even if you give him the benefit of the doubt for not subbing LBM, what about rushing him straight back in after the 1 match ban..what sort of msg did that send?

He did steer us to 10th despite a massive injury list but that's his forte - grinding out points with defensive formations. I'm sure he's capable of doing the same again. I'm also sure he isn't the man to take us to the next level no matter what BG pours into the team...top players want to play under top managers and AC ain't one of them in anyone's language.

Sorry but Curbs doesn't float my boat and never has. Fulham or Bolton or Boro are more his style.

Im definately with Beggers on this one (but you all knew that aye) cut the man some slack and with a fully fit squad wait and see what he delivers. If nothing then ask for his head.

You will all have the answers to whether he can cut it or not very early in the season.

You all know what I think of Curbs but the fixture list and (hopefully) the return of some key players "should" see us start solidly. If not then I think he'll be gone by Xmas.
For once, I'm not jumping the gun and will be giving him a chance but same as Munky I've never rated him as a manager even before he joined us. Too defensive, panics under pressure and has 1 dimensional game plans. Bit of a George Graham (without the trophies)

Check this clip out, my favorite series of all time, Police Squad - only 6 episodes made then they made Naked Gun.
Listen to Leslie Neilsen talking about his ex-lovers.
This has me in tears....
If anyone wants a copy of the DVD, just let me know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8PZFQz-qmo

Bobby thinks more are going to leave:

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=779843

yet a "senior club source" told BBC sport the club will be making summer signings.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... 511972.stm


Fuck me! 41 players and 50 million wage bill!

That is an average of 1.2 mil per player

Who is responsible for that? Curbs?

Do you think Curbs might be interested in signing me? I'm still fairly handy between the posts!

Jormatom are you injury prone? If you are you will be a shoe in to replace Richard Wright!

I would be aiming higher than that Mr Coker.

At 43 years of age with a crook right knee and ankle and arthritic knuckles, I reckon I would be pushing for Greens spot.

At last the club has made a statement.

West Ham plan to buy new players this summer despite a desire to trim their squad, BBC Sport understands.

The Hammers sold Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil to Fulham on Wednesday and want to get their 41-man squad down to a more manageable 26 or 27 players.

"We effectively have four teams on the payroll - that is far too big a squad," a senior club source told BBC Sport.

"We will be signing players and have specific requirements. We don't have to sell before we buy necessarily."

West Ham have one of the biggest first-team squads in the Premier League and a wage bill approaching £50m a year.

Chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is determined to make the club "self sustaining" and has made trimming salaries a key aim for manager Alan Curbishley and chief executive Scott Duxbury this summer.

There has also been a focus on improving training and medical facilities in an attempt to improve the club's record with injuries.

Several new appointments have been made to the medical staff and the club is in the final stages of purchasing land for a new training complex in Romford, Essex.

"We are trying to make the best of the know-how and expertise that we have at the club," the source said.

"The aim is to have first-class medical and training facilities, to rival those at the biggest European clubs.

"At best, we managed to field six or seven of our first team at any one time last season. Just imagine how well we could have done had the likes of Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy, Julien Faubert and Dean Ashton available all season.

"We have to try to keep these players fit. We also have a lot of good young players coming through, such as Freddie Sears and James Tomkins.

"The optimum squad size is probably about 26 or 27 players. Our squad has become so big for a couple of reasons - the relegation battle we had in 2006/7 and the spate of injuries of 2007/8."

When Gudmundsson bought the Hammers in 2006, he laid out a five-year plan that, he hoped, would ultimately culminate in qualification for the Champions League.

West Ham finished 10th last season and the target for the coming season will be to challenge for a Uefa Cup spot.

He don't mine either mate, but he's the club manager, he's done nothing wrong so until that changes he's got my full support.

I agreed with your post up to this point and then to some degree. However, I'm not happy with forever 10th. I won't be happy with 10th this season unless it all goes belly up but at this point in time, I want to be aiming for Europe. And that's not too much to ask after our steadying season past and a billionaire owner.

You don't need a big name manager to get to Europe. Don't know if Curbs can do it but he deserves a chance. I don't see us signing any better manager at the mo anyway.

A top well-known manager may attract players but so will money, lifestyle, performance, etc. We must improve this season and it is up to BG to spend a bit on some key players. Then it is up to Curbs to get the best out of them and the backroom to keep them fit and healthy as best possible.

I wont be critical too much of BG until end of the tranfer silly season. Critical of not keeping the fans somewhat optimistic but can't let everyone know we got bags of money to spend in public either. Will give him time too.

Yeah I pretty much agree with that Davros.

When you look at the size of the squad it definately needs trimming I'm just not sure they are trimming the right players but I guess understandably nobody has come in with an offer for LBM or Quashie.

Money for them two now thats a joke,honestly any club that wants them can have them for FREE IMO,to sweeten the deal we will give the club 1000 pounds just to get them off our books.

Doesn't look like Linda is going anywhere. Which is fine by me. He signed a new contract to keep him at the hammers for another 5 years.

ITS OFFICIAL!

We finally signed a PLayer! This may be the reason we let Solano and Paintsil go. I Hope he's good. He made himself a legend at Lazio by scoring the winner in the 92nd minute of the Derby Vs Roma earlier this year, so hopefully ahattrick against chelsea/spurs is on the cards

IN any case i think Nani may have beena big factor in this signing.


West Ham sign Lazio star Behrami

West Ham have signed Switzerland international Valon Behrami from Lazio in a £5m deal.

Behrami, 23, can play at right-back or on the right side of midfield and has signed a five-year contract.

He started all of Switzerland's games at Euro 2008 and the Hammers had to beat off interest from clubs in England and Germany to complete the deal.

Behrami has 15 caps and was a regular for Lazio, playing for the Rome side in last year's Champions League.

He said:"It's my dream come true to play for West Ham and play in the Premier League.

"At last I am able to sign. After the Euro 2008 Championships I spoke to West Ham who had expressed an interest but I had to be sure it was the right thing for everybody.

"I have now made my decision and am looking forward to being part of this side and playing in the English league."

West Ham's chief executive Scott Duxbury insists the signing of Behrami shows that reports of the club struggling to find the finances to strengthen the squad this season are nonsense.

He said: "Valon is a player who will a valuable addition to the squad as we aim for a successful season ahead.

"His signing also indicates the club's positive ambitions. Contrary to some reports we are fully committed to strengthening the playing staff.

"There will not be a mass exodus and fans can be assured we are working as hard as always to ensure high-calibre competition in all areas of the team."

Happy to have signed someone, although I know fuck all about him, but I'm wondering how he'll fit into the team? If the sqauds fit, we've RM and RB positions covered and I shouldn't imagine he'd be happy warming the bench?