West Ham United : Two Worlds?

[m_vaughan]

Tough luck for the Bolton game. Did so well all of pre-season only to lose your first game when the season proper started. But from what you mentioned, it was probably one of those days. Like you said, the game against Spurs is crucial as losing that could see you ending up losing 5 on the trot, and although you'll be done with 3 big games, it might just affect the morale of the team, and the team might struggle to recover.

I also noticed your comment about the bonus point system, and as interesting as it sounds mate, I think its a very general idea as teams do usually push for late goals. Especially when you are goal down, you are expected to keep trying and I dont think anyone will ask their players to settle for the defeat. Yes, teams might settle for a draw, in which case your idea might be applicable, but it can backfire as well, and you might end up losing that one point in an attempt to get three. It really depends on the game scenario and the way your teams plays and also on the counter-attacking ability of the opposition.

I used to use that tactic of trying to score late winners (playing as Valencia), but got punished more often than not as the teams in Spain are awesome on the counter, and I ended up losing games which we had dominated. So since then I have adopted the hitting on the counter approach myself and it seems to work better.

All the best for the Spurs game, and hope you get something out of the big three. Awesome presentation btw.

 

[covlad-99]

Nice post Vaughany, some good shouts there. And yeah, you're right about the bonus points system, and yeah hopefully I can pull off a result against Spurs.

I'm afraid there won't e any updates for a while today as I have a cricket match in a bit, and I'm opening the bowling for the 3rds again

 

[PaulNixon1]

Craig youre strikers couldnt hit a barn door with a machine gun

 

[covlad-99]

Right I'm back guys, and I had a pretty good game! Surprisingly, my bowling was useless today, 7 overs 0 maidens 34 runs 1 wicket but I was against North Molton's first team, and I am only 15! The wicket was my last ball as that finished the oppo off, but I wasn't too impressed with my bowling today, however the ball was unvelievably hard to control with the sheer amount of swing about, so in the ned I resorted to bowling across the seam, but i did get hit for a few runs. My fielding was good to, made no mistakes and also ran someone out. Now... on to my batting, I came in at number 11, with no expectations, as my batting is shite, but I did great! 11 from 7 balls, including a lovely pull shot from a left arm fast bowler (and I mean FAST), however my teammate, Jack, got out and we lost the game. I was really surprised of how I batted! My highest ever score

Anyway, back on topic, next update coming up at around 9-ish.

 

[PaulNixon1]

Lets see if youre strikers score a goal its about time eh?

 

[covlad-99]

Shut up Nixy

 

[PaulNixon1]

But its true you need to sign a gun like me but im not available

 

[treva]

Not a great start to the season. Should be beating sides like Bolton if you want that UEFA place. Need a win against Tottenham before you face the three big boys...

 

[PaulNixon1]

Tottenham will win WH will never beat us.

 

[covlad-99]

Guys, I'm afraid there won't be an update tonight, as my computer is running slow as a snail. Ithas taken me 30 minutes to simulate to the start of the game, so I'll leave it until tomorrow I think. Sorry guys.

 

[freddiw]

no worries mate, hope we will see an udate from 'The other man'

unlucky with bowling but it happens especially at our age against men

 

[covlad-99]

Right guys, I've decided as Jaz gets back tomorrow, all matches frm here on will be played at the same time with me and Jaz chatting to each other on MSN/Hamachi It will be better like that, so next updates will be tomorrow.

 

[GrayNicolls]

Unlucky about the loss to Bolton, even though it's funny that Daniel Braaten was running you ragged.

I actually hope you beat Spurs, as I hate them, so good luck.

 

[covlad-99]

Right, Jaz is due back today, but isn't back yet and I have football training at 6pm, so if there is an update it will be later on.

And guys, go and have a look at the story running along with this one! (England - A New Revolution...)

 

[Jaztheman]

Miss me?

I'm further than you as I've done and got 13 updates to post. The first one at least will be up tonight in a few minutes. Also updates will resume to normal presentation after tonight, I just rushede to get this one up tonight.



