Almost Definitely Your Last Visit...

[walmai]

...and for once, we've got something tangible to play for, if only that is the chance of a place in a European competition, through our league position. And, before anyone laughs out loud, I say here and now that I personally cannot see a 4th-placed finish. By that token, though, it appears that, if you win the LC, then even a 6th-placed WHU could get into the Europa.

And this all because, when we are on all cylinders, we are a match for anyone.

But forget about us for a minute and let me offer an outside view of your lot, since I last posted. There's something terribly modern about Pellegrini and the safety of his position. There the poor bloke is, with a fair shout of success in no fewer than 4 competitions and still he has to endure repeated question marks over his future at your club. I suppose in a way, its just a sign of what is going on all over the place, given the ridiculous shortness of the average tenure at any league club these days, but he seems more under the microscope than most. And I suppose another way of looking at it is that MCFC and WHUFC have actually lost the same number of league games this season. And we, of course, were the first team to beat you.

If its a fair shout to suggest that it will slim down to a two horse race, because Leicester and Spurs are slim on squad depth and surely due an injury to one or more of their stars. Hilariously, Man United will struggle to get top 4 and Chelsea will consider that to be an achievement.

So, I have to say that I am taking it as read that you will be targeting a win at ours as practically a mandatory requirement, and that you will consider a further defeat to us totally unacceptable. Our weaknesses are the defensive qualities of both of our fullbacks and it may be that Super Slav will use again Tomkins at RB, because its clear that he doesn't rate loanee Jenkinson. Serge can score against anyone, obviously, and I worry as much about Silva and De Bruyne. Obviously, I have now jinxed us and Bony will nab a hat-trick. He certainly knew how to play well against us when in white, but from afar looks about 10M over-priced, even in today's market.

Moses is returning to fitness, but, sadly for us, Lanzini is still injured. I am in a minority, I appreciate, and don't mean to do down the older guy in making this next comment, but I think the little Argie is already better than Payet (and thus better than Zidane, if you've heard the chant). The other problem for us is that both Sakho and Carroll stand no chance of featuring at all. Its at times like this that the difference between the shiny clubs and all the others are laid bare. We have to look to Old Man Jelavic to lead the line, if both are out, or at least rely on Don Quixote, ahem, Enner Valencia, for centre forward duties. Zarate, one hears, will probably have been off-loaded to La Liga before the weekend.

So, whether you're watching ont box, or actually travelling, enjoy the game. But, if you are attending, enjoy it even more. Unless we meet again in the FA Cup, this is the last time The Citizens will walk down Green Street...

I'll have a point, please, Bob, so long as we summon up the Iron will to go to Anfield the weekend after and dump that lot out of the FA Cup.

[john@staustell]

I'm glad Carroll ain't fit mate. Sure we'll be trying to win but we don't normally get mean until about March.

Stadium move is the best thing that can happen to a club and don't let any Neanderthals tell you otherwise

[walmai]

I totally disagree about the stadium. I am opposed to it, without reservation.

[Wonderwall]

Not a good fixture for the gamblers. No-one knows which side will turn up for city or west ham. Fortunately for city, Sergio is looking like he is getting into the mood and might be hitting his stride. Silva is OK but not hit form yet, however he is showing signs, so I am hoping our offensive players give our defensive players an easy ride.

Payet is a very tricky customer and would be my selection to have a word in delphs ear to keep him close at all times.

As an aside Walmai, what's the score with the retractable seats at the new stadium? Will it ruin the aesthetics or is it OK? I just can't picture it.

Edit: also who is sullivan talking about with this mystery overseas striker. The only one I can think of is Michu ?

[Wooders]

To your point about pellers - i think if there was no such person as pep guardiola he wouldn't be facing questions over his future

[Nigels Tackle]

no idea how you beat us on our patch...
if we play half as well as we did in the second half of that game we'll win comfortably.
sad that it's our last visit to upton park, won't be there myself but have had some fun away days there in the past.
onwards and upwards....

[walmai]

Not a good fixture for the gamblers. No-one knows which side will turn up for city or west ham. Fortunately for city, Sergio is looking like he is getting into the mood and might be hitting his stride. Silva is OK but not hit form yet, however he is showing signs, so I am hoping our offensive players give our defensive players an easy ride.

