Summary of West Ham's Premier League Season 2013-2014

At a glance West Ham's season wasn't too bad. A 13th place finish seems acceptable but we all know it far from it. We lingered around the bottom three for most of the season only to be saved by a strong febuary. We finished on 40 points, two behind Swansea in 12th and seven above Norwich in 18th.

This season has been a depressing season for West Ham fans. In my opinion sam Allardyce needs to go. We made some terrible signings in January and the loss of ravel Morrison was and could still be massive if we dont hold on to him.

Update-Andy Carroll Suspension

West Ham's Andy Carroll was given an 3 match ban after being sent off against Swansea city. West Ham appealed it but it wasn't over turned. After threatening to take legal action against the FA the football association decided to look at the incident again. West Ham agreed not to take court action if the Fa looked at the incident again. Many people disagree with Carroll's sending off. Swansea ex manager Michael Laudrup and Dean Ashton, Wets Ham's retired striker, both decided it shouldn't have been a sending off.

Match Review-West Ham United 2-0 Swansea City

Possibly one of our best performances all season! Andy Carroll was back to full fitness and he was on fire! two assists in the first half meant he was in pole position for Man Of The Match. Unfortunately every good thing has to come to an end eventually and Carroll's sending off was just that. Swansea were poor defensively and up front and the hammers took full advantage.

Our first goal came in the 26th minute. George McCartney's inch-perfect cross was knocked down to by Andy Carroll who laid it into the path of Kevin Nolan who volleyed it into the bottom corner. Swansea were really poor in the air and couldn't stop Andy Carroll from picking up almost every ball. On the stroke of half time a good corner from Downing was met by the head of Andy Carroll who played it across goal to 'Captain Marvel' Kevin Nolan who slotted home what was West Ham's first headed goal this season from three yards out. We were playing out of our skins.

We came out in the second half much like we had ended the first, still attacking. A ball launched up front to Andy Carroll was met by Chico Flores who climbed on top of Carroll. As he came off Carroll's back Carroll swung his arm in Flores' direction and just missed him but Flores hit the floor rolling around in a Neymar like fashion as you do in football these days. Howard Webb was quick to intervene and sent Andy Carroll off. This was a pretty tough decision for the referee. Carroll can claim he didn't know where Flores was and that he didn't make any real contact but if he attempted to hit him it will make no difference.

After the sending off as you would expect Swansea had all the possession. Carlton Cole replaced Jarvis to give us a man to launch the ball up to and who can hold it up.  Swansea were poor upfront and lacked a real attacking threat. The Welsh side took twenty shots but didn't get one on target! In the 79th minute Winston Reid made his first appearance since November when he replaced Matt Taylor who had a very good game. Swansea hit more and more balls into West Ham's box but our three centre-backs did well to keep the ball clear.

The matched ended 2-0. A big win for us but if Carroll is banned we could be in trouble. One would hope we will appeal the decision. Other results didn't exactly go our way after Stoke beat Manchester United so we are still 18th unfortunately. Another huge game away to Aston Villa next week could be winnable. Aston Villa are in a poor run of form and are poor at home this season. My Man of the Match has to be Kevin Nolan. 2 crucial goals helped us win today but he wasn't alone as Andy Carroll set both goals up but his sending off denied him from getting Man of the Match

COYI!!

January Transfer Window-Full Review

Player In

It has been a busy transfer window for West Ham. Players have been going in and out with some possible big signings. Allardyce went for a lot of loan deals so he won't have to sell them on if we do get relegated (touch wood!).

One of the best players we signed was Pablo Armero on loan from Napoli.  The columbian has played 49 times for his country in left-back, his preferred position. Armero can also play left midfield if we need him to.

Another deadline day signing was Abdul Razak from Anzhi Makhachkala. The fee payed for Razak is undisclosed but the BBC Sport website stated he was signed on a short term contract. Razak, aged 21, has played for his country Ivory Coast 5 times. Razak is centre midfielder and could possible progress into a really good player.

West Ham really went for the Italians this transfer window. West Ham signed Roma striker Marco Borellio,aged 31, and AC Milan midfielder Anotonio Nocerino,aged 28, on loan until the end of the season. Both players are Italy internationals, with Borriello having won seven caps and Nocerino 15. 

