Kretinsky speaks

Interesting to read new 27 per cent shareholder Daniel Kretinsky's column in the Evening Standard last week. As a billionaire he no doubt has lots of PR advisers, but he is at least saying the right things. He is opposed to the so-called European Super League and admitting that he rushed things at Sparta Prague, suggests that evolution is the way forward for WHU rather than spending big in January. He also appears to appreciate the work of Moyes and his coaches and the atmosphere generated by the fans, having attended the Leicester and Liverpool games. 

Kretinsky stresses the Czech Republic links with West Ham, citing Ludek Miklosko (who comes from near Moscow), Tomas Soucek, Alex Kral and Vladimir Coufal, though strangely omitting Super Tomas Repka, perhaps due to his run-ins with the Czech Old Bill. It's now been reported that there is a time-limited clause enabling Kretinsky to buy out the two Davids, though it's unclear when this expires. But his initial ambitions for club appear to be on the right lines.

Snow points at Man City

Manchester City 2 West Ham 1

Rather annoyingly this wasn't on TV, so had to listen on Radio 5 instead. Moyes rested Bowen and brought in Masuaku, a move  criticised by some, but it's surely understandable that the gaffer might decide Jarrod needs a break with two home games in a week coming up.

West Ham started well, with Antonio turning Dias and crossing for Benrahma, who failed to control a good chance. Then Michail broke through on the other flank and was foiled by Ederson.

As the snow came down City's passing game kicked in. Walker shot wide, Mahrez had a goal correctly disallowed and then Laporte headed just past the post. City's opener came after Mahrez found too much space on the right and Gundogan stroked home his cross. The marking could certainly have been tighter. Ben Johnson had to make a great clearance off the line before the break as a blizzard ensued and the ball was making tracks in the deep snow.

It looked like the game might be postponed, but a great effort from the City's ground staff saw the pitch swept clear of snow during an extended interval. After that City continued to press with Fabianski having a fine game and Cresswell injuring his back as he collided with the post while clearing off the line.

Once Bowen came on the Irons did pose more of a threat with Rice testing Ederson with a long-range effort. It was sub Fernadinho who sealed the points though with a drive from the edge of the box late on, his first league goal in three years.

There was still time for Lanzini to score an incredible goal from the edge of the box with the last kick. A shame for Manuel that it didn't earn any points as it was every bit as good as his screamer at Tottenham. If he could do that more regularly then surely he'd get more games.

So it's two defeats in a row but not a time to panic. It should be remembered that this City side beat Paris St Germain in midweek and that we kept the game close. They are one of the richest clubs in the world while we only have one striker. What's more worrying is that Antonio has only scored one goal in seven league games and we want him back firing (though he did get two for Jamaica). We need to get a win against Brighton on Wednesday, a team that hasn't won in eight games, though they've drawn six, and then do something special against Chelsea.

Rapid progress

Rapid Vienna 0 West Ham 2 (Europa League)

It's back to the days of lockdown as the Irons take on Rapid Vienna in an empty stadium with a team of squad players while I watch on BT Sport. The lads look at it early on as Masuaku crosses low and Bowen pokes wide. Yarmolenko produces a mixture of one brilliant cross and a lot of running into defenders, but it's the big Ukranian who makes the difference on 40 minutes. Vlasic gets in a decent cross and Yarmy rises above his man to head home. That will do the confidence of both players a lot of good.The game is put to bed before the break as Yarmolenko is foolishly fouled on the edge of the box and Mark Noble steps up to take the penalty and score his first of the season.

The second half sees the Hammers contrive several ways not to get a third as Rapid are restricted to long-range efforts. Bowen wriggles through a group of defenders only to poke the ball at the keeper. Yarmolenko finds Soucek with a fine ball, Tomas hits the keeper when he should score and then Bowen has his shot cleared off the line.

Subs Fornals and Benrahma add some late energy and the game is enlivened by the debut of 17-year-old Sonny Perkins. He almost scores with his first touch, getting his head to Coufal's cross and forcing a good save from Gartler. Sonny looks very eager and might even be a possible long-term deputy for Antonio. 

All in all a fine professional performance from a much-changed side, against a dispirited Vienna side who have sacked their manager. We win Group H while Spurs got battered in the Europa Conference at NS Mura. A good night all round. Irons!

