en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/754251 Comments by clack1 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/11/27/a-tribute-to-gary-speed/#IDComment228323401 Was it depression? It's extraordinarily unusual for someone to commit suicide without any previous signs of depression, He was doing a good job as Wales manager, with no signs of anything wrong at all, according to players and staff. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:55:04 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/11/27/a-tribute-to-gary-speed/#IDComment228323401 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/20/an-opportunity-scorned-but-was-the-defeat-such-a-surprise/#IDComment210296647 Personally, nearly all the West Ham fans I know are opposed to the move to the O/S, the main reason because they don't want to watch football in a stadium with an athletics track. When I posted my opinion on the need for a referendum last week, posters such as Ironsides, Headmaster and others objected to it, citing 'sentimentality for wanting to stay at the Boleyn' as backwardsness, but I think they got the wrong end of the stick - many fans who don't want to go to the O/S are not opposed to a move away from the Boleyn per se, and would be very happy to move into a bigger and better football stadium, but they do not want to go one with an athletics track. The issue is the track. Even though I hate football with athletics tracks, I would not be against moving to a stadium with an athletics track if I knew that was genuinely what the majority of West Ham fans wanted, but it would be totally wrong to go there iif it's not want the fans want. - And until there's somesort of proper poll and consulation with the fans, we really have no idea how many are for or against. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:44:59 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/20/an-opportunity-scorned-but-was-the-defeat-such-a-surprise/#IDComment210296647 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/20/an-opportunity-scorned-but-was-the-defeat-such-a-surprise/#IDComment210295860 We really have no idea how many fans are for or against the move, and there is no way of knowing until a proper poll/ referendum is conducted amongst season ticket holders and club members. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:42:55 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/20/an-opportunity-scorned-but-was-the-defeat-such-a-surprise/#IDComment210295860 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/20/an-opportunity-scorned-but-was-the-defeat-such-a-surprise/#IDComment210294754 I went to the meeting in Liverpool St, and thought it was very balanced & constructive. The results will be published on Monday. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:39:54 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/20/an-opportunity-scorned-but-was-the-defeat-such-a-surprise/#IDComment210294754 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/12/as-i-wasnt-saying-yesterday-olympic-lease-could-be-good-news/#IDComment207840501 It's not about 'sentimentality' I'm very happy to move away from the Boleyn. But I don't want to move to a stadium with an athletics track - that's the issue. The Man City comparison is all wrong: 1) They moved to a stadium that was purposly designed and built to be a football stadium. 2) Their current success is due to having billionaire arabic owners Moving to a new stadium doesn't necessarily mean success for a team - look at Derby and Southampton, they're examples of where it hasn't worked - they've just been burdened by massive debt. But, again, I'm not aginst moving if it was to a proper football stadium. I honestly don't think a lot of people realise how bad watching football with a track between the fans and the pitch is - I seriously think there's a chance that move could be a disaster, that due to the terrible sightlines of the Olympic stadium we won't attract 'new fans', and we'll be watching football in a half-empty stadium, a long way from the action, and with no atmosphere. Even those in favour of the move to a stadium with a track, must see at the very least it;s a gamble? Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:05:11 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/12/as-i-wasnt-saying-yesterday-olympic-lease-could-be-good-news/#IDComment207840501 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/12/as-i-wasnt-saying-yesterday-olympic-lease-could-be-good-news/#IDComment206993268 Very good post, RoyClark Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:24:11 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/12/as-i-wasnt-saying-yesterday-olympic-lease-could-be-good-news/#IDComment206993268 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/12/as-i-wasnt-saying-yesterday-olympic-lease-could-be-good-news/#IDComment206706585 Reading through many of the WHU forums over the last day or so, it's quite noticable how many fans don't actually want to move to the O/S. Ok, I know the forums aren't an accurate gauge of opinion - a lot ot posters probably don't even go to matches - but I do detect a definite sea-change, compared to a few months ago. I would like to see the fans given a proper referendum on the move - one organised by the electoral reform society, so that it would be accurate and fair, and not manipulated by the club. It seems to me that a lot of fans are tired of all the politics. While the lawyers, politicians, club chairmen and chairwomen play their games, the fans have been forgotton. This is a comment that caught my eye on another forum - We seem to be getting side tracked (no pun intended). It's not about Tottenham, Boris Johnson, OPLC, Barry Hearn, Sullivan stitching Levy up or any of that ****. It's about YOU watching your team in a half-empty stadium which wasn't designed for football, where you're a million miles away from the pitch. It might be a good move for the 'club', but for a West Ham supporter it's not. Sure, you can park more easily and perhaps do a bit of shopping before the game, but for your actual game experience, you're gonna hate it. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:59:29 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/12/as-i-wasnt-saying-yesterday-olympic-lease-could-be-good-news/#IDComment206706585 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/11/hammers-olympic-move-lies-in-tatters/#IDComment206437983 All these latest shenanigans are distraciing from the real issue - the athletics track. (Although perhaps one good thing coming out of it is that, at least now, some of the papers are showing some real photos of the inside of the stadium, so people can see just how far the seats are from the pitch - it's not just an athletics track either, but a warm-up track alongsie it aswell.. Something that's really beginning to irritate is the comparison with Man City's stadium - the OPLC did it in their statement yestaerday, and the Evening Standard also had a piece citing City as an example of how renting can work....Aaarrrrr!!! - MAN CITY'S STADIUM WAS PURPOSELY DESIGNED AND BUILT TO BE A FOOTBALL STADIUM!!! - it's a completely different situation to ours. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:12:15 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/11/hammers-olympic-move-lies-in-tatters/#IDComment206437983 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/11/hammers-olympic-move-lies-in-tatters/#IDComment205994165 There was a very small paragraph in some of the papers yesterday about Boris Johnson being due to meet David Levy yesterday. Can only guess that Tottenham turned down the offer of another 'bung' to drop the case against the OPLC And can only guess that the OPLC weren't confident of winning the case against Tottenham's claim that the bidding process was unfair and biased? FWIW, I always thought the issue of local council money (£40 million) being loaned to a private football club was a bit dodgy? I think the fact that a decision on the venue for the 2017 World Athletics Champiomships is due soon (the Inspectors were in town last week) has had a massive bearing on today's events - ie. the O/S wouldn't've got Championships if the court case was still pending. A lot of people do seem to think it's a smart move on the part of WHU - calling Tottemham's bluff if you like - I'm not so sure? As tenants how much say will we have over stadium design etc , Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:20:10 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/11/hammers-olympic-move-lies-in-tatters/#IDComment205994165 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/10/montano-back-and-straight-in-the-first-team-squad/#IDComment205557166 It's a big ask of Allardyce to get us promoted this season, in my opinion. He' s got a 2yr contract, and, like Pardew, I reckon he's going to need all that time to get a 'new team' to gel, Promotion next season is a more realistic prospect? Ideally, I would've liked to have seen us build a younger team, one that can develop and improve, much like the team John Lyall built in the 3 yrs down from 78 to 81, or, to a lesser degree, Pardew's team of mainly young players that got promoted in in 2005. But the Olympic Stadium situation doesn't allow for that - we have to be in the Prem for the opening of that no matter what, so all planning is short-term at the mo (the ageing Faye, Diop, Carew won't be around long-term, and Stanlisas and Hines have been discarded, two players who, while by no means the finished articles, possibly had the potential to develop and improve in this league? Unfortunately, circumstances dictate that all planning has to be short-term Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:07:49 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/10/montano-back-and-straight-in-the-first-team-squad/#IDComment205557166 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/07/bentley-out-tevez-in/#IDComment204420704 Tevez wants to leave England. His wife is unhappy here - that's the main reason why he's put in two transfer requests at Man City . He won't want want to go to another English club in January. After all the problems he's caused everywhere, I'm surprised there are still WHU fans who would want him back. I know it wasn't direclty the player's fault, but we're still paying off the 25 million he cost us! He won't come - he'll be sold in Jan to Inter Milan, Corinthians, or Paris St Germain (a club loaded with Arabic money and determind to make a mark on the Champions league) . But even, if he did come, I don't think the WHU fans/ Tevez ' 'love-in' would be the same 2nd time round - there's been too much water under the bridge. Fri, 7 Oct 2011 16:26:38 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/07/bentley-out-tevez-in/#IDComment204420704 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment204105213 I appreciate your position, Iain. Thu, 6 Oct 2011 23:05:21 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment204105213 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment204100464 To be honest, I'm shakin my head wondering how I got embroiled in all this,Iain - all I wanted was to make a couple of points about West Ham. But frankly I find it all a bit weird, and worrying, now. Appreciate you have to defend your people, but I do find it very difficult to believe they are different people, and think you are actually insulting our intelligence a little by saying they're not. Thu, 6 Oct 2011 22:49:16 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment204100464 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203919968 Ironsides 64 / Chandos. (you can't seriously expect anyone to believe that you are not the same person?) I have replied to your first posts above. I agree it's all getting