I am really shocked to learn that West Ham have just announced that Alan Pardew has been sacked. This is a very shortsighted decision. He's one of the best young managers in the game. The new Icelandic owners clearly wish to stamp their authority on the club very early on and this is their way of doing so. It's a pity they haven't remembered that Pardew was the man who got us promotion and nearly won us the FA Cup. He hasn't become a bad manager overnight. I think there will be quite a reaction against the new chairman for this. I guess it slightly depends who replaces Pardew.
My own view is that Alan Curbishley is the most likely replacement. I just hope that Sven Goran Eriksson doesn't figure in their plans.
The job will go to Iain "Davros" Dowie!
ReplyDeleteyou are right Iain. get the tenner ready.
ReplyDeleteIf this decision had been taken before the buy out, I would agree that Curbs would be favourite.
ReplyDeleteBut, your new owners seem to have big ideas, and I don't think Curbs will be big enough for them.
He has obviously lost the dressing room. Reo Coker not being committed says something of state of team morale. Better to act sooner rather than let matters drag on. Things have not gone well post arrival of Argies so heralded earlier.
ReplyDeleteI more shocked that you have written something I agree with Iain.
ReplyDeleteA real shame to lose Alan. A crap start to the season but it's hardly been stable at Upton Park has it?
Grahame Souness is available.
ReplyDeleteNot happy either, and they are spitting razorblades at Kumb.
ReplyDeleteThis is a terrible decision. Six months after being feted in Cardiff he is turfed out. West Ham know a bit about getting rid of managers and paying the price in recent years as I am sure 'arry would confirm. West Ham used to have a terrific record for trusting managers in the past, (the notion that Lyall or Greenwood would be shown the door after just over three months of the season would have been unthinkable.
ReplyDeleteHaving said all that Iain, you may know this better than most of us, had Pardew lost the players? Reo Coker, to my mind, would have made much more sense that Jenas in Sven's squad last season, but together with Ferdinand he has cocked upo my fantasy football team this year week on week.
Your problems started when they brought in the glamour boys Tevez and Mascherano. That unsettled key key players like marvellous Marlon Harewood who hasn't fired all season. Pardew has been a solid manager and getting rid of him is a myopic decision, no doubt catalysed by your 4 - 0 tonking at Bolton. That thrilling day in Cardiff when only Gerrard's sheer brilliance denied you the Cup seems a world way.
ReplyDeleteI've got a bad feeling that Sven is pencilled in for this. He has been sniffing about the edges of Premiership since his inglorious term as England manager came to a damp squib. Hammers deserve better. Still look on the bright side. There is better football in the Championship. Its a much closer division where the matches are genuinely exciting. Unlike the dull as a ditch Premiership.
zzzz zzzz zzzz
ReplyDeleteIs this the best that a political commentator can come up with on a Monday? You should know that it is an unlevel playing field. Have I got news for you, there will be a lot of presents being sacked by Santa Claus!
ReplyDeletePerhaps they were worried that Alan Pardew has not got his mind on the job, and that he has personal issues that he needs to sort out.
ReplyDeleteWe'll have him.
ReplyDeleteSee you in the 'Championship' !!!
Peter Reid? John Gregory? Mick McCarthy?
ReplyDeleteHot money says Paul LeGuen, Claudio Ranieri or Terry Venables.
Iain, I was trying to figure out why you had the nickname 'davros' for a second there...
ReplyDeletePlease don't think I'm being sarky, but if Alan Pardew is so good, why are they in the relegation zone ? Serious question, as I'm not as familiar with the Hammers as you are. Are players getting lazy / complacent with the amount of dosh they are earning ?
Or is there more to a good team than a good manager ? Or is it just not possible to function in the Premier league without the sort of money that Man Utd / Chelsea / Liverpool have to throw around ?
Interesting contrast with politics, where a hopelessly ineffective team leader like Kennedy proved almost immovably, unshakeably unsackable.
I think Hammers' fans have a nerve blubbing their crocodile tears all over the Lodon media (which is giving this non event far too much air time).
ReplyDeleteWho was it who was demanding Pardew's head just after he got WHU into the Premiership?
You're going down. teeheehee...
ReplyDeleteTip from the inside, Eriksson for the Hammers.
