Daily WHUFC News - 8th August 2013

Macca on SC Braga defeat
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald admitted West Ham United did not perform well in losing 1-0 to
SC Braga in Portugal
07.08.2013

Assistant manager Neil McDonald admitted West Ham United had not played well
in going down to a 1-0 Guadiana Tournament defeat by SC Braga. The
Portuguese side took the spoils in Portimao through Rafa's 63rd-minute
winner, while the Hammers struggled to create clear-cut chances to find the
net themselves. Just 24 hours on from a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sporting
Clube de Portugal in the same stadium, McDonald said the circumstances had
been very different on Tuesday evening. "We're very disappointed with the
performance," he told West Ham TV. "Some of the players played on Monday, of
course, but what a contrast from Monday when the whole place was buzzing. I
don't think Braga played exceptionally well and we didn't get into a flow of
play or passing and moving style. The creativity wasn't really there and it
was only from free-kicks and corners that we really caused them problems.
"Going from a high on Monday and being very, very pleased with the
performance and a cracking atmosphere to a quieter atmosphere, we
unfortunately produced a poor performance by everybody. "I think we try to
take positives from every game and it is difficult to try and take some from
this one. Our passing wasn't there, we didn't make space for ourselves and
we certainly didn't create as many chances as we did on Monday. "It's still
progress and there is still work to be done and we've still got nearly two
weeks to go until Cardiff City visit on 17 August in our Barclays Premier
League opener. We will need to sharpen everybody up over the next two
weeks."

Before then, West Ham complete their pre-season schedule with the visit of
another Portuguese club to the Boleyn Ground on Saturday in the shape of
Pacos de Ferreira. McDonald is expecting another testing 90 minutes against
a side which finished above both Braga and Sporting in the Primeira Liga
last term.
"The opposition have been quality - Sporting on Monday with their big crowd
and obviously Braga played in the Champions League last year. They were
quality opposition which was really good and we've learnt lots of things.
"Pacos finished third last season. Not many people have heard of them but
they play some good football and their attacking play is very, very sharp.
We'll have to be ready and hopefully our crowd will give us a lift with a
better atmosphere then we had on Tuesday night."

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Hammers duo in Wales squad
WHUFC.com
James Collins and Jack Collison are in the Wales squad to face Ireland next
week
07.08.2013

West Ham United pair James Collins and Jack Collison have been called up by
Wales for their friendly against the Republic of Ireland next week. Chris
Coleman's side will face Ireland in Cardiff on Wednesday 14 August., with
defender Collins looking to earn his 42nd cap. Collison, meanwhile, has
featured on 13 occasions for his country and the duo will hope to be
invovled as Wales warm up for their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against
Macedonia and Serbia in September. They could find themselves up against
Hammers goalkeeper Stephen Henderson, who has replaced the injured David
Forde in Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad for the fixture. Ireland and
Wales last met in February 2011, when Trapattoni's men defeated their
visitors 3-0. Wales' last positive result against Ireland came in November
2007, when Jason Koumas' last minute penalty secured a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile,
Mohamed Diame has been included in Senegal's squad to face Zambia in Paris,
also next Wednesday.

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Gary O'Neil: QPR sign former West Ham midfielder
BBC.co.uk

Championship side QPR have completed the signing of midfielder Gary O'Neil
on a one-year deal. The 30-year-old, a free agent after failing to agree a
new deal with West Ham, previously worked under R's boss Harry Redknapp at
Portsmouth. Redknapp told the club website: "Gary's a good player and a
good pro. "He was offered a new deal at West Ham but he decided he fancied
coming here because he feels maybe he'll get more game time at QPR." He
added: "He can run all day long, he's good on the ball, a good passer, he
sees all the pictures in front of him and is a top professional.

