West Ham Banter 3

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.

07 Sep 2026 08:41:01
I'd like to see Nuno be brave tomorrow night and stick with the same lineup and if we are running away with it bring couple off and rest fir Friday.

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.

06 Sep 2026 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, SFA Youth Minutes Plan Feels Like a Quick Fix

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 16:56:00
Austbo made such a difference. Wow!!

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 16:12:19
What has happened to Bowen. Dreadful and now he will score.

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.

05 Sep 2026 14:09:04
Interesting line-up. No Pablo and Kilman retains his place.

05 Sep 2026 16:53:56
So much for us only winning with Pablo in the side!

05 Sep 2026 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

04 Sep 2026 13:16:49
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

04 Sep 2026 08:39:25
Very careful negotiations between existing shareholders end up with Sullivan/Tripp owning exactly 51%?

What a surprise. If that isn't a come on to Staveley to put her money where her mouth is, I don't know what is.

04 Sep 2026 09:44:12
I find it quite repulsive that our current top man in the board room DK has shown his true colours and is working hand in glove with that despicable little man Sullivan. I don't know if it is to keep Staveley out or to make her pay more to try to get any sort of control.

Either way Sullivan will benefit. The current pigs have their heads firmly in the trough

04 Sep 2026 10:46:41
WH is your club, my club, but it's also a business. Who would you rather have in control, Kretinsky or Sullivan? You have just answered the question.

04 Sep 2026 11:30:59
Kretinsky is not working with Sullivan, he bought his allocated rights as he was always going to. As did Sullivan and Tripp.

Sullivan had nothing to do with WH any longer, there is no collusion, he is a large shareholder that's it.

As such, he is entitled to visit both home and away games, he is not allowed any inner sanctum entries, he has zero to do with the running or any decisions made by WH.



Sullivan is 80% responsible for the situation we find ourselves in today.

When he disposes of his shares, to whom and for whatever is his sole and private business, he has no friends at WH.

05 Sep 2026 08:34:22
Thank you, Joyful, for setting the record. Some seem to be thinking that DK was in collusion with Sully. Staverley showed her hand straight away by saying they would buy the LS and land. This wasn't for West Ham's benefit; it was for her and her cronies. If they did buy the land and stadium, there would be nothing stopping the doubling or trebling of the rent. And then coming out with all that crap about building us a new stadium.

First question is, where? Second is, how can someone with a wealth of only 150 million commit to spending over a billion on a new stadium? Does she really think we are all that stupid. The other question is, why would they? It makes zero financial sense. DK might not be what we want, but he is better than someone who got involved with the purchases on City and the barcodes for one reason only: money!

{Ed001's Note - Staveley doesn't use her own money, she never does. She is a front. She brings together consortiums and then fronts them and they give her the money to invest. Her wealth is irrelevant, it is not her money.}

05 Sep 2026 10:20:25
Correct, plus I understand there is another consortium named Silver Lake, so she's fronting four groups presently in all.

Her plan wasn't to improve the stadium, but to demolish it. Ok, first small matter is where WH are going to play for the next three years?

There is virtually nowhere in East London that has the volume of land with accessible routes available.

So a scheme involving a move out on the M11 to Harlow was briefly put forward for a whole new stadium complex, with its own road.

Sounds great, however, it's miles from any public connections.

So without a vehicle, you're not getting there, and then you need space for thousands of parked cars. All a bit fantasy island stuff.

I do not see any return for Sullivan. He sees a big chance to maximise his holdings. Ok, that's it. Everything he touches is to the detriment of WH. Yes, on paper he could block issues etc, will he? Make him look even worse, doubt it. He wants one last big pay day, that's it

05 Sep 2026 10:13:30
I know that Ed, I am not daft, but she talks like it's her money and she can't be making stupid statements as some people believe her. There is no way anyone would invest 1billion on a stadium, what would be the benefit to them? There would be stipulations if anyone bought the land and stadium and not demolishing the LS would be one of them

05 Sep 2026 11:23:04
He isn't going to block anything because he doesn't want to appear even worse!
Come on Joyful! That man has skin like a rhino. He attends games at a stadium where he is thoroughly hated and at the end of last season had about 40K of fans from both teams chanting that he's a sex offender! Yet he continues to go.

As for staveley, nobody actually thought she was investing her own money as Ed says she never does. I've heard she wants to run a club.

But she was open about things the consortium wanted to do. Whereas DK announced he would buy the Gold shares in June but he just didn't bother so you can't blame the Gold family being P-d off
DK has his own wealth mainly in the form if properties and businesses. He did a great job getting decent prices for our players in the transfer window but when is he actually going to pouch some of it back into the club. If or when he does I will say fair enough maybe I was wrong about him. But I just see him as an asset stripper with no real heart for the club or fans. He hasn't even attended games

05 Sep 2026 11:59:43
You're entitled to your opinion, as is everybody else. Sullivan just doesn't want to disappear from view, like an old actor making one film too many.

But he's fringe now. Staveley has four moves; she can buy out Sullivan, maybe Tripp, even Kretinsky, or the whole lot, but it's going to be double or more what her backers want to pay.



It's business. She's now on the back foot, over to you Staveley.

05 Sep 2026 12:02:15
The Staverley bid for the Gold shares stopped Dk investing. Joyful covered this on one of his previous posts.