As i mentioned in a previous post we signed Roger Johnson on loan from Wolves and we Gave Carlton Cole a new contract lasting 18 months. 

Players out

Many of our youngsters went out on loan to lower league clubs. Blair Turgott went on loan to Rotherham, Moncur went to Partick Thistle, Paul McCallum went to hearts and Jordan Spence went to MK Dons.

 Late in the day Modibo Maiga went out on loan to Harry redknapp's QPR. Probably a good deal for us, Maiga never really was at Premier League standard. 

Finally Sam Allardyce decided to pay off full back Razvan Rat. He was huge wages and wasn't really doing a huge amount for us.

Summary

All in all this was a good transfer window for West Ham. Some players we did miss and really should have signed. A lot of good loan deals could really help us for the rest of the season especially the Italians. we did well not to sell players such as Ravel Morrison and off loading rat was a good idea. 

Match Preview-West Ham United v Swansea City

This game is definitely a winnable one for both teams but in my case I hope West Ham will be victorious. A big point against Chelsea will provide huge motivation and give a general moral boost in The West Ham camp.

Winston Reid could make his return against the team from Wales. Our injury list is decreasing, Carroll will soon be up to full fitness and we have two centre backs! guy Demel should still be out injured but we do have Matt Taylor who can play full back if required. Diame is out injured after a fall against Chelsea. Rat is no longer a West Ham player so McCartney will play left back. Ravel Morrison is likely to be left out of the starting 11 once again but The italian Nocerino will most likely make his first start. Joey O'Brien is likely to be out for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

New signing Pablo Armero will possible be on the bench as we are low on defensive personnel But he hasn't trained with us yet.

This is definitely a big possibility of three points and we really need to take it. There is a small gap forming between us and 17th so we need to close it quickly! Should be a good game.

COYI!

Match Review-Chelsea 0-0 West Ham

A big point for the Hammers, Some would say it was deserved, many would say it wasn't. Chelsea Were more than dominant, they were all over us. They had a huge 72% possession but surprisingly our defence was really good. Chelsea had 39 shots but didn't manage to score. They are the first team since 2003 to take that many shots and not score. The special one was fuming and gave big Sam a lot of stick about 'West Ham's Playing style'.

A lot of our players played out of their skin. Man Of The Match for me was definitely Adrian. He did well to keep a clean sheet with that many shots taken on his goal. He wasn't the only one though, nearly every player on the team blocked a shot at one point, some of them off the line! Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o thought he had scored in the dying embers of the match but it didn't count. Adrian had been awarded a free kick in his box and placed the ball down. Eto'o, not hearing the whistle put the ball in the back of the net. Not a goal of course.

This was not one of the most interesting game ever to grace our television screens but a huge point for the Hammers all the same. A draw against big spenders Chelsea is no easy task and Sam Allardyce's men did well.

Transfer Gossip-The January Transfer Window so Far

Lacina Traore

Traore, aged 23, had just completed a move to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco from Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee. Monaco decided they would let the man from Ivory Coast leave on loan until the end of the season as he would would find it hard to break into the team with Falcao starting up front. West Ham were first to make a move for the 6ft 8 giant. Monaco agreed to let him join us and everything was going well. A work permit was granted and now all that was needed was a pen and paper. Traore definitely chose the wrong time to get cold feet, for West Ham anyway. Everton were quick to make an offer for Lacina. A move to the Merseyside must have seemed more attractive to Traore as soon after he side for Martinez. Another failed transfer attempt West Ham.

Carlton Cole

When we realised we had still failed to sign a back up striker for Andy Carroll we had no choice but to re-sign Carlton Cole who we had released at the end of last season and was a free-agent. Cole was more than happy to re-join the side and when he made his first appearance you could tell he wanted to make a point. Big Sam only gave Carlton a 6 month contract so he had to make that point quickly. Cole was quick off the mark and has kept his tally ticking over since.  He has scored 5 goals and is our top scorer in the league. Definitely a good signing on Sam's part but should he have been let go in the first place without a better replacement? i think not.


