Vinny's Stoke Report
Vinny - Sun Oct 18 2009
West Ham Online
Stoke City 2 West Ham United 1
West Ham slumped to another defeat as the disastrous start to the season
continues this time at the Britannia Stadium where two goals from James
Beattie saw off the visitors who have not won since the opening day of the
season.
Things are looking very bad at the moment and it is difficult to see just
when we are going to turn things around because with the next four fixtures
it would take an exceptional performance to get a win in just one of them
and that performance looks a long way off.
Our defending has totally disintegrated with the entire backline making
mistake and looking poor. At the other end the same old story applies with
Carlton Cole looking isolated and our failure to create chances leaves us in
a precarious position.
There has been a lot going on off the pitch granted, but when does the
manager start to share some of the blame? At what point do we begin to
question if Zola is strong enough to lead us through this spell? Can he rise
to the occasion and bring us through this testing time?
I have supported Zola since he came to the club and am not advocating his
dismissal but my frustrations are aimed firmly at him and the players
because they are not performing and if we carry on like we are we will go
down (obvious as that might sound).
In fairness we looked better than previous away games such as Wigan. There
was a little more quality in our midfield play but there was no final ball
and I don't remember really working the Stoke keeper in the second half.
Zola made a few changes to the side that struggled to pick up a draw at home
to ten man Fulham two weeks ago.
In midfield Scott Parker was suspended after picking up five bookings and in
his place was Radoslav Kovac. Also returning to the side was Jack Collison
who replaced Luis Jimenez in a change which did not surprise myself as
Jimenez has not looked all that special so far.
Zavon Hines was dropped to the bench in favour of Valon Behrami which saw a
four man midfield of Collison, Noble, Behrami and Kovac with Diamanti given
a free role behind Carlton Cole who was up front.
Lining up for Stoke was former hammer Matthew Etherington who received a
good reception from the travelling West Ham fans.
The atmosphere was what you would now come to expect of Stoke City who have
established themselves as the noisiest crowd in the Premiership and it is
difficult to disagree with when compared to the silence often found at the
majority of grounds in the league.
Stoke started the brighter of the two teams and forced a couple of corners
and usual long throws in their attempt to unsettle us from the off. It only
took eleven minutes for our day to begin its downhill roll as Etherington
raced into the area after a clever backheel from Fuller only to be cynically
brought down by Faubert.
It looked a definite penalty and TV replays have confirmed that. Faubert got
caught and made a silly challenge. It was stark contrast to last season when
Lucas Neill was up against Etherington and the winger didn't get a kick all
day long with Neill brushing him off the ball.
West Ham fans were singing "England's Number One" in the hope that Robert
Green could keep the penalty kick out but James Beattie stepped up and
smashed the ball into the top corner giving Green no chance.
Stoke sat back and allowed us to come onto them but for all our possession
in the centre of the park we looked tepid when in the final third.
We did work the ball well down the left hand side with Ilunga pushing
forward but he often took too long to get a cross into the area.
Stoke looked dangerous on the counter attack and Etherington coming in from
the right hand side this time saw a shot deflected wide by James Tomkins'
block.
There were a couple of occasions when pass was slid through to Cole but his
lack of support really showed as he crossed the ball into the centre of the
area but no one was there.
Around the half hour mark we had our first shot on target with Diamanti
taking a shot from a free kick but it was straight at the Stoke keeper
Thomas Sorenson.
At this point I thought we would have to really up our game if we were to
break Stoke down but that theory went out the window after a defensive lapse
allowed us to get back into the game.
Of course it was from a set piece after all how else are we going to score?
The corner was drifted in by Noble and met by the head of Matthew Upson who
was totally unmarked and the captain scored his second goal of the season.
The period between our goal and half time was very positive from our point
of view as we took the game to Stoke and although we failed to create any
chances Stoke looked rattled and I would think it was us who went in at half
time the happier of the two sides.
