OK they were only two friendlies, and true the opposition were not the best, but two wins in two games represents a major step forward on this time last year. Under Zola, we struggled to win, no matter the game and no matter the opposition. Grant seems to have changed that immediately. Long may this run continue!
Importantly, these two victories were achieved without Parker, Green, Upson and Behrami and without the three new signings. It was good to see Cole on the scoresheet for the second game in a row and to see McCarthy not only score, but looking trimmer. Other positives include Dyer and Ilunga starting, although, of course, Dyer does friendlies, it's the real games he misses.
I was also pleased to see Noble wearing the captain's armband. I still hope to see him "come again" in Claret & Blue. Unfortunately Sears failed to score yet again. Tomkins playing at right back was also an interesting move. He has played there before, of course, and was even used in midfield when on loan to Derby. Maybe, just maybe, he could be developed in this right back role. The other big plus is the form of Der Hammer - he hasn't scored yet but he is looking good in midfield apparently.
Whisper it quietly but I am still feeling optimistic about next season!
18 comments:
How can you be of two minds about Avram Grant? One day he's the pits the next day he's instilling a winning way that excites you. Which is it going to be, Mr Positivity?
Personally, I think we will have a great season with the passion of true West Ham football fully on display, an easy top 10 finish with a shout for a place in Europe next season. All thanks to the most important signing of the season a certain gentleman from Israel, Mr Avram Grant.
It's a bit early to be calling a top 10 finish, let alone Europe! We haven't seen how the other Prem clubs are doing, nor have we seen who is leaving Upton Park this summer.
Lets just start with getting everyone fit and healthy, then play some football.
Fanno being positive? I like that!
It's fake.... he been getting too much flack recently for being so negative - so he's just pretending, obviously once the season starts he'll constantly slate all and sundry.
I find the contrast between Zola and Grant interesting. Zola a great and gifted footballer and a likeable but insipid personality hopeless at man management. Grant not much of a footballer but not the sort of man to mess with, and he did get Pompey players working their socks of for him and the club with very little for anyone at the end of it. At the moment I am confident this man can do the job, lets hope he doesn't prove otherwise
Get some this morning did we fanno? Keep it up! (the positivity that is)
Tomkins was just brillant. He showed the same quality and ambition he showed in the 08/09 campaign. Overall the Hammers looked pretty good. There were just a few good chances for Mönchengladbach and those were unjustified freekicks.
Presently I'm lookin forward to the upcoming season quite poitive :)
We still have a tough start to the season though. I don't think we should expect too much immediately.
How much more pointless would the purchase of Piquionne look should McCarthy find some form and sort himself out as he seems to be?
Carlton must be going. They're clearly putting things into place for this to happen. Depressing.
10:54
Well at least you'll be happy then. As you only seen to be happy when you're depressed or trying to depress other people. Play a different tune Sta-negativit-i!
DC, I'm sorry mate but you betray a degree of stupidity here. I have always been consistent about Grant. I predicted his appointment before he was linked with the job and backed the appointment when it was made. I guess you are referring to the article written by Stani. Go back to it and you will see that I clearly identify the author.
You see, what people like 10.40 cannot understand, is that there is no Thought Police on this site. I leave that to Dale and the Org. Stani has an opinion. I disagree with him. But he is a West Ham fan and so I am happy to give shelf space to his opinion. The same applies to Shaun, who also submitted an article yesterday that was diametrically opposed to Stani's. In fact, if you read my article (S&G must show their hand), Shaun's (S&G are keeping their promises) and Stani's (Avram era starts badly), you will read three very different shades of opinion which will come close to covering the full gamut of opinion out there at the moment. Indeed, if you then read your comments here, you will then have the absolute cross section! I don't value your contribution in the same way as the other two because it is brief and ill considered. I suspect you say the same thing every year because you think with your bollocks, not with your head. Try using your brain, especially when reading articles on this site. Then you won't make yourself look foolish by claiming I have been inconsistent when I have clearly identified who has written an article at odds with my own views.
All that said, I hope you are right about next season!
Stani,
I agree I think this will lead to Cole going. Rumours again that Stoke have bid £12m.
So far in pre-season the signs are promising but no players have been sold yet. I could see us starting the season with McBenni up fron with Piquionne! If Cole does go then we won't get one of the better targets like Remy.
I do hope you are wrong Pete. Cole started with the captain's armband yesterday didn't he? Would we name as captain a player who is leaving? That would be an odd decision. S&G have said Cole will not go for less than £15m and have undoubtedly been looking for a replacement on the basis that £15m for Cole would be great business for West Ham. I may be wrong, but I think that they will retain Cole if they can't dind a player of better quality for the money being offered. That is why the Remy deal stalled - if they can't find better value, they will stick with what they have. Happily, Cole seems in no hurry to leave!
Pete... I'm inclined to disagree with you on Cole...and concur with HF!
I really don't think he's going anywhere...and as I've already stated earlier, it's more likely that the 'new boys' are additions rather than replacements for key players! I'm sure some players will ultimately be leaving, but that won't have a detrimental effect on the team/squad.
I've only just stopped laughing after reading that Stoke have offered only £8million for CC! They've more chance of winning the Potteries Lottery....buffoons!
Seriously, Avram made a statement yesterday by handing Cole the armband, as HF mentioned, and made a further statement by instructing Cole to hand it to Noble when he departed after 45.
Cole only played 45 in the first friendly too. OK, he's scored twice, and you can't fault that, and Avram wanted to get a look at everyone, but it's a little worrying that Cole might be getting the 'kid gloves' treatment as part of his ongoing rehabilitation for that problematic knee?! Hope not!
11:49,
today is your best work. On that note I'm going to get a life. So too should you fanno and all the rest of you losers!
Damn you Shaun, I had forgotten that knee!
I'm out for rest of day. Enjoy!
Anonymous 11:14
Why does my realism irk you? You seem to prefer the wool over your eyes rather than know the truth. This 'babes in the wood' attitude is your choice but prepare for some shocks in life.
Pete,
Yes, just caught it on Sky newspaper review. Bloody taped the thing last night to see our friendly goals but they didn't show 'em. Seemed to show everyone else's but this is a common thing with Sky.
I think the only positive we have in regards to Cole is that it's Stoke after him and not a more attractive club.
HF,
I think the Remy deal has stalled because Liverpool have come in for him and his head has been turned. They're busy with Joe Cole at the moment of course, but with Torres not being fit for the start, they're gonna need a striker.
I just don't trust G&S, they have put a lot of money into the club and they will need to retrieve there investments very soon or balance the books.
I can only see them spending and then recouping before the season starts.
Just look what happened after last season started, we sold Collins after a couple of games before the deadline and it was all down hill from there.
I really can see some players going that we can't afford to lose.
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