Roger Johnson

It was very apparent that West Ham needed Defenders. When a team resorts to playing George McCartney at centre-back you know they they are really lacking. Allardyce would probably have brought anyone in but the signing of Wolves' Roger Johnson was definitely not a bad one. He is experienced and certainly isn't a bad player. Most importantly he could do the job at hand. Another loan deal for West Ham but with the injuries we have at the moment it may not be that bad.




The Ones That Got Away....

Shane Long was a huge opportunity for us. A proven premier league goal scorer with skill and talent. Some how Sam Allardyce didn't even look into buying the striker. His lack of height probably didn't appeal to 'hoof it up' Sam. Hull city picked up the young irish man for about seven million, less than half of what we spent on Andy Carroll who is still yet to make me feel we should have signed him.

Nikica Jelavic is also another player who West Ham should have tried to sign. Yet again a well proven goal scorer in the Premier league who joined Hull City instead. This is another one i really don't understand. I heard that Sam enquired into purchasing the Croatian but yet again didn't pursue it. Surprise Surprise....


Leaving Home...?

When news started flooding in that Young Ravel Morrison was no longer on speaking terms with coach Sam Allardyce i knew there could be trouble. Soon teams through out the premier league were talking about Morrison but Fulham cam out as the leaders in the race for the ex manchester united player. Rumours spread of Ravel leaving but still nothing came of it. He then told reporters that he didn't plan on leaving West Ham. Letting Morrison go could have been a huge mistake!

Blair Turgott once again has gone out on loan, this time to league one side Rotherham. It's a good for the 19 year old to get first team football even at a lower level.



Ross McCormack
Leeds yesterday rejected an offer for captain Ross McCormack from West Ham. No surprise really, McCormack is their top scorer and captain so it would a bit more than £3.5m.

Match Review-West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City

This game was definitely not a surprising result. One almost would have expected big same to start a weaker side than he did but pride was at stake. The return of both James Tompkins and Kevin Nolan after suspension was good as was Andy Carroll's first start in almost 8 months!

Unsurprisingly City were the ones to strike first. It only took Negrado 3 minutes to find the net. The up and coming Spaniard headed in unmarked inside the area. Shocking defending as usual from West Ham. Another terrible piece of defending lead to Aguero breaking through and slotting the ball home for city's second in the 24th minute. We improved after that but city were sitting back. to my surprise we had more possession but in typical West Ham fashion we failed to do anything with it. After half time the disappointed West Ham fans were met by more of the same. City, who were looking to finish off the game, started attacking once again. some neat passing from City lead to Negrado's second of the game. More weak defending! Surprise surprise... The game ended 3-0 and to big Sam's joy it wasn't another six nil loss.

 This game was an improvement from some of our recent games but in order to beat Chelsea we must keep improving. Our strikers must be more clinical and the possible return of Winston Reid could be vital to avoiding relegation.

Match Review-West Ham United 1-3 Newcastle United

This game was definitely a big chance missed. West Ham started badly and didn't get much better during what felt like a long first half. Newcastle had regained the form they ended 2013 with and were really tearing us apart. Our defence was extraordinarily bad. We must improve or we could well and truly be in relegation trouble.

A very weak defensive preformence well and truly buried us from the off in this game. We never pressed Newcastle the whole game. we gave the Magpies endless amounts of space which they laped up and used very effenciently. Newcastles first goal came in the form of french man Yohan Cabaye. Gouffran easily dispossed Matt Taylor in our own half which left us stretched. a well played pass to Cabaye left us off balance. Cabaye danced passed Rat before slotting it into the bottom right corner. It was well finished but in my opinion Adrian could have done better. Newcastle continued to press. A well played cross and a badly timed jump from Matt Taylor meant the ball fell to the feet of another french man, Loic Remy. Remy slotted home easily from about 8 yards out. nothing Adrian could do. The first half ended with a rather lucky own goal from Williamson meant we went in at the break 2-1 down.

