Desperate Dann A West Ham Man?

So, we are being linked with Scott Dann, now of Blackburn Rovers and formerly of Birmingham City. Anybody spot the problem if we do secure promotion on Saturday?

Tell me, why would you want a centre back that has suffered relegation from the Prem in two consecutive seasons exactly? He's cheap!

Balance of Hodgson's Squad All Wrong

A disappointing first act as England manager in my book. It's true that Woy's options are limited, what with the Terry / Ferdinand dispute, the injuries to Bent and Rodwell and the suspension of Rooney for the first two games, but there's no getting away from the fact that Hodgson has cocked up the balance of his squad.

23 players means you have the option of two players for every position, and three for the goalkeeping berth, so why on earth are we going in with just seven defenders? Micah Richards may not be everybody's cup of tea - and Capello clearly did not rate him - but he is two defenders rolled into one, providing cover for right back and centre back. His inclusion would have left open the option of playing Jones as a holding midfielder should the need arise, and of playing Glenn Johnson on the right of midfield.

Instead, Hodgson has left himself with a potential headache in the event of yellow cards and injuries. Who amongst the nine selected midfielders has the ability to offer defensive cover exactly? Barry's days as a left back are long gone - he barely has the pace to function in midfield - and apart from him, there's nobody.

Meanwhile, up front we are very lightweight. Defoe cannot lead the line alone so I'm surprised Crouch wasn't taken in his stead. Does Carroll deserve to go? Of course not, but I would have included him regardless.

Anybody think we stand a chance of winning it? Anybody care?

Tottenham's Scott Parker, One Captain Wonder!

Well that must be some sort of record surely? How many captains of England have lasted for just one game?

The appointment of Parker was always flawed. He wasn't captain of West Ham and he isn't captain of Tottenham either - for a reason. He isn't captain material.

Yes Scotty is passionate, yes Scotty is committed, but no, Scotty aint bright - neither on nor off the field. And the responsibility is no good for him either. Parker needs no additional incentive to dive in to tackles nor to run around the pitch like a headless chicken. If he has a career as an England player it is in a strictly limited role: sitting and holding, not trying to lead from the front and charging all over the pitch in consequence - as he did in Claret and Blue.

Mind you, he might not even be fit. And if he can't make it, who steps in? Jordan Henderson. Worrying or what?

Allardyce Overreacts - And the question is, why?

What a storm in a bloody tea cup. Steve Kean, obviously on the back of a few, mouths off in a bar and, as a throw away response to a question from a fan as to why Allardyce was sacked says, "Because he's a fcuking crook"; and now, allegedly, Doctor Evil is suing him. If true, what an absurd over reaction!

Now I'm not defending Kean here - he comes across as a stereotypical gobby and obnoxious Scot in the You Tube clip - but if Allardyce has really instructed solicitors then it makes you wonder why, exactly, he is so sensitive about the charge. If somebody gobs off in a bar and calls me gay, I'm not going to get upset about it, because I know I'm not homosexual. However, if somebody is trying to keep his sexual urges secret, then he might just take issue mightn't he?

Now I am NOT saying Allardyce is a crook nor that this was the reason why Blackburn sacked him. The ultra cautious response of the press to this story suggests that would be a very, very silly thing to do. The BBC tried to make certain allegations stick and, at the end of the day, had to back down. Like 'Arry, Sam is either whiter than white (which very few of us are!) or has a very good pot of whitewash and a very good team of lawyers to direct the decorators on how exactly to apply it!

What I am saying, however, is that this is a needless distraction in the build up to Saturday's game and that Allardyce would have done better to ignore it. Unless, of course, ignoring it would be dangerous for reasons that we do not know and must not speculate about. 

Avram Grant is Just Champion

Interesting to see that Avram Grant has won the title with Partizan Belgrade. Not bad for a useless tosser who only gets jobs because of the Jewish cabal that controls the world according to a certain Muslim poster on here.

And Gianfranco Zola? He hasn't won a title. In fact he hasn't even landed a job. But then he isn't Jewish is he Stani?

Birmingham and Villa United in Celebration as McLeish is Sacked!

