Honest thoughts on this season?

[Alioune DVToure]

OK - fair point (as much as 'getting to Wembley', however and whatever for, represents a real achievement for West Ham).

Answer me this question, that I asked my City mate as we watched you beat Chels.

If you win the FA Cup and come 2nd, but
They win Europa and come 3rd

Who were the season's second best team?

I ask that from the perspective of it still sinking in that Man United seem to have won the title so easily. I can see the strengths of your team from a mile off, but can't really understand why the players didn't really perform in any consistent fashion.

Additionally, with the right appointment in the summer, I can see Chelsea take a few strides further in terms of the league next season: they've got right the forward options, just need to tighten up defence a few notches. That's not a prospect that cheers me in the least, I should add.

Well we've outclassed Chelsea four times this season, and we've also been the better side against Stretford twice (though the way they bagged 3 points at Eastlands was a textbook away performance). Our main problems are, a) a lack of pace out wide, making us too narrow, and b) a poor conversion rate. If you watched the semi and the Spurs game, you'll have seem that both opponents should've been out of the game by half time, but weren't. Stretford kill games off while they're on top (or even when they're not) and we haven't managed to do so.

As for Chelsea, I still think there's a massive imbalance in their squad. For me, there defensive problems stem from midfield. You get at Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Mikel properly and you just waltz through them. They offer no protection to the back four.

[Herb]

My honest thoughts on this season are that: -

Premiership; we've had a few knocks but still held ourselves up as being a notable team in the premiership - it isn't that we haven't competed, with the way we've played (including the odd bad bit) we'd have been vying for top place in many previous seasons but the rags have had an exceptional season this year that they will find difficult to repeat.
Despite this, we're still up above every other team in England and there's no shame in that position - indeed, much to be proud of.
Champions League; Well, fact of the matter is that we were drawn into perhaps the strongest group that the competition has ever seen and while we'd have liked to have gone further in the competition we didn't quite have the experience to do so.
Is that an issue? Not to me it's not because I can't remember any other English club ever doing particularly well in the CL without being in there for a number of years. Added to that, there isn't another English team that would've survived that group and that includes the rags.
Moving forward, we've added to our european experience and we'll have another tilt next season with the benefit of recent learning.

League Cup; As with all other top flight clubs, it's a distraction and we simply didn't want to be in it.

FA Cup; Had to pit ourselves against a series of lesser teams that were looking to upset us but dealt with them all with panache culminating in a game at wembley against a strong chelsea side which we slapped aside to book our place in our second FAC final in 3 years.

Overall; Regardless of massive 'anti-City' media pressure (not helped by taggart upping his access for pro-rag reporting strategy - which needs a legal investigation) we've stayed strong as a club and strong (except for a few drama queens) as fans. We've proven that we have staying power in the upper echelons of the PL to the degree that rag fans almost expect to get slapped silly by us at the swamp. Consistency has been our real issue and problems in that area were exacerbated by the ACoN (Yaya really is a key component) and a litany of repeated injuries to both fringe and key players (I won't list them but Aguero & Kompany injuries were perhaps the difference this year).
Club wide, we've continued to progress in the development of a world class training academy, added to the senior management team and secured new longterm sponsors.
I did wish for more from the season (I always want us to win everything!) but in realistic terms it's actually been a good season that could get better if we can stick another top notch trophy in the cabinet - roll on the FAC final eh?

[Bridge'srightfoot]

OK - fair point (as much as 'getting to Wembley', however and whatever for, represents a real achievement for West Ham).

Answer me this question, that I asked my City mate as we watched you beat Chels.

If you win the FA Cup and come 2nd, but
They win Europa and come 3rd

Who were the season's second best team?

I ask that from the perspective of it still sinking in that Man United seem to have won the title so easily. I can see the strengths of your team from a mile off, but can't really understand why the players didn't really perform in any consistent fashion.

Additionally, with the right appointment in the summer, I can see Chelsea take a few strides further in terms of the league next season: they've got right the forward options, just need to tighten up defence a few notches. That's not a prospect that cheers me in the least, I should add.

Well we've outclassed Chelsea four times this season, and we've also been the better side against Stretford twice (though the way they bagged 3 points at Eastlands was a textbook away performance). Our main problems are, a) a lack of pace out wide, making us too narrow, and b) a poor conversion rate. If you watched the semi and the Spurs game, you'll have seem that both opponents should've been out of the game by half time, but weren't. Stretford kill games off while they're on top (or even when they're not) and we haven't managed to do so.

