FA Cup clash draw was a bit of an injustice

January 7, 2013 By Stevo 1 Comment

collins heads in at the fa cup clash

The FA Cup clash third round against Manchester United on Saturday was  “a bit of an injustice” to say the least.

We all knew Fergie’s boys were up for it but then again, so were the Hammers, weren’t they? Collins’ two stunning goals knocked the stuffing out of the Red Army who seemed powerless to hold the Irons from coming forward and bringing the game to them.

Joe Cole’s presence was awesome and he played an important part in the 2-2 draw which now goes to a replay. He was the one that provided the sweet crosses for “Ginger” to get on the end of. It was a nice welcome back for the Hammer’s prodigal son.

Joe Cole realised himself how the Hammers under the watchful eye of Sam Allardyce have been transformed. Joe also reckons that he has now found his place  at West Ham.

Manchester United’s goals came Tom Cleverley in the first half  and then Robin Van Persie’s last minute death blow just before the final whistle. Collins equalised for the Hammers after Cleverley’s goal in the first half from a pinpoint cross that even Beckham would have loved.

Joe Cole said after the game:

“It was great to play again and I really enjoyed it. There’s been a lot of fuss.

“I’m not really one for that. I just wanted to get out there and play football. Individually it was a good performance and collectively I thought we defended really well.

“The reception I got from the fans was amazing. It really choked me up. It’s great to be here.

“The fans, even when I came back here with Chelsea or Liverpool, have always given me a good reception but today was special. Onwards and upwards.”

So, it’s an awesome FA Cup clash replay and to get through this, the Irons have to play the same way with focus, courage and determination. Joe Cole showed us that he’s still a Hammer, we need the rest of the team to follow suit.

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West Ham vs Man Utd FA Cup Quick Preview

January 4, 2013 By Stevo 1 Comment

Tomorrow’s game against Manchester United in the FA Cup is a biggie. In fact, it doesn’t get bigger than this, does it?

As it is a high profile game what should we expect from Fergie’s Red Devils then?

Collins and co will have to pull on their best defensive boots tomorrow as Van Persie will be out trying to snatch a brace. I think the Hammers defense will be up to the task and Ialso think that the Manc frontline won’t pose too problems for the West Ham backline if they stay focussed.

Focus will be the key in this FA Cup clash and the operative word, too. Focus is what will bring home the bacon tomorrow at the Boleyn Ground and focus is what will keep the Red Devils from running riot. We all know far too well the Manc’s ability to stick the winner in on minute 92 – it’s happened to all the top clubs far too often so 100% focus to the end of the match is highly imperative.

Make no mistake though, Manchester United are quick and will make us pay dearly on the break. Nolan will have to be captain fantastic tomorrow and lead from the front. We have to bring it and show them that the Irons are not afraid. Chances must not go begging like Vaz Té’s the other day – whether we are winning or not.

One of the new faces for tomorrow’s clash must be Joe Cole and I’m sure he’ll be up to the challenge. Carlton Cole must also make his chances count. It’s not enough to perform like a superstar on the odd occasion – we need him at his very best for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash and I’m confident he will deliver the goods.

It will be one fabulous game tomorrow and a chance to show the big guns that we mean business. COYI!

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West Ham welcome back Joe Cole

January 4, 2013 By Iron Bobby 1 Comment

West Ham United have officially re-signed Joe Cole on an 18-month-contract.

Cole, 31, is a former West Ham United Academy graduate and will once again don the number 26 shirt which he wore during his first spell at the club.

News broke on Wednesday that Cole was in talks with West Ham about returning to East London and yesterday it was reported he was undergoing a medical.

Speaking to WHUFC.com Cole said:

“It is a great move for me,” confirmed the 31-year-old. “Coming back here brings back all the memories of the pitches I learnt how to play on. This is where I learnt my trade and I’m happy to have another chance to be here. I’ve always loved West Ham and I hope I can give the club a few memorable seasons.

“The timing was right for me to come back and I’m happy. I’m back in London and I’m delighted to be here. I want to be here and I want to make an impact.

“The place has not changed much to look at, but I think Sam has done a great job with the team. A few years ago, the club was in a bad way and Sam has done brilliantly. All in all, it will always be West Ham and the history will always be here and everywhere I go around the world, people love West Ham. Everywhere I go, people know me for having started here.”