It takes a lot for Birmingham and Villa fans to agree about anything football related - but tonight they will be chinking glasses at the news that the ginger tosser has been thrown out of work. The appointment was always perverse and the decision of McLeish to travel across the divide was downright disgusting, so the only disappointing aspect is that Villa escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth. They deserved to go down.

So everybody in Birmingham is happy tonight. Although they are probably breaking into a sweat in West Bromwich and Wolverhampton. The last thing the fans of both clubs need is for McLeish to be available!

What the Hell is going on with the Olympic Stadium bid?

Cards on the table, I don't want to move there and have never wanted to move there, but that doesn't stop me feeling aggrieved at the way the rules seem to change every time we get close to securing the Olympic Stadium. We've already been awarded the stadium once and second time around, with no other worthwhile bids coming forward, it was as good as ours, only for the goal posts to be moved again, with the bidding deadline extended.

What is going on exactly? Presumably our bid has got so many conditions and caveats attached that the London Legacy Committee are running scared of awarding it to us. Either that or Levy and Hearn are slipping a few back handers in a desperate attempt to derail our bid.

Something stinks in Stratford - and it's not just the toilet in the Hemelaya!

QPR's Barton Has Flipped. Section Him Quick!

Barton's flipped this time. There was madness in his eyes on the pitch on Sunday but his Twatter attacks on Shearer and Lineker reveal a man totally out of control.

We know he is dangerous based on his "previous" and his present ravings suggest that he could be a real threat to himself and others unless somebody steps in and sorts him out. If ever there was a case for sending in the guys with the white coats, this is surely it!

Deeply disturded and very disturbing. He needs help!

West Ham Reconsider Move For QPR's Barton

With Barton facing a lengthy ban following his latest act of thuggery, Sullivan and Gold are hastily reconsidering plans to sign the brother of the Manchester hatchet man. As if his mindless antics on the field were not enough, Barton has compounded matters by twattering that stage two and three, following the issuing of the red card, were a deliberate attempt to get a rival player sent off with him. Laughably, Barton even tries to suggest that he was doing it for the team, on the suggestion of a teammate.

So out goes the mitigating claim of temporary insanity. Instead, Barton has confirmed cynicism and premeditation to add to the charge sheet of sheer thuggery. The ban is sure now to stretch to months - at the very least; and a lifetime ban really would be the most appropriate sanction if the FA and Premier League can find a way of making it stick. The PFA really shouldn't object because this animal represents a threat to their other members.

And what should QPR do? Newcastle were brave enough to send him packing and QPR must surely have a clause in his contract allowing termination covering exactly this sort of event. Sadly, there will be another unscrupulous club willing to take him on should the Hoops, belatedly, do the decent thing; let's hope upon hope that Sullivan & Gold do not see this as an opportunity to repopulate the squad on the cheap!

QPR Survive By Skin of Their Teeth and Chris Foy's Incompetence!

So how right have I been proved exactly? All season I have maintained that QPR would survive - just. In the early months of the season I warned the gRs that it would be a season of struggle and they mocked, claiming there was no way in a million years that a team backed by the billions of Mital and the ego of Fernandes could go down. Then, when they collectively despaired, I explained that Rangers would survive courtesy of the failings of others - and that's EXACTLY how it has worked out.

Mind you, it sounds very much as if Fernandes owes a large cheque to a certain Chris Foy whose perverse refereeing decisions robbed Bolton of the victory that would have seen them survive at QPR's expense. There's a lot of talk about goal line technology but that would simply scratch the surface. Today a team was relegated because of the incompetence of a referee and that can't be right. Surely once technology is accepted, all controversial goals should be referred to a fourth official.

What a great last day of the Prem it proved to be - with Bolton robbed, QPR surviving and Ferguson choking on his red wine with that last gasp Man City winner. Only in England can this happen season after season - which is why, for all its technical flaws, the English game remains the most exciting in the world.

Anyway, congratulations to QPR and to Mark Hughes. Let's hope we will meet each other next season and that Barton will still be a Hoop and not in Claret and Blue!

