West Ham Banter 2

25 Aug 2026 17:20:43
I'd like to know exactly what Nils Koppen was brought in for and what's he done?

25 Aug 2026 18:17:20
To take the flak when it goes tits up.

25 Aug 2026 19:11:53
I find it difficult to have a go at him because he obviously hasn't been employed for his great recruitment knowledge, and he is the fall guy.
It seems 3 potentials turned us down, and he knows Karim from when he was at Rangers, therefore, let's give him the job. It's like going back to the 1970s. Whilst it's not as bad as Sullivan with his trusted agents and the probable back-handlers that went with that, most of his signings, or players we are looking at, have a degree of that. Numerous targets from Scotland, our marquee signing played in Scotland and is Belgian. Or Scandinavia, where he previously worked.

It isn't data driven. He has obviously been told he has to work in conjunction with Nuno! And most of the other choices are known to most people who follow football. I personally don't, but I knew about Solomon, Veltman and Engels. I wouldn't be able to say how good they all were, but you wouldn't need an encyclopaedic knowledge of football to do so.
I wouldn't argue the previous 2 people (Haan and McKauley), who performed that sort of role, did a far better job of bringing unknown players to West Ham. You just get the feeling the guy is completely out of his depth. And this is who can be blamed.

25 Aug 2026 19:57:28
I would argue I meant to say.

25 Aug 2026 13:45:59
Looks like Wrexham are going to sign Ekomie for about £8m. What is it coming to when we can’t even compete with Wrexham for a player? I know they’ve got wealthy owners but come on £8m is nothing.

When are our owners going to get their heads out of their a****? Did they see the first two league games? No good splashing the cash in January. We’ll be too far behind then!

25 Aug 2026 15:17:08
I've given up trying to understand the strategy, Stevie?

I think we were all under the impression, as were the bookmakers, that we would be one of the favourites to win this league.

What we've been witness to is anything but.

And, as always, we can all see where our problems lie (we simply can't defend), and yet, nothing is being done.

Both full backs from last season will now be gone, no more Disasi, and yet what have we done?

25 Aug 2026 15:35:18
I keep saying it, but Kretinsky is a fraud. He was supposed to buy the Gold shares early June and just didn't do it, which is why Staveley put her offer in in July. He has been alongside Brady and Sullivan throughout all our strife over the last 4 years, and not done a thing to help, so why should we expect any different now.

The man is a fraud, but seen as a messiah by many. 🤷‍♂️

25 Aug 2026 16:00:07
It's no good them splashing the cash in January to try and put things right. We will be too far behind by then, and only be able to attract a very average player. I thought we would be able to attract top Championship players and fringe Premier League players. How wrong was I?

25 Aug 2026 16:34:03
Nuno might be a hindrance in regards to bringing people in. He doesn't inspire confidence.

25 Aug 2026 16:43:53
Paco would take the job tomorrow if he was offered it.

25 Aug 2026 18:19:15
Stevie, he'd cock that up as well!

25 Aug 2026 18:21:10
Hammer-D: "Nuno might be a hindrance in regards to bringing people in. He doesn't inspire confidence."
Understatement of the year. 😄

25 Aug 2026 18:28:47
Sorry Stevie, cancel my post. I thought you meant Pablo!! It's my age! 😬

25 Aug 2026 18:58:54
Tin Legs, that's ok, mate, I did wonder. 🤔😂

24 Aug 2026 20:48:18
Got to be honest, I get the feeling Nuno is more scared of losing than he is winning.

24 Aug 2026 21:23:36
He's definitely more incapable of winning than losing.

24 Aug 2026 16:10:48
Just read that we are keen on Nick Pope, Newcastle don’t see him as part of their plans, that would be a good signing, then go get Eddie Howe.

24 Aug 2026 17:23:12
Thought I saw something about that. I would also bring Vardy in. Two experienced heads on the pitch and in the dressing room can only be a good thing.

