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View From The Opposition – Southampton
After a poor defeat against League One side Sheffield United in the League Cup, West Ham get back to Premiership matters with Southampton coming to Upton Park in search of their first win of the season.
West Ham performed brilliantly away at Crystal Palace with a much more ambitious performance which we will hope to see in this game.
We have two Southampton supporters who have answered this weeks questions.
The two fans are Chris Ney and Richard White. Many thanks to both for taking part.
Based on the turnaround of playing and coaching staff, coupled with the change at top level with the death of your financier, what are your genuine expectations for this season and the coming years?
Chris: I'd be happy with mid-table this year (17th at worst), with a chance to build on proven Academy talent and some good young players bought in in the coming seasons.
Richard: What they always were to be honest, that we consolidate ourselves as an upper midtable side and have a decent crack at the cups. The former chairman spoke about champions league ambitions but for clubs like us it’s utter nonsense. Sadly some of our more gullible fans lapped it and are now forever whining that the club lacks ambition. There will obviously be a period of transition but i’m still confident once the team settles we’ll have enough to finish well clear of relegation and build from there
Of the players that left, which one will you miss the most and which one will get the worst reception?
Chris: Adam Lallana will be the one missed most in the short-term, with Luke Shaw missed most in the long-term. Personally his move disappointed me most, and Rickie Lambert should get a decent reception.
Richard: Lovren and Lallana, not much between them. Lovren organised the back 4 and was the strong centre half we were crying out for in our first season back in the prem and Lallana made us tick going forward. It’ll be Lovren who gets the worst reception. Lets be clear, i don’t think anyone would blame a player for going to a huge club and genuinely challenge for honours and champions league football, there are ways of doing things and the way he mugged us off was shameful. Talking in the papers about he had no reason to be at Southampton now, his head was at Liverpool etc. Unfortunately Lallana also left on bad terms so neither of them will get a good reception. Sadly more evidence that most footballers these days are pricks.
From the limited amount you have seen so far How does Koeman fit with previous managers
Chris: He seems to be his own man, and has certainly not been brought in as a 'yes man'. If he's as fiercely competitive as a manager like he was as a player, then we should be alright, once we've been able I gauge the quality of the new signings.
Richard: Well he does interviews in English which is as good start. Poch was always going to be difficult to replace but I like what i’ve seen so far. It's the first time since Hoddle really we've had a manager who was a big name as a player and a coach. Time will tell but i think he'll be a good manager for us.
Were the empty seats at your first home game a reflection of the reality that you are a feeder club?
Chris: No, more a reflection on what's happened since the end of May. Things should improve shortly.
Richard: A Feeder club? Lets talk about Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson and Jermaine Defoe.
Who is the next potential gem from your youth Academy?
Chris: In the current team - James Ward Prowse, in the Academy - Jack Stephens has a very bright future ahead of him.
Richard:  Harry Reed was described recently by the club as the best prospect we’ve ever had. He’s been compared to Paul Scholes, although this might be because he’s small, ginger and cant tackle. I’d expect to see him breaking into the first team this season, From the little i’ve seen of him he looks a class player. There are a few more too just behind him, Sims, Stephens, Turnbull, Isgrove, Targett, all probably a year or two away from making the step up by big things expected of them.
What advice would you give to a club that is about to leave it's home for a new soulless stadium?
Chris: Give it some time, you may be surprised how much you like it after a while.
Richard: Nothing to worry about. The ground may have no atmosphere, it may attract lots of new fan type, it may feel like a transition from football to soccerball. But what with the improved quality of the programmes, the larger club shop, excellent PA system with half time entertainment the improved and increased food kiosks to host the delightful, extensive range of foodstuffs now available the match day experience has never been better. FFS.
What do you miss most about The Dell?
Chris: For a short while I lived about 100 yards from the ground and could hear the crowd whilst doing washing up in the kitchen, I could usually tell how things were going even from that. It was great to be so close to the pitch, and the atmosphere was normally fantastic.
Richard: Not being a souless bowl with a match day experience that has never been better. Along with its uniqueness. It may not have been the best ground in the country but most fans who it was ours, most of the new stadiums, including ours, these days you could be at any of about 20 grounds in the country.
Describe Harry Redknapp in three words
Chris: Just an ex-manager.
Richard: Saggy faced cunt
What West Ham player would you have in the Southampton side.
Chris: If he were ever fit, Andy Carroll would be a handful for any opposition team, but the chances of him featuring in more than 20 games a season look quite limited at present. I've always been impressed with the work-rate and general temperament of Mark Noble, and also thinks James Tomkins is pretty consistent.
Richard: Winston Reid. Would make a decent replacement for Lovren.
Favourite crisp?
Chris: It's got to be a Frazzle.
Richard: Well on our site its top 3s so:
Salt and Vinegar Mccoys
Quavers
Cheesy Wotsits
Prediction for the game
Chris: 2-2 with us equalising very late on.
Richard: We don’t seem to do very well against West Ham or Fat Sams teams full stop so ignoring my early season blind optimism i’ll go 2-1 West Ham.
Many thanks to both Chris and Richard for their answers.
Email: vinnywhufc@hotmail.com
Twitter: @vinnywhufc
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