West Ham United

Hello everyone. Here are my views on a few things going on at West Ham. Its nothing in specific or anything. I hope you enjoy the read. 

A look ahead to the end of the month-
The 3-0 defeat to Sunderland leaves us 7 points above the relegation zone with a game in hand.  Our remaining Premier League fixtures for this month are QPR (H), Arsenal (A), Fulham (A). Two away games and one home game. Following today's defeat, the game against QPR is now a must win. The R's have started picking up a few points since Harry Redknapp took over and will be full of confidence after a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge and a goalless draw against Tottenham today. The points will be vital for both teams come Saturday. I cant see us getting much from the Arsenal game, Our defence needs to be at its best from the first second to the last. Diame will be a key player for us. We then move onto Craven Cottage at the end of the month to end a run of three London Derbies. If we keep Berbatov quiet, I can see us returning to East London with all three points.

Julian Dicks after his final game
for West Ham

The defence-
Our defence is a problem. Silly mistakes are costing us points as has been proved many times this season. I don't see why we don't make a move for Julian Dicks? The ex Birmingham, Liverpool and West Ham defender is a West Ham legend. Dicks is a qualified coach and would toughen up our defence. Hopefully he could rub his no nonsense defensive style onto our back line.



Allardyce-

Sam Allardyce celebrates West Ham's play
off final win with Ricardo Vaz Te.

I do not understand why people are calling for Big Sam to  be sacked. The last time we lost by a margin of 3 goals was on the 25th September 2012. And that was to Wigan in the League Cup. The last time we lost by 3 goals in the league was on the 25th of August away to Swansea. We made defensive errors in that game too. The errors are the team's fault, not Allardyce's fault. Its not something the big man cannot control. 

When Sam joined us back in June 2011 his target was to get us promoted. Expectations were high and many fans were expecting us to go back up in style, just like Newcastle did in 2009-10.  Our home performances were a problem but we were solid away. The season was full ups and downs but we did the job in the end via the play offs; as we all know. 

You cant really fault the signings he has made. Captain Kevin Nolan, the most noticeable signing in the summer of 2011. Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard were added January 2011; not to forget that bloke who cost us £500k and went onto score the winner at Wembley in May. (Vaz Te).

   Diame scores in West Ham's 3-1 win
over Chelsea in December.

Following promotion we had to strengthen our squad (obviously). Sam pulled the cash out of Mr Gold's pocket and made some brilliant signings. Diame, one of our best players so far this season. Matt Jarvis; a decent winger we craved. Carroll was then added so we had someone to nod Jarvis's headers into the back of the net ;). We also brought Yossi Benayoun back to Upton Park but he didn't make much of an impact.

So far in January he's brought Joe Cole home and signed a few strikers to add to our attack. Time will tell if these players turn out to be good acquisitions.

Them signings aren't too bad are they, eh?

Joe Cole during his second debut
 for West Ham United.

I believe that Sam Allardyce is the man to take us forward. He knows where we need to improve and he's setting out to do that. Once everyone is back and the new signings have settled in, we will once again be a team that clubs can fear. 

The future is bright for our club. Come on you irons.

I hope you've enjoyed reading this article. Thanks for reading. Please give me feedback via Twitter or Email. Twitter: @samwhufcfrancis - Email: sam11sf@live.co.uk