So back after a proper three hours sleep... Guess we´ll find out today what happens, Sullivan´s been that active in the media lately I´d be surprised if he´d be saying nothing. And guess Zola´s just gotta go. Not for the lack of fight itself - actually, thinking now back, players still tried and gave what they got although it was 0-3. That part´s good and tells me Zola hasn´t lost the team. But we just don´t have the time anymore, something´s got to be done and what else there´s now than the change of manager? If only we´d have time I´d be voting for giving him a couple of mathces to see the teams reaction first. But, is Sparky really there? Or Bilic for that matter? And if are, would they be willing to risk their names? Team´s not good and their moving without ball almost non-existent.
Looks like Gold and Sullivan are behind Zola for now, so obviously they don't have a new manager lined up at this time. Where is Sir Trevor when you need him. Talk about the wind blowing against us, Bobby can't stop scoring over at Fulham, we sure miss him, he would be just the powerhouse we need up front. I see Cole got an earfull from some fans at games end, I noticed at one point in the game he fell over near the corner flag and didn't get up to try and get the ball back until the fans started booing him. He sure can be a bit lazy at time he has got to loose that nasty streak of not chasing the balls.
What puzzles me is why on earth don´t they help each other on pitch? Clearly they play for the manager but why don´t they play for the team? and why Gabs wasn´t even warming the bench? Injured again?
Lasse, what you are suggesting comes from panic thinking. I too have thought that Zola should go in recent weeks but is it really the answer? We could stay up or go down whether we change the manager or not. In fact there are a few reasons for believing that we would increase the chances of going down if we do change the manager. Sacking the manager is a symptom of the modern day game and is a gamble not proven to work that often. So I am inclined to say that the players need to a good kick up the 'arris and Zola should be the man to do it. He would become a better manager from the experience and the players would learn that he can't be walked all over. Just my opinion of course...
Feels much better actually, after receiving that encouraging e-mail from DS - getting behind the team and stuff, and reading he didn´t sleep much either. But panicing? Yep, still You know, the time is just so short, we don´t have one single match to wait and see what happens. And Your´re so true, changing managers so rarely work but I just haven´t seen a sign of any kind of positive change recently, just opposite ones. That added up with the fact Zola being so nice I just can´t trust him to be able to do that change in a situation like this. Not anymore all of a sudden, after waiting for the whole season. But - and that´s a big but - to that change we´d be needing someone tough and experienced enough to be interested for this kind of gamble. Sparky would be, Bilic not yet and Hoddle not in a million years.
My concern with Zola right now is his team selection; he appears to like Kovac and Diamanti so much that he won't bring in a different formation. We don't seem to get up to date injury information, but last weekend the word was that Dyer, Gabbidon, Ilunga and Collison were all fit ; If they were, why weren't they involved? He has to play his absolutely best squad, and he doesn't seem able to do that. I must say that Franco looked very sharp when he came on, but it was too late. Obviously Tomkins has had 2 terrible games, so I doubt we'll see him on Saturday, but he's played well most of the time. The defence has to tighten up somehow; poor Green is being bombarded every game. Let's see what GZ does this week; I hope he uses some imagination to shake the team up.
I´m absolutely puzzled on not playing Gabs. He wasn´t even on bench Tuesday nor Saturday! If he´s fit I can´t see any point there. For me Gabs is etc. etc. etc. (that normal stuff of him from me). AND he covers others mistakes. Deja vu from Mullins, not appreciated enough. Like Collins. Like Zamora. etc. etc. etc. Like Lazaridis
Talking of different formations I don't get Junior on the left hand wing. The last 2 games he's played they put him on the left and nobody passes to him. Come on, in training don't they simulate these plays. On another not Kovac, yeah can't stop talking about him. He is in the centre and should be spraying balls all over the place, up front, wings etc: What does he do, usually a 2 foot pass to a team mate then pulls back and offers no support. We need a centre half with a large presence to play alongside Parker. I could see Tomkins playing that role very well.