05 Sep 2026 12:21:18
How much has DK invested in Sparta Prague, his boyhood club? I'm interested, because from what I know it isn't a lot, and that's his boyhood club. As for any delusion that he was going to invest but Staveley's bid stopped it, no it didn't, it just gave him an excuse not to. He still had 1st dibs on all the shares, so could have bought whenever, so why would it have stopped him investing? In fact, I believe if he had invested, other shareholders would have had to match his investment percentage-wise, or he could have taken over there and then.



As for Sullivan not being involved in any decision making, yes he is. He owns 40 % of the shares, giving him a significant vote on any business affecting the club, so 100% he can still influence things.

05 Sep 2026 13:20:55
Let me be clear, it matters not to me who is in charge at West Ham, as long as it is either to the benefit of West Ham or not to their detriment.

Staveley tried a mini hostile takeover. It did not work. It was never going to work. Kretinsky can call on any amount of cash when he needs it, so he was always going to buy the shares.

Sullivan would always want maximum return for his shares, so any thought she was going to buy West Ham for cheap was delusional.



Sullivan is not allowed into any board meetings in person. Yes, he can be represented by proxy. I am not a clairvoyant, I can only tell you the status quo, the now if you like.

At present time he is not involved with any day to day runnings at West Ham. He was not involved with transfer market dealings of any kind.

That is how it is. Tomorrow I do not know, you can think what you like.

05 Sep 2026 19:38:03
Robbo, I'm no expert and this may not be true, but one of my mates has a Czech girlfriend. She supports DK's rivals, Slavia Prague. Sparta used to be the main team in Czechia, but since DK has been there, Slavia have now superseded them. He is hated by both sets of fans. Slavia, for obvious reasons. He also acts like the big cheese in his own country.

But he is also disliked by his own fans because of a lack of investment. Considering of late there are only 2 sides in Czechia, they are currently not doing very well in the league, sitting 9th.

Conversely, when the whole Sullivan stuff broke and DK was popular with all of us, I heard somebody say online that he is doing a good job at Sparta.

03 Sep 2026 13:26:46
Just to add fuel to the Pablo debate, it's worth having a look at "Why do West Ham Only Win With Pablo" by AU on YouTube.

I'm not saying they're right, but what they have to say and the in depth analysis is interesting.

03 Sep 2026 14:43:32
Similar article on Green Street Hammers site.

03 Sep 2026 17:40:03
Yes, that's all well and good, but isn't that the least that's required of an attacker at this level? For £20+million outlay, it might be quite nice to see a few goals added to his West Ham CV! It doesn't change the fact that the first requirement of an attacker is to score goals. Pablo doesn't know how to at this level.

03 Sep 2026 18:22:55
Came on here to say exactly the same thing, Markro! Well worth a watch. Not saying he shouldn't be getting more G/A, but the work he does is v important to the team, and v under appreciated.

03 Sep 2026 19:15:42
I realise there are differences, but Emile Heskey springs to mind. He played as a striker, but his role, particularly in his partnership with Michael Owen, was to hold up the ball until his strike partner got into a goal scoring position.

His role was essential to the success of the Liverpool team. Despite this, Heskey found the net himself a number of times. Pablo doesn't seem capable of this even though he plays a support role in the team front line.

03 Sep 2026 20:53:22
The article has its merits and highlights some surprising statistics. I suppose the main one is the percentage of wins with Pablo in the side. But, using one of Mark Twain's one-liners, "there are lies, dam lies, and statistics", some of the stats would need to be examined again to check that it isn't something that is just specific to Pablo and couldn't be applied to other players. Also, the tenuous links of a pass or run that Pablo did 5 passes before a goal went in is clutching at straws. For example, the first goal had nothing to do with Pablo; it was a fantastic strike from a fantastic player.

If Tatty or Bowen had been in Mukasa's position, they probably wouldn't have scored. He is, for sure, an enigma. We all want him to succeed, and he seems a likeable fella, but he needs to provide more direct assists and some goals. If we had paid a couple of million, nobody would be questioning, but as it was such a large fee, there has to be a stewards' enquiry.
Let's hope he bags one against Derby....

03 Sep 2026 23:02:19
The £20m price tag is a heavy cross for him to bear, that fault doesn't lie with him, surely.

04 Sep 2026 00:03:03
No, but surely for that sort of money it's not unreasonable for us to expect a striker to know where the goal is! The club should have invested in some neon lights around the goalposts and a long elastic band attached to the ball and the back of the net. 🤨

04 Sep 2026 06:19:03
That is very true, Dabber. But nobody allowed JWP that degree of leeway when he was signed by some fool for 30 mil on over 100k per week on a 7 year deal. But he did initially pay some of that back.

But, as I say, let's hope he does find the net and the stats are definitely something to bear in mind. I think it is far more important to get a lead in these games, whether with or without him on the pitch.

04 Sep 2026 10:00:58
The problem is holding onto that lead!

03 Sep 2026 09:05:34
There’s still some half decent free agents out there that could do a job in the Championship, I know some might say that they’re free for a reason but if you just had them for a season just to get us promoted then it might be worth looking into. 🤷

03 Sep 2026 11:33:18
They are free for a reason, that may differ hugely for each individual player. Most of them are either past it, or getting to that stage, but there are one or two, however, that pose question marks for West Ham.

One is Diego Liete, Portugal international, left foot Cb, known to Nuno, a very accomplished player.
And the other, Bissouma, former Spurs player.



Both in their twenties. But Nuno went for Morata at Cb on loan.

There may well be something in regard to Bissouma, that’s not known.

I have looked through a long list, and for me, unless desperation strikes, best well left alone.

Now is the time for free agents when the window closes, but I don’t see a rush for any of these players.