Congratulations to Birmingham & Leeds Fans

The response to two recent threads has been absolutely overwhelming. In the case of the "Miserable, Miserable Week for Birmingham" post I have been knocked sideways by the level headedness of Birmingham fans. Instead of recriminations, almost to a man, woman, and child, they seem happy with what has been achieved this season, recognising the huge problems that Hughton faced at the start of the season and accepting that promotion was at best a dream.

Contrast that attitude to our expectations. There are allegations that we are arrogant, that we have seen a return to the Prem as a God given right, and that presumption has caused genuine ill will towards us. From "Good Old West Ham", everybody's second team, we have become the obnoxiously arrogant cheating bastards of Tevez, Sullivan, Gold and Allardyce. Our character profile has undergone the sort of rewrite enjoyed by Ben Mitchell in Eastenders!

As I posted, I have until now held Birmingham in contempt but Hughton and their fans have persuaded me around to a new respect. Obviously I desperately hope that we are not in the Championship next season but I now have a further reason for hoping for promotion because without the rivalry provoked by sharing the same division, I will be able to cheer Hughton's boys to promotion next season.

And so to Leeds. One of the services that Blogspot offer is statistical analysis of site traffic and the most hit thread of all time was one based upon Ikea Joorabchian's claim that Leeds had signed a player on a Third Party agreement posted back in October 2011 (http://thegamesgonecrazy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/kia-joorabchian-says-leeds-signed.html). Well that record has now been broken, with the hit count for yesterday's thread on the possibility of Warnock's time at Leeds ending in tears at 12,071 already  (http://thegamesgonecrazy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/leeds-and-warnock-heading-for-nasty.html.)

Now the quality of response from Leeds fans has not always been of the same calibre as those of the Birmingham fans - what do you expect given they are dirty Northern bastards? - but the sheer volume of hits is incredible. Give them their due, the tight fisted wife beating Yorkshiremen remain unbelievably loyal to a club who have been shit for so long.

Congratulations To Young Potts - A True Hero

This blog is criticised for being excessively negative at times, but every now and then, even a miserable old sod like me has to throw all cynicism aside and pay tribute. It was unavoidable in the case of Fabrice Muamba and the same applies to Dan Potts.

Who knows if the kid will go on to be a star of the future? He only appeared four times for the first team and as Sears shows, early promise does not always crystalise into a real gem. But that is not the point. As soon as Potts kicked a ball for the first team he climbed a personal mountain that would have intimidated the vast majority of us. For this boy was battling leukaemia just two years ago.

So Potts deserves total respect irrespective of what may or may not happen into the future. Fingers crossed that he goes on to emulate his father but with knobs on, securing a host of international caps for England and winning a treasure trove of medals in Claret and Blue. But at the end of the day, does any of that really matter? Potts is alive and kicking and that is a cause for celebration in itself.

Well done Dan: everything is now a bonus.

Well Played Pards! Newcastle have won something at last!

It shows what a fantastic job Pardew has done that the tradition of naming the manager of the Champions as Manager of the Year has been abandoned to give Pants Down the award.

Does he deserve it? Well there were a few contenders. The guys in charge of Swansea and Norwich have worked a minor miracle too, and Wigan's late run means that Martinez must have been in with a shout. And to be fair to Redknapp, he has exceeded most people's expectations at Tottenham too.

But who expected Newcastle to finish in the top half of the table, never mind compete for a Champions League place? When Nolan and Barton followed Carroll out of the club, most people expected a relegation struggle, including disgruntled Newcastle fans. Instead, Pardew made a couple of brilliant signings and inspired Newcastle to play out of their skins.

When I suggested that Pardew should be re-appointed when Curbishley left, people scoffed. Well look what we missed out on!

Leeds and Warnock - Heading for a Nasty Divorce?

What has happened at Leeds? At the beginning of the season, most people expected them to be a real force, not marking them down for automatic promotion but as strong favourites for the Play Offs. Under Grayson, their form was patchy but they were still in with a good shout, and when Warnock was appointed many people, including myself, expected a late season charge. But talk about ending with a whimper! Leeds disappeared off the radar faster than a plane crashing on take off.

That was not what Master Bates ordered! And with the purse strings pulled tight and the present team woefully inadequate - as the hammering by Forest demonstrated - it is hard to see the marriage of Leeds and Warnock lasting too long. Can two egos like Bates and Warnock share the same living space for too long before the verbal brickbats start flying?