Gary O'Neil career factfile
Portsmouth (trainee-August 2007): 192 appearances, 17 goals
Walsall (loan spell Sept-Oct 03): seven games, no goals
Cardiff City (loan spell Sept-Nov 04): nine games, one goal
Middlesbrough (Aug 07-Jan 2011): 120 games, nine goals
West Ham (Jan 11-Jun 13): 56 games, three goals
QPR (signed Aug 13)

"We've got plenty of options in that department now, but he'll certainly add
to what we've got - he's a good, good player and will be a fine acquisition
for us."
O'Neil spent eight seasons at Portsmouth after coming through the youth
ranks at Fratton Park and was part of the Pompey squad that sealed promotion
to the Premier League in 2002-03. He left West Ham earlier this summer
following an injury-hit two-and-a-half-year spell with the Hammers in which
he scored three goals in 56 appearances. The former England Under-21
international has been training with QPR recently and described the
challenge at Loftus Road as an "exciting one". "Obviously I know Harry well
and he was a big factor in me coming here," O'Neil said. "He's played a
massive role in my development as a player and now I'm back playing for him
again and I want to repay him by helping this club get back into the Premier
League. "Having been in and around the squad for the last few weeks, I've
seen how united the squad are to achieve what we all want to do. "The
togetherness is there - it's a really happy camp and there's a real good
feel to the place."

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High hopes and dashed aspirations
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: John Rolls

Every time I visit the Sky Sports transfer centre, I get bemused. We are
linked with so many players; surely a percentage of the stories must be
true?

However true to form I see players that would add greatly to our squad but
seem to sign for some nonentity of a team.

Take Wilfried Bony, for example. This seemed as if it was a done deal in
January, but he didn't come. This transfer window we're trying to usurp
Swansea (amongst others); where's he gone? To Swansea.

I know we spent a Club-record fee on the Andy Carroll deal, but this is
becoming repetitive. Martin Olsson from Blackburn another winter target,
signs for Norwich. Norwich, for f&%£'s sake.

Is there something dreadfully wrong with the club that puts players off from
coming here? What have Swansea and Norwich got that we have not? Could it be
they play a more attractive style of football? Are we underselling ourselves
to them?

We are West Ham United, the original Academy of football, where passing and
movement was introduced to the English game. If we are underselling
ourselves, why? Players like Bony and Olsson should be banging on the door
to come here, unless they have looked and wondered "where would I fit into
the team".

With Bony I can understand there may have been some doubt; where would he
play with Sam preferring one up top? I can't see him dropping Nolan to play
Bony behind AC. With Razvan Rat having arrived, at least the left back spot
seems sorted.

Whatever happened to the Ecuadorian winger we were linked with? Did he see
himself stuck on the bench, as it looks like Joe Cole is going to play wide
right? (Personally I think he would be better in Nolan's position.)

And how about Stuart Downing, who is said to be available for around
£5million? Yes, we rate him, but we are not really interested. Where would
he play? Left midfield? So Matt Jarvis plays where?

As with all things West Ham you have to learn to look at things totally
differently, believe none of the rumours and trust none of the transfer
speculation. Just accept that we will sign someone we don't know who, but
we'll sign him.

The trouble is, unless we invest in the squad we could well be going to the
Olympic Stadium with a team struggling to maintain its Premier League
status.

Adrian looks a good signing for the future, as does Danny Whitehead from
Stockport, although we have to consolidate our status this season. We have
to move the squad forward. We must enter the new home with a team that is at
least challenging for a Europa League position.

Recently we were once again linked with West Brom's Graham Dorrans. What,
it's taken three years of scouting to find out if he's good enough? Is
Dorrans really the calibre of player we should be looking to recruit? I mean
if a club like Swansea can afford to lash out on Bony and Shelvey (7 a big
West Ham fan) who are we kidding apart from ourselves that we are a big
club?

The two Daves have done a great job of stabilising the club, but why do we
always get beaten to players by minor clubs?
There are a dearth of players available who would be good if not excellent
signings, I know by mentioning these players several hackles will rise but
these three would add much to our team:

1. Darren Bent. He scores (against us particularly) but I think if you
paired him with Andy Carroll in a 4-4-2 we would have some excellent
goalscoring potential.