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

*Wright*

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

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

*Bellamy*----------*Aaritalo*

After telling the lads I expected a win, possibly comfortable I noticed some of their players weren't actually that bad. However 20 seconds in and a dynamite start for the Hammers was nearly capped off with a goal by Aaritalo, if not for the fingers of Vuljanko. A good confident start, hopefully we can capitalize on this. Again their keeper was called upon when Kieron Dyer hit a shot from outside the area, and again the keeper met it with his fingertips. Looks like we are in for a hard day. A fantastic corner from Boa Morte, resulting from the save by Vuljanko, was met by a Noble header and into the net it went! Only for the flag to go up and our joy turned to disgust. A free header, what was wrong with it?! Great, that's all we need. 5 minutes gone and they show us what they can do up front with Bubalo having a shot comfortably saved. Attack after attack after attack, but we still can't get that goal. 4 shots in the first 10 minutes all good chances but the keeper has been in top form and it's going to be hard to beat him. Exciting first half anyway. Time for a few changes and to rest two players as Aaritalo and Noble come off for Camara and Marveaux. After so much attacking play early on you would of expected that to continue, However, it didn't. There wasn't another chance until the 43rd minute, and that was another goal. With lots of passes made around the are, Dyer put Bellamy home who blasted to the back post. 1-0 United just before the break! The same referee from our last game, Denis Pranjic, brings the half to an end in which we clearly deserved to be ahead.

A cracking first half display shown by the lads, and when they continue it into the second half and score a few more then I will relax, until then I am going to play it as if it was 0-0. A defensive change first as Babayaro comes on for Luis Boa Morte and Pantsil on for Solano. Our entire flanks are now defence minded but can still get up there to attack. Dyer will only play a small part in the second half as I look to change the formation around a little. Come on you Hammers!

We started the second half the same way we did the first with Dyer the man again at the heart of the move, but unfortunately Bellamy can't direct his shot past the keeper. A good start. Grant, Cole and Bowyer told to warm up and will make an appearance soon. Camara gets a chance one on one with the keeper but luckily for them he puts it over as he bottles under the pressure. 2-0! Camara with a lovely dinky ball through to Marveux out wide who takes an in step and then smashes the ball to the far post where it buries in the top corner. Brilliant finish to a brilliant move. A few tired legs out there now though so I then make 6 changes to the lineup 7 minutes into the second half. Spector, Upson, Spence and Collins make a whole new back four and Grant replaces the tired Dyer. Bellamy also departs after being the best player today, well done sir. Carlton Cole his replacement. Spence then comes off with 30 minutes to go as he looks absolutely shattered after his 5 minute workout, must of picked up a minor injury. Marveux also comes off after getting a goal and playing quite remarkably today. Mullins and Bowyer come on in their places. I change formation and tactics to a 4-1-3-1-1 to ensure our victory, a very defense minded team. The tempo shortly falls down to possession football as we continue to dominate until the 80th minute when Osmar has a header flash just past the post. So close. As the match comes to a close we start shooting from far and Cole has a pot shot from 30 yards which the keeper parries onto the post and out for a corner. That was nearly in you know! 3 minutes of injury time shown on the board and I must say I relaxed a little until one pass carved out our entire back four and Vranjes found himself through on goal and destined to score, but sadly for him Wright was there to come rushing out and make a great save. We keep the tempo down and play the ball round the back like true deserved winners as the end comes to a close, a great game which we deservedly won.

Inter(Z) 0 - 2 West Ham Utd

A confident and emphatic win there today and one which we really needed and duly delivered. Bellamy and Marveaux were the stand outs today although even Wright had a good game. The team played well as a whole and when I changed tactic they still looked like they knew what they were doing, which is what I want. Lot's of players are tired now, however we have a match in two days and then another one 3 days later so they have got to keep going. Aston Villa at Upton Park in 18 days to mark the start of the Premiership. We just have to be focused and know our goal, as we are capable of top 10 finish. Surely? ​