Ben Johnson will play right

It's not often Moyes changes his best PL team, but it's significant that Coufal can't get his place back at the moment. Ben Johnson has come in and done brilliantly in his unfussy way. As befits the nephew of Paul Parker and cousin of Ledley King he's strong in the tackle and rarely has a player go past him. 

Perhaps Vladimir Coufal offers more going forward as he's such a good crosser of a moving ball, but Johnson is improving there too and he's still only 21. What is clear is that WHU now have really good competition for the right-back spot. Coufal will probably get a game at Rapid Vienna and his experience will be vital for the remainder of the season; but Johnson is clearly going to be one for the future. And who will get the nod for the away game at Man City? Will it be Coufal after having Jack Grealish in his pocket last season? And in the long term is there a way of playing both players in the same team?

Hammers savaged by hungry Wolves

Wolves 1 West Ham 0

Big news for this one is that Nigel has infiltrated the home fans and has made the game despite a flat battery and then relying on Millwall-supporting builders to help jump-start his motor. Presumably he's had a few pre-match pints with Noddy Holder, Robert Plant and his mate Adrian. If the Irons win we go second. What could possibly go wrong? 

West Ham start off quite encouragingly as Bowen heads just wide from Cresswell's cross. But after that it's mainly Wolves as Jimenez jinks wide when through and Fabianski has to tip over a Moutinho effort. Agent Nigel reports that Matt would enjoy the "Mike Dean's a w**ker!" chants and that Antonio looks isolated up front.

The second half sees Wolves all over us according to Nigel. Podence has a low effort saved by Fabianski and then the keeper has to make a fantastic flying save to deny the same player. The deserved breakthrough comes on 58 minutes as Podence pulls back to Jimenez who cleverly passes the ball into the corner from just outside the box.

At least West Ham have some sustained pressure towards the end as Vlasic, Lanzini and Yarmolenko come on. The best chance is when Antonio finds Bowen and after some neat footwork Jarrod fires over the bar when he should score. Vlasic just fails to connect with a Johnson cross and that's it.

Is this where so many games have finally caught up with WHU? Or is it simply a result of lots of our players being away on international duty — Antonio has scored a couple of cracking goals for Jamaica but has then had to be flown back by David Sullivan's private jet (never mind COP26) and must be tired. Our winning run couldn't last forever, Ogbonna is a big miss and Wolves have played well. But looking at the big picture we're still in a great position. Though with tiredness a factor Moyes will now need to shuffle the squad for Thursday's trip to Rapid Vienna.

The Boys of '76

It's best not to get too carried away. Thanks to Mystic Matt for pointing out that the last time West Ham had this successful a start to a season was in 1975-76 when West Ham ended up finishing 18th. WHU were unbeaten in their first nine league games but astonishingly didn't win for the final 16 matches, picking up only five points. The last victory that season was on January 24. The side did reach the Cup Winners Cup Final, losing 4-2 to Anderlecht, but it was a classic case of a team being distracted by a European run. I still have painful memories of watching the 6-1 away defeat at Arsenal on The Big Match. Had social media been around there would have been a lot of meltdowns. It was just the sort of flakiness that David Moyes has seemingly eliminated. Hopefully this time round we'll keep going!

Rapid decline

UEFA's decision to ban West Ham fans from attending the Europa League game at Rapid Vienna is mystifying. It seems there was a flare thrown on the pitch at Genk, but no other trouble was reported on the TV or in the press, bar a couple of Herberts singing anti-semitic songs on a plane, who have now been banned. While the trouble at the home match against Rapid Vienna appeared to be started by the Vienna fans trying to break out of the away section — and Rapid have remained unpunished. It's also very hard on the 1700 West Ham fans who have already bought tickets and booked transport. Perhaps it is a pre-emptive ban to prevent possible trouble but 1700 fans can't be that difficult to police or protect. West Ham have asked for clarification and surely this will be overturned. 

Was this the game where the London Stadium started to feel like home?

On Sunday the London Stadium started to feel like a football ground. It was certainly the best atmosphere we've had since the move. It's never going to be as intimate at Upton Park and it's still a challenge for the short-sighted, but when the crowd sing throughout and there's a feelgood atmosphere about the club, it makes a difference. 

Finally it felt like the London Stadium was an intimidating place for the opposition. Check out the deep roar of "Come on you Irons!" as Bowen takes the corner from which Zouma scores and the acapello version of Bubbles at the final whistle. And the fans behind the goal going mental after the second and third goals.