As for Chelsea, I still think there's a massive imbalance in their squad. For me, there defensive problems stem from midfield. You get at Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Mikel properly and you just waltz through them. They offer no protection to the back four.

That's the key point really and explains why they so often play shite and win. They're clinical.
When they get chances they take them. Against Madrid they were under the cosh for the first half hour or so, get 1 chance, score it and get a valuable away goal. Against Spurs they had one chance in the whole game and took it and very nearly won. Against us at Etihad they had two real chances and took them both ( don't count VP's as a chance)

You always get the feeling when watching a Rags game that if the score is level or they're beind, they're going to score and more often than not they do.
We're getting there and 1 positive from this season is that we did get a fair amount of late winners but we still have a way to go yet.

[Blue Since 76]

That's the key point really and explains why they so often play shite and win. They're clinical.
When they get chances they take them. Against Madrid they were under the cosh for the first half hour or so, get 1 chance, score it and get a valuable away goal. Against Spurs they had one chance in the whole game and took it and very nearly won. Against us at Etihad they had two real chances and took them both ( don't count VP's as a chance)

You always get the feeling when watching a Rags game that if the score is level or they're beind, they're going to score and more often than not they do.
We're getting there and 1 positive from this season is that we did get a fair amount of late winners but we still have a way to go yet.

Against Madrid, we were being embarrassed for about 30 mins, then Dzeko scored. What's the difference?

Why don't you get the impression we're going to score? Last season we scored most of our goals in the last 20 minutes and the number and proportion far exceeded any other team. Saw a similar stat this season, but it was a couple of months ago so could have changed, although I doubt it.

If anything, I'd say we generally start too slowly and try and build momentum. It usually works, but we've often been a goal down before we've started playing or have struggled to open up a side who know they only need to hang on for 10 minutes.

Against the rags, Chelsea and Spurs we started much more brightly and looked dangerous from the off. We tired badly against Spurs, but if we'd done the same in every game this season, I suspect we'd have quite a few more wins. The rags often go for it from the off and try and catch a team cold. Get a goal up and they can then sit back and try and pick them off as even the rubbish has to come out and play.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

That's the key point really and explains why they so often play shite and win. They're clinical.
When they get chances they take them. Against Madrid they were under the cosh for the first half hour or so, get 1 chance, score it and get a valuable away goal. Against Spurs they had one chance in the whole game and took it and very nearly won. Against us at Etihad they had two real chances and took them both ( don't count VP's as a chance)

You always get the feeling when watching a Rags game that if the score is level or they're beind, they're going to score and more often than not they do.
We're getting there and 1 positive from this season is that we did get a fair amount of late winners but we still have a way to go yet.

Against Madrid, we were being embarrassed for about 30 mins, then Dzeko scored. What's the difference?

Why don't you get the impression we're going to score? Last season we scored most of our goals in the last 20 minutes and the number and proportion far exceeded any other team. Saw a similar stat this season, but it was a couple of months ago so could have changed, although I doubt it.

If anything, I'd say we generally start too slowly and try and build momentum. It usually works, but we've often been a goal down before we've started playing or have struggled to open up a side who know they only need to hang on for 10 minutes.

Against the rags, Chelsea and Spurs we started much more brightly and looked dangerous from the off. We tired badly against Spurs, but if we'd done the same in every game this season, I suspect we'd have quite a few more wins. The rags often go for it from the off and try and catch a team cold. Get a goal up and they can then sit back and try and pick them off as even the rubbish has to come out and play.

I see what you're saying. I guess it's just over the years I've seen United score countless late winners, each one making me feel sick. They were brilliant at changing their tactics, putting shit loads of crosses in and flooding the box. I mean in the last 4 years, they've scored 4 stoppage time winners against us.

We've also become far better at this which is the sign of a top side.

I don't know the facts and statistics but I'd guess just from watching us and them, their chance conversion rate is higher. Just a guess- could be wrong but it does seem that way to me.

