Zola appears to have had a very definite aim when he turned up, which was to reduce the size of the squad and concentrate on developing those that were left, including the youngsters. He's definitely reduced the squad, and has definitely improved the players that were left. Look at the turnaround in Carlton for example. Youth has also been given a chance and if he hadn't been injured, I think Collison may well have been in the running for Young Player of the Year.
However, the modern game is faster and more physically demanding, and all these well tuned athletes seem more prone to injury. In recent weeks, we have seen our squad decimated, which culminated on Saturday in us playing just 3 first choice players in their preferred positions. I will be absolutely gutted if we don't finish 7th AND above Tottenham after being in such a commanding position for both just a matter of weeks ago.
I've seen Tottenham fans refute the claims about their £134m team failed by only beating our £30m team by a single goal, saying that nowadays it is a squad game. Gone are the days when just 13 players could take us to 3rd like it did in 85/86. I have to agree with them. We need a bigger squad to challenge consistently across all fronts but Zola claims he doesn't want it because he wants to 'work with the players'.
I'm hoping the size of our squad won't derail our push for Europe but it's looking dodgy at the moment. Is Zola not 'big enough' to manage the larger squad that we need? Is he naive and idealistic? Or is he simply paying lip service to a cost cutting Board?
Only time will tell, but if our current youngsters don't develop (as with Sears) then we could be in real trouble next season. I would really love to see Zola succeed, I just hope that he is big enough for the job, which involves managing a big squad and standing up to the Board if they are putting penny pinching ahead of squad development.
Apache
Sorry for stealing it Apache, I thought it was a good article and could have lifted it with a few changes without giving you credit.
ReplyDeleteNot sure it was about squad reduction per se, I think it was about squad improvement. The players he has let go are no good enough. But then nor are Di Michele, Tristan or Lopez!
One way or another, either through loans or purchases, we have to improve the squad in the summer. We need a new right back, an alternative left back, a least one quality forward (probably two) and a truly left footed midfield player. I reckon that's £20million's worth. Are we going to be in a position to spend that sort of money?
Mordant Org but again you are taking material from there and posting it on here. You run the site down but you can't live without can you?
ReplyDeleteLOL Like you can't live without this one! If the article is good it deserves a wider audience! Why not leave a name?
ReplyDeleteMy answer to that Apache is "No".
ReplyDeleteGiven Zola's achievements to date it would have to be said that we are 'punching well above our weight', especially since the squad has been decimated the way it has. That can only be a nice big elephant stamp as far as I can see. If, as a result of our difficult run in, we were to miss out on that seventh spot, I think it would be very unfair to blame him.
As for whether Zola is naïve, not big enough or pandering to the board or not, I'm not sure we should be going there at the moment for it is far too premature and given his results, it would be very unfair to do so. So far he proven to be an excellent manager of men. All done with large doses of humility I would suggest.
Sears, though not having a mass of chances does need to 'grow'; if no other way than physically. He's just a little too lightweight at the moment. I'd love to see him in the gym and as Fanno's mate Dave said (I think), he needs to go on Beano's diet. A loan spell probably wouldn't do any harm either.
I hope Noble is able to have a really good rest/holiday this summer as it's been 2½ years since he's had one. He's only 21 and must be completely knackered - some of his tackles look pretty tired to me. Well rested, he may turn out to be the star everyone expected him to be.
Don't get me wrong because I abhor mediocrity but I really do think a foray into Europe next year may just be counter productive in the short term. To compete both there and in the PL with a small squad may well prove to be a negative experience for all. I'd hate to see the stuffing kicked out of them before they were capable of taking on the workload. I'd like to see a little consolidation and strengthening of the squad first.
Competing in Europe is impossible with a small squad. Players will be chronically tired and more injury prone. Villa gave up on it this season but now they'll qualify again and how will they cope?
ReplyDeleteI also want to do my usual, which is to defend unpopular players. This time DiMichele, who obviously isn't scoring (who is?) but is creating chances, and, while a bit slow, has some sublime skills. Two excellent volleys against Spurs for exapmple. Zola's obviously told him to fire away. Wonder what's happened to Sears? He looks completely lost.
I'm the Daddy, just thought I would check in to see if any rubbish needed clearing!
ReplyDeleteHello The Daddy, trouble is, if you were the real Daddy we would know who you were! Who is posing?
ReplyDeleteFanno, no problem with you lifting it.
ReplyDeleteI definitely wasn't suggesting that Zola is a yes man to the board, I honestly don't think he is.