silly (especially you posing as two different people). But, having read through it all again, I honestly don't understand why you get so antagonistic - I think all my points are valid and presented in a reasonable and polite manner. Thu, 6 Oct 2011 16:04:21 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203919968 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203917099 This has got to be a wind up, right? You can't seriously expect me to believe Candos & Ironside are different people? You're right, it certainly has all got far too silly. Thu, 6 Oct 2011 15:57:05 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203917099 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203864879 Chandos/ Ironside, Your writing style is instantly recognisble. Also your original piece was posted at 12.30am. I happened to be up at the time and replied a few minutes later, and then you replied not long after that. Do you seriously expect us to believe there is another poster out there, who's up at 1.am, who not only has the same writing style as yourself,, and agrees with everything you say, but also remembers a disagreement between chandos & clack that took place at least a couple of years ago? Ok, maybe 'nonsense' was too strong - I should have said 'I disagree' But I do disagree passionately - for me, the accurate long-balls' played by Greenwood & Lyall's teams are a completely different style of play from the hopeful percentage game that Allardyce's teams have always played. Thu, 6 Oct 2011 13:12:17 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203864879 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203398362 Ironsides (Chandos) Your response is aggressive - please, please let's not get like that again. Maybe sometimes comments don't capture the correct tone in whch they're meant? - my post was not meant to be aggressive, but I passionately disagreed with the opinions in the piece (I don't normally respond to the blogs on here, mainly because most of the time I agree with the content) I said the comparison with Geeenwood & Lyall was 'nonsense'', but it was not a personal attack. I'm sorry, but by "focusing on showing how both Greenwood and Lyall played direct during the time", you are making a comparison... - and it's a comparison I don't agree with - skilful crosses from the likes of Brooking, and perfectly- weighted through balls for McAvennie & Cottee to run onto are a world away from the hopeful long balls into the danger area that Allardyce teams play (in my opinion, of course) The 'enjoyed much of the play this season' statement was not lost on me, but I was merely asking if you had enjoyed the Ipswich match? I was genuinely interested in thoughts on that match, as I, personally, thought it was appaling! PS - the last thing I want to do is dig up all the old Tevez arguments, but I was completely right all along on that issue - and WHU were certainly not exonerated of any wrongdoing - they're still paying off the 25 odd million quid fine! Wed, 5 Oct 2011 12:07:33 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203398362 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203187007 I can't comment on Palace game, cos I wasn't there, but I thought we were bad against Ipswich, and very 'long-ball - by that ,I mean just hitting aimless balls into the danger area. The full backs, McArtney & Faubert, had clearly been instructed to hit the ball first time (as did O'Brian v Peterbrough). Often those balls were over-hit and they often just went out of play. Surely you couldn't have enjoyed watching us against Ipswich, Chandos? I'm trying to be open-minded about Allardyce, but to compare him with Greenwood & Lyall is nonsense. Those two were poles apart from Allardyce on their outlook on the game (I've just read 'The managers', a book put together by ex-Hammer magazine, and, in an interview with Lyall, not long before he died, he's quite critical of Allardyce,, citing him as an example of all he didn't like about modern management & methods (ironic that Allardyce ends up managing West Ham!) Tue, 4 Oct 2011 23:56:34 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203187007 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203183723 Stech cannot play another first team game for West Ham, due to the terms of the deal he did with the Icelanders. David Gold explained this at a fan forum last week I believe - if Stech plays for the 1st team, it releases a clause in his contract that WHU have to pay £500,000 to the czech club he was bought from - G & S aren't prepared to do this (he's already on big wages), and they can't wait for his current contract to run out, which is at the end of this season. Tue, 4 Oct 2011 23:45:52 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/10/05/talk-about-give-a-dog-a-bad-name/#IDComment203183723 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/25/west-ham-accuse-spurs-of-olympic-skulduggery/#IDComment186460605 Couldn't get there until half-timemn last night, so don't know what atmosphere was like before match, but even at half-time fans were pissed off by the way we were playing, and moreover by the team we had put out....It turned nasty in 2nd half - loads had left even before they scored their winner, then there was a mass walkout when they did....I haven't seen the fans so angry for a long time, if ever. The football was riubbish, on a par with that Stoke match when Pardew first tookover. Aldershot won because they wanted it more than us. ...Judging by the team we put it out, can only guess that we weren't bothered about winning it, but why piss off the fans like that? - they haven't paid good money to come and see the reserves. And the sad thing is, there were lots of kids there. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:29:35 +0000 http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/25/west-ham-accuse-spurs-of-olympic-skulduggery/#IDComment186460605