So here's my favourite team Kurucz........ Green needs a rest. Faubert-Gabs-Upson-Spector......Spector you say, we have actually let in less goals when he plays as left back, wierd I know. Diamanti, Tomkins, Parker, Collison. Franco, Dixon.
Leprosy! if he does I hope it gives it to Huth this week-end, payback for that slap to Upsons eye in the last meeting.
I dont think its a case they are behind Zola more a they cant afford to sack him. Zola signed a three year 2m deal in the summer and WH would be looking at a hefty payout.
Zola has some brass ones if reports are correct that he kicked Sully out of a players/manager meeting.
DIXON?????????????Are you kidding? He's played 3 games for the reserves; that reminds me of Ericsson picking Walcott for the England squad never having seen him play!!!
Dixon of Dock Green, he can arrest them all if there's any argy bargy. The pro's aren't doing to well lets throw caution to the wind and use a new forward.
Read somewhere Sullivan said he wouldn´t sack Zola even if we lose to Stoke. Either way it goes Zola really has to go now. Hope he resignes, that would save Hammers some money. And hope he´ll take Clarke with him. Watched the Wolves match again yesterday to find out what really was the reason. Well, seemed Wolves played 4-5-1 and outnumbered us in the midfield. Still Zola/Clarke did nothing, no reaction from the bench whatsoever. Last summer´s training and 32 matches gone and what do we got? A bunch of no shape individuals. Trying desperately with everything they got but with no aid from Z/C on the tools they need. No tactics, no idea, no shape. Just sheer panic. They just can´t turn this around. But Hoddle or Souness? Said somewhere I´d be ready to take even Hoddle now but I really don´t know. And Souness? No one ever could be that desperate. Would Sparky really be there? Or anyone with his senses, willing to risk his name with this lot and having only chances of losing? ...but now I got to go. My wife said I love more West Ham than I love her. Have to do something about that. That blessed woman
Mine too. Just because its our 25th wedding anniversary she thinks I shouldnt be watching football! Honestly...Women!
AND I´M BACK!!! ok but now I gotta go honestly no kidding and honey pls just don´t slap that top to my fing
Has he gone yet? Those tactics of playing Diamante on the right and whoever cant kick with their left foot on the left is pissing me off. IT DON'T F.......G WORK
Thats just lazy journalism. They always run out the same list of suspects whenever a vacancy becomes possible. Meaningless speculation.
True, so familiar names. Seems the only real options are Hoddle and Souness, as Sparky seems to wait for queries from bigger clubs and Bilic stated not being interested. Hoddle and Souness, really... Still, something has to be done quickly. Although the Davids have given Zola their backing it´s only temporary and seems to be due to the fact they don´t share the same opinion on either giving Zola his last chance or kicking him out right away. Plus the fact the options are not that good. Meanwhile Zola gave everybody a three days leave and flew to Sardinia. As Clarke is now in Scotland I suspect at least Sullivan being annoyed as he was supposed to spank Clarke tomorrow on his behaviour on Thurday´s training ground incident. Wednesday will tell. Z & C will be back and Zola might resign. Hope he does and takes Clarke with him. If not there´s two options, either kick them out immediately or wait until the summer and try to pretend being a happy family for the last six matches. I suspect the latter but then there´s the real question: are Z & C up to beating Hull during the last matches as they´ve not been able to do so during the first 32 ones. AND IT´S HULL FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! This combination of nice and gentle approach and naive tactics just won´t work. Bolton, Wolves and Stoke showed it.
Of the names being thrown around as replacements, O'Leary, Souness, Hoddle and Hughes don't impress me at all, however I still rate Venables very highly.
Yep, but I doubt Venables or O´Leary really being possibilities. Just the news from Sardinia: Zola seems to have made his decision to fight on If the Davids let him, I just continue wondering how on earth would he and Clarke now all of a sudden make a team ouf these out of shape individuals?