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"I support West Ham - has anyone any sympathy for me?"

I hate to say this, but my team West Ham United are going down the pan. We've sold two of our best ever players, got a failed manager who is only fit enough to be a coach, and our big buy of the summer is David "Calamity" James!
HELP!!!

(God forbid, Spurs might become better than us! I might have to find a solid wall to bash my head against.)

Hey does anyone know anything about the rumour that Oliver Bierhoff is coming to West Ham?
Apparently he's deciding between us and Fulham-
I wouldn't mind him coming here, he's a bit past it but still a strong player

TJ,

I think your missing the point. OK - from time to time West Ham might fair better than Arsenal, Man Utd etc etc but it will never be sustained. The simple reason is that West Ham are limited in the amount of money they can make through the turnstyles, commercial deals, corporate entertainment and merchandise.

I do remember West Ham having a very good season in 1986 - when they had Cottee and McAvenie up front. They also won the FA Cup in 1980 (beating my team). However, that is ONE TROPHY and ONE GOOD SEASON in over 20 years !!.

It is possible that West Ham could grab the occasional UEFA spot and even make the odd cup final - but in all honesty that is the maximum any realistic hammers fan could hope for.

If Arsenal, Man Utd, Leeds or Liverpool have a bad season they can go out and spend £20, 30, 40m on a few world class players. Arsenal have done precisely that in recent weeks (and they consider premiership runners up, champions league last eight and FA cup finalists to be a poor season).

If you seriously think that West Ham can ever mount a SUSTAINED challenge (not the odd season) to the top four teams in this country then you need a reality check.

Fair enough mate-
Obviously i always hope that we're going to do well- i only started this topic for a reponse from others.
David James is perhaps the first key signing West Ham needed- we haven't had a premiership quality second keeper over the last few years. every time Hislop isn't playing we have had to play Forrest or Bywater- i'm sure you can admit they are nowhere near good enough.

But surely you must admit we aren't going to do well with our defence next year. I reckon Schemmel will improve next season and prove to be a good purchase, but we are lacking in other defensive roles.

Also, do you not think with another central midfielder purchase we should revert to a 4-4-2?
With Carrick on the left, Sinclair on the right, Cole in the middle with a TOP new signing to replace Frank Lampard, it would give us better balance. We haven't the quality of defenders to play three centre-backs.
Being a man in the know- Do you know what system Glenn Roeder will play? Or what other targets he has? I know he was after Southgate, but unfortunately that didn't happen.

Also, Do you really think Roeder is the manager we needed? I think the first team coach is almost as important as the manager- should we not have left him as coach and brought in a fresh new approach to the team in the form of a quality manager with a proven track record? I felt we were becoming a bit stagnated and a new ideas man with experience would have helped. After all, look at Roeder's managerial record to date- two clubs, poor results with both.

Anyway, i'm not knocking West Ham, i'm just wary of the future. I think Roeder needs to buy players in time for the start of the season.

What do you think?

WHat are u all talking about. I am co editor of a very popular west ham fan site, and I interviewed Tricky Trevor Sinclair recently. He is really postive and looks forward to the new season, and I think that maybe the people who have posted in this topic have never seen West Ham even play.


For starters lets begin at the best place the BEGINNING. Someone said we will NEVER be in line with the likes with Arsenal and Man Utd and Liverpool. RUBBISH have you never looked abck at the history books!!! For starters Man Utd before the 90's were your avergae run of the meal side, and liverpool havent always been world beaters. Plus do you not remember that at many times we have been BETTER than arsenal or man utd or Liverpool. ANyone remember the 1966 world cup final between West Ham and West Germany. It wasnt England that day it was West Ham eleven.

Secondly whats wrong with David James. I mean for christ sake he may have had a dodgy spell at Liverpool, but you're stupid if you think that he is awfull. FOr starters I bet you all didnt realise he has the LONGEST kick in the Premiership. Also he may make a few fumbles every now and then, but the reason he makes more fumbles is because he attemtps to catch more balls than other goalkeepers. I balso bet you all didnt know that David James has made the most catches in goal than any other goalkeeper in the prem, and he has also made the most saves in the Premiership for the last few years. He is also an England International and all I see is that you are all looking at the negative points which aren't even realistic.

