06-07, What Changes Would You Like To See In The Starting 11?

[DJ_Madrazo]

As the prospect of European football is now inches from becoming a reality in East London, along with having to defend our renewed reputation with the best in England, what changes would you like to see made to the starting lineup for 2006-2007?
Here's what I think:

Sheringham out, Yakubu (wants to leave Boro), Wolff (being chased by a couple of other prem clubs), Hartston (whatever happened to that deal?) or Borghetti (wants to play 1st team) in

McLenahan out, Bocanegra in

Mullins or Noble out, Bouba-Diop in

That's all I can really think of now. I think that Sheringham is past his prime and if he remains in the side he will only weaken it. Let him finish his day out at Spurs or Millwall where he began it. That might seem kind of mean, but Uncle Alan should make some space for someone a little younger and better. McLenahan hasn't really been a help or a hinderance, he's just been a body. If you're going to put someone in there, then they should have a purpose. Bocanegra wants to leave Fulham and he's a quality defender. It is obvious that he's got talent, but he just doesn't fit in at Fulham, he's way too agressive which is why I think he'd be a good fit at West Ham. Mullins and Noble have both proved that they're quality players, but I think that Bouba-Diop would better suit as an attacking midfielder. He has speed and experience. If we get one of the above mentioned strikers and have Papa's service into the box we're guaranteed more goals. He's also proven that he can put quite a few of them past the keeper himself.

What do you guys think?

[blainehammer]

I don't think we need to do anything in attack. I like our four strikers. Teddy does a great job coming off the bench.
Bocanegra is not good enough for West Ham. Didn't he ruin someone's career with an horrendous tackle awhile ago?
Noble is 18/19 year old and a tremendous prospect. A regular in the England U19s and a local boy and fan favourite. He is going nowhere.
I have not been a Mullins supporter in the past however I have changed my mind over the past few weeks. I think that he plays the role of holding midfield as well as anyone in the Premier. Papa-Diop? You have to be kidding. If he came in it would have to be for Yossi and that just aint gonna happen.

[DJ_Madrazo]

Agreed, there's no way I could ever see Yossi Benayoun leave West Ham. I understand that Noble is a local boy and a great prospect and that, but maybe we should put him out on loan to earn his spurs and put someone more experienced in there while it really matters, IE next season. Unless he does something earth-shattering in the coming weeks he's going to lose his appeal for me. As far as Mullins goes, he's just another one of those guys who just seems to be there. Nothing spectacular ever seems to happen when the ball lands with him. Granted I think he may have scored a goal or two over the course of the season, but he's another one of those players that I'd be thinking "who can I afford that will do a better job?"
As far as Bocanegra not being good enough for us, I think he's just not been allowed to play his best at Fulham. If you watch him for the USA he's very agressive and very few make a fool of him. (They use Oneweyu for that.) I'd like to see more of that style of play from him in the premiership, which unfortunately doesn't quite sync with Fulham's tendencies. Overall, he's one of those players that needs to be given free reign in order for his talent to be totally realized, like a Roy Keane or a Thierry Henry. I'm by no means saying that Carlos Bocanegra will rise to that type of stardom, but he just needs to get in with the right club and I think West Ham would be a great place for him to develop to his fullest.

Please bear in mind that I love the team as it is now and I'm in total favor of just tweaking the loose screws that we have, but at the same time it has proven a smart decision in the past that when you achieve success in a top flight division, it behooves you to create a side that will remain competitive and keep the club moving forward. Don't forget, we're the team that sold Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, Paolo Di Canio, and Rio Ferdinand, so I can see the danger in what you were saying about Noble and how we can't let him go as he's such a prospect, but still, at this point in the game, experience should take precedence over youth at Upton Park, except where Teddy Sheringham is concerned.

[Batcave Brigade]

I do rate Diop myself, I like having a big physical player in midfield, but
Fulham wouldn't sell Papa Bouba Diop unless we payed over the top. And as Blaine said who would you drop for him? It would have to be Mullins, and I can't see that happening with how well he has played this year. If Sheffield United fail to go up, which looks doubtful now, I would go in for Jagielka, another big strong midfielder. I know Pardew tried to get him last summer. Jagielka would provide cover for both Reo-cocker and Mullins and would be willing to fight for a place. An established player like Diop wouldn't agree to that.