[simplytolmie]

Hart -6/10
Zaba 9/10
Richards 4/10
Maicon 4/10
Clichy 8/10
Kolarov 6/10
Kompany 6/10
Lescott 6/10
K Toure 6/10
Nastasic 7/10
Barry 7/10
Garcia 5/10
Milner 8/10
Y Toure 7/10
Nasri 6/10
Silva 6/10
Sincair 1/10
Rodwell 6/10
Aguero 7/10
Tevez 8/10
Dzeko 6/10
Ballotelli 2/10

When you do this exercise its pretty obvious why we came second. Too many players having a below par season.

If Hart/Kompany/Yaya/Silva/Aguero/dzeko all played to their limits and achieved 9's we'd have walked it.

A lot comes down to motivation (manager) and down to new players pressuring the players. But all in all too many had an average and unacceptable level of performance.

[freshie]

Hart -6/10
Zaba 9/10
Richards 4/10
Maicon 4/10
Clichy 8/10
Kolarov 6/10
Kompany 6/10
Lescott 6/10
K Toure 6/10
Nastasic 7/10
Barry 7/10
Garcia 5/10
Milner 8/10
Y Toure 7/10
Nasri 6/10
Silva 6/10
Sincair 1/10
Rodwell 6/10
Aguero 7/10
Tevez 8/10
Dzeko 6/10
Ballotelli 2/10

When you do this exercise its pretty obvious why we came second. Too many players having a below par season.

If Hart/Kompany/Yaya/Silva/Aguero/dzeko all played to their limits and achieved 9's we'd have walked it.

A lot comes down to motivation (manager) and down to new players pressuring the players. But all in all too many had an average and unacceptable level of performance.

I don't understand why players at this level need motivating? Surely the prospect of being the best team in England and one of the best in Europe is enough?

[Beefymcfc]

Let's be honest, the season for many has been absolutely shite and not come up to expectations. However, from my point of view, which I stated after the window closed, was that we wouldn't win a bean, nothing, nada. That's why my expectations haven't been unduly killed off.

And, FFS, 2nd beats relegation, beats being in league 1 or 2, the Pompey shit. Fucking grow some and stop being a fucking drama queen. It's fucking pathetic, all just to make a point.

We're currently 2nd in the league, not 5th chasing for a place, not 20th heading for relegation, not in the Championship or anything other. We are 2nd, do you understand that?

PS. There's too many City fans who are too busy touching their front bums because an armchair Rag has had a go. Again, fucking grow some and look forward to what will come.

It's the shit I hear on here everyday, so no I won't grow up, it's called an opinion you obnoxious cunt.

I think it's been absolutely awesome mate. Nah not really, only joking. It's been a disappointing season but then again I kind of predicted it. I said we'd win no silverware and would be in the top 3 (I think I said we'd win the CL though ;-)).

And I don't really give a fuck about the Rags, they'll try to enjoy the run-in but they'll have one eye on our Cup Final, which if we win, will eat them from inside and you'll get the joy of watching them cry into their shandy. United fans are not just about winning, the full joy for them is seeing everbody else losing. Their a strange bunch.

[Cyprusblue]

Starting with the 3 - 5 - 2 formation too many times early season

Vinnnys layoff

Lack of width

Lack of invention when Silvas been out/out of sorts

Title winning hangover/complacency


Must do better. Mancinis fault, but happy for him to be given another season to learn from his mistakes. If he doesn't...well...there's threads for that...

[Cocacolajojo1]

I don't think I've ever been this bored by a season. Both on field and here it seems like there's a whole lot of effort that peters of into nothing, or uninteresting fog.

I'll give myself 10/10 for reaching a thousand posts. And Beefy 20/10 for trying to be keep a balanced perspective no matter what.

Also, Tevez has been amazing this spring. His best spring ever for us yet? I think so.

[CTID Hants]

Hart -6/10
Zaba 9/10
Richards 4/10
Maicon 4/10
Clichy 8/10
Kolarov 6/10
Kompany 6/10
Lescott 6/10
K Toure 6/10
Nastasic 7/10
Barry 7/10
Garcia 5/10
Milner 8/10
Y Toure 7/10
Nasri 6/10
Silva 6/10
Sincair 1/10
Rodwell 6/10
Aguero 7/10
Tevez 8/10
Dzeko 6/10
Ballotelli 2/10

You have omitted Costel Pants

Deserves at least an 8/10 for the clean sheets up until Wembley (albeit against lesser opponents) & a sterling performance in that Semi, at times in the second half he kept us in that game single handed.