ReplyDeletesheringham
ReplyDeleteHonestly Iain Sven is lined up for the job that is a fact I can't tell you why I know but I am in the industry.
ReplyDeleteNever mind at least Beckham will be there by January to take the free kicks.
Iain, George Graham was having a drink with your Iceland man in Claridges yesterday afternoon, they were sitting at the back in a corner and left seperately but I recongised George Graham and then recognised the face of the Icleandic chap from the newspapers.
ReplyDeleteBut (as last night's 'Panorama' viewers will ask) who will take the free kick-backs to get him there?
ReplyDeleteWhat are those 'personal issues' of Pardew's alluded to above?
I think Alan's privacy should be respected in this matter.
ReplyDeleteAnd what did Curbishley actually achieve for Charlton?...(apart from helping CAFC's marketing department "steal" supporters of Gravesend & Northfleet, Welling, Dartford, and even Margate - hope they get relegated).........WHU need a bigger name Iain.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that recent off-the-field activities hasn't helped Pardew. This together with certain players not pulling their weight has meant that AP has paid the ultimate price.
But that's football
Equally shocked
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of WHU but thought Pardew did a bloody good job and has been mucked around by his bosses and the loss of Dean Ashton.
I suspect they may yet regret the decision
So can we expect to see FC Hammers of London vs FC United of Manchester (winners to play FC Scousers of Liverpool) anytime soon?
ReplyDeleteI think we should move to a system of club ownership based on the Spanish model rather that that of the America gridiron game.
Sven as West Ham manager would surely make Ron Greenwood turn in his grave. I can't think of anyone less in tune with the Hammers' footballing traditions.
ReplyDeleteBack in October on 18 Doughty Street I told you that it would be Sven. I got the score from the other weekend right. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.
ReplyDeleteYou know...Iceland and Sweden aren't too far away....looks like Sven might be lined up! hehe
ReplyDeleteI just hope your new manager doesnt turn you around. We need you, Charlton and Shef Utd to carry on being crap if we're to stand any chance at surviving...
ReplyDeleteYou Horns.
The best young manager in the premiership in my opinion. Shame really... although, as a Hearts fan, I can only wish for the relative calm of West Ham!
ReplyDeleteRS
I think it was his proposal to install an 'undressing room' which did for him.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that Nancy D'l'olive Oilyoh was all on her ownsome at "an audience with Lionel Richie" the other night. I reckon that Old Sven needs summat to keep his hand in.
I'm sure the people who say Eriksson is a shoo-in know far more about the footy than I do.
ReplyDeleteBut since he was alleged some time again to be joining Chelsea, who I'm sure would have been able to offer vastly more than West Ham, what would be his motivation ?
Clearly the Chelsea job isn't there, but no doubt he could earn 10 x as much on the continent ?
I'm sure the people who say Eriksson is a shoo-in know far more about the footy than I do.
ReplyDeleteBut since he was alleged some time again to be joining Chelsea, who I'm sure would have been able to offer vastly more than West Ham, what would be his motivation ?
Clearly the Chelsea job isn't there, but no doubt he could earn 10 x as much on the continent ?
Crikey - if you have a 'top tip' about Sven, then perhaps you should a tenner on at the 5 to 1 price currently being offered...
ReplyDeleteThe problem us WHU fans have with Curbs is that he was a bit rubbish when he played for us. Whenever he got within 30 yards of the goal he would shoot rather than look for a pass and most ended up nearer the corner flag or over the North Stand. Bring back 'Arry.
ReplyDeleteA really sad day for the Hammers. Alan is a really decent guy and a really decent manager. I guess, as others have suggested, that for whatever reason he "lost the dressing room" - yet another example of the unacceptable face of player power.
ReplyDeleteAnyone but Sven...I reckon me and you would make a better fist of it then him!
ReplyDeleteWell we're soon to be taken over by Milan Mandaric(touch wood) so LCFC would be more than happy to offer Pardew gainful employment... we cant get rid of the tactical iliterate that is rob kelly lol!
ReplyDeleteWell story I heard was something to do with the injunction issued the other week to stop guilty parties being named in the papers. Perhaps the Sundays will soon find a way round this...
ReplyDelete