The fans at half time seemed quite positive that we would get the result we
needed in the second half. I was still a little worried about some of our
defending but had to agree that Stoke were there for the taking if we could
find the quality within our play to unlock their defence.
The first fifteen minutes of the second period seemed to be going to plan as
we dominated possession and Stoke were happy to just clear the ball when
they go the chance. This was an important period of the game and Stoke rose
to this challenge but we made it easy for them as we just failed to find a
final pass.
Despite playing Diamanti in a free role behind Cole he drifted out to the
wing which left Cole isolated once again. Playing high balls to Cole played
into the hands of Stoke with Shawcross the pick of the defenders.
Diamanti had a couple of efforts on goal but neither looked liked going in
although it was nice to see a West Ham player not afraid to have a shot on
goal.
Getting in behind the Stoke defence was proving to be a difficult thing to
achieve but it did manage to happen the once when Cole was played through by
Behrami but his shot was superbly blocked by Shawcross when I think without
the block it would have gone in.
A few disappointing corners aside we started to lose our grip on the game
and Stoke came back into it and began attacking again.
And it didn't take long for Stoke to find the goal which would ultimately be
the winning goal. It was a poor defensive mistake and poor goalkeeping which
aided the hosts.
Stoke counter attacked and played the ball through towards Fuller. England
International Matthew Upson decided to dive in selling himself in the
process with Fuller easily spinning away from him. This was terrible
defending from a player who you would not expect this from.
Fuller raced towards the area and hit a shot at goal which was palmed away
by Green into the path of Beattie who was stronger than Faubert and bundled
the ball over the line.
It was a horrible goal to concede which of course most goals are but it was
very frustrating to watch and points out once again that our problems up
front are not looking as bad as our problems in defence.
Having seen us create little of note in the second half I did not expect too
much from the final twenty minutes and I cannot recall us having once clear
cut chance in the remaining time (which included five minutes injury time).
The main incident in those last twenty minutes was an off the ball one as
Robert Huth was guilty of punching (or slapping) Matthew Upson in the face.
I did not see the incident and wondered what had happened but following TV
replays it is clear that Huth for some reason decided to give Upson a whack.
It was odd that on Match Of The Day in the interview with Zola this is all
they asked him about. For me this was a nothing incident which would have
had little baring on our fortunes even if the officials had have seen the
incident and sent Huth off. It is not as if we are a force to be reckoned
with when having an extra man now is it?
I was more concerned with the shocking free kick Diamanti put into the area
which did not clear the first man.
Diamanti was taken off in favour of Zavon Hines in the 78th minute but this
was really too late in the game to be bringing him on. I would have
introduced Hines before Stoke had scored their second goal as it was clear
that we needed to get in behind their defence.
Stanislas was also introduced five minutes later for Kovac and the winger
looked lively and tried to move the ball forward but Stoke had so many
players back that it was impossible to pick out a pass.
If anyone was going to score it was Stoke who had a few wonderful chances
with Fuller again pulling our defence all over the place and his cross into
the area should have been buried by someone.
Matthew Etherington nearly put the icing on the cake for Stoke but his
header when just wide from a cross from Lawrence.
All in all this was another average performance which lacked the desire,
determination and most importantly the quality to break down a well
organised outfit in Stoke City.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Obviously their was little he could do about the penalty but his day
consisted of dodgy kicking and in my opinion a mistake with the winning goal
as his save should have been either claimed or pushed further away from
goal.
Julien Faubert
Gave the penalty away and was not strong enough to shrug off Beattie as he
scored the winner. I can't imagine Beattie being able to get to that ball if
Lucas Neill was up against him. Faubert was poor in defence and poor going
forward. He is the same player as he was last season, it's just this time
around his mistake are more costly as he is playing at right back.
James Tomkins
Given a torrid time by Fuller who just outpaced him throughout the game.
