West Ham Banter

08 Sep 2026 18:21:17
We need to have an attacking line up again tonight. It works.

08 Sep 2026 18:48:07
Isn't that obvious? It's what many of us have been saying for ages.

08 Sep 2026 10:25:48
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new video entitled entitled, Allez Allez Allez - Finally A Win!}

07 Sep 2026 09:19:04
Interesting line being leant of last night.

You may recall the semi satisfactory loan of Bissaka to Villa. He’s there for the season, with agreements that are unlikely to be met on the option. It could have been a dry loan in reality, boiling down to the fact if he has a less than a satisfactory season he’s returned.

There was a reason for this. Nuno wanted him out at the first possible moment; the reason: massive disruption with the other players and in the dressing room.



Whilst players like Todibo, Fulkrug and Alvarez gave their own amount of aggravating problems, they trained on their own and didn’t cause issues with the main team.

Not so Bissaka; players were consistently complaining to Nuno about him, so action was taken.

If Villa return him at season's end, Wh will have to move him on if he retains that attitude, as his contract doesn’t expire until 31.

Shame is he was a really good player for us, not that long ago.

06 Sep 2026 11:27:55
Well, this is where the fixtures start running fast before the international break. Following Bolton, not back till 3 am, Wrexham Friday night at home, then Fulham in cc Tuesday, followed by Millwall away midday Saturday, phew!!

This for me will be an indication of where we are to handle the speed of fixtures.

There’s enough rest time, not enough training time.

06 Sep 2026 13:17:20
A large proportion of training time is occupied by fitness training, so playing time in effect replaces a major portion of fitness training. What is worrying, however, is the increased vulnerability to injuries.

05 Sep 2026 18:55:50
Think we'll win this title comfortably because this year it is average.

05 Sep 2026 19:58:32
Really? 🙄

05 Sep 2026 23:34:31
Something not quite right here. Brooking thinks we are champions, others think we are dross.

I think neither. We have a decent squad now, who are improving, but there is a way to go yet. We do have enough now to get promoted, but it's going to be hard, very hard work. Don't polish that silverware just yet, Brooking!

06 Sep 2026 00:28:52
Joyful,
I don't think we are dross. We have a decent squad who are capable of challenging for promotion, given the right circumstances. However, to say we'll win the Championship comfortably because this year the competition is average, is somewhat naive.

I'd rather wait and see how things develop. Champions? Who knows? I think there are several other good sides who might have a say in it.

06 Sep 2026 07:06:30
That's a bold statement that may happen, but as others say, we need to wait and see. Yesterday we were so dominant, yet, up till 85 minutes, it could have ended 1.1. Convincing scoreline v Wolves, but that could also have been a draw. If teams attack us from the off, we have a better chance. But, against teams that just sit back, if we don't get the first goal, we will struggle.


Yes, the squad looks better now for this division. To his credit, Nuno is more animated and actually trying to encourage them to push forward, but there is still the tendency to get the lead and then sit back more, which is a dodgy tactic that, as we know, has failed many a time.

06 Sep 2026 07:42:43
I have posted before that I am optimistic about this season. We managed to keep some key players this window and also brought in several who have had seriously encouraging performances so far. Engels and Mukasa were competing for MoM yesterday. From the little we've seen, Austbo looks like a great buy and I have high hopes for Boiro.

At times our play has been good enough to show the rest of the league that we are a genuine contender for the title, but our defensive frailties still concern me.

We have conceded too many goals. The Keeganesque principle of scoring more than the opposition is great in theory, but nerve wracking in practice.

I think we are a good bet for automatic promotion, but I wouldn't put my house on it.

06 Sep 2026 09:39:47
I realise it's like flogging a dead horse, but the squad desperately needs a more pro-active coach. This group of players is crying out for a positive tactician with ideas and ambition.

06 Sep 2026 13:24:13
I think the squad we have is more than capable of promotion, quality-wise. Is it deep enough with games coming thick and fast? Dunno, time will tell.

I've actually enjoyed watching the last 2 games more than any West Ham game for a long time. They have been entertaining.

And, here's the but (of course there was going to be one!). I agree with Tin, I think Nuno isn't great, and I think at some point hw will cost us points by reverting to type.

I think if we had a progressive, more forward-thinking coach, then I'd agree with Brookings' statement, as there's not much quality from what I've seen.

At the moment, though, I'll enjoy watching the team while it's playing like this, and hope promotion comes with it.

06 Sep 2026 19:13:05
I tend to agree with the last 2 comments. Nuno shouldn’t have kept his job, but there was no way the board would act in a knee jerk way. I’m much happier that we have started winning, and it seems that many of the new signings have started to perform well. With so many games in such close proximity, things can change quickly.

I hope we keep up the form of the last 2 matches, and maybe I will alter my opinion. It can definitely change for the short term, but in the long term, if we do get promoted, we are not going to get anywhere in the Premier League with Nuno and many of our current players.

07 Sep 2026 09:24:17
Thing is, Hammer, if we get promoted, because of the shrewd business done this summer, we should in theory have a fair bit of money to spend. I think that was part of the challenge this window, purchasing players with either the ability to play in the PL or sell-on value, whilst reducing the wage bill and shipping out toxic influences.

Given also the challenge of a dysfunctional board, I think the recruitment team have done really well.

07 Sep 2026 20:34:00
I agree, Dabber, that the new signings have all done quite well, Makassa especially. Engels played well on Saturday.
I'm not saying they will all have to be sold, and the one for the future to keep is on loan, but that might come back in our favour in the future.
I don't think the current manager, if he doesn't lose his job, will be any good in the Prem. Also, when Sully was top man and told us there is no money to spend, we all went ape, yet we have had the exact same thing being said now, yet we don't question it.


So, I think some people are being too believing in regards to our kitty being empty. We have made a massive profit in regards to our purchases and sales this. But, I feel if people think DK is gonna open the wallet and splash the cash on a set of new players you are very much mistaken. He won't. If he doesn't lose I will hold my hands up.

08 Sep 2026 04:47:55
If he does splash the cash, I will hold my hands up. I meant to say.

05 Sep 2026 16:44:00
I can honestly say we are dross.

Shot after shot either no where near goal or straight at the keeper, and we are now inviting Derby to have a go

Has to be more direct and faster against these teams. We take far too long with too msny backwards passes.

05 Sep 2026 14:28:45.
Pablo not in the squad, just like Orford last game.

Very odd.

05 Sep 2026 15:50:22
Pretty dominant first half. For me, we are giving the derby too long to get set up, with too many backwards and sideways passes. I'd like to see the sidemen taking players on instead of playing an easy pass back inside to Kilman or Mav.

Otherwise, not that bad, but I'd feel better with a couple more goals.

05 Sep 2026 17:13:19
We were so dominant first half, we should have been 2 or 3 up.
I'm sure he must give them Horlicks as a half time drink, because a lot of the second half was unnecessarily nervy.
But, a good win in the end with some decent performances.

05 Sep 2026 17:25:28
Should have been 3 up by halftime, made it into a game for no good reason, a win is a win. NB, think we got away with a handball, just my opinion.

Creeping up, we are on course, squad looking much better.

05 Sep 2026 17:45:29
Pablo injured in the warm-up, apparently. Let's hope him being pulled was just a precaution.