You’ll be alright this coming weekend Hammer, never fear, I watched Leicester cut through Forest at will last night and no matter how your lads are playing under San Alardyce they are due for a good romp against the has beens of Forest, absolutely dire last night and they were lucky not to have gone down by more than the 4-0 final scoreline, more movement in my bowels! I did see Sam sitting in the stands and I bet he felt really good looking at what is next up at the Boleyn.
I hope you are right Bob, we did an away job on them back in August so let us see.
Our home form has not been all that bubbly this term which is a bit of a worry.
No more news on the Mackie lad but we have just signed a young forward, Joe Dixon ex ManU trainee, on a short-term contract. I wish him all the luck.
On a sadder note but perhaps reassuring nonetheless, it was nice to see so many ex players and officials from across the great Liverpool divide attending yesterdays funeral of Gary Ablett.
Red and Blue together seemed rather fitting somehow.
According to the local press, Forest are indeed in dire straits, no money for any new players and a squad that just cannot buy a goal (unless it’s in their own goal!) I just can’t imagine any decent players being available for free either, all those bargains have been snapped up I suppose, looks like Forest are heading back to League One unless a miracle occurs, my youngest son is a Forest stalwart but as you may guess, he is not a happy bunny at present.
Can only hope for the best for all our favourites!
This weeks Football fixture reviews.
Cowdenbeath will be looking to increase their lead at the top of the Irn-Bru 2nd Division League table with an away fixture against the bottom club, Forfar Athletic.The Kick-off on Saturday is 3:00pm at the Station Park ground.
A quick sprint along the East Lancs Road and the M61 will bring Liverpool to the Reebok Stadium for their Saturday away match with Bolton Wanderers. Kick- off is at 5:30pm and the match is due to be shown live on ESPN. The Reds have already beaten the Trotters at Anfield this term and I think they have beaten them at the Reebok the last few times out so expect an away win here.
Lincoln City travel to the Gateshead International Stadium for their 3:00pm Saturday Kick-off against The Tynesiders.
A tough away trip for the Imps with Gateshead currently lying in fourth spot. Manager Holdsworth will not need reminding that it is 60 years since they last came to Gateshead to be beaten 3-1.
As poor John says things have to get better, let us hope so and they take the ‘Heed’ in some style.
On Sunday the Arsenal entertain Manchester United - whoever they are - at The Emirates Stadium with a 4:00pm Kick-off. Arsene has quite a few injury problems with Thomas Vermaelen and Thierry Henry both doubtful, others like Sagna, Gibbs and Wilshere definately out.
I would like to see Mr Wenger win this to put a smile on his face if only for a short while. It could be a classic but then it might be a game of midfield ping pong as has happened in previous meetings of this fixture.
And finally, at The Boleyn on Saturday around 3:00pm, we resume our fight to return to the Premier League. We take on Nottingham Forest and although we beat them comfortably at their place I hope we do not succumb to the usual home office apathy or even disrespect for a lower placed team. They are fighting for survival and we should know what that is like.
However, I expect every man or… woman, to do their duty and when we ask “Was this well done of the lady of Boleyn”
the answer will ring out " Extremely well, befitting the finest of so many great teams".
Good luck to all our teams.
Onward.
Oh dear oh dear oh dear! What happened to our favourites Jim? Both coming unstuck at supposedly inferior opposition, Cowdenbeath going down by 1-0 to the bottom club and Liverpool managing to do worse still, capitulating 1-3 at Bolton who really did come flying out of the blocks, I actually sat and watched the whole of the game, possibly in the forlorn hope that things would improve in the second half, not to be as things went from bad to worse and to think that the second leg cup tie against Manchester City is not too far away, makes me shudder!
At least George has got something to smile about, his Hammers, as expected, saw off Nottingham Forest but only by 2-1 in a match of Two penalties, still a win is a win and now West Ham sit on top of the Championship on merit.
A point at last John and a glut of goals as Lincoln managed a 3-3 draw at Gateshead, well done you Imps.
Annie must wait until tomorrow to see the Gunners in action against Fergie’s boys, could be a lot of goals in store there as well!
As what may well be my last posting here I would just like to wish a young Hammer by the name of Dylan Tombides all the very best for his operation next week.
He is a 17 year old forward of ours that is undergoing extensive treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The young lad is preparing to undergo Retroperitoneal lymphnode dissection (RPLND) surgery this week. The procedure will see specialist doctors remove lymph nodes from his abdomen which may contain cells that could become cancerous in the future.
It is by any means a nasty operation to have to endure.
