Tevez set for dramatic return to the Hammers?

Well I have to say this is something I didn't expect to hear! There have been many rumours flying around that West Ham could make a dramatic attempt to bring back, fan favourite, Carlos Tevez in the summer transfer window.

This would by no means be a bad move for the club and would be a massive pick up for the fans after what could be a lacklustre finish to a promising season. Tevez may have only been with the Hammers for 12 months but any true supporter will remember how vital he was to our survival in the 2006/07 'Great Escape'.

As a season ticket holder myself I simply loved watching the Argentinian genius at Upton Park and would love to see him back at the club that launched his career. Many fans will also remember the controversial legal battle that ensued with Sheffield United over their relegation and Tevez's dodgy agent, which went on well after Tevez had left the club and may be something the board will consider when entering the transfer market. After leaving us Tevez has gone on to play for both Manchester United and City, winning the Premier League title twice as well as the Champions League with the former.

Now 31 years old some may doubt the former Premier League winner, but his record this season with Juventus cannot be disregarded having scored 33 goals in 54 matches, not bad at all!

With just one year remaining on his contract at Juventus the David's might just make a bid for Tevez, who would be a marquee signing for our last season at Upton Park and could also raise our worldwide appeal, encouraging other world class players to join the team.

This would definitely be a coup for the Hammers but ahead of the move to the Olympic Stadium it may be a better policy to look towards a younger model such as Javier Hernandez who could be available this summer after struggling to make an impact on loan at Madrid.

Would this be a wise move or should the board be looking at younger players for the future? leave your comments below!

COYI!!!

The Season so far...same old West Ham!

So here we are 29 games played and West Ham sit in 10th place with 39 points. If you would have asked any supporter this time last year they probably would have taken a tenth place finish over last years very disappointing 13th.

The Hammers have, however, had a decent season under Sam Allardyce who before Christmas raised our expectations with a great run of results. Our early season run took us up to 4th position in the table, after beating the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City. I think truthfully all West Ham fans knew that we would never sustain a challenge for Champions League qualification, but we have always felt that a Europa league spot could be achieved.

This season we have one of the best squads for years, with some serious attacking talent and pace in the team, as well as a very solid back four. The team was once again playing 'the West Ham way' with some great attacking football that seemed to show the passion and fight that we had lacked the year before. Some fantastic new signings definitely helped with the likes of Valencia, Sakho, Cresswell and Jenkinson adding some much needed quality and pace to the squad, which really gave the club and the fans a new sense of optimism. 

However as a lifelong West Ham supporter we all knew that our dreams were likely to fade and die, as has been shown with a massive decline in our form since Christmas. This is of course reminiscent of the famous quote from Frank Lampard Senior who said that West Ham normally come down with the Christmas decorations. 

We now face a very important run of games towards the end of the season where we play teams like Sunderland, Stoke and Leicester who we should definitely pick up points against. It is not an impossible task to achieve a top eight finish with the fixtures we have to come, but it is also important to remember that we have the potential in the squad to finish in the top six. 

Personally I feel that our decline has been primarily down to Big Sam returning to the tactics from last year. As soon as Nolan and Carroll returned from injury we went back to a pointless system of 'hoof-ball' that just does not work in the modern day game. At times we have looked short of ideas and seem like we are playing with 10 men,  especially when hapless Nolan is strolling around the midfield. The manager also relied on his theory that we can get a goal and sit back, but the games against Man United and Tottenham showed that it simply does not work and costs us valuable points. 

Another major talking point would be the form of Alex Song who was a revelation when he first joined, playing some exquisite passes to our front men and looking a real class act. Since Christmas he has looked like a completely different player, spending too much time on the ball and losing it in ridiculous situations. He has at times come back to his previous form, but his sluggish ways will not warrant a second spell at the club after his season long loan comes to an end. 

I think that Big Sam's rein will be over come the seasons end as many fans have lost faith in his tactics and the board are considering his future against possible candidates as we speak! In my opinion he has been a very good manager for the club, bringing us back to the Premier League on the first attempt and establishing us as a mid table side over the last few years. However, I feel this is as far as he can take us and that we need a change in order to progress next year. 

Overall this season will be an improvement on last year but we will always be disappointed after our early season form gave us so much optimism. A mid-table finish is the norm for West Ham, but with the current squad and move to the Olympic Stadium on the horizon we can really push on over the next few years COYI!!!!

