West Ham United : Two Worlds?

[covlad-99]

vs

*Green*

*Spector*-----*A.Ferdinand*-------*Upson*----*G.McCartney*

*Solano*-----------*Noble*------------*Dyer*-------*Boa Morte*

*Bellamy*----------*Ashton*​

Match Report:

We came out for the kick off all guns blazing, thinking we'd forced a goal just 2 minutes in with a long ball over the top from Dyer, Bellamy ran onto the end of it and steered into the back of the net but that flag was up signalling a disallowed goal. A bit dubious in my opinion but there was nothing we could do about it. We kept up the tempo and on 9 minutes we nearly scored again, Luis Boa Morte working his magic down the left, setting Noble through on goal but his effort was tipped over. After quarter of an hour we finally got the breakthrough we deserved, a lovely through ball from Mark Noble was recived by Ashton, he turned his man and smashed into the back of the net, a super goal from the star centre forward. We seemed to slow down after the goal, and we had our 1 goal lead in tact at the half time whistle, and we looked good value for it too.

As it was a friendly, at Half Time I made a few changes, Mullins on for Noble, Collins on for Upson, Cole on for Bellamy, Gabbidon on for Spector, Bowyer on for Dyer, Etherington on for Boa Morte and Zamora on for Ashton. I told them to go and finish the job off.

We started the second half much on the defensive, and it was Rovers who were doing all the attacking and we didn't get our first second half shot on goal until 77 minutes, and it was a superb strike from Kieron Dyer, his 25 yard scorcher smashed the crossbar and the ball trickled out on the far side for a goal kick. After this we gave a much more positive approach to the game, but we couldn't get any clear cut chances until the last minute when Carlton Cole was brought down inside the area, James Collins stepped up and converted the spot-kick with ease. The game finished 2-0, and I was pleased about the victory in all and I would have liked to have won by more but there were so many changes at half time, it was hard for everyone to assert themselves on the game.

Bristol Rovers 0-2 West Ham Utd​

A good return from the boys I think, after having little time to gel they were solid at the back and the attacking style I said seemed to work a treat particularly in the first half. The standout playr in the side was Kieron Dyer in my opinion. He ran the show in the middle of the park and was at the centre of almost every attack we made so he can go home tonight feeling good about his performance, as the pre season is the time to cement your place in starting XI. I was a bit disappointed with Craig Bellamy today, he didn't use his pace to great effect and apart from the disallowed goal at the start, he did very little and thats part of the reason I substituted him at half time.

Ashton celebrates the opener​

 

[Jaztheman]

Nice friendly there away from home in Bristol, nice start to your reign. Noble and Ashton sounded like they had good games and they barely trouble Green in goal. Hopefully you can carry this momentum into your next few games and then into the season. Make some signings boy!

Good luck.

 

[covlad-99]

Yeah, Noble propped up the front very well, but Kieron Dyer was superb, he always found out a nice pass, and nearly scored a belter.

 

[covlad-99]

vs

*Green*

*Spector*-----*A.Ferdinand*-------*Upson*----*G.McCartney*

*Dyer*-----------*Noble*------------*Sidwell*-------*Kewell*

*Bellamy*----------*Ashton*​

Match Report:

Today, we weren't as quick out of the blocks but we thought we'd scored again after 17 minutes, Criag Bellamy heading home a Harry Kewell cross, but Bellamy was offside again, but a great cross from the debutant, but 5 minutes later we took the lead, a beautiful ball from the other debutant Steve Sidwell, was chased down by Ashton who put it away cooly. 5 minutes before half time, we scored a second and it was an absolutely fantastic free kick from Harry Kewell, he zipped it in from the right and in came Bellamy to tap in from close range. What a game Kewell was having on debut, and a couple of minutes later Bellamy grabbed a second, a great ball to the feet of Bellamy from Mark Noble, Bellamy turned and lashed the ball into the top corner.

I didn't want to upset the balance at half time, as we were 3-0 up and I wanted to see how far we could go, so I made no changes at the break, and I told the lads to go out and show what they can do.

We started the second half slowly, but I kept faith in the players that were on the field and Craig Bellamy nearly grabbed his hattrick on 77 minutes, his close range effort taking an awkward bounce ad ended up with Bellamy shinning it agonisingly over the crossbar. Nothing much happened for the rest of the game, but it was a good performance in the end.