The big obvious need is right back. Luke Young has said that he would like to play for West Ham. Wouldn't be easy to get him from Charlton though. Glenn Johnson will probably be available, maybe Pardew can straighten him out. Anybody else?

We could also someone to cover for Etherington. Having to play Clive Clarke there exposed a need for us. Maybe Katan can develop into this role?

[claret50]

This is the squad we had in our relegation season,(2002/3) I kinda like the squad we have right now, although some will have to go I suppose.

West Ham United (from): James, Winterburn, Dailly, Repka, Pearce, Schemmel, Breen, Carrick, Sinclair, Cisse, Cole, Kanoute, Defoe, di Canio, Lomas, Minto, Garcia, Camara, Sofiane, Rahim, van der Gouw, Forde.

[hammer_scout51]

If we get Europe i think Luke Young and i understand Glenn Johnsons out of contract. Thats 2 right backs.. The Argentinian Drushler (probably wrong spelling) strong Center mid. If Brum go down i understand bad boy Pennant has a release clause. I think he could be brilliant doing a Matty on the right.

The only other position would be goalie backup is Shaka goes anyone fancy Kirkland if fit?

[Batcave Brigade]

Aldo Duscher

Oh dear, our rivals will all sing "you got a douche bag in your team"

I think he is a bit of a long shot though.

[EastHammer]

I just think we need some bite in central midfield , someone to fill the role Lomas had, Matty, Reo Oker and Yossi are good going forward , but just someone to break up midfield would be good

Marlene and Dean up front are superb and if we can get collins out onto the left, scaloni can toddle off back, and then I think we will have a great squad, just that crunching wall of a defensive midfielder

[ballard45]

[QUOTE=Batcave Brigade]
The big obvious need is right back. Luke Young has said that he would like to play for West Ham. Wouldn't be easy to get him from Charlton though. Glenn Johnson will probably be available, maybe Pardew can straighten him out. Anybody else?

I think everyone would agree with this. Scaloni doesn't appear to be the solution. I'd also like to see us get a right winger to compliment Ethers on the left. Pennant could be an answer. If we could get a combination on the right as we have on the left it would just give us more options in attack.

This could also allow Yossi to drop into a role just behind the strikers, where I think he would be more effective and dangerous.

I also agree that we do need some more cover in midfield for Reo and Mullins. Noble will get there but it is asking a lot of him to do the job at the moment.

[Frieslander]

As far as Bocanegra not being good enough for us, I think he's just not been allowed to play his best at Fulham. If you watch him for the USA he's very agressive and very few make a fool of him. (They use Oneweyu for that.)

Bocanegra has not proven himself capable of unseating any of our centerbacks. You're comment on Onweyu is puzzling because I think most would rate him higher than Bocanegra. He's younger, taller, and stronger than Boca too.

[panicfc]

How about an upgrade at goalkeeper and a right back?

Dean has been a dream.
Marlene is on fire
Matty's the cream
and Yossi puts the ball on a wire.

That crappy rhyme was intended, but I had to run with it ;)

[15woodcroft]

If you look at the team as currently constituted we have:

Goalies: Carroll; Shaka; Walker; Bywater

CentreDFence: Anton; Gabbs; Collins; Ward;
RB: Scaloni; ?
LB: Konch; Clarke

CMidfield: Reo-Coker; Mullins; Noble; ?
RW: Yossi; Newton; ?
LW: Ethers; Katan; ?

Fwards: Marlene; Bobby Z; Deano; Teddy;

(this is not taking into account many of the other youngsters looking to push on as they are always the 'unknown' until they get a chance)

It seems to me that depth in our squad is our major problem. Our starting 11 could give any team in the world a game IMO, but it drops off quickly from there.

Goal, central defence and attack are areas where Pards has built our strength. But our full-back and midfield situation has to be sorted.

If I'm Pardew I'm looking at the close season and thinking "I've got a great base to build on here, just a few "correct" additions and we should be able to have another competitive season." Keep in mind that next year will be much more difficult than this year. A few key injuries and everything could go pear-shaped pretty fast.

If we had lost Reo-Coker or Marlene or Anton / Gabbs for any great length of time (or even lost any of them at the same time) due to injury/whatever, then we would be looking at a whole different season IMO.

Things are never as good as they seem and never as bad. I have faith in Pardew to come up with the right additions in the close season. He seems to be able to rise above the WHU hoodoo that usually afflicts the club whenever we seem to be getting somewhere.