Also feel free to follow me on Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news @roryp93

Preview vs QPR

Our last game resulted in a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford despite some positive play from the Hammers. This week sees an interesting encounter as London rivals QPR make the short trip to Upton Park. The match, also highlighted by the return of former hammers star Robert Green, sees two teams in completely different form with QPR struggling to pick up points coming up against a hungry, more attacking West Ham side who are playing some great football.

                    

Match day 7 - vs QPR 

KO - Sunday 5th October 4:15pm

Previous season results - newly promoted team

Previous lineups

Predicted score - 2-0

Team news 

Not much change for West Ham with Carroll, Jarvis and Obrien still out. Mark Noble missed the game against Manchester United with a shin injury and will also miss this one but is expected back for the away game at Burnley. Kouyate is also still out but West Ham have set 8th October as his return date. Both Poyet and Jenkinson look set to start this one after good performances at Old Trafford. 

 QPR will still be missing Barton and Mutch but could possibly have Sandro back as he recovers from a ridiculous training ground injury after a celebration in training (only an ex Spurs player could do that!).

Predictions

Very positive about this one after recent performances (something must be wrong) and I feel West Ham will control the pace from the start. If we can start quickly like the Liverpool game then I can see us bagging a few goals with Sahko and Valencia in great form. QPR have been struggling of late in all area of the pitch but team normally improve when they play us must be the Hammers curse! 

Not quite as positive as Paul Merson who reckons we will thrash them 3-0 but I think a good performance will see us with a 2-0 win and another three points on board COYI!!!!

                            

Preview vs Liverpool

After an exciting 2-2 against Hull on Monday West Ham face a tough challenge as Liverpool come to Upton Park. Both sides have been inconsistent so far this year, making this match fairly unpredictable, especially after Liverpool lost to Villa last week.

                                  

Match day 5 - vs Liverpool 

KO: 17:30 Saturday 20th September 

Previous season results: (H) L 2-1 (A) L 4-1

Previous lineups

Predicted score 1-2

Team news

West Ham have no new injury concerns with Nolan, Carroll, O'Brien and Jarvis still out. Despite this they will have Jenkinson, Song and Amilfitano available for their home debuts. This will give Big Sam lots of selection headaches with a very strong squad available.

Liverpool have their own injury concerns with Flanagan, Allen and Johnson all out injured. Despite this Skrtel may be fit to make a return. Balotelli is set to start but strike partner Sturridge is doubtful ahead of the trip to London. 

Predictions

This will be an interesting game as both teams have played intense games during the week so it will be interesting to see whether it affects the game. I think this will be all about taking your chances meaning we will need our new stars to really push themselves today. I think we will play well but Liverpool May just knick this 2-1 but I hope not! COYI!!

                               

Post match review vs hull

After an embarrassing defeat to Southampton at home, West Ham had their first game outside London at Fa cup runners up Hull City. Both sides have done well in the transfer window and are looking for a top ten finish.

                           

FT Score 2-2

Goals: Hull (Hernandez, Diame) West Ham (Valencia, Sakho)

A very interesting game no matter who you are, four goals, lots of new signings on display and a great game of football. Despite only getting a point from the game there was some really encouraging  play from both sides with new signings fitting in from the start, most notably with goals from high cost signings Hernandez and Valencia. 

West ham looked a different team to the side that played Southampton with some clear attacking intent from the manager. That's right Big Sam played three strikers!!!! This seemed odd and may have been requested from the board, as before the game Allardyce said that he would never play two strikers upfront, unless he had the best players in the league! Maybe he just has a lot of faith in Valencia and Sakho. Nevertheless a change of formation led to a very positive performance from the Hammers. 

First half 

The game was hectic from the start with lots of pressure from Hull within the first five minutes. West Ham seemed to deal with the pressure and then forced opportunities to break away and hit Hull on the counter. The game seemed end to end but neither side managed a shot on target until the 30th minute. As the hammers looked to be picking up pace a 39th minute opener from new boy Hernandez gave Hull the lead and put fear into hammers fans worldwide. A well placed cross into the box was met by a powerful header well out of reach of Adrian. 1-0 Hull. Just a few minutes later everyone thought it was 2-0 when another great shot from Hernandez crashed against the bar and Jelavic was there to tap in a rebound but he was ruled offside PHEW! West ham continued to attack with Downing, Sahko and Zarate all looking positive but couldn't convert before half time.