All the very best Dylan and hope to see you back training soon and looking forward to the rest of your life.
Good luck.
George
My thoughts are the same as yours about young Dylan Hammer, I sincerely hope that he comes through this difficult surgery and is soon on his way back to full strength.
By the way, I do hope I read the first part of your posting wrong my friend, maybe your last posting here! Whatever for? I for one have always enjoyed your positive input and I am sure I speak for other members too, banish the thought please.
Ernie Gregory 1921-2012
The truly legendary Hammers goalkeeper and coach passed away yesterday at the good age of 90.
He was without doubt one of the best people the club has ever had the fortune to have known, not only did he play for us in the first team for 20 years but then stayed on as a coach up until his retirement in 1987 at the age of 65.
His association with West Ham lasted an amazing 51 years and even after his ‘stint’ he would still pop down to the Chadwell Heath training facility to have a word with the youngsters.
A Stratford boy, Ernie played for West Ham Boys and was noticed by manager Charlie Paynter while playing in an English Trophy Final against Preston North End at The Boleyn, joining the club in 1936.
He served with the Essex Regiment and the Royal Air Force during World War II and made than 50 war-time appearances for the club. He turned out 481 times for us and even represented England at 'B’level in 1952.
RIP Ernie
Time for a rest old lad
Sadly Bob there seems to be an uncomfortable undercurrent here of very recent times that I have not seen before even when I tried to support someone I felt totally abandoned.
I do honestly thank you for your words but would suggest you are in a tiny minority.
George
Ok George, so you think that I am in a tiny majority, I beg to differ and whatever or whoever it is that has caused you to make such a statement, let me assure you that as far as I am concerned you are a valued contributor to this forum and all it’s threads. Now let’s hear some support for what I have just posted, please!
I’ve just returned from a weekend in Hull,( well, somebody has to go there!), and found the Imps had come back from the dead at Gateshead, even had a man sent off. Hull itself was choc-a-bloc with both sets of the Hull Rugby league teams who were playing a local derby.Shows you what the Football team are up against to try and get local support (they beat Reading 1-0 by the way).Oh this geezer Balotelli! Is he for real or what? Got to sort him out and pronto. Man U doing the usual last minute number again, poor old Wenger, time for a rabbit’s foot. Whats up Hammer, you can’t jump ship (sorry about the analogy) we need you and you’re highflying team, Premier League next season surely. Bob, as someone remarked at the weekend,if that had been Hodgson in charge on Sat. he would have been crucified. food for thought that.
Being a City fan. I would have to agree with you on Balotelli. You never know what he is going to do next. On or off the pitch.
Time he grew up.
I entirely agree John regarding the Bolton - Liverpool match, I don’t think that Kenny has actually got the dressing room 100% behind him and it is starting to show on the field of play, yes if Hodgson had still been in charge there would have been a civil war!
This idiot Balotelli reminds me of the likes of Gaza, just can’t handle the limelight and sooner or later he will implode, just hope it isn’t while employed by City, not a good advert for the club at all and just when they are putting a decent run together. I don’t think that type of person ever grows up Shaz, a pity really, oh and by the way, good luck for Wednesday!
Hey you are getting a nice little thread going with football, its lovely.
Yes Annie and how did Arsenal get on against Man Utd? LOL, nice to see you, to see you nice! Did someone say that they saw workmen erecting a guillotine outside of the Emirates Stadium???
Good news everyone, they’re going to charge that nutcase Balotelli with dangerous play. Bob, I think that there guillotine would come in handy for “Super Mario” What would be better his head(complete with dopey haircut) or his balls?
Poor Mario, Don’t you like his hair cut then John.
At least if he is not playing, we might keep 11 players on the pitch.
Thanks for that Bob.
Shaz, there’s something about a mohican, that apart from the native Indians that sport it, does not do anything for most blokes. Why not just shave your head completely? Is it meant to scare the **** out of opponents? Certainly does me!
Mr Redknapp, next manager of where? hmmmmm.
Thanks lads it has been good, here at least.
Keep the faith with all your teams and may success come your way.
Told you Bob.
Onward.
LOL @ John, love your comments about ‘Super Mario!’ 
I wonder though if his latest punishment will indeed alter his obvious attitude problem, can’t understand why he just doesn’t let his football talent do the talking, he certainly does have a big problem, maybe a bigger dummy would suffice?
Hammer do you fancv a good old Anfield meat pie tomorrow? What about you shaz, are you attending or is it TV for you? Afraid it will be for me. Cheers everybody.