In Office - 1:30pm
Well my first game as West Ham boss, I felt, went well. We threatend a number of times but were just a bit unlucky on the day. We have a friendly against BV Veendam followed by the second leg against Galatasaray. If we beat BV Veendam, we probably can get a result from Galatasaray.
I'm going to introduce Tomkins, Nouble & Hines to the Friendly, getting some experience will do them alot of good. I'm also going to let some youngsters go out on loan for the season. The youth set up here is tremendous and the future looks bright here. I'm off to get warmed up for the BV Veendam game, lets hope for a result.
BV Veendam vs West Ham United - Pre Match Build Up
Reporter:
Bv Veendam go into this game looking for their first win in this pre-season campaign. Bakker has been in good form lately netting 2 in 3 games for them. The manager is optimistic about his chances.
"We go into this game as the home team, as the home team expectations are high so its important to get off to a good start. We play a good side today, so its going to be tough, however Im confident of getting a good result today"
On the other hand, West Ham look to bounce back today from a defeat against Galatasaray. They showed good team spirit in the last game playing their first game under manager Sam Victory. Sam had this to say
"We played a good side and lost, pure and simple. We had some good chances but didn't take them. The lads showed tremendous spirit and when the played they all wanted the ball. Today we face a team looking for their first win this pre-season, we are also looking for a win so I don't expect anyone to sit back".
---------- Post added at 08:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 AM ----------
NOTE: as I've played some games I'll just post the match reports.
Friendly Match
BV Veendam 0 - 5 West Ham United(Diamanti 11', 72', Stanislas 14', Upson 41', Yildirim OG, 43')
I went into this game with one thing in my mind, Win. I told the lads to attack them from the start and boy did we do it, 5 minutes in Cole shoots from distance and i just grazes the crossbar, a couple minutes later Kovac has a go from all 30 yards which the goalkeeper tips over from the resulting corner, Upson heads just wide. BV Veendam almost took the lead on the 9th minute Klass Rozema rattling the post from 25 yards. We finally took the lead on 11minutes when Diamanti pounced on a mistake by the goal keeper to tap the ball in from 10 yards. 3 minutes later it was 2-0, Stanislas volleying the ball into an open goal after a Illunga's cross dips over the keeper. We were playing brilliantly and we nearly went 3-0 up when Stanislas had a free kick just go over the bar. Eventually we ment 3-0 up, Stanislas' teasing corner fell nicely for Upson to head home after 41 minutes. 2 minutes later It was 4 when Cole raced through and had a shot deflected in by Marcel Yildirim. We went into half time 4-0 up and it could of been anything really.
Cole nearly scored a 5th when Collison found him in the box but his shot went over the bar. Bakker then nearly pulled one back only to find his shot saved by Rob Green. I was feeling good i must admit, we was playing good and really should be 5 or 6 up. Collison nearly scored but his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper. We eventually scored a 5th Substitute Parker ran to the bi-line and pulled the ball back for Diamanti to score his second of the game. The match for BV Veendam was summed up when Bakker missed an open goal from 6 yards, his shot cannoning of the bar and out for a goal kick.
Europa League Qualifying Rnd 3, 2nd Leg
Galatasaray (Servert,54') (2)1 - 1(1) West Ham United(Faubert, 20')
We went into this game looking for another impressive display and to put the opposition under pressure. It was the opposite, Sabri was causing alot of problems for us on the right hand side and he nearly scored on the 15th minute when he skipped past Draprela and his fierce shot just going wide. They nearly took the lead when Linderoth took a long range shot which the goalkeeper just stood and watched the ball fly past the post. Galatasaray looked the more dangerous, but then on the 20th minute mark, Faubert pounced on a well placed pass from Stanislas to fire home from a tight angle, we had pulled a goal back and the tie was level. When the goal went in, a sigh of relief passed through me because i knew a goal for Galatasaray would swing the game into their hands, but a goal for us would swing the pendulum our way. We could have scored again on the 39th minute when Cole raced through and his shot just going over the bar. We went into half time 1 goal up on the night but level on aggrigate.
Galatasaray showed why they were in the Champions League, when Sabri played a one-two with Turan and his pass played into Baros but Green did superbly to tip his shot away for a corner. Galatasaray then leveled the match ont the night but took the lead on aggrigate in the 54th minute when Turan played an excellent ball for Servert and his shot placed shot passing Green. They nearly scored a minute later when Baros tried to lob Green but the ball just sailing past the post. We then had a penalty appeal turned down, Parker played the ball into Diamanti and it appeared the dedfender pulled him down but the referee wasn't interested. The game then turned towards Galatasaray and they saw the game out strongly and nearly scored but for a brilliant save from Green.
Friendly Match
West Ham United(Cole, 40', 68') 2 - 3 Catania(Martinez pen 12', Delvecchio 60', Suarino, 72)
We started this game on the back foot when Delvecchio aimed to beat Green from distance only to find his 7th minute shot graze the post. They then took the lead in the 12th minute when Gabbidon brought down Martinez and his penalty just went in, Green nearly getting a hand to it. He nearly grabbed his second when his shot from the edge of the area deflected of Green and grazed the crossbar. They were completely outplaying us and we needed to turn the game around other wise Catania are going to walk this game. We then equalised through Cole, he outstrengthed the defender and his well placed shot evading the onrushing goal keeper. We went into half time level and on the back foot.
We started the second half in good style, Collison skipping past 2 defenders and he probably should have passed than shoot, his left footed effort tamley going wide. Catania then took the lead with a wonderful goal, Delvecchio played a one-two and his shot from the edge of the area flying into the top corner. We nearly equalized 2 minutes after when Diamanti's free kick looping just over the bar with the keeper stranded. We then equalised for the second time when Cole pounced on a mistake from Silvestre and shot low past the the helpless keeper. I was feeling confident of getting a good result from this, but then all was wipped away 4 minutes later, Tomkins' weak past fell for Suarino and he raced through past Green and tapped the ball into an open net, that was down to bad defending from the young defender, but he is still young and learning. It then stayed that way till full-time and it was a good match to watch, but i was disappointed with the defending.
Friendly Match
West Ham United (Stanislas 89') 1 - 0 Racing
I wanted a good display from the boys today, we had to win to boost our confidence for the opening game of the season which wasn't far away. We started in good fashion, when Hines had a shot saved by the goalkeeper in the 4th minute then 3 minutes later Cole's half volley just going over the crossbar. Diamanti nearly got us off the mark but his left footed effort again saved by the goalkeeper. Tchite nearly gave Racing the lead when he pounced on a mistake from Upson but Green stood his ground well to block the powerful shot. That was the only dangerous chance they had in this first half.
The second half almost saw Parker score a beauty but his 25 yard piledriver saved by the keeper. Xisco then showed a piece of magic when he outstrengthed Tomkins and skipped past Upson only to find his shot hit the bar. Diamanti nearly scored with a wonderful curling effort but his shot saved expertly by the goal keeper. Then with the game heading for a stalemate, In the 89th minute Nouble raced through on the right hand side and his cross found Stanislas who's close range volley smashed into the back of the net, to the fans. We should have scored deep into stoppage time but Nouble's effort straight at the goalkeeper.