Every 50/50 was won by Fuller in a game that Tomkins will want to forget.
Matthew Upson
Good header for the goal but his defending was poor again and his mistake
for the winner was the one which cost us this game. Why was a defender of
his experience diving in for a tackle which he was never going to win?
Fuller spun away from him with ease and we all know what happened then.
Hertia Ilunga
I am beginning to worry about the form of Ilunga which seemed to have taken
a dip along with the form of the team. He looks a little wary when in
possession and not as confident as he has been in the past. Reluctant to
cross the ball when going forward also.
Valon Behrami
A good display from Behrami who worked very hard throughout the game. Very
rarely surrendered possession of the ball and was always looking to drive
forward. Great to have him back.
Mark Noble
Better than in recent weeks although faded in the last quarter of the second
half. Still want him to get more of a foot hold on the game as when he is on
form he can dictate everything we do.
Radoslav Kovac
Not the worst performance I have seen from Kovac and I actually thought he
did well enough in the first half. The thing is it was clear that in the
second half we needed to up the ante and he should have been replaced by
Stanislas before they got their second goal.
Jack Collison
Great to see him back in the side and he put in a decent showing like most
of our midfield did. Collison was deployed on the left hand side of the
midfield like he was last season and looked assured in possession. Tired
towards the end of the game like many did and was taken off just before the
end of normal time.
Alessandro Diamanti
Playing in more of a free role he looked good at times when on the ball but
did not do enough in my opinion. Saying that if anyone was going to score it
would have been him simply because he was the only player that looked as
though he wanted to shoot and had three shots on target (from what I can
remember).
Carlton Cole
It is a struggle for Cole to make things happen for himself as his job has
become increasingly difficult. When he gets the ball he has very little
support and when that does arrive any flow we had in our attacking has been
lost. Cole only had one chance to score in the entire game and that shot was
blocked.
Subs Used
Zavon Hines (on for Diamanti 78 mins)
Looked lively as he always does and looked to run at the Stoke defence using
his pace but nothing really came off. Got booked for a late tackle which
seemed more frustration than anything else.
Junior Stanislas (on for Kovac 83 mins)
Should have been on much sooner as we were crying out of a bit of width and
someone to run at Stoke defence and push them back. Of course still not
sighting of him going outside his man and cross the ball (swt) but this was
a good display from Stanislas.
Guillermo Franco (on for Collison 89 mins)
I was beginning to think they had just made him up and Franco did not
actually exist. But here he is, in the flesh, well for a few minutes anyway.
He actually looked decent but it is still too soon to tell if he is just
this seasons Kepa Blanco/Diego Tristan.
Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Da Costa, Spector, Jimenez
Bookings: Faubert (4th of season), Cole (4th), Hines (2nd)
Man Of The Match: Valon Behrami
Attendance: 27026
Overall
Zola keeps pointing out that the performance was encouraging but most West
Ham fans at this stage have stopped caring about the performance and are
just looking at the result which shows yet another defeat to a side whom we
should be picking up at least a point against.
If we had been on a good run of results and we had put in this performance
and came away with the same result then there would not be too much
criticism as you could argue that we were a little unlucky to lose. But as
it is we have not won since the opening day and our next four fixtures seem
to indicate we will be adrift at the bottom in a not so distant future.
Getting players back from injury can only be a good thing and with Parker
back in the next game our midfield will be the same one which did so well
last season.
Up front I would still have Hines alongside Cole as I think we look better
with Hines in the team. I'm not writing Diamanti or Jimenez off but at this
moment in time we cannot afford to carry players like these and need to get
some wins on the board very soon.
We need to get behind the team and keep supporting our club who seem to have
lost it's way completely over the last couple of years. All the optimism
that we had just after the FA Cup Final seems like we are talking about a
different club.
The club has gone backwards and not even the most staunch West Ham fan could
say otherwise.
We now face a season which looks as though will be very difficult and result
in a relegation battle. Only some truly wonderful results in our next four
games could change my opinion on this.