24 Aug 2026 17:30:21
Or maybe Ramsdale. 🤷

24 Aug 2026 17:46:25
I'd take Pope all day long. Areola should be ahead of Hermadsen, whose main problem is just being too short. I was standing, watching that first goal slowly go over the line on Saturday. Whilst the keeper was at full stretch!

24 Aug 2026 18:19:05
Ive never been confident with the midget in goal to be honest

24 Aug 2026 18:26:38
We dropped Areola against Sunderland in January, and immediately looked better, HD. Hermanson is so much better with his feet than Areola... Pope is fine, but going back to Areola would be a big mistake imo.

24 Aug 2026 19:02:36
It's an opinion thing, Dabber. Yes, the team did look a bit better when H came into the side, but I have always maintained any player taking a pen or free kick only needs to put as close to the post as possible and he can't save it.

One game last season, he was lobbed whilst only being a few yards off his line. He is just too short. Areola is a much better shot stopper, but crap with the distribution.

24 Aug 2026 20:31:00
Call me old fashioned but I want my GK to save the ball and the midget is not good at that

24 Aug 2026 23:44:10
Areola is a far better shot stopper. The team didn't look better because Hermansen came into the side. There were several things that happened simultaneously which resulted in improved performance.

25 Aug 2026 11:31:26
In the modern game, goalkeepers have to be rounded, which includes being competent with their feet and feeling comfortable keeping possession, breaking out from the back, and luring the opposition's high press. Please don't tell me you've forgotten how every time the ball came near him, Areola just booted it up the pitch, giving possession straight back to the opposition.

With this current defence, that would be disastrous! Pope would be a much better alternative to both, imo.

25 Aug 2026 12:37:24
Whilst I agree that in the modern game gk needs to be more rounded, primarily they need to be able to keep the ball out of the net, and Hermandson is terrible at that.

25 Aug 2026 14:15:40
Tbh, Robbo, I think they both are bang average at best. The lad Charlton got from Wrexham on loan shows there are decent keepers about if you look for them. Areola's ridiculous wage demands are going to prevent him moving on, so I think we're stuck with the pair of them for now.

25 Aug 2026 14:48:41
What is the main role of a goalkeeper? The clue is in the name. Areola is by far the better of the two we've got at that job. I like Pope, but he ain't a West Ham player yet. 🙄

25 Aug 2026 15:43:35
I think there are a lot of roles or positions that have evolved, but there is nothing to say we have to follow that doctrine. Take Disasi, he was just an old school CB that can defend, win tackles and make a simple forward pass; he doesn't have to do what John Stones tries.


Unfortunately his vertical limitations can't be overcome.
But, as you say, I would prefer Pope.

25 Aug 2026 17:05:52
Agreed, but Areola's aimless pumping of the ball forward would put the already weak defence under more pressure.

24 Aug 2026 13:39:12
I don't always agree with him, but this YouTube video is right on the money:
"Delayed Rant — Bowen to go next? "

24 Aug 2026 17:47:11
Who don't you agree with? There is no link.

24 Aug 2026 22:59:58
??? I put the title in the YouTube search and it went straight to the video.
Nick Killington.

24 Aug 2026 11:27:43
We showed an interest in 73 players this window

What happened to bids for Sorba Thomas, Edvin Austbo, Daniel Job etc that were rejected apparently and we never went back in for.

Look at Brentford now.

They bid £30m for Diouf which was rejected and have now come for Hiragana at £37m. This is our problem. Instead of going back with better offers we walk away and go for cheaper options.

24 Aug 2026 12:35:50
Mac3 loads of teams show interest in loads of different players, that is normal. What I don't get is that you state we had bids rejected for Thomas, Austin, Job etc, I was wondering where you get your info from as virtually every rumour you hear about is either club or agent or both led. Trying to get other teams interested when there is no interest, papers and sites like News now if full of made up stories, the journos would be out of a job if they didn't.

I am not saying you are wrong Mac3 just bear in mind that the world is full of untruths with not many truths, especially in the football world.

