Error-Strewn Hammers Start To New Premier League Season

A solid pre-season, a string of "astute" signings and an experienced manager in Avram Grant would have filled most Hammers fans with renewed optimism. I was also pleased from reading reports about victories at Monchengladbach and thought that last season's poor showing will be forgotten.

Unfortunately, the same West Ham (bar Winston Reid) lined up against a managerless Villans and were made to look pretty much like what they were last season, utterly hapless. Watching the first-half performance could have made a grown man cry and the Hammers clearly could not settle into any sort of rhythm. Passes were terrible and the one West Ham threat, Carlton Cole was forced to come deep to collect the ball. The big Hammers striker did have one good run towards the Villa goal, outpacing Dunne but forced wide, Cole dragged the shot wide of goal.

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Green's Unforgivable Slip Lets USA Off The Hook

England's first match in the 2010 World Cup started on a high note but unfortunately ended with a whimper and a disappointing draw. While watching the game, it was hard to not feel that there is a need for a world class second striker alongside Rooney.

As good as Emile Heskey is in linking up play, he cannot hit a barndoor, hence the dilemma facing Capello. I say sacrifice the link play with attacking potency. The option of playing Gerrard as the second striker off Rooney may prove a better attacking risk. Let's face it, scoring goals are what wins tournaments and therefore, it is crucial that England must find their scoring form soon. Otherwise, opposing teams like the USA will just crowd out Rooney and snuff out England's only scoring threat.

Gerrard marked his England captaincy in the World Cup with a well-taken goal. He was everywhere yesterday, trying his best to win the match for England. He covered the most distance (11 km) among the English players and was also most involved in the match with 451 seconds of high activity time.

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West Ham Players On International Duty: Player Performance

Over the international weekend, several West Ham players were in action for their respective national teams. Here are the players performances which I have compiled from matches I have seen and other football news reports.

Robert Green and Matthew Upson saw first team action as England routed Croatia 5-1 in a one-sided match. Robert Green had a great game with some very assured goalkeeping and excellent positioning. He was unfortunate to let in the solitary goal but he would have taken heart from a solid and confident display. He has proven that he can be counted on whenever called upon by Fabio Capello.

Similarly Matty Upson showed just why he is so highly valued by the West Ham faithful. It was a calm and powerful display from Upson, giving the Croatian strikers very little to work on. His passing were slightly wayward but his performance was a good one. While the first choice central defensive pairing will Ferdinand and Terry, Matthew Upson will be the most obvious backup if either one of the central pairing were to be injured or suspended.

Carlton Cole was not on the subs bench although he was at the match. No doubt he would have put in a decent shift if called upon.

Playing in the UEFA U-21 2011 European qualifier, James Tomkins again showed why Zola was able to accept Aston Villa's bid for James Collins. He can make defending look really simple like Rio Ferdinand.

Danny Gabbidon did not have a very good game against Russia for Wales. His foul on Kerzhakov resulted in the second goal from Russia after Wales had worked hard to equalise. Nevertheless, it was good to see him back working himself into full fitness for both club and country.



American Jonathan Spector had mixed reviews for his USA performances against first, El Salvador and later, Trinidad & Tobago. Shaky and nervous against El Salvador as USA sneaked a 2-1 win but Spector redeemed himself with a good defensive display against the Ticos where he kept first Tinto and then Edwards quiet the whole game.

Soon-to-be new Hammer, Guillermo Franco played in Mexico's 3-0 win against Costa Rica. He scored an easy second goal for El Tri. Equally dangerous with both feet and excellent in the air with a great leap, he would make a capable backup for Carlton Cole. You can see ten of his best goals HERE (while Franco was playing for Monterey).




Ex-Hammer James Collins also played in the Welsh defeat and was excellent. West Ham will miss this big man.