Payet is a very tricky customer and would be my selection to have a word in delphs ear to keep him close at all times.

As an aside Walmai, what's the score with the retractable seats at the new stadium? Will it ruin the aesthetics or is it OK? I just can't picture it.

Edit: also who is sullivan talking about with this mystery overseas striker. The only one I can think of is Michu ?

I've got no idea about the retractable seating, either! Some people consider it will be brilliant, because the roof will apparently retain all the noise, but others, like me and you simply can't mentally picture it yet.

I think the 'mystery striker' might be someone called Tore. Michu would be a bit of a punt these days, even for our hit and miss board.

[london blue 2]

Great post walmai. All the best to your guys, if you're gonna do something special this is certainly the season to do so.

Hoping for an away win but this will definitely be a tough one.

[South Stand Balti]

Just a point on Pellers. He has had rumours circulating about his demise since he joined........he is now well into his third year at the club. Mancini was with us for approx 3.5 years despite 3.5 years of rumours saying he would be leaving. The average time a Prem manager gets is 14 months so I think it's fair to say we actually buck the trend when it comes to the madness. He was in 4 trophies at Xmas last year but win none. The proves the media talk about him being in 4 tournaments means nothing, unless you win them. Personally, I think a draw would be a good result at the Hammers given the quality they have. Two centre backs and a left back missing.....again. I suspect our defenders will have their work cut out.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I've watched west ham half a dozen times this year and have a major man crush on Payet.

Have I just seen the best of him or is he really brilliant mate?

[Nick]

Surely its Tevez?! I fired up the laptop just to post that.

Gotta love Walmai and west ham & their lot.

Agree re stadium, probably the best for you financially long term, but our atmosphere gets worse every year, alot of it due to the stadium.

[Socrates]

Just a point on Pellers. He has had rumours circulating about his demise since he joined........he is now well into his third year at the club. Mancini was with us for approx 3.5 years despite 3.5 years of rumours saying he would be leaving. The average time a Prem manager gets is 14 months so I think it's fair to say we actually buck the trend when it comes to the madness. He was in 4 trophies at Xmas last year but win none. The proves the media talk about him being in 4 tournaments means nothing, unless you win them. Personally, I think a draw would be a good result at the Hammers given the quality they have. Two centre backs and a left back missing.....again. I suspect our defenders will have their work cut out.

So what was the 4th trophy we were still in with a shout of at Xmas 2014 then? Given we went out of the League Cup in October...

[Alioune DVToure]

Just a point on Pellers. He has had rumours circulating about his demise since he joined........he is now well into his third year at the club. Mancini was with us for approx 3.5 years despite 3.5 years of rumours saying he would be leaving. The average time a Prem manager gets is 14 months so I think it's fair to say we actually buck the trend when it comes to the madness. He was in 4 trophies at Xmas last year but win none. The proves the media talk about him being in 4 tournaments means nothing, unless you win them. Personally, I think a draw would be a good result at the Hammers given the quality they have. Two centre backs and a left back missing.....again. I suspect our defenders will have their work cut out.

So what was the 4th trophy we were still in with a shout of at Xmas 2014 then? Given we went out of the League Cup in October...

Up until 10 December 2014, it was still possible for us to win any of the these four trophies in 2015:

The Premier League
The FA Cup
The Champions League
The Europa League

FACT

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Just a point on Pellers. He has had rumours circulating about his demise since he joined........he is now well into his third year at the club. Mancini was with us for approx 3.5 years despite 3.5 years of rumours saying he would be leaving. The average time a Prem manager gets is 14 months so I think it's fair to say we actually buck the trend when it comes to the madness. He was in 4 trophies at Xmas last year but win none. The proves the media talk about him being in 4 tournaments means nothing, unless you win them. Personally, I think a draw would be a good result at the Hammers given the quality they have. Two centre backs and a left back missing.....again. I suspect our defenders will have their work cut out.

So what was the 4th trophy we were still in with a shout of at Xmas 2014 then? Given we went out of the League Cup in October...