24 Aug 2026 09:37:52
I wonder what captains like Dicks and Bonds would have said to Nino and the players.

24 Aug 2026 08:11:49.
Agree with so much of what's been said. Everyone saw this coming and it has been a long time in the making.

Anyone who's worked in business knows that 'strategy' is having a clear diagnosis of what's wrong, and a clear idea of where you want to get to. And you need clear structures and processes in place to get you from A to B. Reactive 'tactics' might help in the short term but never fix the underlying issues.



I don't think West Ham have ever had an actual strategy in my lifetime.

The rot runs very deep at this club. We need a complete rebuild and should all expect that things may need to get worse before they get better, until new owners come in with a clear plans
and a modern, data led approach, and well run business - much like your Brentfords and Bournemouths - we are toast.

24 Aug 2026 09:33:04
Totally agree, CMMV.
I would be quite prepared for things to get worse before getting better. But it would need to be spelt out with the general plan.
All the long term people that have been there through the BS years should go.

24 Aug 2026 07:51:24
It’s mentioned in The S*n that Brentford are preparing a £37m bid for Diouf, Olympiacos a bid for Alvarez, and Palace a £50m bid for Bowen. If I were any of these players, I’d be banging on the door to let me go after the start we’ve had.


Everyone, we are not going up this season. I honestly thought we’d walk it. I predict 5th or 6th place.

24 Aug 2026 08:07:41
If they show some balls and get rid of negative Nuno, then we could still go up. The players we have are capable at this level, minus Kilman and JWP, who should never be near the first team again, but that won't happen. They will give Nuno 5 games, then the window will be shut. We will appoint someone new who will get a free pass until January, as everyone will say, 'but they aren't his players, they are Nuno's players, give him a chance to get his own players in, blah blah.' The situation has repeated itself again and again.

I said Nuno should have gone before the end of blast season, I stand by that. Spurs and Forest showed balls and stayed up. We hung onto the fraud, went down, then compounded the mistake by keeping him. This summer was a great chance to change the direction of travel. Nuno isn't capable and the board bottled it.

24 Aug 2026 08:27:22
Oh so true, Robbo. Nuno is one of the main reasons we are crap. Yes, some players look disinterested, but it's an essential part of the manager's job to get the players enthusiastic about playing for the badge. Allegedly, Nuno leaves training sessions in the main to his assistants. He selects the team, formulates tactics, and then game-manages during matches.

No wonder players don't want to be here. His tactics have been found out, and he has no plan B. He's plainly clueless. Added to the financial problems, it is small wonder we are struggling. This is not the Premiership. We could easily lose sight of the top of the table very quickly if we don't act now.

24 Aug 2026 09:34:48
"Formulates tactics" made me snigger.

24 Aug 2026 09:47:00
I know what you mean. The problem with Nuno is that his tactics are more than a little 'limited'.

23 Aug 2026 20:14:08
What's worrying is that there are lot better clubs out there than Burnley and Charlton!!!!

23 Aug 2026 20:10:33
I told you all if we lost to Charlton there would be uproar but I never expected the backlash I've been hearing.

Let's all be honest here, there is only one place to look if you have no discipline, no shape, no speed, no plan. The Manager. Nuno has to go.

A number of you very astute people on here also pointed out that he needed to get players in and have a decent pre season to bed his players in and he didn't. Dealings in the market have been "firesale" with no clear direction or strategy. Everything has been haphazard, with £8m approaches for £10m players, and when we rejected, we turn to cheap loan options, all the while, no focus on our Achilles health, the defence. Instead, we bring back Kilman, who is a disaster at any level, sell AWB, offload our youth and now we are about to sell Diouf.



It's shambolic and exactly what a lot of fans saw coming, and I'm sorry to say his time is up.

Who should take over? There is a lot of talk about a lot of managers who take ages to build a team like Howe. There is only one Manager who changes a team and makes them win and work in one season and that is Sean Dyche, as much as I hate to say it. I'd love Kieran McKenna or Eddie Howe or even Thomas Frank, but they are project managers.