2. Jermaine Defoe. He's going to be on the fringe at Spurs this season. I
know there are a lot of reasons why he wouldn't want to comeback, but like
Bent he'd make a great foil for Carroll.

3. Tom Ince. Another who would have his reasons for not signing (but don't
put the sins of the father on the son) but with his pace and Jarvis on the
other flank, the crosses would be flying in.

There are a few others such as Scott Parker, on the fringe at Spurs and
linked with Fulham - or Zaha, if the Mancs can be persuaded to let him go on
loan.

So there we have it. West Ham yet again linked with lots of quality players.
Just as I'm dreaming of a Europa League spot with all these names coming, my
aspirations are dashed when they sign for clubs below our calibre.

Nothing ever changes at Upton Park; the circus and its acts are getting
repetitive and whilst new acts are coming on board, the show is still the
same.

Please Dave and Dave, break this circle, and sign three or four quality
players - or at least let's have a good shot at our targets and not be made
mugs of by Norwich City and co.

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An audience with Allardisi
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 6th August 2013
By: David Meagher

Ok, so lets be clear. It's fashionable to blame the entire ills of your club
on the manager and evil board (as well as the FA and a variety of
intergalactic conspiracies involving Manchester United, Sheffield United and
the Zorgians).

In all honesty, although this is pretty lazy logic, it usuallty rings true
as there are few areas of endeavour that are as blighted by the incompetence
of enthusiastic amateurs. For 'family club' one can usually read 'bumbling
myopia with limited business acumen'.

However, at camp Boleyn these days Hammers fans are having to find easier
dogs to kick as everywhere you look there is a sense of professionalism –
right from the careful planning of match tactics, patient building of a
sustainable business model and playing squad, determined progression towards
a larger theatre to both spread the love and gather enough income to finally
put an end to our status as a feeding club for bigger clubs with perennial
European responsibilities.

So, with all that in mind, at the beginning of July we headed off to meet
Big Sam for dinner at the Silver Springs hosted by Cork City FC. First up,
Corkonians are known for not holding back on the carping if circumstances so
permit – but right throughout the club and city folk were singing the
praises of the visiting Hammers contingent for their professionalism,
availability and plain good manners.

Having encountered the Davids in public it isn't hard to see how they infuse
their organisation with a sense of responsibility towards their supporting
constituency. Meeting Big Sam leaves one in no doubt that he also expects
his lads to conduct themselves in a manner commensurate with their status.

In Ireland we are privileged to have a sports media that operates with no
small amount of straight talking. Compare Giles, Brady and Dunphy with their
equivalents on Match of the Day, or even Sky Sports. We encourage true
opinion, even if it is provocative, and expect our sports people to roll
with the punches. It was a real surprise to note how candid Allardyce is –
politically astute but pretty direct all the same and he didn't mince his
words when asked for an opinion.

First up, Sam ain't no Northerner – actually he hails for the West Midlands
and is from Scottish stock. He supported Wolves as a boy (nobody felt
inclined to salt up the wounds by mentioning recent troubles at the
Wanderers who face third division footie next year). He retains a special
relationship with Bolton but is enjoying his time in London. Operationally,
he speaks on a daily basis with the board and it's pretty clear how the
responsibilities of business and football are divided!

Big Sam really goes for the 'science' around football and can readily cite
yards covered, crosses made, saves etc etc as evidence for the Allardyce
methodology. Hammers fans will be delighted to hear that with six to eight
more goals and a similar defensive record we can crack the top eight next
year. All possible if Andy Carroll gets the 15 goals that Big Sam expects
from him next year – and on the evidence of last season, if he stays fit why
not?

