Can't Wait Til June 20th?

We know our readers well. And like us the anticipation on exactly what the new Adidas kit was going to look like was overwhelming. Well here we have it. Away kit is especially class but both tops are nice. It's good to be back in Adidas. All credit to @djleon1983 on Twitter for the snaps. Next season can't come soon enough.

Welcome The Rat!

The squad strengthening has already begun in earnest, with West Ham signing Romanian international Razvan Rat on a free after his contract expires in June.

Comings and Goings

Ambition has been in no short supply since “Big” Sam Allardyce came into the picture at West Ham. There is never a shortage of complaints regarding the system he plays with many feeling that his focus on the long ball and set pieces is blasphemous, a traitorous style not respecting the traditional “West Ham Way.” Fair play on that, his style certainly wouldn’t be described as attractive football.

Big Andy

Andy Carroll made a good first impression now didn’t he? By all accounts Andy’s first outing for the Irons was an industrious one in which he wreaked havoc for Fulham’s defenders before going off in the 75th minute for a full hearted challenge that upset his hamstring. He knocked down the ball which Ricardo Vaz Te laid on for Kevin Nolan to bury before Winston Reid headed home on the half hour mark. To finish off a dream first half Matty Taylor took a gift from Fulham’s Brede Hangeland and knocked it in. Guy Demel was another player who went off injured in the latter stages, replaced by young Rob Hall with Taylor taking over the full back position. It was a far better effort then last weeks calamitous match with Swansea. West Ham played the ball on the ground a lot more and Carroll made a massive impact in his first match for us. Perhaps now with the price tag pressure off his back Big Andy can now gain back some of the form he showed at Newcastle.

Big Sam Gets Big Andy

Big Sam has finally landed his man. It was confirmed by the club today that West Ham have completed the signing of Andy Carroll on a season long loan. Let us be honest: we didn’t want Andy at the club. It seemed as though he had no desire to play for the club and while that was the case we had no use for him. Our thinking was if he thinks he’s too good for West Ham than he can jog on. Now that he’s signed for the year, we’re behind him 100%. While certainly still wary of just how well Andy will fare, if he’s a Hammer he’s a Hammer and he gets our full support. Certainly when we look at the situation more objectively it looks like it could be a very good piece of business. Big Sam’s style of play is built around whipping the ball into the box towards a big striker and/or scoring off of set pieces. Andy Carroll, all 6’3” of him, is built for that style of play. We’re not going to see any tika-taka style passing or Messi inspired mazy runs through defenders, he’s a goal poacher and a very serious aerial threat. Yes his stats last season were far from impressive but at the same time he had Stewart Downing providing service. We rest our case. So let’s get on with it Andy. Make us regret ever doubting you.

West Ham 2 Crewe 0

Nice snap of one of our summer signings, Modibo Maiga, banging in one at Crewe on Tuesday evening. By all accounts the match was a bit of a walk in the park with a load of fringe players getting a run out to show their stuff. Alou Diarra landed his first full cap playing in the center of defense and we personally rather seem him partnered in the middle of the park with Winston Reid rather than James Collins. We were as pleasantly surprised with Collins performance in the Villa match as everyone else, but does he really have what it takes to perform at that level throughout an entire season? Diarra excels in the middle of the park as a defensive midfielder but we have Diame to play that role as well as get forward with the ball. Stephen Henderson started in goal for West Ham which may be a sign that Big Sam is moving on from Jasskelainen. We hope so at least, Henderson is a very talented youngster. It’ll be interesting to see whether either goalscorer, Maiga or Nicky Maynard, start on the weekend. Big Sam is going to have some tough choices in his team selection this week.

West Ham 0 Swansea 3

This wasn’t exactly a great sight for West Ham supporters yesterday afternoon. Yes that’s James Collins watching Swansea’s Michu chase down his back pass. Collins looked a completely different player then the Man of the Match in last weekends opening day win. Jussi Jaaskelainen didn’t fair much better. Jussi has been one of the most reliable ‘keepers in the Premier League throughout his career so mistakes are few and far between but that doesn’t mean much after his calamitous error on Saturday. We’re left wondering if perhaps Big Sam takes a chance on young Stephen Henderson next week. There was very few positives in yesterdays match so we’re just going to think forward to the next one. Also, to those West Ham supporters who were acting like the loss was a sign of the end of the world: keep it together. We’re not going to win them all and Swansea smashed QPR for 5 last weekend. We’ve got a lot of improvements to make but one loss in August won’t be the story of our season.