So, question is, do we want results now or let's slowly rebuild properly, because if we don't act soon our season could well be over before it's begun.

23 Aug 2026 21:00:30
Oh no, Mac, Dyche would be a disaster. Along with Southgate and Cooper, he would be the worst choice as manager.

23 Aug 2026 21:35:26
Believe me, Tin, I agree. I'd like McKenna or Eddie Howe.

24 Aug 2026 05:46:53
There are numerous names above that would just ensure the vicious circle carries on moving round. Sorry Mac, I think Dyche would be a disaster. Whoever comes in needs to have a long-term plan and a vision. But how can we trust our current board to do that? Apologies, as I know I am being a doom monger, but it's just the way I feel.


Howe, McKenna, Bellamy are managers I know. Even Frank, who I wouldn't be keen on, would have to be miles better than Dyche, Southgate or Cooper. But if there was a genuine DOF or head of recruitment, they would know the more left field choices from around the world. But, sadly, we don't.

23 Aug 2026 18:45:01
I really think there needs to be complete upheaval at West Ham and that mean change in the 3 major posts. That is the manager, the captain needs to be changed and the last and almost as important as the manager is Danial Kretinsky.
DK is a difficult one as he doesn’t have a position that can be challenged. But all the people defending Kretinsky need to remember that he has been ever present through all the crap managers, knowing what the grubby little man at the top had been up to the non existent investment to help us in times of need. He doesn’t even go to the games. If he did he might see how bad a job Nuno is doing. People seem to think he is some great benefactor and Stavely is an evil witch who just wants the real estate at Stratford, and that she is only interested in money. That may be true but if you believe that DK is any different then I believe you are deluded. There are no fairy god fathers or mothers around now, or even a Roman Abrhamovich. At least Staveley is a football person and I believe will win the fans over, firstly by sacking these manager.


As for Nuno, he has to go and the sooner the better. This comes from someone who stood up for him for parts of last season. I thought Potter was our worse ever manager but this guy is exceeding Potter's inadequacies.
Lastly we need to change the captain. Bowen is a decent loyal fella but he seems to think being captain just means you are the highest profile player. He doesn’t need to roar like a lion because Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and Alvin Martin didn’t, but they were assured and would assert their authority when needed be. Someone mentioned Di Canio earlier. Well Paulo or Julian Dicks wouldn't stand by meekly waving the white flag. You are not just another player you have to let your presence be known when it is required. Bowen as West Ham captain is like having a dormouse as a captain.
Massive change is needed at our club and the sooner the better. Nuno first. 🙏

23 Aug 2026 20:01:54
Was he there yesterday, I don't think he was.

23 Aug 2026 20:12:25
What is alarming is that, when a club's shortfalls are exposed by results, there are always a lot of transfers linked the next day.

Today there is nothing.

Sleepwalking to disaster.

23 Aug 2026 20:13:33
Stevie, one of the other sites said he has never attended one of our matches, and we are relying on him to make footballing decisions.

23 Aug 2026 09:17:36
It might be because I’m still angry with yesterday’s performance and our start to the season. Please don’t shoot me down, but I would rather have Vardy on the pitch than Taty at the moment. Or you could’ve at least brought him on for Taty with 20mins to go; he’s also a penalty taker.

The way Taty tried to con the ref by falling over in the box was disgraceful. I’m really hoping now that we get players in and, for me, I’d take Vardy. Sorry if you don’t agree.

23 Aug 2026 11:00:04
Stevie, we should be planning much better. It's obvious Taty doesn't want to be here, he is a red card waiting to happen. Bowen showed really weak leadership there, he should have been grabbing that ball off Taty. Anyone remember Di Canio?

23 Aug 2026 11:53:59
I think you are both right. I'd take Vardy for a season if for nothing more than his experience and leadership qualities. We do need to build for the future, Robbo, but our young players need to learn from older heads. Scarles is a prime example. He makes silly decisions in terms of his tackling and overlapping, and needs advising on the art of wide defending by the likes of Veltman.