He recalled his time in Ireland with great fondness, describing the crazy
chaos of managing a club that financially stumbled from week to week after
the club bar (and it's principal source of income) was lost in a fire.
Driving around Limerick with Fr Joe Young collecting in order to keep the
team afloat was surely a hairy experience at times, but Sam was keen to see
it through until they were promoted before leaving for 'different'
footballing challenges.

As for Big Sam's aspirations over the coming years – at 62 he has a few good
years left and is keen to spend them progressing the project that he took on
with West Ham – it sounded like he considers this a bigger opportunity than
any temptations from other jobs – even England manager! - that might be
offered to him, but then that may have been what we heard rather than
precisely what he said!

Either way, it's clear that Allardyce sees bringing this club to the Olympic
Stadium as the major challenge for him over the next few years – we wish him
every success!

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Werder Bremen insist there have been no bids for Marko Arnautovic
By Thomas Zocher. Last Updated: August 7, 2013 10:03am
SSN

Werder Bremen general manager Thomas Eichin has denied that the club have
received any bids for Austria international Marko Arnautovic. The English
media had claimed in recent days that West Ham were keen on signing for the
former Inter Milan striker, whilst Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kiev have also
been linked. However, Werder have moved to deny that they have received any
bids for their controversial front-man. Eichin is quoted by Bild as saying:
"At this point in time we are in no (transfer) talks with any club regarding
the future of Marko Arnautovic. "Marko Arnautovic is part of the first-team
squad and has a contract at our club." Arnautovic, who has contract at
Werder until 2014, found himself banned from the first team towards the end
of last season for disciplinary reasons including a fight with team-mate
Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

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West Ham keeper Stephen Henderson added to Republic of Ireland squad
Last Updated: August 7, 2013 8:52pm
SSN

Stephen Henderson could earn his first Republic of Ireland cap after being
called into their squad for the friendly against Wales next week. The West
Ham keeper, who has eight U21 caps to his name, replaces David Forde in
Giovanni Trapattoni's squad after the Millwall player suffered a knee injury
that required surgery. Forde will be missing for around six weeks and
therefore miss the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria next
month, leaving Henderson to compete with Sunderland's Keiren Westwood and
Darren Randolph of Birmingham for the No 1 jersey. Henderson has struggled
for opportunities at Upton Park, but he impressed in a loan spell with
Ipswich Town last season and could find himself in a similar predicament in
2013-14. There have been three other withdrawals from Trapattoni's squad for
the Cardiff City Stadium clash next Wednesday. Norwich midfielder Anthony
Pilkington, Nottingham Forest striker Simon Cox and Hull forward Stephen
Quinn have been ruled out. Pilkington has withdrawn from two other squads in
the last four months because of injury, and he now has a knee problem. Cox
suffered an ankle injury and was stretchered off playing for Forest against
Hartlepool in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night. Quinn has also been
added to the injury list, with Yeovil's Paddy Madden put on standby. Robbie
Keane will not take part, having been told he does not need to make the trip
over from Los Angeles, and Richard Dunne was also omitted as he builds up
his fitness with new club QPR.

Updated squad to face Wales (Cardiff, August 14)

Goalkeepers: Henderson (West Ham), Westwood (Sunderland), Randolph
(Birmingham)

Defenders: O'Shea (Sunderland), St Ledger (Leicester), Wilson (Stoke),
Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O'Dea (Metalurh Donetsk), Clark (Aston
Villa), McShane (Hull City)

Midfielders: Whelan (Stoke), McCarthy (Wigan), Green (Leeds), Hendrick
(Derby), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), McClean (Sunderland), Robbie Brady
(Hull), Meyler (Hull), Hoolahan (Norwich)

Forwards: Long (West Brom), Sammon (Derby), Walters (Stoke)

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West Ham captain Kevin Nolan hails Ravel Morrison turnaround
Last Updated: August 7, 2013 10:28am
SSN

