10 Nov 2013 10:02:29
This 3-1 defeat to Norwich City was a shocking intolerable setback that ensures West Ham go into the international break knowing that when they emerge, they will surely be involved in a relegation scrap for their lives. The period to the January transfer window is also looking more and more like a damage limitation exercise for West Ham, and after investing £16m in a striker that is unlikely to play before the new year all looks bleak for the immediate future. Rumour has it Jermaine Defoe may return but on this display why would he? The question now is will 2014 see the demise of a once proud football club we all know as "The Academy of football"!
Unless real strides for improvement in ATTITUDE and personnel are made next season may see West ham play an entirely different opposition in a different league. Was it Chelsea, Citeh, United or the Arsenal we're talking about? NO, this was mighty Norwich! A team like Villa last year who can't score and can't defend. Kevin Nolan ran his heart out but can he pass or dribble? NO! Without the inspiration of Morrison in midfield, Rat on the left and Downing on the right this is a very drab, ordinary, non creative side that have been drilled into playing the long ball. When they played the ball on the ground in the first half it looked slick at times and threatening. In the second half however, when they went behind they resulted to bashing in long balls in the hope someone would get on the end.
I'm an advocate of the beautiful game but West Ham we're anything but beautiful. As for set pieces? Have West ham not learned a lesson by now. Nothing could have been done about the foul, nor the resulting kick, but the Hammers coaching staff couldn't fail to realise that -- for the fourth time this season -- the Hammers have suffered from unstoppable free-kicks. Compare that to the miserable attempts that the Claret and Blue wasted in the first-half. With the awarding of two kicks in very dangerous positions, the players looked at each other in total confusion, no-one seeming to know who was going to take the opportunity let alone where to put it, and the two attempts simply striking the opposition wall without a Canary yellow shirt moving.

For most teams the gaining of a vital free-kick in a dangerous position is a heaven-sent opportunity to score a goal; for West Ham it's just another move, another chance to waste a bit of a time to defend a lead or claim a scoreless draw. I know Allardyce isn't keen on discussing West Ham's history, but this is a club identified with the quick free-kick and a near-post corner -- moves that revolutionised football and the way it was played in this country. Sorry, but slamming it into a wall after a week on the training ground is not good enough. If a team doesn't have a designated free kick taker in and around the box, who is to blame. If a team collapses in the second half who is to blame and if a team doesn't have a Plan B to rescue a situation who is to blame. ALLARDYCE

1.) 10 Nov 2013
Even I'm pi**ed off after yesterday

2.) 10 Nov 2013
So am I doc and not sue how much more I can take