Am I the only one...

[lesliemoss]

who is really concerned about our team? Now even Boa Morte is out for 6 months or more, and we still only have one striker (who's not exactly a prolific scorer!).
Neill is not signed, and so Faubert seems to be Zola's first choice for right back--don't ask me why-- but this team doesn't score goals.
The defence is pretty good, but it's goals that win games, and where will they come from? We can't depend on the mid fielders to score on a regular basis. Behrami isn't back yet, and Parker may not be 100%.
It looks like Ashton is a non-starter, for us anyway, so I'm guessing that Zola has not been given funds to buy anyone at the top level. This could be another foolish decision by the new management, because without the right players, relegation will be staring us in the face. Let's hope Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley are worse! I hate being so pessimistic, but I just don't see where we will be competitive enough with this squad. Please tell me I'm wrong and am missing something.

[Footstomper]

You're not wrong and I dont think you're missing anything. I hope this provides reassurance.

[pething101]

I am going to wait until August before hitting the panic button ...

[lesliemoss]

You're not wrong and I dont think you're missing anything. I hope this provides reassurance.
Thanks Stomps; I feel better already!!!!!!

[harkes6]

it's more or less the same squad as last season...the only strikers we lost were dimick (not good) and tristan (worse). sears is out on loan...
this isn't quite the time to panic. from goalie through midfield i'd say we're pretty strong. there are a few teams who are worse off than us and more in the same boat as us. that is nothing to freak out about.
i say you guys are just british and pessimism comes naturally. i guess next you'll be complaining there's not enough rain.

[west_ham]

i say you guys are just british and pessimism comes naturally.
You understand the British so well.
i guess next you'll be complaining there's not enough rain.
Err...I take that last comment back. One drop a year would be too much rain to the British. :o

The area of the team which I am concerned about is the link between attack and midfield. We have a strong striker in Cole who can hold play up (a bit) and a few midfielders who can do the same in midfield. But we have very little in the way of attacking/creative midfielders who can turn midfield possession into an attack by penetrating the defence and supplying good service to our one and only striker.

This is why Jiminez was a good purchase but the only other players who perform this role are Boa (injured), Stanislas and Savio. The latter two are still young and learning and this is apparent in their play. Say what you like about Di Michele, he played an important role in falling deep and supplying Cole (just look at his part in Cole's goal at Wigan). We need midfielders and strikers who fill the gap between attack and midfield in the center and on the wings, players who are not afraid to run at defenders. We clearly lacked this against Spurms.

[Mr. Orange]

I'm not too concerned. After a few years of having one of the largest squads in the league, I'm actually glad to see more players going out than coming in.

The team is thin at forward, but they do have midfielders that can score if needed. But I wouldn't complain to see someone like Jozy Altidore come in on a loan spell.

Also, you can bank on at least one of the three promoted teams going down, and the situation at Portsmouth is looking pretty dire.

So while I don't expect the team to match last year's performance, I think they can comfortably stay in the 12-15 table position with the current squad.

Not bad considering the ownership issues.

[west_ham]

Speaking of ownership issues Straumur, as I understand it, still only have until December to restructure it's financial position (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/09/west-ham-takeover-collapse-iceland-digger). This is our next milestone financially and what happens after that is anyone's guess.

Naturally a takeover by another billionaire would seem like the obvious get out of jail card. But talking about signing world class players and breaking into Europe seems a bit premature with all this hanging over our heads. With no takeover by this time next year we could be facing another year under Straumur's control with financial problems and no money for investment in players. How long can a club survive in the EPL like that?

Time for our Trevor to dig into those deep pockets I reckon!! :rolleyes:

[He's In Fashion]

I don't think the squad against Tottenscum was the complete 11

First, there's no way Faubert is the preferred Right Back to Spector. Parker sits way ahead of Boa Morte anyway, Stanislas does not start as Behrami eventually takes over those duties... those are all massive steps up to a 1/4 of the starting squad. We've got the same team that was having a great run and holding a European spot, minus DiMichele and Neill... but plus Jimenez... add another Striker or two, plus Midfielder and we're even deeper... not to mention we're *fingers crossed* going to have a healthy Dyer... I don't know about relegation... but I expect a Europa League finish from this squad... stability and consistency will finally be able to call Upton Park home. I'm not going to put too much stock into pre-season friendlies... I'll reserve the ability to condemn until points are being shed...

[amancalledmikey]

The Guardian reckons we're after Luca Toni and Eidur Gudjohnsen (though I reckon it's one or the other). How we can afford either is beyond me.

[harkes6]

toni would be a coup. where did you see that?

[blainehammer]

This is no time to panic. That comes after we play Wolves if we don't win.

[west_ham]

The strikers I have heard us being linked with lately are Gudjohnsen, Balotelli and Toni. The Toni rumour (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jul/30/west-ham-chase-luca-toni) seems to be everywhere today after Boa Morte's injury, although I think it was mainly covered by The Guardian.

[amancalledmikey]

The Guardian broke the Luca Toni story. That's where I saw it yesterday afternoon.

[rizzuto123]

Seems like Zola is trying to have his own French version of Arsenal with Italians at West Ham.

[Footstomper]

Seems like Zola is trying to have his own French version of Arsenal with Italians at West Ham.

Qu'est-ce que c'est? Non capisco!

[norwaytips]

Cut it out Stomper. Your German is rubbish anyway.:cool:

[Footstomper]

Cut it out Stomper. Your German is rubbish anyway.:cool:

Jahwol. Entschuldigung bitte!

[west_ham]

Jahwol. Entschuldigung bitte!
So is your Swahili. :cool:

[Footstomper]

So is your Swahili. :cool:

Ha!..............















Bugger!