Taty looks like a petulant child at the moment, and was getting in Peroes' way most of the time. The penalty summed it up. Bowen was a poor captain last year and looks like being one this year. Sadly, who else is there though?

23 Aug 2026 07:15:28
Teams like Millwall will do well as they had a good season last season and they haven’t really sold anyone so they can carry on where they left off. But as for West Ham there’s been so many changes it’s going to take time to gel. We need a defence as teams will see that we crumble when we’re under pressure. To have 74% of possession and lose is ridiculous.

It goes to show we get to the opposition box and then pass backwards to keep possession instead of putting the ball in the mixer and giving our players something to attack. Every time Charlton come forward I thought they were going to score. That says everything about our defending.

23 Aug 2026 09:01:06
From what I could see yesterday, all they must do in training is keep possession by way of a succession of 3 yard passes, some of which failed. If Engels is actually any good, he must have wondered what he has walked into. I’m definitely not criticising him, but am just wary that we have a head of recruitment who is from Belgium and worked in Scotland, and has made him our marquee signing.

It has a whiff of Steidten-Fulgruk about it.
But as I say, I will give him half a dozen games and hopefully see an improvement.

23 Aug 2026 09:06:39
The first half was marred by our inability to make the final pass. We gave it away far too often on the edge of their box. This was partially down to lack of movement up front and wrong decision making.

In the second half we simply didn't cross enough. There were so many occasions when we had players waiting in the box, but the winger/full back rolled it back, or across field.

Both goals were the result of poor defending. That must change.

Furthermore, our molly-coddled ex PL players need to understand that free kicks are harder to win in the Championship: refs let more go. Stand your ground and get the job done. If you fall over trying to buy one, nine times out of ten you'll simply lose possession.

At the end of the game, I was both angry and frustrated, but, having calmed down a bit, there was probably enough in that display to suggest that we should win more games than we lose this season.

Whether that's enough for automatic promotion, I doubt at this stage, but it should mean play offs.

Final thoughts: Taty doesn't have the temperament to take penalties; Engels did ok and kept busy; Piroe was non-existent and then scored (which Leeds fans have told me is what he does); Scarles had a better game, and there is a developing left wing relationship with Soloman; we look better with Orford in front of the back four as a calming influence; the defence needs to reassess its balance of playing the ball vs getting rid of it.

There is a lot of work to be done.

23 Aug 2026 09:28:21
Classic Premier League relegation form. Lots of cross field and slow forward passes to the opposition box, and then everything breaks down.

We need pace, pace and more pace.

23 Aug 2026 11:17:33
Markro, I won't criticise any of the new signings, but especially not Piroe, as Nuno played him behind Tatty, which should be the other way round. From what I've heard, he doesn't possess silky skills and is solely a goal scorer; 1 from 1 ain't bad.

Pablo could learn something. But I'm sorry, Scarles had a terrible game. I like the kid, but he is currently suffering, and the crowd have turned against him. I hope he regains his confidence, but yesterday both right and left back were terrible.

23 Aug 2026 12:04:53
Morning Markro, I tend to agree with you most of the time, but I'm with Hammer-D in relation to Scarles. His crossing was poor, he didn't try hard enough to get back after losing possession, and he still has this bad habit of diving in where he doesn't need to. Diouf is not massively better, particularly defensively, but he offers so much more going forward. I agree that we can get this right and look at promotion via the playoffs, but that is only on the condition we have one of the busiest weeks we've ever had in the transfer window.

The bench is far too weak, so I'd be looking at getting the 2 young Norwegian wingers mentioned earlier in the window, 2 CBs and a LB at very least! If we can keep Alvarez and Magassa, great; if not, we'll also need another midfielder. Our owners must see this and be on to Koppen about it. That has always been my hope and thought process, that Kretinsky and Co must be aware of the damage of not getting promotion this season. I guess we'll know by this time next week.