Vitkovice 0-3 West Ham Utd​

Another solid performance from the boys especially from the debut boys Harry Kewell and Steve Sidwell (who you will here about later on in the week update) who played absolutely brilliantly, Sidwell setting up one of the goals and Kewell setting up the others. I was disappointed with Dyer today who had such a good game last time out, however it isn't all down to him as I played him in one of his unfavoured positions, but I felt I needed to play Sidwell and Kewell so they could get used to our style of play. Also a mention has to go out to Bellamy, who answered my criticism of him in teh last game in the best possible way by bagging two goals and Ashton is consistent as always.​

Bellamy grabs a second​

covlad-99 added 0 Minutes and 46 Seconds later...

By the way, Jaz has done one of his friendlies, and he'll post it up tomorrow.

 

[treva]

Two comfortable wins there Craig. I think Kewell would be a good signing.

Jaz, some interesting signings there. Nice to see new players I haven't heard of rather than some people buying players who are known to be good on the game. Babayaro is a good player, and £1mil is a good bargain

 

[covlad-99]

20/7/07

Weekly Review​

​

So, my second week in charge and after winning the games against Bristol Rovers and Vitkovice I and the team had every reason to be happy with ourselves this week. I was very happy with the return I hadgot from the players and I knew that we could go far this season in the Premiership and maybe even the European competitions as well.

The same 4 players were still out with their injuries, but to help the situation, all of the players that have played in the previous two friendlies had come through unscathed and ready for the rest of the friendlies and hopefully the start of the season. I knew that some of the players were bound to pick up knocks, but fingers crossed no one will come out of the pre season with long term injuries.

I have been much more active in the window. First to arrive this week was Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, who I am dielighted to say has signed a loan deal with us and hopefully he will succeed in his time here, and I have every reason to believe he will. The next to arrive was Liverpool's out of favour midfielder Harry Kewell, who you also saw performing brilliantly in the previous friendly, and he signed for a bargain ?2.8mil after being transfer listed by the Reds, Kewell will be here for another 3 years and beyond if all goes well. Now its on to the transfers you haven't heard about. The only cemented deal apart from Sidwell and Kewell, is Romanian U21 International Bogdan Stancu, who is regarded as a hot prospect here at Upton Park and I have absolutely no doubt he will succeed in a claret and blue shirt, and he came to us at a bargain ?350K, which I was very, very pleased about. Also on the agenda are anotehr 2 youngsters with huge futures here if I can pull them off. The first of the two is Boca star Ever Banega, who is regarded as the 'New Lionel Messi' being a superb dribbler and the latest Argentinian wonderkid on the back of many, and I hope to sort a deal out soon. The second of the pair is Balazs Dzsudzsak, a Hungarian 20 year old who is also regarded as a highly talented individual who has already started his Hungarian senior international career, and I am working after hours to bring this guy to London, and I believe it all could happen for ?1mil. I doubt I'll get both, but god damn it I'll try!


I have a game tomorrow against Viktoria Plzen, so I hope you are eagerly awaiting that, and that will be up tomorrow. Lets hope for an undefeated Pre season. Remaining Pre Season fixtures:

Viktoria Plzen| A |20/7/07
Slovacko| A |22/7/07
Porto| H |26/7/07
Mallorca| H |30/7/07​

Dzsudzsak: The next to Arrive?​

 

[freddiw]

awesome fellas really really really really awesome, just dont stop this it is sensational

 

[thesweepmaster]

Boo Craig . Nah, two good results there plus some fantastic signing in Kewell and Sidwell.
Anyway to Jaz now, maybe some big name signing like what Craig has done would help but I am looking forward to you crushing Craig through the year!

 

[GrayNicolls]

Jaz is gonna win, seeing as he's signed Aaritalo. The signings overall have been average...

 

[covlad-99]

Aaritolo is nothing compared to Dzsudszak , and average signings? Harry Kewell is a fantastic signing for a mid table side! We are talking about a player with a Champions League winners medal, and vast experience, and he is still only about 28! I just think you're nit picking.

 

[saladguy]

Harry Kewell is crap! He is well passed it!

 

[w3lshrugby]

WOW! Great start here guys, and I agree with Craig. Those signings are not average...they're pretty awesome in my opinion.

Keep up the AMAZING work!

EDIT: Check your spelling saladguy

 

[saladguy]

Nice to see Stevie Sidwell getting regular 1st Team Football!

 

[Kiko_97]

Jaz is gonna win, seeing as he's signed Aaritalo. The signings overall have been average...

Average! GN you know zilch about football mate.
Great signings overall Craig. Lets hope for a great pre season now and with our new signings we can win the EPL. KUTGW.

 

[covlad-99]

I just noticed, he comes from Southampton, supports Hants and South Africa... :confused:

covlad-99 added 8 Minutes and 32 Seconds later...

Actually, GN, I think you're right. I have taken your advice, and I plan to buy Ricardo Kaka, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi, in a bargain bucket for £37!