Next Game - Arsenal (h)
We play one of the best teams in the country next and have been beaten by
them at Upton Park in their last two visits.
We badly need a result but to beat Arsenal we would have to put in a
unbelievable performance.
But don't worry if we don't get a result against Arsenal we have Sunderland
away next up!
And then Aston Villa.
And then Everton....
Zola's Good Performance Comments
Well it's frustrating for us to come out with no points because when they
scored the second goal it looked like we were going to win that game. "It's
tough for me to have a go at the players as I think they gave everything. It
is encouraging that if we play like that it will be a different story soon -
that is all I can say about that." "It's the same as the situation we had
last season, Right now we pay very hard for every little mistake that we
make. The second goal was an easily repairable mistake in the midfield and
they scored. "It is not going our way but the team is determined to improve.
The way they played it makes me feel that the corner is very close.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham fans' consortium linked with £100m bid
By Soccernet staff
ESPN
October 18, 2009
A multinational consortium, led by a group of wealthy West Ham fans, is
reportedly lining up a £100 million bid to buy the Premier League
strugglers. The Hammers are currently owned by CB Holding, an Icelandic
holding company made up of banks owed money by the previous owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson, but a report in the News of the World claims that a group
headed by Wall Street businessman Jim Bowe will make an offer. Bowe's
Intermarket Group have begun negotiations with a view to buying the Upton
Park club in the coming weeks and have aspirations to make money available
in the January transfer window. "My colleagues and I have been approached by
the consortium with the aim of buying West Ham in its entirety," Bowe told
the News of the World. "We are not interested in just taking on the debt, or
securing a percentage. We want to get West Ham back on track for the upper
echelons of the Premier League. "We want what the fans want and there is no
restriction on us as to how we achieve that aim. We are in the early stages
of our discussions with the club. But we are optimistic that we can develop
a proposal that will benefit all parties. The best deal is the deal where
everyone feels that they've won. "The consortium comprises West Ham
supporters who have made serious money in the City, the United States and
elsewhere and who see the potential in the club, its fanbase, academy and
playing staff. "The people involved have the money required, and, more
importantly, the right sentiments. They have no interest in interfering with
the playing side of things, but they will make money available in the
January transfer window."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Behrami rues costly mistakes
Published 23:00 18/10/09 By David Anderson
The Mirror
West Ham's Valon Behrami admits the Hammers don't know where their next win
is coming from. Gianfranco Zola's side haven't won in the league since the
opening day at Wolves and Behrami claims their confidence is low. The Swiss
international says their defeat to Stoke was a real body blow because they
played the better football. "You do start to think where the next win is
coming from, but if we stay positive, I'm sure our luck will change," he
said. "Now we need some points because after eight games, four points is not
enough. It's a really, really tough time for us. "It's very tough because we
played very well. We controlled the game, but still lost. That's very
difficult to take and the manager told us after the game that he didn't know
what to say because we played well and did everything he asked us to do. "We
have been very unlucky, but if we continue to play like this, then we will
soon get three points again."
Behrami claims every mistake is being punished and Julien Faubert's late
challenge on Matthew Etherington cost West Ham the first goal, while Rob
Green's failure to hold Ricardo Fuller's shot resulted in Stoke's winner.
"Every mistake we're making we pay for with a goal," said the midfielder.
