West Ham United : Two Worlds?

[Jaztheman]

vs

*Wright*

*Neil*-----*A.Ferdinand*-------*Gabbidon*----*G.McCartney*

*Solano*-----------*Noble*------------*Dyer*-------*Aaritalo*

*Bellamy*----------*Ashton*​

Match Report:

Bang! What a way to start the game. A pin point cross from Mika Aaritalo goes to the back post and is easily headed home by Noberto Solano. A great attacking move there showing the ability within the West Ham players. 8 and a half minutes on the clock and the lead is doubled as Ashton steers his lob through ball over Ngala and it is met by Craig Bellamy who took a touch and rifled it into the top hand corner from 25 yards out. Screamer! Any doubters of the beautiful game should watch that goal and they would be converted straight away. With the Under 18's making a hash of everything early on, our continuous pressure pays off as in the 10th minute we increase our lead and make the score 3-0! Aaritalo with his second assist of the match, this time putting Ashton through to finish the chance. Boy did he finish it, a lob from about 20 yards out, beautiful stuff. Aaritalo has Harvery and Miller in his back pockets at the moment on the left hand side of midfield. Witho 25 minutes gone a poor back pass by Ngala is intercepted by Bellamy who somehow misses the chance. We can't miss those against better opposition! With minutes remaining Craig Bellamy has yet another chance to get his second goal but you will never guess what happens? Yep, you guessed it. He missed. Half time whistle blew, a good first half with lots of chances so all in all very good.

Although virtually a training game, I am still going to take it a tad seriously. However, with so many tired men it was inevitable there were going to be subs. Henri Camara, Bobby Zamora, Lee Bowyer and Hayden Mullins on for Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy, Nolberto Solano and Mark Noble. Solano and Ashton bothed played vital parts in the first half and even the other two had good games. Hopefully we can take our momentum from the start of the first half into the start of the second half.

4 minutes in and nearly a goal already as substitute Bobby Zamora's header is turned on to the bar and over by Marek Stech. Possession football soon came as the majority of the West Ham team overpowered the Youth team although Ashley Miller and Jordan Spence, oh and the keeper, were all resisting the attack. A flurish of subs then came as Neil, McCartney, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Aaritalo and Dyer go off for Grant, Spector, Upson, Collins, Boa Morte and Babayaro. Aaritalo was very impressive on his debut down the left flank and the likes of Boa Morte will have to have some really good games to knock him out of the squad. Not one of the players who came of played poorly, it is just because I want to see how different combinations work. 15 minutes till the final whistle and the last good chance of the half fell to Zamora thanks to an error by Stech found himself one on one through the middle but his shot could only be seen going wide of the post. Disappointing display from Zamora today. Referee Fred Graham ends the game in front of 5900 fans here today, which for a training match is pretty darn incredible. A few nice performances in the Youth team I must say.

West Ham Utd 2-0 West Ham Utd Youth​

After such a good start I had real expectations for this game, a few more goals at least, but it wasn't meant to be. Defensively we were solid with the Youth team having no shots on target, with Anton Ferdinand my pick of the defenders today. Stand in goalkeeper Richard Wright was not troubled at all today and with the decent strikers the youth team possess', he may count himself lucky. The midfield today was solid with Aaritalo and Solano bossing every one around and doing it to good effect. However, Mika Aaritalo gets to be my pick of midfielder today. Great display in his first 'match' for us. Ashton was terrific today, and really provided us with some needed energy up front. A goal and an assist to his name today whilst his strike partner Bellamy also had a good game today notching a goal in the process. Ashton recieves the man of the match award today, deservedly so I must say. Hopefully our next game against Pomorac can go just as 'swell.​

------------------

I don't think we should do pictures Craig as when we buy new players we won't have them in a WHU kit etc... Also I have done the next weekly update and 2 matach updates aswell so I can bang them in.

 

[Kiko_97]

I don't think we should do pictures Craig as when we buy new players we won't have them in a WHU kit etc... Also I have done the next weekly update and 2 matach updates aswell so I can bang them in.

I'll get you some pics of players in West Ham kits Jaz and Craig

 

[Jaztheman]

I'll get you some pics of players in West Han kits Jaz.

Nah it's ok Kieron. Also thanks for the comments guys. I should update again soon.

Unless you really want to?

 

[covlad-99]

Nice one Jaz, nice win there for you and I think we should do pictures, because pictures make it more realistic and if you want the new players, edit them into a picture with the kit on, but i s'pose we don't have to

I'm coming on msn now Jaz, as I will start my next update in a bit!

 

[thesweepmaster]

Hang on Jaz, how could the youth team win 2-0 when you say in your report says a 3-0 win to west ham?

 

[w3lshrugby]

Because he's typed it in wrong, obviously...

 

[covlad-99]

Yeh lol, Jaz said that the West Ham youth had no shots on target, but they score two! Don't worry Jaz, just edit it out when you get time. Nice update as well Jaz

 

[GrayNicolls]

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.

These signings may be good in real life, but on Football Manager you could do much better.

 

[GrayNicolls]

I've bought better wingers for 2.8 million.

 

[covlad-99]

Harry Kewell, is a bloody good player on FM! And hes worth about ?4.5mil, and I got him for ?2.8mil, so I call that a good signing.

covlad-99 added 15 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...