AND also, whats wrong with glenn roeder. I bet when Alex Ferguson started at Aberdeen all of the fans said "who the hell is he" but look where he is now. EVERYONE has to start somewhere. Also I dont hear you lot commenting on the fact that Glenn actually has MORE qualifications than Steve McClaren. Has Steve McClaren ever managed a side errrrr NO. Does steve mcClaren know any of the plyers well at Upton Park errrr NO. IN FACT if it hadnt have eben for his time at manchester united he would probably be sitting at home unemployed by now. EVERYONE says how wonderful McClaren is because he did well at Man Utd BUT lets be honest you cant count any of that because anyone can be assistant manager at Man Utd and be successful. SO if you look at the stuff that really counts, his record at teams and places where he hasnt been under the best manager in the world and hasnt been at the biggest club in the world he hasnt exactly set the world on fire.

I GUARENTEE that ALL OF YOU will be eatin your words at the end of the season. I GUARENTEE we WILL finish in the top half of the league next year. I also GUARENTE we will have a good cup run.

Last season we had injuries and this year things cant get anywhere near as bad with injuries.

We ahve 15 million to spend on players, which is the most money thats been available in years and we will have one of the best stadiums in the UK by the end of the ground expansion next year. We already have THE BEST pitch in the UK and our newly upgraded stadium will generate more money to go into the club, and will help to attract a high calibre of players.

We still have many more youth players to develope and Joe COle and Carrick can only get better. We also have players like Stephen Bywater and Shaun Newton and Jermaine De Foe to gain experience and I am sure they will go on to have many successful years at the club.

AND also Why is Freddie Kanoute so good. Has anyone seen the stat that says that he has fallen over with the ball more than any other player in the prem!!!! He is ok but there are much better players than him that are worth 15 million pounds. If we could line up a player to replace him, and that wouldnt be hard, then I think selling him would be a great idea. ESPECIALLY when Todorov, if he gets his fair share of starts next year, will be top goalscorer next year and will get over 18 goals next year.

I am a season ticket holder at Upton Park and I don't understand why everyone is all doom and gloom. So if you so called West Ham fans and other fans have nothing good to say about the team you supposedly support, then maybe you should find yourself another team to support.

Now there's a positive contribution!
No.10 - I hope you realise i will now blame YOU if we don't do well this season!

Glenn Roeder- i know you're reading this- buy some players!!
e.g. 1) A good central defender, as opposed to dodgy foreigners- Javier Margas anyone?
e.g. 2) Some midfield cover- we've only got 3 decent midfielders at the club now Frank has gone

And don't you dare let Freddie Kanoute go...
I know you can hear me.

I do not support West Ham and I do think the club have failed in the past by always selecting managers from within the club or have strong connections (ie, Redknapp). They tried to get Curbishley and McClaren and failed on both accounts, then they switched to third choice Roeder.

I understand the frustration of hammers fans, but they do need to accept that the clubs resources are limited and at best they can only maintain their position as an average premiership team. West Ham are never going to compete with Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool or Leeds.

Glenn Roeder is a much respected coach. I actually think he has picked up a bargain buy in David James for £3.5m. The young players (Cole, Carrick etc) at West Ham know Roeder well and respect him, furthermore Roeder knows them well and knows how to get the best out of them.

I have a sneaky feeling that West Ham fans will have a very different opinion on Glenn Roeder at the end of the coming season.

Too right belly- i went into the bookies today, and West Ham are second favourite for relegation! You know, in a way that doesn't surprise me, but hey, think positive and maybe it might all get better.
Yeah right...
Maybe i should start supporting Dundee??

I sympathise with Bonus if he lives in Dundee. haha for all the ugly birds. I sympathise with snoop because selling good players and not giving the funds to the Roedent shows that the lack of ambition from the W.ham Board is still there.They should have done more to keep Redknapp and he would have done wonders with the cash, and I reckon W. Ham would probably have been top ten every year.

Bonus wrote:
> I support Dundee, anyone any sympathy for me?

Yeah in champo you have some good italian youngster called marracco who always turns out to be amazing.

No- I need all the sympathy i can get, i haven't any more to give out. Sorry.