Welcome Matty Jarvis

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We lose our number 7, we pick up a number 7. Matt Jarvis was officially unveiled as a West Ham player today, going straight into the squad heading to Swansea tomorrow afternoon. The transfer process was a long and drawn out but Big Sam has got his man. Jarvis adds a great attacking threat in the final third and one of the best crossers of the ball in that area. He won’t bang in a lot of goals but if the opportunity comes to him to finish he’ll do the job. We’re aware a lot of West Ham supporters hate Big Sam and his style of play but that said he’s at least getting the right players to play his system. Jarvis providing service to Carlton Cole could be a very fruitful partnership and our likely lineup at the top of the pitch of Jarvis, Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te is quite an imposing one. We’ll hold off on giving our final assesement on the transfers in and out of the club over the summer til the window closes, but so far Big Sam has done good.

Bye Bye Baldock

Well it’s official. Sam Baldock has been shipped off to Bristol City. We hate to see the lad go. During the preseason he was banging ‘em in for fun and things were looking up for Baldock. But a small striker was never going to be in Big Sam’s plans. Allardyce has been longing for another big target up front, hence the feverish attempts to sign Andy Caroll on loan. In our opinion the big man we already have, Carlton Cole, is better than Andy who is all around a useless twat. Needless to say we were happy when it all fell through. But Baldock’s departure is a bit of a disappointment in our eyes as his potential seemed to be on the rise. He came in with a flurry of goals and went out with a flurry as well. Odd business. That said Allardyce has been doing good business in this transfer window so we’ll hold back any outrage or condemnation ‘til we see this all play out.

West Ham 1 Aston Villa 0

Well we returned in a bit of style now didn’t we? It made not have been an absolutely emphatic victory, the kind a team would like to have to really make a statement, but yesterday’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa showed a lot of promise. James Collins was a rock at the back, coming up with a few timely tackles and blocks when we needed it to start to put to bed any doubts over his worth. Collins definitely was the Man of the Match yesterday, and if he can keep it up him and James Tomkins will be a very formidable partnership in the center of defense. Imagine us, playing well defensively! Momo Diame was another standout yesterday. The lad is an absolute beast in the middle of the park, able to win the ball AND keep possession. At times he looked a different class. Our single goal wasn’t the prettiest, but it ain’t a beauty contest now is it?

Allo, Alou

Another West Ham new boy was made official yesterday as French defensive midfielder, Alou Diarra, put pen to paper to join the club on a three year contract. There’s been moans regarding the lads age, but for the price we got him at one should hardly complain. He’s long been one of the best at his position and personally we believe he’ll shine at the club. Between him and Momo Diame our midfield has gotten far stronger, without losing any quality, and with Modibo Maiga added upfront West Ham look to be positioning themselves for a successful season back in the Premiership.

Welcome Momo Diame

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Nice little sell job for West Ham’s new boy, Momo Diame. One thing’s for certain, the boy is a bit special. By all accounts it’s simply his heart condition keeping him from playing at one of Europe’s big clubs. Especially of note is Momo ripping the Manchester United defence to shreds. Very promising signing from the club.

Ups and Downs

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This video captures it all. From going down last season and the excruciating heartbreak that it brought with it all the way through the euphoria Vaz Te’s winner was responsible for inducing. Sit yourself down and watch.

Vaz Te, You Legend

Ricardo Vaz Te is a legend after his late winner yesterday. Truth be told he’s been massive for West Ham since he signed in January and cemented a place in West Ham folklore with yesterday’s strike. Nice bit of business from Big Sam we’d say. James Tomkins had a season as well, hasn’t he?

We're Coming Back!

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Couldn’t play this in the lead up to the Playoff Final for superstitious reasons. Now it’s getting played a few times. The feeling after Vaz Te scored was something that cannot be forgotten. Ever.

Be With Us Bobby

Our Bobby outside Wembley. We need his spirit with us tomorrow.

Wembley Bound

We’re going to Wembley.

Michael and Bobby

Bobby and Michael Caine. Today would have been Bobby’s 71st birthday. West Ham could certainly use someone with the ability and spirit of Bobby at the moment, considering the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into.

Stinky Turner on his Boxing Career

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Wonderful clip of Cockney Rejects frontman, Jeff “Stinky Turner” Geggus, discussing his boxing career on Bunce’s Boxing Hour. His love and admiration for the sweet science shines through as he talks about it and its incredible to hear about seven British Schoolboy boxing champions growing up on the same street. That’s the East End for ya, we suppose.

Bobby Meets The FA Cup

Bobby with the FA Cup.