en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/667358 Comments by broganq http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/24/zola-what-should-be-done/#IDComment64015723 Our situation is one which demands a reaction. It is one which sorts the men from the boys, and I think for Zola and the board, quite a few players are being exposed for their lack of character, heart, leadership. How was Kovac ever bought? Especially when we had a loan period to clearly see his deficiencies. There is a man with no leadership in him at all. Green's body language has always bothered me, another who is not a leader. I had time for Stanislas but now I wonder at the boys overall ability at this level. Watching that youtube video of Upson just shows me what a poor choice is was to make him captain. He just doesn't have the steel. Hearing Benni McCarthy's account of the quiet and depressed dressing room at half time says an awful lot and explains the lack of onfield reaction we have been seeing. Parker is doing his best but we miss leadership desperately. Zamora, Neil, Collins - these were men up for a battle. That dressing room should have been on fire Tuesday but Zola did say he didn't want the situation to get emotional - well we certainly can't rely on our ability right now. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:11:11 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/24/zola-what-should-be-done/#IDComment64015723 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/15/west-ham-v-chelsea-player-performance-results/#IDComment62215833 PART TWO I don't see Zola through rose tinted glasses, never have. In fact I was one to question him very early on in the season. But I do think he deserves another year. There will be a lot of changes in the summer, a hell of a lot of players to be offloaded, a new plan for future success to be drawn up. It appears the new kids coming into U18's have phenominal talent, even in Carr's eyes, so we have great things to look forward to. With a couple more years experience I believe Zola could fashion them, along with the likes of Stanislas, Tomkins, Spence, Nouble, Collison, Edgar, to name just a few, into a formidable team. Parker and Zola must stay at the club. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:08:31 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/15/west-ham-v-chelsea-player-performance-results/#IDComment62215833 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/15/west-ham-v-chelsea-player-performance-results/#IDComment62215808 It's been a while since I posted and I'd like to add my thoughts to our current plight. PART ONE We must retain Zola and Clarke for the remainder of the season and if we do I believe we will survive. It's interesting to read Parker's view of Zola. I find Parker to be the ideal modern footballer and a solid, down to earth bloke. No idiot, that's for sure and he's worked under a few different managers. I think the best bet for next year is to keep Zola and release Clarke. He seems to want to move onto the role of manager anyway. Then I think Zola and the two D's should hire a very experienced assistant to help in Zola's continued improvement. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:08:15 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/03/15/west-ham-v-chelsea-player-performance-results/#IDComment62215808 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53543320 You're right, he could make a difference but it would be an enormous gamble and one the club wont want to make. He has yet to get a premiership goal and to ask him to kick five or six during the run in would be hoping a bit much I think. But he has great potential, that's for sure! Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:44:40 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53543320 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53465065 I hope we don't sign Gudjonsen full stop. You woul dhave to query his motives for coming to us and what sort of form he is in. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:26:53 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53465065 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53464761 Agree with you in regards to Sullivan's ridiculous leak about offering 100k a week to a new player on loan. Stupid. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:25:11 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/22/strikers-yes-but-dont-forget-a-right-back/#IDComment53464761 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/21/sullivan-on-transfer-latest/#IDComment53431315 I doubt anyone will pay 2mil for sears, unfortunately he did himself, and us, no good while playing in the chapionship. I am also in two minds about getting rid of noble. He's very popular in the dressing room and still maturing (even though he is the clubs most capped player. NGala I agree will most likely go but Spence is to be kept no matter what. But I do agree, there will have to be a lot of tough choices made in the summer and some of them may not be popular. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:57:17 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/21/sullivan-on-transfer-latest/#IDComment53431315 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/21/sullivan-on-transfer-latest/#IDComment53424705 If we can pick up a player like McCarthy and perhaps one other striker on loan then that should do us fine. I don't like the way S+G are offering such big wages publically - it's crass and very unwise. Summer is the time for the club to re-structure the squad. We have no FA cup to worry about and with the run in we have there is no excuse in ending in the bottom three. Also I hope Nani stays on in some department. His knowledge and contacts in Italy especially could unearth more Behrami's and Ilunga's. I think he is an asset and as such should be kept. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:21:27 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/21/sullivan-on-transfer-latest/#IDComment53424705 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/21/sullivan-on-transfer-latest/#IDComment53419804 Hey Devo, I think Sullivan was stupid to say we were getting a player in for 100k a week. He needn't of and I'm sure it was only driven by his inflated ego. What if we don't get him, which looks unlikely? What has it said to the remainder of the squad and their agents? I think it's wrong going for a player at his age anyway - even on loan. It could go so wrong injury wise - it seems like such a risk. And we shouldn't sell Behrami for 15mil in this window either. He's young and yet to fulfil all his potential, but if he does with us in the next few years, we will benefit and his price will only go up. Also we shouldn't sell to other successful English clubs, only to European clubs. What's the point in strengthening Man City at our expense? Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:54:15 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/21/sullivan-on-transfer-latest/#IDComment53419804 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/19/fernandes-leaves-the-field/#IDComment52724005 I know this is a knee jerk reaction but I just can't imagine Zola working under Sullivan/Gold. I really don't think he'll last the season and wouldn't be surprised if he quits tomorrow. I have a feeling he'll have a real concern with how they have made their fortune and I just can't see it working. It feels like the end to a dream which never got a chance to fly. Going to bed and hope the mail have reported it wrong... Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:40:50 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/19/fernandes-leaves-the-field/#IDComment52724005 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/19/fernandes-leaves-the-field/#IDComment52723546 Daily mail saying it's a done deal to Sullivan/Gold, with Brady coming in to run the club. I'm gutted. I feel quite sick and can't believe we haven't got owners with more vision. This could be a very dark day for the Hammers. I think Iain should lift the swearing ban for a day! Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:34:41 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/19/fernandes-leaves-the-field/#IDComment52723546 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/18/sign-the-keep-zola-petition/#IDComment52695097 Whatever owners come in, the next three weeks are critical. If the team doesn't get at least five points (hopefully more) then I feel Zola will go, one way or the other. Whatever the ownership, West Ham must not go down this year, not with the financial problems we have and not with the talented young players we may be forced to sell. I think Sullivan/Gold will listen to Zola's case and give him those games at least. But for a new owner going down would be a disaster. I personally don't want Zola to go, I desperately want him to succeed, but with the squad we have (even considering injuries) it is criminal we are in our current position. The tide is turning the right way on the pitch but we are only a couple of poor games away from being back in the mire. Hopefully the team will realise their talent and rise to the challenge. Zola too. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:32:37 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/18/sign-the-keep-zola-petition/#IDComment52695097 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/17/aston-villa-0-west-ham-0-match-report/#IDComment52440429 Noticed the same regarding Upson - he sounded like a player who had made a decision to stay at the club. He also seemed proud of Tomkins which was nice. And I thought he was brilliant today. Without him we would have crumbled under the torrent of pressure they put on us at times. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:52:11 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/17/aston-villa-0-west-ham-0-match-report/#IDComment52440429 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/17/aston-villa-0-west-ham-0-match-report/#IDComment52439766 Agree Gav with your views on Stanislas. I thought he looked very dangerous and I liked his aggresion/passion. He had a good impact. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:45:09 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/17/aston-villa-0-west-ham-0-match-report/#IDComment52439766 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52404911 I think it's amazing how many supporters prefer Fenandes to Sullivan/Gold. Sullivan/Gold have a proven record of running a PL club and have cash to invest (50 mil at least), with other money available to them. Logic says they would therefore be a low risk option. But it is Fernades we have mostly voted for, even though it would appear he has very little cash to invest and would most likely increase the clubs debts in order to take control. It's typical West Ham. If Zola had been anybody else, I think by now there would be a supporter backlash for him to leave. But he's a great person, he believes, he likes to play football the right way, he's passionate, his heart is totally in it - and at West Ham this is what we love. This is why I think Fernandes is so popular. He appears to be a nice bloke, his heart appears to be in it, he's excited by life and the prospect of engineering a successful West Ham. And I personally hope he does get control though I fear the banks will deal with Sullivan/Gold for reasons already mentioned. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:15:33 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/poll-result-fernandes-by-a-landslide/#IDComment52404911 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52297418 Obviously any change of ownership has a dramatic effect on a club's fortune, but I feel the decision of West Ham's new owner could send us straight down into the championship, or provide the platform for Zola/Clarke and the team to force their way into Europe in the next couple of years. We all know the squad aren't that far away from being very competitive with any team in the PL. Five or six clever aquisitions with the further development of our youth will create a great squad of players and if Zola can continue to learn then who knows. But if we have a disruptive owner, if Zola is sacked, if players revolt, then all the hard graft in the last two years will be for nothing. Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:25:41 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52297418 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52285494 I have been a critic of Zola managerial performance this season but I really feel for him right now. He's trying to prepare a team and hold onto what little momentum we gained over Xmas, keeping the player's minds on the job, and all the while not knowing if he'll have a job once any takeover eventuates. From the papers it seems only the Fernandes and Intermarket Group are keen for him to remain. Sullivan, reportedly will replace him with Hughes and Cellino will get his first sacking done right away. I also fear for tomorrow's match if no decision or an unpopular one is made. Add this to the unbalanced team we are sure to put out and we may get a drumming. I hope not. It would show enormous character if we played well and even got some kind of result. I am still praying Fernandes wins the battle. I think he would provide the smoothest transition, keeping Duxbury, Nani, and Zola/Clarke till at least the end of the season. Fingers crossed! Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:29:55 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/115000-fine-but-no-closure-of-upton-park/#IDComment52285494 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/vote-which-bidder-do-you-prefer/#IDComment52252166 I can see the argument for Sulivan and Gold. They are experienced in running a PL club and they do have money. I think Fernandes would be very exciting but I do worry, like most, that he doesn't have enough money of his own to invest and so keeping us in a precarious financial position for years to come. Intermarket I have no idea about and I very much doubt they will win the bid. Do they really have the money cleared to put into the club? Cellino would be trouble and I feel the most disruptive of the lot. Does anyone know, do the West Ham board have any say in who buys us? Or is the club completely at the mercy of the banks? Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:38:02 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/16/vote-which-bidder-do-you-prefer/#IDComment52252166 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/14/the-verdict-now-we-await-the-punishment/#IDComment52011301 Being paid a million for Faubert to go out on loan to Real Madrid so he can get his attitude back on track wasn't a bad little deal either! Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:28:38 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/14/the-verdict-now-we-await-the-punishment/#IDComment52011301 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/13/fernandes-in-pole-position/#IDComment51845862 While Sullivan and Gold are still competing for the ownership of the club I can't help feeling very nervous. We don't really know who's backing the Intermarket bid or why they haven't finalised it yet or their finance. Then there is Fernades who sounds great but does he have the reddies? Of them all Sullivan and Gold have the hard cash sitting on the table and if it comes to it the banks may very well choose them because of it. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:06:25 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/01/13/fernandes-in-pole-position/#IDComment51845862