It helps that we've got a new song featuring West Ham being massive and Tottenham getting battered everywhere they go, which must make it difficult for Harry Kane to visit his local chippy. Squaring off the ends has also seen an improvement in atmosphere. Moyes always maintained that if he got the team right the atmosphere would improve and he was right. The wide open spaces of the London Stadium used to be an invitation to Man City and Liverpool to score four or five — now they will be worried about a visit to East London.

Bouncing Czech arrives

So Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has arrived with a 27 per cent investment in West Ham. I'll reserve judgement on how he made his money until there is more information, but in the short-term any investment is surely good in terms of keeping Declan Rice at the club and investing in a stronger squad that can challenge for the top four. Having been to the Liverpool match he'll be aware of the potential of the club and its stadium. WHU will also be in with a shout of buying any decent Sparta Prague players. Czech mates Soucek and Coufal have certainly done ok. Whether Kretinsky will eventually buy the club outright is unknown, though his share is now bigger than David Gold's, but for the moment it's potato salad all round. 

Bad news on Oggy

The injury news on Angelo Ogbonna is vey bad  — he has has an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which presumably could keep him out for the rest of the season. Clearly it was a mistake to try and play on against Liverpool. Craig Dawson is a very capable deputy yo play alongside Zouma and WHU have Issa Diop in reserve but it will stretch the squad even further. Young Jamal Baptiste might even be an option for some of the dead rubber games in the Europa League. 

A fourth centre back might now be necessary for a loan signing in the transfer window. We also need a deputy for Antonio as every player is only a game away from a bad injury. Meanwhile we'll miss Oggy's calm authority at the back. Good luck with your rehabilitation Angelo.

West Ham are Massive!

West Ham United 3 (three) Liverpool 2

It's a new lucky route to the game for this one, walking from Stamford Hill with Nicola via the Lea Navigation. We end up seeing Matt and Lisa's favourite cocktail bar the Lock Inn and having tea at a hipster cafe in Here East where two women discuss eating sour cherry juice and raw vegetables, as you do in Hackney.

Inside the stadium are Matt and Fraser, plus Essex contingent Scott and Joe, though Alison the Possible Jinx has opted to stay at home in Clacton. Unless that's her in Liverpool's goal. Michael and Nigel are back, having missed the Man City game, so we explain to them that West Hampstead play American football and all games are decided by penalties. We're also joined by DC's mate Damon, a Glaswegian Scouser.

Trevor Brooking reads In Flanders Field for Remembrance Sunday, and then we're off. Scott predicts that West Ham will win 3-2, as if that will happen, while Nigel and myself say we'd take a draw. 

ALISSON'S AIM IS NOT TRUE

It's a cracking atmosphere and a perfect start for West Ham after four minutes as Antonio wins a corner off Van Dyke. Fornals' inswinger bamboozles Alisson, who is distracted by the leaping Ogbonna, and flaps the ball into his own net. Alisson claims a foul but really he's not been strong enough. After VAR checks for a foul and handball the goal is given and the London Stadium erupts.

But have we scored too soon? The rest of the half sees Liverpool pen West Ham back and there's trepidation whenever Salah has the ball. There's a VAR check for a red card after a heavy lunge by Cresswell on Henderson. Aaron has played the ball but with the current rules is a little fortunate to get away with an out of control follow through. 

Ogbonna, having gone down injured once already, has to be replaced after being caught by Jota's elbow and on comes the dependable Dawson. Nigel gets the blame for saying that we have been lucky with injuries at the start of the match. The Hammers defend pretty well until Salah is hit by the Grealish sniper and draws a free kick on the edge of the box. Alexander-Arnold bends an unstoppable shot around the wall and into the top corner.

There's still time for Behrahma to get down the left and cross to Soucek who is blocked by a great tackle from Van Dyke.

It's not that bad to be drawing at half-time against Liverpool though, as the Reds and unbeaten in 25 games. Matt makes a crucial intervention at half time, giving Fraser a signed poster of his hero David Moyes, while Nigel sensibly opts not to eat his lucky banana.

ZOUMA MEETING

West Ham start the second half with much greater attacking verve. Cresswell wins a corner and from the set piece Dawson heads against the bar. While a neat Liverpool moves sees Mane volley straight at Fabianski.

Then the game really ignites. Rice nicks the ball and sets Bowen away. Jarrod speeds through four Liverpool players and plays in Fornals, while Antonio is distracting the rest of the Liverpool defence. Pablo's shot goes in off Alisson's hands and he runs to the Bobby Moore end to do his General salute and spark mayhem at the London Stadium.