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has praised a more focused Ravel Morrison,
insisting he must maintain this new approach to succeed at the club. The
former Manchester United youngster has already had his character come into
question on several occasions, despite being very much in his footballing
infancy.
But, after the 20-year-old netted a double in the Hammers' pre-season
friendly victory over Sporting Lisbon on Monday, Nolan revealed Morrison has
returned from his loan spell with Birmingham with a renewed approach, and
has the potential to be a big player for Sam Allardyce's men. "The lad has
got ability," Nolan told the club's official website. "It was all the
off-field stuff and his mental attitude to the game and I think he has come
back with a renewed approach. "Speaking to Lee Clark when I've had the
chance to, he said he really worked hard with him and towards the end of
last season he really had him on board."

Nolan also admitted that he himself will have a key role to play in
Morrison's development, and is more than happy to take the youngster under
his stewardship. "Hopefully now this will be the start of what is going to
be a fantastic career for him, because as you can see he has great ability
and can score goals too," Nolan added. "I'm going to help him as much as I
can this season, talking to him on the pitch and off the pitch. "If he can
get it all right, he'll be a top player for years to come."

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West Ham target Manuel Fernandes transfer as the former Everton and Pompey
loanee plots Prem return
7 Aug 2013 22:30
The Mirrro

West Ham want Besiktas star Manuel Fernandes. The Portugal international has
had previous spells in England, on loan at Everton and Portsmouth while a
Benfica player. Fernandes is now keen on a return to the Premier League -
and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce would like to bring him back. Sunderland and
Everton - who took the player on loan a second time after he joined Valencia
- are also aware of the midfielder's availability, but the Hammers who are
favourites to sign him. Fernandes, 27, has enjoyed a renaissance at
Besiktas, who he joined in 2011, after being marked down as one of
Portugal's 'Golden Generation'.

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Not one of the greats, but still very memorable!
West Ham Till I Die

We Fans always remember the club's greats. The names of the great and the
excellent easily come to mind, Shea, Puddefoot, Watson, Ruffell, Barrett,
Goulden, Foxall, Keeble, Dick, Cantewell, Bond, Moore, Hurst, Peters, Boyce,
Brooking, Bonds, Pop Robson, Devonshire, Martin, Cross, Goddard, Cottee,
McAvennie, Dicks, Rio Ferdinand, Micheal Carrick, Joe Cole, Di Canio, Tevez,
et al. Similarly, we remember those players that do not belong in to the
above category, but who nevertheless played a significant role in our
history, such as Alan Sealey (ECWC 1965), Alan Taylor (FA Cup 1975), Bobby
Zamora (Championship play-off Final 2005) and Carlton Cole (Championship
play-off Final 2012). Of course, we also tend somewhat masochistically to
recall those players we love to hate, like Paul Ince, Frank Lampard Jnr and
Jermaine Defoe. We also sometimes take a perverse pleasure in listing those
we consider to be the worst players to wear the badge. The names commonly
offered up are all too familiar.

Yet there is also a class of player that would never be mentioned in the
same breadth as Moore, Hurst or Brooking, but who were nevertheless decent
players and memorable to those that saw them play. There are quite a number
that fall in to that category, but here are 10 (in order of era) that I
think are good examples:

Andy Malcolm
Eddie Bovington
Harry Redknapp
Patsy Holland
Mick McGiven
Bobby Gould
Geoff Pike
Neill Orr
Trevor Morley
Peter Butler

Malcolm and Bovington were two very similar players from adjacent eras. Both
were accomplished defensive midfielders, who effectively anchored the teams
in which they played and were proficient in stopping the opposition play,
Malcolm never got the credit that he deserved, but he was crucial to the
1957-58 2nd division winning team. He broke up the attacks, won the ball and
made the short pass. Ted Fenton, discussing his skills set, praised
Malcolm's defensive ability and observed that he was one player (from youth
to first team level) who always neutralised the considerable threat of the
great Jimmy Greaves. Similarly, Eddie Bovington probably saved our FA Cup
winning season in 1963-64. Veteran fans will remember that the team hit a
very sticky spot at Christmas and suffered a record home defeat to Blackburn
Rovers. Ron Greenwood made one key change for the return Christmas fixture
up at Blackburn a day or so later, dropping Martin Peters and bringing in
Bovington to tighten up the midfield. And we subsequently won 0-3, quite a
dramatic turn round in fortunes! Unfortunately for Peters, Greenwood
retained Bovington and he stayed ever present all the way to Wembley and the
club's first FA Cup win against Preston North End.