Cole also said:

“It was a big thing in me coming back – the fact that everybody here wants me to do well. The fans have always been great for me, whenever I have been back and also when I’ve been in the area visiting family.

“I feel like I owe the club a little bit as well because if it wasn’t for West Ham I wouldn’t be a footballer. This club’s great youth-team coaches taught me the trade.”

Cole will add some much-needed creativity into the West Ham team and I am sure his signing will give the whole place a lift! Welcome home Joe we have missed you!

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West Ham 2 – 1 Norwich

January 2, 2013 By Iron Bobby 1 Comment

West Ham finally got that winning feeling back with a 2-1 victory over Norwich City yesterday.

Mark Noble put West Ham ahead after only 3 minutes were on the clock when we were awarded a penalty after Winston Reid was having his shirt tugged so much it was almost ripped from his back!

Mark-Noble-West-Ham-vs-NorwichNoble is getting better and better with his spot kicks and I have not felt this confident about a penalty take in a long time.

Norwich tried to hit back straight away and were getting in some dangerous areas, the visitors then thought they should have had a penalty of their own when Winston Reid looked to have handled the ball, however the replays show a Norwich player leaning all over Reid and a penalty would have been harsh.

West Ham continued to apply pressure and double their lead on 23 minutes when Joey O’Brien scored from close range with a nice sidefoot at goal after some neat build up play from the Hammers’.

Second Half

Norwich came out looking very lively in the second half and really pushed West Ham back looking for a goal to get back into the match, however the best chance fell to Carlton Cole who somehow spooned his shot over from within the 6-yard-box when it should have been 3-0 and game over.

As the second half went on it became a nervy affair with West Ham looking to hold on having not won in the previous 4 outings, both teams continued to threaten though and both teams hit the woodwork in search of goals.

Norwich could and should have had a penalty when James Tomkins clipped Harry Kane in the box with the forward through at goal, however luck was on West Ham’s side and the ref waved away the protests, however the Canaries did manage to pull a consolation goal back on 90 minutes when defender Martin scored at the death.

Overall West Ham rode their luck a little bit but 3-points is all that matters and now the club need to look at getting some more players in this transfer window.

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Reading 1 West Ham United 0

December 30, 2012 By Stevo 1 Comment

james collins holds his head

It was a weekend full of goals, thrills, spills, you name it. Even Fergie managed to get up Pardew’s nose and put in a mention of his famous ref pushing episode. The weekend wasn’t so good for the Hammers though, was it?

We got blindsided by the Royals and they took us cheaply with a cheeky 1 nil win. The winning goal came courtesy of Russian signing Pavel Pogrebnyak after 5 minutes! This left me with a question; what did the Irons do to redeem themselves for the rest of the match?

The games are ticking by and I’m running out of excuses. I know we’ve got injury problems and we’ll probably make up a shed load of points towards the end of the season but to lose 1 nil away to bottom feeding Reading – it’s not good lads.

I’m not even going to blame Collins for his faux pas that led to the Russian’s goal either. Haven’t we got enough firepower to stick a couple in at Reading’s end? Reading have only managed 1 point in 8 outings so it couldn’t have been that difficult, could it?

Ok, rant over. Vaz Té was a welcome sight back in the ranks and he nearly made it one goal apiece with a missed header towards the end of the game. Reading hung on for dear life as the hammers were all over them like a fat kid eating a Happy Meal!

Royals boss Brian McDermott had this to say after the game:

“It was a resilient performance. They put us under pressure with a lot of balls going into our box and it was a real physical game.

“The goal that Pavel scored was a terrific finish one-on-one. I know Collins made a mistake but Pavel had to finish — and it was not an easy finish.

“He’s not had the opportunities because we haven’t created the chances for him we would have liked. But when he does get a chance he hits the target.

Reading took control early on in the match and the Hammers’ frustration came to a head when Mark Noble was booked by ref Michael Oliver for a silly tackle on Royals’ Jimmy Kebe.

The second half saw some more tantrums when big lad Carlton Cole tussled with Alex Pearce and appeared to kick out — but the ref apparently didn’t see it.

After the game West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admitted:

“We’re looking over our shoulders cautiously because we don’t want to get drawn into a fight at the bottom.
“Now we really need a win against Norwich on Tuesday.
“My problem is getting my best team out and I haven’t been able to that because of the injuries.”

I think we can all agree with big Sam. Let’s put this one behind us and get ready to face Chris Hughton’s Canaries – over and out!

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