"The other team makes three or four mistakes, and we don't score. That's the
difference in the Premier League. "We are going through a really unlucky
time and we just have to keep going."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stoke defender Robert Huth faces three-match ban for punch on West Ham
skipper Matthew Upson
Published 23:00 18/10/09 By David Anderson
The Mirror
Robert Huth is facing a three-match ban for punching Matthew Upson. Huth
left the West Ham skipper and England international needing stitches below
his right eye when he caught him with a right hook in an off-the-ball
tussle. Referee Martin Atkinson and his assistants did not see the punch in
the 71st minute at the Britannia Stadium and the FA could use video evidence
to clobber the Stoke defender. TV replays clearly show Huth thumped Upson as
West Ham prepared to take a free-kick and Soho Square officials are likely
to hit him with a violent conduct charge, which carries at least a
three-match suspension. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola claims the German
should have been red carded for lashing out at Upson. "As far as I'm
concerned, it was quite clearly a sending-off," he said. "I can only assume
that the referee didn't see it." Stoke manager Tony Pulis vowed to take a
tough line with Huth if he's found guilty and claims he will speak to the
former Chelsea man. "If anything happened, it will be disappointing," he
said. "But I shall be taking another look at it and having a word with
Robert. If anything needs to be done, it will be done in-house."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
London rivals to appeal against FA charges
The Times
London rivals to appeal against FA charges
Millwall and West Ham United are expected to lodge their appeals against a
total of seven FA charges today. The clubs were charged in the wake of the
ugly scenes that marred their Carling Cup tie at Upton Park in August. West
Ham face four counts and Millwall three, with both charged with failing to
halt racist behaviour. Millwall said they were "shocked and disappointed"
when the charges were made, claiming that they were powerless to influence
the behaviour of fans at another club's ground. West Ham admitted that some
of their fans had behaved "appallingly", but insisted that they had followed
the police advice and had done their best to prevent trouble. Thirteen
people were arrested on the night and a 42-year-old man was stabbed in
clashes between fans.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Proposed Hammers deal leaves optimism & scepticism in equal measures!
Posted by: GUEST BLOGGER , on Sun 18 Oct 2009
West Ham Football Fancast
Football FanCast guest columnist Mark James wonders if West Ham would be
wise to look to a period of financial stability. Another day and another
proposed takeover deal mooted and West Ham fans are left with both optimism
and scepticism in equal measures.
I have to admit that in the past few months I have taken most stories with a
pinch of salt, as newspapers just stick stories out there, but the quotes
coming out of this new Intermarket consortium and Sullivan/Gold does suggest
that it is a little more than hot air with regards to a potential takeover.
They seem to be the two main players with regards to saving the football
club and we have to ask ourselves as to which is the preferred option; is it
stability from Sullivan and Gold, or the highly ambitious fans consortium?
While from the outset it would appear that the fan consortium is a no
brainer, as we all want to see West Ham reaching the 'upper echelons' of the
Premier League, my great fear is the amount of people that are behind it and
the expression of two many cooks spoiling the broth comes to mind. While
initially the ultimate aim is of wanting to see West Ham succeed, my concern
is that a few months down the line, there could be a potential split among
the ranks over possible decisions with regards to the running of the
football club. While it will be nice to see everyone pulling in the same
direction, with so many people behind it, will that honestly be the case?
I think there is a lot to be said for stability, especially given the shape
we are in, and if Sullivan and Gold can come in for a few seasons and get
the financial outlook of the club thriving again, then it will lay down a
nice foundation (like they did at Birmingham) for a bigger player, with
deeper pockets that can take the football club up to the desired level. I
know some supporters may see this as perhaps a backwards step, but given our
last escapade of a big investor coming in with high ambitions, wouldn't we
be wise to have a period of financial stability before we embark on another
one.
So what is the feeling among my fellow Hammers - would you prefer the
stability that Gold and Sullivan, or should we look to Intermarket as the
way forward for West Ham United?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
W.Ham set for $228m takeover
StraitsTimes.com
LONDON - ENGLISH Premier League club West Ham are the target of a 100
million pounds (S$228 million) takeover by a multinational consortium of
wealthy fans, according to a report in the News of the World on Sunday.
The newspaper claims the London-based Intermarket Group this week started
talks over buying the struggling Hammers before the January transfer window.