Geoff Pike and Neill Orr were two of the most unselfish and hard working
players ever to wear the claret and blue. Pike was a willing labourer, those
tense industry assisted the flair players, such as Brooking and Devonshire,
to excel. His greatest moment was undoubtedly the 1980 FA Cup Final, when he
shackled the talents of Liam Brady and put in a remarkable display of
tenacity and high work rate. Pike also played a significant later role in
1985-86, mostly as the deputy to the deceptive, but highly functional, Neil
Orr. When we remember the 'boys of 86,' we always tend to reference Parkes,
Martin, Devonshire, Ward, Cottee and McAvennie and rightly so. But the fact
is that Orr was the great unsung hero of that team. The vital cog in the
machine. In the noble tradition of Malcolm and Bovington, Orr played it
straightforward and effective that season. He basically won it and
distributed it to great but under-stated effect. Actually, when he joined us
in 1984-85, he initially played at centre back and was far from convincing,
but goodness did he find his feet and his best position in the following
memorable campaign! And his premature departure, back to Scotland the
following season, was one of the major reasons for the rapid decline of that
side.

Next, I would highlight two players, who never got the credit that their
ability and contributions deserved. Patsy Holland came through the youth
system and made his debut in 1969. A good player in his own right, he spent
much of his career in the massive shadow of Billy Bonds in central midfield.
However, he also had the ability to play out wide and featured in that
position many times over his years . It was in that wide role that Holland
starred in the 2-0 1975 FA Cup victory over Fulham, replacing the injured
Keith Robson in the starting line up. He also featured in the 1976 ECWC
Final defeat, in which he scored the opening goal. Patsy Holland was a great
servant to the club and the service that he gave deserves far more
recognition. My next choice is the human dynamo that was Peter Butler.
Butler was plucked from lower league obscurity, by then Assistant Manager,
Harry Redknapp. This was a far from heralded signing, but his importance to
our 2nd division promotion campaign that season was immeasurable. His
industry and all action style under-wrote promotion and steered us through
some tough mid-week fixtures. Many felt that Butler has served his purpose
in winning promotion and that he would prove surplus to requirements in the
top tier, but the player had other ideas. He surprisingly adapted to the
greater demands and played a major part in us staying up quite comfortable.
For me, his highlight was an outstanding personal performance at home to
Coventry City, in which he grabbed two excellent goals. And the final
validation of the performance? The great Hungarian midfield master Puskas
was present at the match and praised Butler's performance. That praise hit
the headlines of the Sunday papers. A great honour for a great warrior, who
gave us relatively brief, but sterling service.

Another player that is not particularly rated, but was very entertaining in
an erratic kind of way was the one and only Harry Redknapp. 'Arry boy' was
never in the same league as more illustrious predecessors like Brabrook and
Sissons. However, I always found him to be an exciting presence on the
right-wing. Fans of that era knew his limitations, but recognised him as a
trier and ultimately one of their own. Yes, they got exasperated and often
took the Michael, but he was also viewed with genuine fondness on the
terraces. My memory of him is as a winger, who ran at the full-back, got to
the bye-line and sought to cross the ball. And he could be quite exciting on
the ball, even if four out of five times the final cross sailed over the
heads of Hurst or Best. But on that magic fifth occasion he found them and
it invariably resulted in a goal. I also well remember the roar of
anticipation, the hearty chorus of 'Arry, Arry Redknapp, Arry Redknapp on
the wing.' As I said, he was far from the best to wear the badge, but had an
entertainment value that is probably difficult for those who were not there
to fully comprehend. Its just a pity Arry the player, is now so obscured by
Arry the former Spurs manager. But such is life!

