WestHamOnline.net - The Online WHU Community

WHO Poll

Q: 2010/11 August player of the month by Vinny

a/ Mark Noble
26%

b/ Scott Parker
7%

c/ Kieron Dyer
50%

d/ Pablo Barerra
14%

e/ Julien Faubert
2%


On the Forums	Updated By	Posts
Meeting a fellow WHOer for a pint Posted by Al Jolson	Hugh Monteith 0:26 Sat Sep 4	197

EARTHQUAKE,Christchurch,NZ Posted by Hugh Monteith	NotAGooner 0:24 Sat Sep 4	3

The Beat Posted by Babelman	roltrader 0:24 Sat Sep 4	3

Tim Minchen Posted by Nicey	Nicey 0:23 Sat Sep 4	1

Latest Article

Initial Reactions and Analysis of our Transfer Window Activity
Dazzler1985 01 Sep 2010

Transfers in and out:

In:

Piquionne - Undisclosed fee.
Obinna - Loan with an option to buy.
Barrera - £4 mill.
Hitzlsperger - Free.
Reid - Undisclosed fee.
Tal Ben-Haim - Loan with an option to buy.
Jacobsen - Uknown.
Mystery man?

Out:

Mido - Loan ended.
Ilan - Released.
Franco - Released.
Diamanti - €2.2 mill + €300 k if Brescia retain top flight status.
Daprela - Unknown (Part of the SAVIO deal as it will now forever be known. Sorry Carrick, but you're history now).
Jimenez - Loan terminated early.
N'Gala - Released.
Payne - Released.
Davenport - Released.

So we lost three strikers in Franco, Mido and Ilan and only brought in one striker in the shape of Piquionne. Obviously this is not ideal, especially as we still do not have a striker with pace (the last being Bellamy). However, we look set to be operating with Cole/Piquionne as lone strikers, supported by two wide forwards/attacking wingers in the shape of new recruits Barrera and Obinna (plus the surprising form and fitness of Dyer).

Depending on how many goals Barrera, Obinna and Dyer can chip in with to help out Cole and Piquionne (both of whom are profligate in front of goal) then we certainly have to organise defensively because we are not likely to outscore too many of our opponents.

The addition of Obinna and Barrera has provided the squad with two assets that were sorely lacking last season, those being width and pace. Obviously, Diamanti brought goals to the side and was a specialist set piece taker, although during his short time at the club he did struggle with fitness and to adapt to the pace and physical nature of the Premier League.

We also terminated the loan of Jimenez last season as he too failed to settle, adapt and regularly perform (similar can be said for quite a few of the signings the old regime brought in). The arrival of Jimenez and Diamanti, under Zola, was an attempt to provide chances/goals via technical creative players in a very narrow congested formation. The fact such creative technical players are not ten a penny and often go for top prices, it does not surprise me that Avram has decided to opt for pace and width for his chosen method of creating chances/goals. Needless to say, decent players with speed are easier to find and just as effective.

The arrival of Hitzlsperger on a free is arguably the best piece of business Avram/Gold/Sullivan did during this window, although we have been robbed of his services due to a thigh injury picked up in a meaningless preseason international friendly. Hopefully, Hitzlsperger will bring more quality, steel and discipline to our midfield. Plus, with his left peg we may get a few more goals from midfield as well.

Defensively, the club has looked to strengthen. Those who departed were the unfortunate Davenport and (regrettably) Daprela (part of the SAVIO deal. SWT). In their place the club have brought in Tal Ben-Haim, an experienced defender who can perform numerous roles at the back, although he arrives with a rocky recent past and form; plus a strong, young defender who performed well during the WC in Winston Reid. Let's hope these two lumps can provide us with a bit more steel at the back (which shouldn't be too difficult considering how we have performed both last and early this season), rather than more ballast for the bench.

Another plus is the surprise fitness and gradually improving form of Gabbidon to provide competition for places. Also rumoured on the incoming radar is a much needed specialist right back in the shape of Lars Jacobsen. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea but let's see how he goes before writing him off as just Blackburn's 3rd/4th/cast off fullback. At the very least we have more competition for a weak position.

As for the mystery man let's hope it is a senior backup keeper.

Last, but not least, are those youngsters that didn't quite make it or to put it another way, are currently unable to make an impact on our first team squad at this stage of their young careers. Good luck to N'Gala and Payne. I look forward to hearing how great they are doing for their new (lower league) clubs, which always seems to happen at the least opportune time. Like hearing they are playing out of their skin/scoring when we can't hit the back of the net no matter what, or are just on the wrong end of a hiding.

However, the transfer dealings may not be finished just yet, with loan signings and free agents still able to be signed, and as not all other transfer windows have closed, there could still be outgoings.

What say you?

Articles

Dazzler1985
Posted 01 Sep 2010

Initial Reactions and Analysis of our Transfer Window Activity

Vinny
Posted 29 Aug 2010

Vinny's Manchester United Report
Not expected to win, but losing is becoming a habit.

Vinny
Posted 25 Aug 2010

Vinny's Oxford United Report
Not pretty, not good but we are through to the next round. That's something isn't it?

Admiral Lard
Posted 24 Aug 2010

West Ham United Vs Oxford United - Dare Ya Even Look?
Despite their poor and uneven start West Ham should have enough quality to beat Oxford and beat them well. For me the only question is what team will AG put out this evening?

	Billy Blagg Posted 24 Aug 2010
Right-back Where We Started From Blagg's first outing of the new season and he's already disturbed by old problems that refuse to go away.