westham-1-bolton-2/#IDComment60107507 I totally agree. I so wish we had just one player like Bonds, or Dicks. I'd even be happy to turn the clock back only a couple of years and have the likes of Zamora and Konchesky in our team - at least they, like the 33000+ of us there today 'turned up'. Sat, 6 Mar 2010 22:28:41 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/06/match-report-westham-1-bolton-2/#IDComment60107507 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52404652 I think we all feel the same way. The non-disclosure agreements, you'd think, would eliminate all the press tittle-tattle. Sadly not so, it just seems to encourage more. I've become so used to checking News Now that the respective keys on my keyboard are starting to wear out. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:12:16 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52404652 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52403167 Celtic, I agree with you here. It's important to have a positive and open debate. This is much more effective and enjoyable (for both the reader and contributer) than simply marking down posts. I tend to spend most of my time clicking the 'thumbs up'. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:52:50 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52403167 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52336671 Celtichammer, thanks for the list of those who should be given a wide berth. I've only met a few rich people and do not believe any think dishonesty is a virtuous prerequisite with them or that criminality is something they feel an essential skill in business. Minimising the level of dishonest behaviour can be risky business. It is something I have seen in court, which is by no means a pantomime (but I can understand where you’re coming from – cloaks & wigs). It’s a sad fact of life that when you get caught lying and cheating you loose the trust and faith that others place in you. It is no defence to say, “… I gave them money, work, or life so I reserve the right to take these things away”. That is not the world I live in. Is not the direction I want West Ham to go in. I’m sure you’ll agree, Celtic, that the last thing we need is a dishonest, Criminally convicted owner with no previous loyalty to West Ham. Where might that lead? Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:47:58 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52336671 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52327361 I wouldn't think Dyer not playing is costing us too much financially. I'm no expert in employment or health insurance but the huge investment of £6 million West Ham made in purchasing him - just like the investment any company makes (whether on staff or other resources) - is bound to be insured up to the hilt. I doubt whether much of his wages, whilst injured, are paid by the club. The loss for us is all in missing his immense talent on the field. I hope he gets, and stays, fit soon. Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:55:27 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52327361 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52325844 sounds like a euphemism Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:37:28 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52325844 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52322717 I'm confused. Celtic, are you sugesting that this type of fraud is okay; that all fraud, generally speaking, should not lead to conviction in the courts because of the cost in tackling it on the tax payer; that ownership of West Ham by a person convicted of fraud should not be considered hugely problematic; or, all three? I don't want a continued series of off-field revelations (whatever the subject) over the forthcoming weeks, months or years to distract from what West Ham stands for or besmirch our good name. Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:03:38 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52322717 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/vote-which-bidder-do-you-prefer/#IDComment52319432 I won't pretend to know who will be the best owner - I think only time will tell - but I totally agree on your point re. Zola. He has a good team around him and is an honourable man. He needs time and opportunity to manage the squad without all of the off-field distractions of the past few years. Trying to compete with the top 5 or 6 - who do not all have sustainable businesses beyond the wealth of their owners - is a step in the wrong direction. Hopefully our new owner will be astute enough to recognise this. Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:22:25 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/vote-which-bidder-do-you-prefer/#IDComment52319432