Up until 10 December 2014, it was still possible for us to win any of the these four trophies in 2015:

The Premier League
The FA Cup
The Champions League
The Europa League

FACT

Xmas is after December 10th.

FACT

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Just a point on Pellers. He has had rumours circulating about his demise since he joined........he is now well into his third year at the club. Mancini was with us for approx 3.5 years despite 3.5 years of rumours saying he would be leaving. The average time a Prem manager gets is 14 months so I think it's fair to say we actually buck the trend when it comes to the madness. He was in 4 trophies at Xmas last year but win none. The proves the media talk about him being in 4 tournaments means nothing, unless you win them. Personally, I think a draw would be a good result at the Hammers given the quality they have. Two centre backs and a left back missing.....again. I suspect our defenders will have their work cut out.

So what was the 4th trophy we were still in with a shout of at Xmas 2014 then? Given we went out of the League Cup in October...

Up until 10 December 2014, it was still possible for us to win any of the these four trophies in 2015:

The Premier League
The FA Cup
The Champions League
The Europa League

FACT

Xmas is after December 10th.

FACT

I don't think the wenger cup had been decided yet though :)

[john@staustell]

I totally disagree about the stadium. I am opposed to it, without reservation.

Probably so. But within a year you will wonder what on earth you were thinking. Guaranteed. Happens everywhere.

We even had some Luddites who didn't want to leave that old wreck at Maine Road. Not for long though.

[walmai]

I've watched west ham half a dozen times this year and have a major man crush on Payet.

Have I just seen the best of him or is he really brilliant mate?

He is a 'this is what I paid my money for' player. A magician.

However, some of his tricks wind up his opponents. There's a strong belief that Everton kicked him out of a game at ours, damaging his ankle in the process.

As for the ground move, I sincerely hope that my personal attitude does change. I still however remember Maine Road with fondness. Your new home is all about, well, average, really as an experience.

As for Pellegrini, sure, I can understand that a club such as yours is always wondering whether it can upgrade and, yes, Pep is one of the very best in club football. Lets just put it this way then. He seems to deal with it all in quite a measured fashion.

Someone mentioned a fullback issue up in the thread. Does that mean we are going to see Kolorov, or Clichy? The former has a wicked free kick, iirc.

[nottsblue]

I've watched west ham half a dozen times this year and have a major man crush on Payet.

Have I just seen the best of him or is he really brilliant mate?

He is a 'this is what I paid my money for' player. A magician.

However, some of his tricks wind up his opponents. There's a strong belief that Everton kicked him out of a game at ours, damaging his ankle in the process.

As for the ground move, I sincerely hope that my personal attitude does change. I still however remember Maine Road with fondness. Your new home is all about, well, average, really as an experience.

As for Pellegrini, sure, I can understand that a club such as yours is always wondering whether it can upgrade and, yes, Pep is one of the very best in club football. Lets just put it this way then. He seems to deal with it all in quite a measured fashion.

Someone mentioned a fullback issue up in the thread. Does that mean we are going to see Kolorov, or Clichy? The former has a wicked free kick, iirc.

Everton kicking a playmaker out of the game? Sounds familiar. Besic by any chance?

[mr_nool]

Great thread as always Walmai. I'm really dreading Saturday, but the one thing going for us is that Aguero is truly hitting his form again.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I've watched west ham half a dozen times this year and have a major man crush on Payet.

Have I just seen the best of him or is he really brilliant mate?

He is a 'this is what I paid my money for' player. A magician.

However, some of his tricks wind up his opponents. There's a strong belief that Everton kicked him out of a game at ours, damaging his ankle in the process.

As for the ground move, I sincerely hope that my personal attitude does change. I still however remember Maine Road with fondness. Your new home is all about, well, average, really as an experience.

As for Pellegrini, sure, I can understand that a club such as yours is always wondering whether it can upgrade and, yes, Pep is one of the very best in club football. Lets just put it this way then. He seems to deal with it all in quite a measured fashion.

Someone mentioned a fullback issue up in the thread. Does that mean we are going to see Kolorov, or Clichy? The former has a wicked free kick, iirc.

Everton kicking a playmaker out of the game? Sounds familiar. Besic by any chance?

My initial thought too.