Of course, it is the same old problem with Bates - he wants to run a football club along sound financial lines and that means shipping out your best players as soon as you get a decent offer for them, even when the sales generate very little cash in the big scheme of things.

How much did Leeds generate in transfer revenues at the end of the day? What did Gradel go for as an example? The fee was undisclosed but it wasn't megabucks and, although not Messi, he went on to score six goals in 24 starts for St Etienne, having finished the previous season as Leeds' Player of the Year. For Bates, the balance sheet looked healthier but given investment is crucial for growth, the short term gain was at a huge potential long term loss. Leeds missed out on the playoffs by 14 points - a massive final gulf it is true - but had Gradel and Howson been retained, and money been spent, the potential revenue from a season in the Prem would have far exceeded what Bates saved.

We shouldn't write Warnock off yet - he has a fantastic record in the Championship - but it may be that Leeds under Bates are destined for a long stint in the second tier of English football. We saw nothing over the final third of the season to suggest that they will challenge for promotion next season and if things are not going well by Christmas, it is hard to see anything other than an acrimonious divorce ahead. Unless Warnock is offered another job and walks out over the summer!

A Miserable Miserable Week for Birmingham City

After 62 games, it all came to a miserable, miserable end for Birmingham City this week. There's no taking away from the achievements of Chris Hughton and his charges - they acquitted themselves creditably in Europe and battled excellently in the league despite the financial cyclone that hit the club; and I was dreading meeting them in the Final because, despite all the exits, Hughton has put together a decent team. But all to no avail.

I make no bones about the fact that I loathe the club although I can't quite put my finger on exactly why. In part it was down to Trevor Francis. I never liked the guy as a player and once he became a manager and then a commentator, I detested him - because of his voice and the delight he always seemed to take in knocking West Ham. That said, I wish him a full recovery from his recent heart attack.

Then it was Trevor Hockey. He was an ugly player. Ugly style. Ugly beard. Ugly name. And he went on to play for Shafting United!

And Kenny Burns. He had one of those faces that you wanted somebody else to punch. And it irritated me no end that nobody could work out if he was a forward or centre back! Scottish, ugly, nasty in a challenge.

And Curbishley, who walked out on West Ham claiming Birmingham were a bigger club. Bigger club my arse.

And their kit. That ridiculous white band down the front of their shirts. For some reason it looked even worse in black and white on The Big Match.

And then there was The Big Match. I lived in Somerset and for some bloody reason, we got the Midlands version instead of the London version some weeks on HTV - and you could bet your life it happened on the weeks when West Ham were the main game. I would settle down looking forward to watching Brooking, Bonds and Paddon and instead Gerald Sinstad's voice would announce, "Welcome to St Andrews for the crucial game between Birmingham City and..." Cue a hasty change of channels and watching shadows through an interference / poor reception snow storm on Westward TV...providing they weren't showing Plymouth v Bristol Rovers!

But despite it all, I can't help feeling sorry for Birmingham. Not only have they missed out on a big day at Wembley, Villa have escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth! If we go up, I hope Hughton stays and completes the job next season by lifting the cub back into the Prem. Hughton seems a rare breed in football - a thoroughly decent guy - and because of him I have learnt to stomach Birmingham City to the point where, providing they are not rivals, I can wish them well!

QPR's Anton Hoping for Premiership Reunion with West Ham

Good to see that ex Hammer Anton will be cheering us on in the Playoff final, hoping to meet us in the Prem next season. In fact, according to the Official Site, Ferdinand is dreaming of a fantastic treble: QPR's survival, West Ham's promotion, and...John Terry losing the court battle?

Time for Liverpool to Award Dalglish a 5 Year Contract Extension

After the stunning last 20 minutes of the Cup Final when Liverpool were cheated by a pedantic rule that ALL of the ball must be over ALL of the line, and the epic thumping of Chelsea in the revenge match at Anfield, it is surely time for American owner John Henry to reward tactical mastermind Kenny Dalglish with a five year contract extension.