Second half

What a start to the second half! Just five minutes after the break Enner Valencia scores one of the goals of the season with a great strike from 25 yards! 1-1 game on! We seemed to be moving better as a team with good chances for Valencia, Sakho and Downing. Despite our efforts a poor throw in the 62nd minute lead to a goal by GUESS WHO! Diame, after leaving the club a week before scores Hulls second 2-1 Hull. Amazingly we hit back instantly when a great move led to a Sahko shot being deflected into the Hull net 2-2! What a game! In the last minute of the game Valencia thought he'd won it when his header from the back post looked a certain goal but Dawson was on the line to chest it onto the bar and over so close but full time!

FT 2-2

                         

Pre match preview vs Hull City!!

Finally the chore of watching England is over with the end of the international break and the return of Premier League football. Since our last performance (if you can call it that!) against Southampton we have also seen the end of the transfer window, one which was a success for both West Ham and Hull. Deadline day was a good day for both teams with West Ham securing the services of former West Brom winger Amalfitano and Hull signing no less than four players on the last day including Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez, Abel Hernandez and our own Mo Diame!

This game looks set to be an intriguing one with two very strong squads looking to seal an important three points.

Matchday 4 - Vs Hull City
Kick Off - 8pm Monday 15th September 2014
Previous season results - Premier League (H) W 2-1 (A) L 1-0

Previous Line ups

West Ham                                                  Hull City

   

Predicted score - 1-1

Team news

The international break has given Sam Allardyce and his squad time to recover, meaning that Jenkinson, Jarvis and Carroll have had time to improve their fitness and get closer to first team action with the latter starting light jogging after a foot operation. We also have a return to fitness of Collins who will give the team another central defensive option. New signings Song and Amilfitano are both clear to play.

Steve Bruce will be eager to bring in as many of his deadline day signings as possible although Hernandez has not yet received a work permit and will therefore not be cleared for this fixture. It will be interesting to see if Diame lines up to play his former team mates after claiming to have been "shunted around" the West Ham side and not really given a chance. Chester is back from suspension after his red card but Robertson is doubtful with a calf injury.

Predictions

This is quite an unpredictable fixture as it is hard to predict what teams will come out come 8pm on Monday with so many new signings. It all depends on how fast these players settle and whether the teams are prepared to go for it. I think it will end a 1-1 draw as both teams will be strong defensively but pushing for a win may bring inevitable mistakes at both ends. The introduction of Song could well make the difference so hopefully he will get a hatrick! (YEAH RIGHT!!!) No, but he seems to be a player of genuine quality who should add something new to our team. COYI!!!

The Song Ravel-ution and why Hammers fans can be positive!

After a mixed start to the season, with just three points on the board, what reason do West Ham fans have to be positive? The 1st September signalled the end of a dramatic transfer window all round, with significant introductions of top quality players to the league, including Falcao and Di Maria and Fabregas. It was also one of the most successful transfer windows in West Ham's history with 9 significant signings and only one departure in Diame to Hull City.

                        

This signifies a change in The Hammers strategy with the board clearly having more influence when it comes to player selection. Some might see that as a bad thing but previously Allardyce's purchases have been poor with Maiga at 5 million his biggest failure to date. So far we have seen good signs from Kouyate, Zarate, Poyet and Cresswell. We have also seen positive glimpses from Sakho and Valencia despite needing to adapt to the english game. Big Sam will also be looking forward to the return of Arsenal loanee Carl Jenkinson who will hopefully bring much needed security to our right back position. Wide positions have also been strengthened with last minute signing Amilfitano signing on a three year deal. 

The promise of the Olimpic Stadium also looks to be working in our favour as it was a major factor in us securing the signing of Barcelona and former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song who will surely add  some much needed quality and experience to the side. 

The impact of Song has been seen already in a midweek friendly today against Ipswich Town. Reports claim that Song was instrumental in a 5-1 victory where both he and Ravel Morrison linked up spectacularly to set up Sakho for his second goal in a West Ham shirt. 

After recent performances and troubled personal life Morrison's commitment to the club is definitely under question. Is a new partnership with Song the perfect way to integrate him into the first team? Only time will tell but this performance seems to open up more tactics for Big Sam to utilise. 

It is now up to Allardyce to show us that he has what it takes to turn this squad into an exciting, attacking side. COYI!