The squad has been trimmed because that's how he wants it, and obviously that suits the board.
"I abhor mediocrity..." I love that phrase, and that's how I feel about clubs who field weakened teams in a particular competition because they are concentrating on another (usually their league position). Why enter a competition if you're not interested, I don't get it, and when you field the weakened team and lose, it's the teams confidence that suffers along with the downtrodden fans. Anyway, point of that diatribe is that I don't want that to happen to West Ham.
All this talk of traditions and playing the West Ham way, then to throw it all away because our squad isn't big enough? Villa have to be a lesson to us. A squad will definitely pick up injuries, and the smaller it is, the greater the struggle to maintain any standards set.
Cheers mate. I was at Watford to see us surrender a place in the League Cup with a weakened team including Latpickeva in goal, Boa, Sears, Mullins, Neill at centre back and Lopez. That should have told Zola that the squad had numbers but lacked quality in depth. The squad has not been strengthened since. That is a concern.
ReplyDeleteIt`s still not Zola`s team, come the summer we should see more of the type of team Zola wants to field.
ReplyDeleteCOYInZolaWeTrustIrons
If we have any money to spend Pete!
ReplyDeleteOr we could just swap our loanee`s around!!! lol,
ReplyDeleteI think we`ll have a small purse to spend, around £20M I reckon,
Imagine what Nani & Zola could do with that. . .
Hope you are right. What a game tonight!
ReplyDeletep
ReplyDeletei wouldnt blame zola there has just been too many injuries too cope with best players ashton out all season + we still are where we are! with tristan cole di mich not enough goal threat need a proven forward try get these players bak if we can get dyer fit he will be a big plus 4 us
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind qualifying, but not at the expense of a poor domestic season next year. I don't think we will qualify anyway truth be told, looking at our run in.
ReplyDeleteLOL Well I'll be ….! I'm thinking davefking and Fanno are inextricably linked …., forever! Who would have thought - the two of them married to each other? LOL They're married …., in claret and blue …., on t internet. LOL Who's going to wear the pants? LOL
ReplyDeleteNot sure who is extracting it from who! If it is the real davefking, welcome on board mate. If this is a late April Fool, good one! For the record, I agree with you dave!
ReplyDeleteWhich one will do the "poking" is more like it?
ReplyDeleteCome On You Hitched Irons
Now now Pete, no stirring!
ReplyDeleteThat`s not me Fanno, & that can`t be Dave if you`re agreeing with each other!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we could just be who we say we are & life would be simple, I know some people say "We`re just online entity`s etc, but we`re not, I`m a real person & I have gone to real football matches with quite a few of you, & that makes you real, so how about everyone just quit all the bollox & just grow up once & for all???
Now there`s an idea!!!
COYBizarreIrons
Pete, if you were a "real person' with the compassion and empathy that real people have, then why did you behave like this? On the eve of Christmas no less - a time of goodwill.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.westhamfans.org/node/8804
He came in friendship and even when he pleaded for some understanding and tolerance he was ignored. In essence he was laughed at and was dismissed out of hand.
How is this young man and his mates in Belgrade going to receive Hammers fans if they happen to be in that part of Europe next year? Offer a hand of friendship will they? Goodwill all round will it be?
You did the same to me when I offered a hand of friendship also - you virtually spat in my face.
Don't bang on preaching about real people - please!
It is Dave OSP. He said exactly what he said on the other site. Maybe some geezer quoted him?
ReplyDeleteBill, Pete is a real guy and a "top bloke" too. I have been to a game with him - he bought tickets for myself and my son without even meeting us and trusted to me turning up and paying him the cash. There's not many about who would do that! This org dispute is getting out of hand. I'm sure there is right and wrong on both sides, perhaps a truce should be called? My condition would be that Marty be allowed to return with an apology. Nev, Pete, dave and others know the bloke is a genuine West Ham fan who is not an alter ego of Hotshot, myself, or anybody else. I'm still tucked up in the org anyway and will reveal my identity with a bang at some point so all this is stupidly futile. Free the Org One, Allow Back Marty! Nev, how about it?
ReplyDeletethis blog has become a talking shop for about 12 people, most of whom have been chucked out of other larger sites and just like spouting crap. get some real news and you might get some real traffic
ReplyDeleteGet a name anonymous. 202 replies on one strand, not sure how many contributors. It isn't a chat forum, it is a blog. We are racking up the hits. Not everybody who reads, comments. Early days, let's see how things unfold. Keep chipping in, we are enjoying your pain!
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