My next choices are two players who are largely foot notes in the Hammers
history of the 1970s. Yet, I look back on them with great affection. The
departure of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst c.1973 was a time of great
transition for all Hammers fans. Young fans like myself has grown up with
those players as a constant and reassuring presence. I found their departure
strange and disconcerting and wondered what the future held for us without
those two immortals. Yes, we had Bonds and Brooking and they would become
the new generation of heroes, but it was not seamless. Needless to say we
struggled that season. So, good old Ron Greenwood decided to go out and buy
two Sunderland reserves! Great we thought! Yet, both Keith Coleman and Mick
McGiven proved good purchases, solid servants and lights of hope in a pretty
dark transitional period. They came in to the team and performed well.
McGiven in particular, played like his life depended on the results and was
an inspiration in central defence. His reputation for me was cemented when
he suffered an horrific dental injury (i.e. his top teeth were pushed back
at a right angle by a boot in the mouth) in a match and he played on to help
us to a vital away point. He never emulated the heights reached in that
first season, but he was a squad member for a number of subsequent seasons,
deputising for Kevin Lock, and eventually graduated to John Lyall's coaching
staff. Very far from the greatest, but a hero all the same.

Next comes a journeyman, who reached improbable heights at West Ham, under
the greatest technical coach the English game has ever seen. Ron Greenwood
saw something in the former Arsenal centre-forward, who was then plying his
trade at Bristol City in the lower leagues. Again, we were in crisis and
started that season with a dire run of results, which led to the rapid
signing of a Watford striker, Newcastle Utd reserve and apparent Bristol
City 'as been.' Yet, Billy Jennings, Keith Robson and Bobby Gould
transformed our fortunes. Soon the defeats turned to resounding wins as
Tranmere Rovers, Leicester City, Middlesboro and Wolves were all overwhelmed
by wave after wave of fluent attacking football. And at the heart of it was
the improbable figure of Bobby Gould, a player who responded to Greenwood's
methods and found aspects to his game that few thought possible. Until, at
the end of one particular match, Greenwood handed Gould the ultimate prize,
the admission that 'today you looked like a West Ham player.' Gould later
stated that if he had joined West Ham as a youngster, he could have played
for England. And that pride and passion at being a Hammer still exists
within Gould it would seem. When Sam Allardyce made his unfortunate
statement questioning the value of the 'West Ham way,' it not Hurst,
Brooking or Peters who jumped to defend the sacred flame, it was Bobby
Gould. It was he who offered to go down to Chadwell Heath and show Allardyce
the playing style that Greenwood had belatedly taught him all those years
ago.

Finally, I nominate Trevor Morley, a striker brought in during the
inglorious Macari managerial reign, who became a stalwart. Again, he was not
the greatest of strikers, but his goals saw the club through some pretty
worrying times. He was also one of the most canny forwards that we have ever
had. He was a master of backing in to defenders, collapsing in a heap and
winning the free kick. How many decisions did he win like that, he really
must have been awkward for defenders to deal with. My greatest memories of
him are in two north London away victories, the first a really effective
performance (and two goals) in a clinical 1-4 slaughter of Spurs and the
opening goal in a 0-2 victory at Highbury. Another good servant, who
deserves more general recognition.

So, that it is it, my top ten of the underrated, the memorable and those
that hold a special place in my heart as a supporter. To many younger fans
some of these names will be obscure figures, but at the end of the day they
all played their part in the continuing story of West Ham Utd. They will
never have a Stand named after them or be the subject of a statue, but they
can take great pride in playing their part, often when the fate of the club
was decidedly uncertain. And they have my gratitude for being there, giving
their all and providing such great memories.

SJ. Chandos.

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