Seven minutes later Antonio can't outpace Van Dyke but wins a corner off him. As the corner comes in Alisson is distracted by Antonio, Rice stands still to block a defender and the unmarked Zouma gets round the back to head home from a difficult angle and spark further series of delirium. David Moyes almost does another dad dance. Antonio has had an interesting game. He's not played that well but has been involved in all three goals. 

KOP THAT KLOPP

It's still going to be a very nervous final 15 minutes, though the general consensus among the bouncing Irons fans is that West Ham are massive wherever they go. At least until Nigel mentions that WHU were 3-2 up against Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup Final. Even the Vicar's Son stays positive, unlike the animated gentleman behind us. 

It gets even more nerve-wracking when sub Origi neatly swivels to pull one back with a fine finish after 83 minutes. Moyes responds by playing with double full backs, bringing on Coufal and Masuaku.

Late on Soucek is adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the box. From the free kick Mane escapes his markers and heads wide when he should score. 

The Irons survive four minutes of added time and then there's a huge roar as the ref blows his whistle. We go third above Liverpool! Nigel finally eats his lucky banana. And for the first time ever Scott has forecast the correct score. It's also been probably the noisiest atmosphere ever at the London Stadium.

The shouty tunnel is full of cries of "West Ham are massive!" as we head to the Refreshment Rooms for a pint or two of Meantime. Michael wonders if that is Star Wars on the TV before leaving early to go to a Seasick Steve concert. Though it's more Seasick Jurgen to judge by his bad loser comments on BBC Sport.

We're in such shock that we can't think of anything to moan about and instead discuss how many times Nigel has seen Motorhead and if there are any bands that carry on with just the drummer. This really feels like a statement win. Alisson has helped, but we've still beaten the unbeatable. Last season we lost out to the top four teams. This time round we've beaten Man City and Liverpool in succession. Blimey. And the BBC is asking if West Ham are really title contenders. What sort of thing is happening here? Come on you Irons!

PLAYER RATINGS: Fabianski 7; Johnson 7, Zouma 8, Ogbonna 7 (Dawson 7), Cresswell 7; Soucek 7, Rice 8, Benrahma 8 (Masuaku n/a), Fornals 8, Bowen 8 (Coufal n/a)); Antonio 7. 

Benrahma double sees West Ham qualify

KRC Genk 2 West Ham 2 (Europa League) 

It's Joe Cole and Carlton Cole on BT sport at home for this 5.45pm kick-off, though Fraser and Gavin have made it to the Lucky Pub. The Irons get off to the worst possible start after three minutes as Ito's clever through ball sees Paintsil (any relation to John?) get the wrong side of Diop to fire home. Areola has got a hand to it and should probably have saved it. It could easily be 3-0 after 20 minutes. Areola has to turn over a couple of headers and then Paintsil's run sets up Ito, who scuffs it wide.

West Ham are getting caught on the break and the back five isn't working. But as Lanzini takes a more central role the Hammers slowly improve and create chances. Dawson has a header tipped over and a fine cross by Masuaku is almost prodded home by Benrahma. Paintsil forces another good save from Areola and just before the break Antonio has an effort cleared off the line. 

Moyes will surely have given the side a bit of a rollicking at half-time in his 1000th game as a gaffer and West Ham look much more purposeful at the start of the second half.

THE SAID SHOW

Moyes goes for it, bringing on Soucek, Bowen and Fornals in the 58th minute and West Ham look a much better team. Restoring the Soucek/Rice partnership immediately brings more control to the midfield and Fornals gives some energy to our pressing. A minute later the Irons equalise. Lanzini plays a fine through ball, Coufal crosses and Said Benrahma fires through the keeper's legs. A just reward for the Algerian who has been West Ham's best player on the night.

West Ham press for a winner as Coufal fires wide after a fine Cresswell cross and then Benrahma almost wriggles through. Meanwhile the away fans are telling the watching audience that Tottenham get battered wherever they go. In the 82nd minute it appears game over as Benrahma pushes the ball one side of his full back, runs round the other side of him and toe-pokes home for a fine individual goal.

LEVEL PEGGING

But all that changes three minutes from the end as Soucek heads a cross into his own net. Tomas is unlucky as nine times out of ten it would have gone out for a corner but this time it turns into a glancing header past Areola. He needed a goal, but maybe not that one.