22 Aug 2026 22:35:11
Scott parker

22 Aug 2026 23:20:57
Craig Bellamy, Kieran Mckenna or Eddie Howe... Any one of them would be miles better than the fraud that is Nono.
Nono more Nuno.

23 Aug 2026 00:09:58
I'll say it now, Staveley in.
At least someone with a vision & a want to change a club from top to bottom and get a modern manager in.
Someone that will dare to go at teams.

Kretinsky, by not even being there, is, I'm afraid, increasingly making himself unpopular & has equally presided over our decline.


He does the bare minimum.
We need someone in now that will revolutionise our whole set up & spirit.

Brentford smashed Spurs today.
Hull went at Man Utd.
No respect.... That's what I want to see at my club. For that reason, Staveley in now.

23 Aug 2026 06:18:35
Sorry, Stevie, Scott Parker will be another re-run of the last 3 managers imo. I agree with Davva's choices, all good candidates.
I also agree with the Ruzz. Whilst Kretinsky is better than Sullivan, he has never done a thing to help us when he could have; he has been part of the bs roadshow, watching all the crap that has been going on, and done nothing. Ultimately, his first and most important decision was to hire Nuno, who, between them and the head of recruitment, have decided we want 10 players out, 5 players in, whilst carrying on with his failed tactics.


I know AS may be out for herself and is only interested in making money, but she knows football and how to build a rapport with the club and fans. If anybody thinks DK is not in it for himself, and ultimately the land that our ground occupies, then imo, you are deluded, because he has no interest for West Ham, only making money. Sadly like most owners of clubs.

23 Aug 2026 06:29:42
He got Burnley promoted in his first season. The other names mentioned are all good candidates as well. Howe would be my choice, but would he come to a mid-table Championship team?

23 Aug 2026 07:18:37
I think he might do if the money was right, and if there seems to be a plan or project which, under Kretinsky, we lack.

23 Aug 2026 09:20:22
For me, Eddie Howe or Thomas Frank.

23 Aug 2026 09:29:50
Thomas Frank has to be the shout. He and Koppen, please.

23 Aug 2026 11:18:50
Thomas Frank, another defensive, pragmatic manager. No thanks.

23 Aug 2026 11:25:29
Bellamy for me.

23 Aug 2026 11:45:27
This one is very left-field, and might be timing due to the reformation we need at West Ham.

But Zsolt Low is very well respected in the game. His managerial experience is low, but he could be a gem.

Big gamble.

23 Aug 2026 12:22:07
Howe or McKenna for me, although have a look at that bench yesterday. Pep would have struggled with that, and the attitude of some of the big-time Charlies we had on the pitch, who don't want to be there! These players have to take some blame and responsibility for this. They took us down and owe it to play their best and hardest to get us out of it. Nothing wrong with the tactics yesterday. The poor defending from a throw-in, leading to their early goal, changed everything. Taty/Peroe got in each other's way, Scarles got in Solomons' way, Bowen looked disinterested, Kante looked like he'd never passed a ball, and let's not even talk about KWP, Kilman and Mav, who collectively committed all the above crimes, and all this in front of 55,000 loyal fans...

I'm not particularly a Nuno fan, but blaming him in the main, when there were 8 on the pitch (the new lads did ok tbf) and recruitment has been slow, is very harsh. Oh, and add in the idiots who made themselves unavailable because their greedy agents think they deserve to play at a higher level and make them all more money: Alvarez, Todibo, Magassa, Diouf, Cornet - that means you! On a positive note, at least he didn't bring JWP on, though. 😁

23 Aug 2026 12:31:24
One small positive from yesterday was Mukasa. Dabber, your son was right about him, imo, he has quality written all over him. Just watching his movement, the way he held himself, and also trying to gee the crowd up. Hopefully it wasn't a one off, and we will see a lot more of him. Not surprising Citeh won't do an option or obligation to buy.