West Ham fans are believed to comprise the consortium which is being headed
up by Wall Street businessman Jim Bowe, Intermarket Group's chief executive
and a former head of the New York Board of Trade.
CB Holding, an Icelandic holding company made up of banks owed money by the
Hammers' previous owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, currently own the London
club but have indicated they would consider selling at the right price.
'My colleagues and I have been approached by the consortium with the aim of
buying West Ham in its entirety,' Bowe told the News of the World. 'We are
not interested in just taking on the debt, or securing a percentage. We want
to get West Ham back on track for the upper echelons of the Premier League.
'We want what the fans want and there is no restriction on us as to how we
achieve that aim. We are in the early stages of our discussions with the
club but we are optimistic that we can develop a proposal that will benefit
all parties. The best deal is the deal where everyone feels that they've
won.' -- AFP
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham set for £100 million takeover - report
Yahoo.co.uk
Sun Oct 18, 9:30 am ET
LONDON (AFP) – English Premier League club West Ham are the target of a 100
million pounds takeover by a multinational consortium of wealthy fans,
according to a report in the News of the World on Sunday. The newspaper
claims the London-based Intermarket Group this week started talks over
buying the struggling Hammers before the January transfer window. West Ham
fans are believed to comprise the consortium which is being headed up by
Wall Street businessman Jim Bowe, Intermarket Group's chief executive and a
former head of the New York Board of Trade. CB Holding, an Icelandic holding
company made up of banks owed money by the Hammers' previous owner
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, currently own the London club but have indicated
they would consider selling at the right price. "My colleagues and I have
been approached by the consortium with the aim of buying West Ham in its
entirety," Bowe told the News of the World. "We are not interested in just
taking on the debt, or securing a percentage. We want to get West Ham back
on track for the upper echelons of the Premier League. "We want what the
fans want and there is no restriction on us as to how we achieve that aim.
We are in the early stages of our discussions with the club. But we are
optimistic that we can develop a proposal that will benefit all parties. The
best deal is the deal where everyone feels that they've won. "The consortium
comprises West Ham supporters who have made serious money in the City, the
United States and elsewhere and who see the potential in the club, its
fanbase, academy and playing staff."
West Ham, who lost 2-1 at Stoke on Saturday, are currently second bottom of
the Premier League after winning just one of their first eight games.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
American consortium line up £100m takeover at troubled West Ham United
By Sportsmail Reporter
Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:59 PM on 18th October 2009
West Ham are a £100million takeover target for an American consortium. The
Intermarket Group - headed by Wall Street mogul Jim Bowe - are reported to
have began negotiations on Friday night, according to the News of the World.
The London-based consortium intend to complete a deal in time to hand
manager Gianfranco Zola money to spend in the January transfer window. 'My
colleagues and I have been approached by the consortium with the aim of
buying West Ham in its entirety,' said businessman Bowe, a former head of
the New York Board of Trade. 'We are not interested in just taking on the
debt, or securing a percentage. We want to get West Ham back on track for
the upper echelons of the Premier League. 'We want what the fans want and
there is no restriction on us as to how we achieve that aim. We are in the
early stages of our discussions with the club. 'But we are optimistic that
we can develop a proposal that will benefit all parties. The best deal is
the deal where everyone feels that they've won. 'The consortium comprises
West Ham supporters who have made serious money in the City, the United
States and elsewhere and who see the potential in the club, its fanbase,
academy and playing staff. 'The people involved have the money required,
and, more importantly, the right sentiments. They have no interest in
interfering with the playing side of things, but they will make money
available in the January transfer window. 'They also possess the expertise
to see West Ham restructured and organised in a way that will help the club
realise its potential. Fortune has been hiding for too long.' Bowe was
recruited to manage the deal and the group contacted Andrew Bernhardt,
chairman of CB Holdings, the company that runs West Ham. If Bowe's bid is
successful, it could end 18 months of turmoil at the Hammers, who have been
taken to the brink of extinction.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Posts
