Other Games - 2016/17

[four fornicholl]

They're averaging 57,000 now whereas Upton Park only held 35K. I think that's at least twenty-two thousand that prefer their new surroundings.

Who are, and from where, have these 22k suddenly appeared though?

[cdbearsfan]

Essex, maybe? I don't know, it doesn't matter.

I do think people are blaming the stadium for their dip in form whereas I believe it makes little to no difference. They had about one good season in the last thirty at Upton Park. It just so happened to be the season before they moved. Where they are now is more-or-less where West Ham usually find themselves.

Long-term, the new stadium will prove a success, giving them access to far greater wealth and making them more attractive to a would-be Abramovich/Mansour.

[four fornicholl]

Essex, maybe? I don't know, it doesn't matter.

I do think people are blaming the stadium for their dip in form whereas I believe it makes little to no difference. They had about one good season in the last thirty at Upton Park. It just so happened to be the season before they moved. Where they are now is more-or-less where West Ham usually find themselves.

Long-term, the new stadium will prove a success, giving them access to far greater wealth and making them more attractive to a would-be Abramovich/Mansour.

Fair comment, but the natives do seem very restless.

[cdbearsfan]

They will be. They overachieved last season but are, undoubtedly, underachieving this year. Haven't seen too much, due to diminishing interest in the tainted top flight, but it seems that Payet, in particular, is nowhere near the player he was last season.

[Des Little]

They deserve all they're getting. They sold more than their stadium when they moved. They sold the heart and soul of that club, and the terrible trio will ride off into the sunset with their pockets full.

[cdbearsfan]

If moving ground means "selling your soul" then the same applies for half of their competitors.

ETA: I don't for one second think that it is anything less than a disgrace that their stadium is taxpayer-funded, but I wouldn't expect West Ham not to want to take advantage any more than Man City/Hull and one or two others were likely to turn their nose up at a free ground.

[FatSam]

The Guardian Minute by Minute

1m ago
13:05
33 min “Hi Rob,” says Geoff Wignall. “Great as Stam was in his time at Old Trafford, those of a certain age will recall the equally great Martin Buchan, those of us even older will remember also Tony Dunne, albeit a full back so hard to compare directly. However there’s no need to have had quite so many birthdays to remember the finest of all: step forward Paul McGrath, the most outstanding defender I’ve seen at an English club in over 50 years of following football (and one who also managed to be a world-class midfielder).”

I wish I’d seen Buchan in his pomp. Fair point about McGrath. He was so astonishingly good at Villa that I’ve almost forgotten he used to play for United.

Agreed

[Deano's Mullet]

Small Heath losing aready. Great job, Zola.

[QuintonVilla]

Looks a massive crowd at The Sty. I think there's more Newcastle fans there.

[nodge]

Looks a massive crowd at The Sty. I think there's more Newcastle fans there.

Tom Ross said that on Talksport when reporting the Newcastle goal. Something along the lines of there being 4600 Newcastle fans there, possibly more than in the rest of the ground.

[kippaxvilla2]

Super Darren Bent equalises against smethwick I do hope he cupped his ears again.

[kippaxvilla2]

Oh beautiful now smethwick fall behind.

[four fornicholl]

Stourbridge level. NOW THEN.

[dave.woodhall]

Fucking yessssss.

[kippaxvilla2]

Wow great stuff.