20/7/07

vs

*Green*

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

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

*Bellamy*----------*Ashton*


Match Report:

A good start for us, we were on the attack from the word go and put ourselves in ront after just 10 minutes. A ball inside to Sidwell from Bellamy, and Sidwell past to Kewell who curled a shot into the bottom corner with the outside of his favoured left boot. A great goal and his first for the Hammers, he doesn't stop impressing me. 5 minutes we made I 2-0, and it was a cracker from Kieron Dyer who I put back into the centre today, he picked the ball up 25 yards out, took a couple of touches and smased a flat shot into the back of the net, a great goal from the Ipswich born midfielder. After this I conceded my first goal as West Ham manager, a great cross in from winger Hudec was headed in in superb style by Roman Kutcha, a great goal that. After the goal things got a little heated, as Ashton squared up to Plzen defender Jan Hejak, Hejak reacted badly and kicked Ashton in the leg, Ashton made little fuss of it unlike some of the foreigners these days, but Hejak still got his marching orders as the ref had spotted the kick. Hejak sent off for Plzen. We went in at half time, a goal and a man up.

So, 2-1 at half time and I was a happy man, but I decided to make a couple of changes. Zamora and Solano on for Bellamy and Noble.

Zamora made an instant impact by scoring a fantastic goal, he picked the ball up 20 yards out on the left hand side with his back to goal, he turned around and wrapped his left foot around the ball and curled a shot straight into the top corner. Fantastic goal from Zamora. A inute later, Plzen hit back with a goal, a Majek cross causing havoc in the area and Valasek reacted fastest to tuck the ball away. Then I made a change, Pantsil on for Spector. For the last 10 minutes, we were under constant attack from the Plzen forwards, with Robert Green making a series of fantastic saves, but we went back to the dressing room 3-2 winners.

Viktoria Plzen 2-3 West Ham Utd​

Another win, but I was disappointed we conceded two goals, but happy that I knew that goals weren't going to be a problem this season. I was very pleased with Robert Green today, who in the last two games hasn't had a lot to do, but proved his worth today by making a string of marvellous saves. Bellamy's finishing wasn't there today but hopefully that will come. Harry Kewell and Kieron Dyer were also superb today with a series of excellent passes and both went away with excellent goals too.​

 

[GrayNicolls]

Harry Kewell did well? Wow. I have bought better left wingers, but good luck to you, covlad.

 

[freddiw]

good win , check my story

and the signing are ok, but look into better cheapies,

looking forward to seeing kewell in action tho

 

[covlad-99]

Harry Kewell did well? Wow. I have bought better left wingers, but good luck to you, covlad.

What did I tell you Connor? Btw guys, I have cancelled the friendly against Slovack, as I have had enough at playing rubbish teams The next friendly will be former European Champions under Jose Mourinho, Porto on the 26th, but I'll get a week update in before then. But I'll let Jaz post all of the ones he has done when he can get on his PC!

 

[covlad-99]

14/7/07

Weekly Review​

​

So, my third week at Upton Park, and I felt I was settling in very well. Over the last few weeks, I have got to know everyone at the club, and its a very good community down here. Our results had definately satified the Chairman Eggert Magnusson who told me he was very pleased with my progress as boss, and he added that I definately had his full backing, which I was very reassured about. The players had served me well in the pre-season friendlies so far and had given me everything in their lockers and everyone was looking forward to my first home game in charge against former European Champions, Porto, at Upton Park. A very good occasion for the home fans to get their teeth stuck in to. I have been thinking of a squad of 16 for the opening game of the season against Bolton in a few weeks, and I have a severe selection headache, however I would rather everyone was fit than lots of players out injured so I suppose its not a bad problem to have. I was very pleased with all of the players, but a select few had definately performed sufficiently to book themselves a place in the First Team, players like Kieron Dyer, Dean Ashton and Harry Kewell are the names ringing in my ears when I put pen to paper choosing my lineups for the games. But then in the background, we have Henri Camara, on loan from Wigan, a superbly quick and powerful striker with the ability to run rings around defences, and also Carlton Cole, with pace and considerable height and is undoubtfully talented. But I looked forward to the challenge.

I got a welcome call from my assistant Tony Carr in the week, giving me the great news that Fredrik Ljungbuerg had recovered sufficiently from his side strain to get himself back into full training and declare himself avalable for the Porto game, but again, selection is going to be very difficult. The injury front was getting better, or at least I thought it was. New signing Steve Sidwell went down hurt in training following a tussle for the ball with Lucas Neill, and twisted his ankle so he will be out for a couple of weeks. A blow as I wanted to get him ready for the new season by playing him in the final two friendlies, and now he is certain to be thrown inat the deep end when he makes his return.

Like last week, I have been quite busy in the Transfer Market, and few more youngsters are now with us. First to sign on the dotted line was 20 year old Hungary midfielder Balazs Dzsudzsak, who arrived for a fee of ?1mil from Debrecen, and he is a definate candidate for the central midfield slot with his talent and capability to attack defenders whenever possible. The next to arrive was Gyon Fernandez, a 21 year old Dutch midfielder who won't be in my first team plans yet, but is a definate hot prospect for the future, and will be playing regulalrly for the reserves this year. Also this week, we might have a player leave the club. Currently injured Scott Parker has attracted the interest of Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa, and I have told him he is free to leave as he may not feature in my first team plans this season with so many talented midfielders at my disposal. If all goes well for him, he will leave the club for between ?7mil and ?8.5mil, which would be a superb cash injection for us to go out and explore the Market further for more expensive acquisitions.

The buzz around Upton Park was ever growing, and everyone was lookign forward to the final friendlies of the pre season, a Upton Park, with Porto and Mallorca making the journey in the next few days and both will be my biggest tests so far as West Ham United manager. Here are the remaining fixtures;

Porto| H |26/7/07
Mallorca| H |30/7/07​

Scott Parker: On His Way Out?​

covlad-99 added 2 Minutes and 24 Seconds later...

Btw, in case you think I am getting so far ahead of Jaz he won't be able to keep up, he has done his updates and he will post them as soon as he can!

 

[freddiw]

im suddenly confused so you are playing on different games seeing who does better :???