[zuricity]

I don't think I've ever been this bored by a season. Both on field and here it seems like there's a whole lot of effort that peters of into nothing, or uninteresting fog.

I'll give myself 10/10 for reaching a thousand posts. And Beefy 20/10 for trying to be keep a balanced perspective no matter what.

Also, Tevez has been amazing this spring. His best spring ever for us yet? I think so.

were you a fan when Pearce was around ? Now that was boring

[roblues]

I don't think I've ever been this bored by a season. Both on field and here it seems like there's a whole lot of effort that peters of into nothing, or uninteresting fog.

I'll give myself 10/10 for reaching a thousand posts. And Beefy 20/10 for trying to be keep a balanced perspective no matter what.

Also, Tevez has been amazing this spring. His best spring ever for us yet? I think so.

were you a fan when Pearce was around ? Now that was boring

That last season under Pearce was dreadful, but his first eight games were arguably the most exciting run of games we had in the Premier League pre-takeover. Then again, I probably remember those games as being better than they were and the 2006-07 as far worse based on the goalscoring stats.

[Alioune DVToure]

You have omitted Costel Pants

Deserves at least an 8/10 for the clean sheets up until Wembley (albeit against lesser opponents) & a sterling performance in that Semi, at times in the second half he kept us in that game single handed.

That was a bit irresponsible of him in my opinion. It's the semi-final of the cup for fuck's sake. Stop showboating and use both of your hands you lanky twat!

[Cocacolajojo1]

I don't think I've ever been this bored by a season. Both on field and here it seems like there's a whole lot of effort that peters of into nothing, or uninteresting fog.

I'll give myself 10/10 for reaching a thousand posts. And Beefy 20/10 for trying to be keep a balanced perspective no matter what.

Also, Tevez has been amazing this spring. His best spring ever for us yet? I think so.

were you a fan when Pearce was around ? Now that was boring

That last season under Pearce was dreadful, but his first eight games were arguably the most exciting run of games we had in the Premier League pre-takeover. Then again, I probably remember those games as being better than they were and the 2006-07 as far worse based on the goalscoring stats.

It's all about perspectives I guess but as Roblues say, that season had something enticing about it at the beginning. There was something in the air about this season from day one I'd say. I was at the Etihad for the game against Southhampton and it was... I don't know... even the team didn't seem that enthusiastic at times.

Anyway, I shouldn't complain, we're a great team. Sos for the overdramatic description of the season.

It was a bit of a let down and has really never kicked into gear. Is that perhaps a better assessment?

[zuricity]

It's all about perspectives I guess but as Roblues say, that season had something enticing about it at the beginning. There was something in the air about this season from day one I'd say. I was at the Etihad for the game against Southhampton and it was... I don't know... even the team didn't seem that enthusiastic at times.

Anyway, I shouldn't complain, we're a great team. Sos for the overdramatic description of the season.

It was a bit of a let down and has really never kicked into gear. Is that perhaps a better assessment?

yes, but the season isn't finished .

[City64]

Loads and loads of factors have contributed. Biggest thing for me is that we have to get back to scoring plenty of goals again !

[Cocacolajojo1]

It's all about perspectives I guess but as Roblues say, that season had something enticing about it at the beginning. There was something in the air about this season from day one I'd say. I was at the Etihad for the game against Southhampton and it was... I don't know... even the team didn't seem that enthusiastic at times.

Anyway, I shouldn't complain, we're a great team. Sos for the overdramatic description of the season.

It was a bit of a let down and has really never kicked into gear. Is that perhaps a better assessment?

yes, but the season isn't finished .

Yeah I was going to add that but didn't... anyway I was assessing the season as it has passed so far. But you're right, it's not over yet.

I mean if we win the FA-cup it's a good season.

[dazby]

Coca, I agree with you 100% and not for the first time.

Is there any chance we could be twins? Or clones? Or a product of a mind melding technique?

I expect you don't know either, because that's how we roll.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Coca, I agree with you 100% and not for the first time.

Is there any chance we could be twins? Or clones? Or a product of a mind melding technique?

I expect you don't know either, because that's how we roll.

I want to go for alternative c, mind melding. It probably took place about the time we experimented with mushrooms, am I right?