9 Points & 9 Goals from 3 Games- Is this actually West Ham? Five Talking points from Crystal Palace game

Even though the pundits had West Ham as firm favourites against Crystal Palace, we, like many fans around us, were not sure of three points! Inconsistency has been such a hallmark of West Ham’s play in recent times- two wins from two games was fantastic, but three from three? Surely not! Palace had been so woeful against Brighton in midweek and were roundly criticised by fans and pundits alike. Roy Hodgson however named the same XI that had done duty against the Seagulls, and one thought they’d be up for this game, wanting to prove a point. Privately we thought a draw would be good enough, and at half time, after McArthur’s goal and Milivojevic hitting the bar with his free kick, most fans would’ve probably taken it. Instead, like they had done against Cardiff, West Ham blew away their opposition in the third quarter. We had suggested post the Cardiff game that Anderson and Snodgrass would be our most creative players in the absence of Arnautovic, and the duo scored fantastic goals that helped the Hammers win 3-2 in front of their biggest league crowd of the season.

Here are some talking points from the game today.

Did Andy Carroll have an impact?

Definitely yes. West Ham started with Lucas Perez and Chicharito upfront, and that combo didn’t seem to offer much on attack together, especially when the Hammers’ first half strategy was to put in cross after cross to Palace’s imposing central defensive pair of Tomkins and Sakho.

Carroll’s introduction allowed West Ham an aerial presence. Even though he didn’t do much with the ball, he always attracted defenders, which provided extra space for the likes of Anderson and Chicharito to operate. The free kick from which West Ham scored their second goal was earned by Carroll. [Read more…]

Antonio named Hammer of the Year, Lanzini Players’ Player of the Year

Michail Antonio has been named the Hammer of the Year at the Player Awards ceremony at the Intercontinental. The 27 year old edged out Manuel Lanzini and Pedro Obiang to the award. Lanzini however did get the Players’ Player of the Year Award.

Edimilson Fernandes won the Signing of the Year award, perhaps a testament to how poor the club’s signings have been this season when the winner has started only 3 games.

Antonio, who has also been linked with a switch away from the London Stadium in the summer, also appeared to quell those rumours when he mentioned that “he’d like to win it again” in his acceptance speech. [Read more…]

Carroll to miss Everton game

Andy Carroll has been ruled out of West Ham’s game at home against Everton after picking up a groin injury in last week’s 2-2 draw against Swansea. Carroll’s abductor muscle, a recurrent injury problem for the lanky striker, acted up again when his kick resulted in an assist for Andre Ayew at the Stadium of Light.

West Ham, who are already missing Michail Antonio to injury, might be forced to turn to Diafra Sakho, but Jonathan Calleri and Ashley Fletcher also remain options. Skipper Mark Noble and right back Sam Byram are both suspended for Everton’s visit to the London Stadium. [Read more…]

Goal of the season for 2016/17- Nominees announced & Voting Open

The club have today (April 19, 2017) officially opened voting for the End of the Season Awards in six categories- Hammer of the Year, Best Goal, Best Save, Team Performance, Individual Performance and Best Signing.

The Best Goal of the season award has six nominees- two of the goals came against Crystal Palace.

Antonio v Watford (Payet’s rabona assist)
Payet v Middlesbrough (great individual goal)
Lanzini v Palace
Reid v Sunderland
Carroll v Palace
Kouyate v Swansea

In our humble opinion, Carroll vs Palace is our easy winner. [Read more…]

Kasper Schmeichel saves vs West Ham (Video)| Andy Carroll vs Schmeichel

These two Kasper Schmeichel saves vs West Ham allowed Leicester to break their away duck and come away from the London Stadium with all three points in their league clash on March 18, 2017. Both of Schmeichel’s saves against WHUFC came when the scored was at 3-2, with Andy Carroll being the opposition striker on both occasions [Read more…]