Proving the doubters wrong
- Wednesday, 6th September 2023
- John Allen
I have to admit, I wasn’t Emerson’s biggest fan when he arrived at the London Stadium after his £15m transfer from Chelsea in August 2022. I wasn’t alone with that sentiment either, judging by the response following his first few appearances in a claret and blue shirt.
Proof already he's no one-trick pony
- Saturday, 26th August 2023
- John Allen
It was a week or so ago – when the speculation around the possible signing of James Ward-Prowse was intensifying almost by the hour, that I saw a post on a particular forum – one that claimed to have close contacts within the club by the way – describing Ward-Prowse as a one-trick-pony.
Technical Tim has Hammers hearts a flutter
- Friday, 11th August 2023
- John Allen
I’ve never actually read a Mills and Boon romance. It’s not really my style. But I know roughly how they work. Boy meets girl – they fall in love – they enrich each other’s lives – they pledge their allegiance – they live happily ever after.
Time for Thilo
- Wednesday, 2nd August 2023
- John Allen
By his own admission, Thilo Kehrer was a big noise around the West Ham team at the end of last season.
It'll be alright on the night - keep the faith
- Thursday, 27th July 2023
- John Allen
If we’ve learned anything about David Moyes over the time he’s been with the club, it’s attempting to second guess him as a manager is a pointless exercise.
European success built on squad depth
- Friday, 7th July 2023
- John Allen
David Moyes was insistent that last summer’s acquisitions in the transfer market were as much to do with improving the depth of the squad as it was to do with boosting the quality and competition for places in the first team.
It was vital that gamesmanship didn't pay
- Wednesday, 14th June 2023
- John Allen
Well, as Wednesday nights go, last week’s in Prague was one that will never be forgotten.
Win in Prague and we trump the Gooners
- Wednesday, 31st May 2023
- John Allen
Should West Ham beat Fiorentina in Prague and lift the Europa Conference League Trophy, would that mean the Hammers, in the final reckoning, have had a better season than Arsenal, who finished second in the Premier League?
No wonder the tears flowed
- Saturday, 20th May 2023
- John Allen
The raw emotion of what West Ham achieved on Thursday night in The Netherlands - and what it means to the Hammers' fan base - is still there for all to see.
Has Thilo's time come?
- Tuesday, 9th May 2023
- John Allen
The jury has been out on Thilo Kehrer since the German international joined West Ham from Paris St Germain at the end of last August.
Why can't we look on the bright side of life?
- Tuesday, 2nd May 2023
- John Allen
It might be something to do with my age. When you’re the wrong side of 70 you know full well the best years are behind you – which means you need to make the very most of the years still to come.
The Fornals factor
- Wednesday, 26th April 2023
- John Allen
It’s difficult not to go on basking in the glory of our superb win and outstanding performance against Bournemouth on Sunday.
It's unfair to be too hard on Benrahma
- Saturday, 22nd April 2023
- John Allen
Is it churlish to search for negatives after the European night we enjoyed at the London Stadium on Thursday? Clearly some people think not.
Look away now if you're squeamish
- Tuesday, 11th April 2023
- John Allen
It wasn’t pretty! It wasn’t nice! But it was exactly what we needed!
If you have a problem, if no one else can help - hire The B-Team
- Saturday, 1st April 2023
- John Allen
Hannibal, Faceman, B.A. and Murdoch – otherwise known as The A-Team – were regulars on our TV screens during the 1980s. The team regularly took care of business in action-packed style.
Stick or twist: who will be proved right?
- Wednesday, 22nd March 2023
- John Allen
So Crystal Palace have blinked and Patrick Vieira has bitten the dust. Described as a young, exciting and attack-minded young coach when he came in he’s now been replaced by 75-year-old Roy Hodgson – in what some describe as an act of sheer desperation.
Cornet over Scamacca for the fight ahead
- Tuesday, 14th March 2023
- John Allen
It’s going to be a hairy old ride between now and the end of the season. If you don’t like roller coasters then I suggest you find yourself a suitably well-stocked darkened room and lock yourself away until after Sunday 28th May.
Are we due some seaside cheer?
- Friday, 3rd March 2023
- John Allen
"Oh I do like to be beside the seaside..." or so the song goes! But that’s not a sentiment West Ham teams, or fans, have endorsed over recent years, especially when the seaside in question happens to be Brighton!
No place to hide on Saturday
- Friday, 24th February 2023
- John Allen
Before the missiles start homing in, this isn’t a defence of David Moyes. How could it be? Why would it be?
Beating Tottenham is so satisfying
- Friday, 17th February 2023
- John Allen
Football is a passionate game – always has been – always will be! It can stir the emotions across the spectrum. From the depths of almost unbearable despair to the heights of unimaginable elation, we’ve all endured and enjoyed the full package.
Rolls Royce Aguerd is purring beautifully
- Wednesday, 8th February 2023
- John Allen
West Ham’s mini revival in recent weeks has certainly been a long time coming. Let’s not get too carried away of course – it is only mini and it’s only just a start. But a very welcome start for all that.
Not enough water under the (Tyne) bridge
- Saturday, 4th February 2023
- John Allen
It's being suggested in some circles that the next three games will define David Moyes' future. That the manager's destiny will be sealed by our upcoming results against Newcastle United on Saturday, followed by the visit of Chelsea and then the trip to face Tottenham Hotspur.
A welcome respite - or nail in the coffin?
- Friday, 27th January 2023
- John Allen
West Ham travel to Pride Park on Monday for a tricky-looking 4th round FA Cup tie against Derby County of League One. An improving and in-form County, it has to be said.
Why can't the fightback start here?
- Tuesday, 24th January 2023
- John Allen
One swallow doesn’t make a summer. Neither do two goals. Or a single tackle - no matter how perfectly executed it was or how vital it may have been.
A challenging situation - but far from done and dusted
- Wednesday, 18th January 2023
- John Allen
Despite the enforced break for the Qatar World Cup at the end of last year, which in effect has split the 2022/23 Premier League season into two, we’re only just reaching the official halfway mark of this current season.
Another step on the road to recovery
- Thursday, 12th January 2023
- John Allen
We're regularly being told the ‘big games' are coming along thick and fast for West Ham right now. Although when results haven't been kind to you, the next game is a big game no matter what. But there are always those who like to add to the drama if they can.
Noble knows what's needed
- Friday, 6th January 2023
- John Allen
I don’t know what Mark Noble might have said to the players on his first day in his new role at West Ham. None of us do! Or indeed if he has said anything at all to the team as a whole.
Rice criticism unjustified and unwarranted
- Saturday, 31st December 2022
- John Allen
Yes, West Ham are in a mess! Yes we’re all nervously looking over our shoulder! Yes we all know what we’re seeing isn’t good enough. It can’t continue.
Only time will tell
- Thursday, 22nd December 2022
- John Allen
"He's one of our own..." it's the first line of a song we all love to sing – when a home-grown product makes it through the ranks to a first team place. Sadly it's a song sung all too infrequently in recent years by West Ham fans.
Gianluca Scamacca - a modern day 'Budgie'?
- Tuesday, 13th December 2022
- John Allen
It’s a tenuous link, but bear with me if you will.