King Kenny has done a fantastic job this season, guiding Liverpool to a last gasp penalty shoot out victory over Welsh giants Cardiff City and to within an eighth of an inch of extra time in the FA Cup final too. On top of that, he has kept the club in the top half of the Prem - a marvellous achievement given he only had £135m to spend.

Based on the last 110 minutes of football against Chelsea, it is clear that Liverpool are now set fair to reclaim their place at the top table of both English and European football. Chelsea beat Barcelona with ten men, so just imagine what a force Liverpool will be in the Champions League the season after next after storming to the Premiership title next year.

King Kenny has brought glory back at Anfield at long last and dignity and respect are sure to follow.

Let's Nail This Playoff Specialists Nonsense

The usual crap is coming out about how Blackpool are playoff specialists and how all the pressure is on West Ham to win. For the Tangerine Dreamers anything more is a bonus it seems, whilst for West Ham it is make or break.

There is an element of truth in all that, of course, but we must not be suckered in. Already pretty level headed posters on here are talking up the dangers, warning about under rating Blackpool and pointing out that anything can happen in a one off game.

There's truth in that too of course. Anything could happen. At the Boleyn we won 4-0 with eleven men, whilst on our trip to the beach we won 4-1 with ten!

All we need to do is turn up, stay calm and play our football. Cardiff were cup specialists before we played them and Liverpool needed penalties to beat them. Did that matter?

Blackpool? Bring it on and cut out all the tangerine dreamer bollocks!

One Last Cruel Twist In QPR's Season?

For eighty odd minutes at the weekend, it was all going horribly wrong. Bolton were two goals to the good and QPR were only drawing. The nightmare scenario of having to win at Man City to stay up loomed large, with no guarantee of survival even if they achieved the seemingly impossible. Then Coyle's boys hit the self destruct button and 'Cisse, CISSE!' made yet another telling contribution: and he has scored or been sent off every time he has played for the Hoops.

So it all goes down to the final game and the nightmare scenario for QPR that only a positive result at the Etihad guarantees them survival whilst Unreal City need a win to secure the title. Of course, even if they lose, Rangers have a better than evens chance of staying up, because Bolton have to win and that's something they've not been very adept at all season!

But it isn't going to be straightforward is it? One way or another, there will be a twist. Perhaps Rangers will take the lead, or perhaps Bolton will snatch an early goal. If that happens, it could be a thrilling afternoon for the neutrals but an impossibly stressful afternoon for Rangers and Bolton fans. Happily for Rangers, Stoke need points to secure a higher league position, thereby trousering more dosh. In the old days, a B team might have been fielded but with big bucks at stake and four teams separated by a point (with Stoke bottom of that pile at the moment), Pulis will have his players pumped up. However, it's been a long, long, long season for Stoke and if Bolton go for it, maybe, just maybe, Crouch and co might let their thoughts wander to the beach.

89th minute, QPR losing three nil, Bolton still drawing at the Britannia, and suddenly Motson yells, "Davies. Davies! Oh Kevin Davies! He's done it! Would you believe it? There will be heartbreak in the Bush! Kevin Davies! Bolton have saved themselves in the final minute and their fans are jumping with joy not quite sure if they can believe what they have just witnessed!"

But that won't happen. Will it?

Hull City - A Shameful Way To Treat A Hero

He seems to have been around for ever and has been associated with Hull City, his hometown club, as player and manager since 2004. But Barmby's loyalty, dedication and professionalism counted for nothing when the Board got hot under the collar at suggestions that money was not forthcoming to strengthen the squad - they just sacked him.

What a disgrace. Hull came to Upton Park last game of the season with nothing to play for, except the manager and their fans, and they gave their all. Unlike Pearson who walked out on the club as soon as a better carrot was dangled, Barmby has remained loyal, stepping into the void left by the Leicester City returnee and aquitting himself well even though the not so fearsome Tigers narrowly missed the playoffs.

Barmby is sueing Hull and quite right too! If Curbishley could do us for constructive dismissal after walking out in dispute over transfer activities, Barmby must have a case.

Poor Nicky, he hasn't been shafted this badly since Mr Robson showed Mr Pardew what to do in the dressing room after the players have gone off to the pub!