[Chadwell]

I just think we need some bite in central midfield , someone to fill the role Lomas had, Matty, Reo Oker and Yossi are good going forward , but just someone to break up midfield would be goodThat's the role that Mullins plays, and plays pretty well. I was skeptical of him at the beginning of the season and pegged him as an obvious area for improvement, but over the course of this season he’s become one of Pardew's favorites, and I'm guessing the AP knows a little bit more about the squad than I do.

I personally think the current squad is pretty good and with the exception of needing a right back, will continue to be a strong Premier side. I would only look for them to add depth or make significant improvements over players they currently have. Kevin Nolan, Pascal Chimbonda, or for that matter, Ruud Van Nistelrooy are the caliber of player I’m thinking of (not necessarily these specific players) that could make significant improvements to the current starting IX.

Primarily, I see Pardew’s main task over the next few years to be keeping other clubs away from the young talent at West Ham. I think its vital that we keep players like Anton or Nigel from going to Chelski, or ManU until West Ham has reestablished its image as perennial European contender and automatic top-half of the table finisher.

[Batcave Brigade]

How about Steve Cherundolo at right back. I thought he did very well vs England last summer. His pace would fit nicely with our dangerous counter attack. And besides, Fat Sam is apparently after him. Would be nice to pull another Yossi.

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=374536&CPID=8&clid=&lid=2&title=Bolton+linked+with+US+star

[panicfc]

Taking Cherundolo from Fat Sam would be great in and of itself, but he's a player who could help us.

Good call.

[DJ_Madrazo]

Bocanegra has not proven himself capable of unseating any of our centerbacks. You're comment on Onweyu is puzzling because I think most would rate him higher than Bocanegra. He's younger, taller, and stronger than Boca too.
The commentaters on ESPN bow down and lick the ground that Oneweyu walks on and I just don't get it. I guess it's just the mental image I have of him tripping over the goal post and flailing around trying to hang onto it from that Mexico game at the Azteca when Borghetti made a total horse's ass out of him. He is bigger than Bocanegra, but for some reason Carlos strikes me as a player with alot of untapped potential. It's like he came to Fulham because he wanted to up his game and they haven't allowed it. If he doesn't get on at West Ham (which I knew was extremely doubtful in the first place, it was just my opinion) then I hope he can get out of the Cottage so we can see what he can really do. If he's still crap, then I'll stand corrected. He's just one of those players that just kind of sticks out for me. Dunno why. Same with Ronnie Wallwork. I think he's a great player who got sold short. Maybe he should come and fill that right back spot.

[DJ_Madrazo]

How about Steve Cherundolo at right back. I thought he did very well vs England last summer. His pace would fit nicely with our dangerous counter attack. And besides, Fat Sam is apparently after him. Would be nice to pull another Yossi.

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=374536&CPID=8&clid=&lid=2&title=Bolton+linked+with+US+star
That's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that one. I did notice that he was quite sharp in that England match and he's played consistently well since he joined the US. He's another one of those American players to watch once they get into Europe someplace. Josh Wolff is another. I've thought him to be extremely underrated for years. I wouldn't mind if they pulled Donovan and stuck Wolfie in there. I really hope that Wolff comes to the prem, it would be great to see him at his best. I guess "Fat Sammy" (love saying that! :)) has been watching the US play Mexico lately and been impressed.

[Batcave Brigade]

That's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that one. I did notice that he was quite sharp in that England match and he's played consistently well since he joined the US. He's another one of those American players to watch once they get into Europe someplace. Josh Wolff is another. I've thought him to be extremely underrated for years. I wouldn't mind if they pulled Donovan and stuck Wolfie in there. I really hope that Wolff comes to the prem, it would be great to see him at his best. I guess "Fat Sammy" (love saying that! :)) has been watching the US play Mexico lately and been impressed.

Cherundolo has played his whole professional career with Hannover 96. He signed for them back when they were in Bundesliga 2.

[panicfc]

Sorry, I don't want to see Josh Wolff anywhere near Upton Park. He's broken, he's never stepped up, and in all likelihood he can't play at that level.

[Chadwell]

Sorry, I don't want to see Josh Wolff anywhere near Upton Park. He's broken, he's never stepped up, and in all likelihood he can't play at that level.Agreed. Seems like a nice guy, but I don't see the attraction.