We came out in the second half and played better than in the first half. A good break down the right side led to an inch perfect cross from Matt Taylor led to a huge chance for Carlton Cole who unfortunately skewed the ball miles wide. Definitely should have scored! Another good cross gave Andy Carroll, who made his first home apperance this season in the place of diame, a volley from 10 yards out but Carroll miss timed it and skied it into the crowd. Another good chance to bring it level. a slopy tackle from Carroll gave Newcastle a free kick from about 25 yeards out. Cabaye stepped up and powered the ball into the net. Adrian got fingertips to it but he could on get it as far as the post and the ball ricochetted into the net.

obviously our injury problems didnt help but our defence was abysmal. Collins didn't make the impact one might have hoped. Johnson played indifferently and i hardly noticed him. Rat played poorly and was definitely partly at fault for Remy's Goal. Taylor played very badly in defence and was at fault for newcastles fist two goals. Adrian had a mixed bag today. He possibly could have saved both of Cabayes goals but he made several decent saves.

Both Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole didnt play well. Cole did almost score and would have if Williamson didnt tap it in but he should have scored in the second half. Cole did have several good knock downs which lead to some oppertunitys. Carroll also should have scored and he didnt play aswell as i thought he might have. Our shooting accuracy was terrible. only 2 of our 11 shots were on target.

Ravel Morrison didnt start but came on at half time for Collison. He also had an indifferent game. Carroll played for longer than last week when he came on in the 62 minute.

We need to improve if we want to beat chelsea away in our next league game but one would imagine this game is a write off as Chelsea will be playing well after their win against Manchester United.

West Ham's season is once not looking so good and questions will most definitely be asked of manager Sam Allardyce after a very poor performance. Change may be required!

Match Preview-West Ham Vs Newcastle United

 

This game could be the turning point in our season. A huge win against Cardiff City has brought us up and out of the relegation zone  and another win today could bring us right up the table!

It will be no easy task though, Newcastle are no push overs and their form of late has not been up to the standard of latter stages of 2013. Newcastle are yet to win in 2014 and are beginning to fall down the table.

The possible return of centre back James Collins could be vital after James Tompkins' sending off last week. Collins could help steady the ship that is our very unreliable defence. The return of Ravel Morrison to the starting line-up will also give more vision to the midfield (that is if big Sam decides to play him). Last but definitely not least Andy Carroll could possibly start his first game this season against his former club and home town Newcastle. Carroll seemed desperate to play in an interview last week after his strong return against Cardiff. 

Things seem to be looking up for West Ham. Injured players are returing. There is one player we will miss in todays game and that is Guy Demel. Joey O'Brien is definitely not a rock at right-back but hopefully he will have a big game today. 

we have been without 'Captain Marvel' Kevin Nolan for several games now after two rather stupid red cards. In my opinion the hammers have played well without him. We played decent football against Cardiff and i just hope we can do it again today!

Newcastle are without their captain Fabricio Coloccini who is still out injured and full back Mathieu Debuchy who serves the last of his three match ban today.

K.O: 3pm, Venue: Upton Park, Referee: Andre Mariner

COYI!!

A Star Is Born?

Ravel Morrison Goal Vs Tottenham

Review-Our Season So Far

West Ham United's 2013/2014 season has been a mix of good and bad, but unfortunately for us, more of the later. We started the season well, a surprising solid defence but as one might have expected, with Andy Carroll out injured, we struggled to score. After 10 games we had only conceded 8, this was less than Arsenal, Manchester City & Liverpool at the time, the only problem was city had scored 28 goals, 20 more than West Ham.In fact there was only 4 teams with less goals than us. The bottom four teams in the Premier League.

Our season has only become gloomier since then. we have only won 2 games since. We suffered a string of several heavy losses, the worst of which cam against Manchester City in the Semi-Final of the Capital One Cup. A highlight of our season has been our success in the league cup but something tells me we wont progress into the final. The deficit seems just a tad too large to over come but who knows..? We do Have the home advantage. Our run in the F.A cup was not so fruitful. We were defeated 5-0 to the high-flying Championship team Nottingham Forest.

Ravel Morrison has been one of the few high points in our season. The young English central midfielder took the Premier League by storm after a possible goal of the season against our rivals Tottenham. Winston Reid has also had an amazing season. he was a the rock in our defence and led to our lack of goals conceded. Unfortunately he suffered a bad injury and hasn't played since.

After a huge win against Cardiff City our season is looking up again and with the return of big Andy Carroll hopefully we will start scoring once again. A win against Newcastle United on the weekend could bring us up to fourteenth or fifteenth!

BAZ

He's Back!