West Ham almost make it 3-2 in the final stages as Coufal's cross just misses Fornals. But a draw away to the best of the rest in the group isn't a bad result and West Ham are now guaranteed to be in the top two of the group, even if we haven't won it as yet. 

After the match Declan Rice tells the cameras that the squad have presented David Moyes with a signed shirt to mark his 1000th game. Presumably the slap-up dinner at the Best Cafe is yet to come.

The only downside is the following day's news that some Herberts have been filmed singing that anti-semitic song about Spurs on a plane to Belgium. We have plenty of songs without using that one. But overall, considering the squad rotation, another positive night in Europe and ten points from four games is encouraging. We'll be in Europe after Christmas for the first time since 1981. Irons!

Is Antonio the best striker in the Premier League?

Interesting piece in Saturday's Times by James Gheerbrant, pointing out that on stats Antonio is the best striker in the Premier League in 2021. He topped the list for expected goals and expected assists, while this season only Mo Salah has scored more non-penalty goals. He also makes the point that because Antonio didn't break into the Premier League until he was 25 and has been used as a utility player he is never taken as seriously as Kane, Salah, Mane or Ronaldo. 

Gheerbrant writes: "When I think about Antonio, I know that he’s a great player, but on some instantaneous, subconscious level, my mind also computes: “West Ham utility man uncapped by England, Nottingham Forest workhorse, no major trophies, pace and power, Sheffield Wednesday.” The lucidity of data has a way of melting all of this away. By any objective measure, Antonio has been one of the best players in football over the past ten months. Is that really so impossible?"

Much of football is about perception but the data suggests that Michail, at the age of 31, is up there with the best. 

Hammers Halloween horror for Villa as Irons score four

Aston Villa 1 West Ham 4

A good turnout at Mabel's Tavern for this one, with Lisa and Matt, Michael the Brigadier's Biographer and a tardy Nigel all present. Barely has my Neck Oil been supped before West are ahead. Declan Rice pings a good ball out to Ben Johnson and rather than cross he cuts inside to fire a long-range left foot shot past Martinez. The spirit among the squad is shown by the group celebration, a parody of Ben's dodgy schooldays dancing moves which recently went viral on twitter.

Bowen has a goalbound effort headed away by Konsa, but slowly Villa come back into it. They equalise when Buendia gets the wrong side of Fornals and crosses for the unmarked Watkins to shoot past Fabianski, who gets a foot to it but fails to block. Three mistakes in one goal that will surely anger Moyes.

The camera now turns to Dean Smith in the Villa dugout who seems to be getting advice from a Rick Wakeman lookalike, which pleases prog rocker Nigel. West Ham still look the mote likely side going forward and score at a good time before the break. The overlapping Cresswell distracts the defence as Benrahma cuts inside to pass to Rice on the edge of the box who fires a low shot into the corner for his third of the season.

It all kicks of in the second half after 50 minutes. Fornals is felled by an arm in the face from Hause, the ball finds Antonio who flicks on to Bowen, who is then brought down on the edge of the box by last man Konsa. Without any sound in the pub we assume that it's the forearm smash that has resulted in a red but it's actually Konsa who has gone for the professional foul. It should undoubtedly have been a double sending off — it seems incredible that Hause's assault wasn't deemed a red by VAR.

With ten men Villa start to play better and Watkins hits the bar with a header. West Ham are getting sloppy with their passing and don't seem able to calm the game down, much to the chagrin of Mystic Matt, who then doubts the wisdom of bringing on Lanzini, as Nigel suggests to Lisa that a wellness sojourn in San Francisco might be required.

There's another fracas as Fornals and Nakamba slide in for a 50-50 ball, made to look worse by Nakamba taking six rolls across the turf. The team spirit is again shown by Lanzini and Bowen getting involved in a pushing match with the Villa players to defend their team-mate as Pablo gets a yellow.

But this West Ham team find a way to win. On 80 minutes Antonio is again clattered but manages to flick the ball on to Bowen. Jarrod races clear to shoot, Martinez saves but Pablo Fornals is on hand to score from the rebound and reprise Fabian Balbuena's General salute.

It gets better. Two minutes later Antonio drifts past Hause and keeps calm to find Lanzini in the box. Manuel unselfishly passes across the box to Bowen who taps home for a great team goal. What an October its been for the Irons.

In a desperate bid to make the blog, Nigel leaves during added time to race to a gig by Michael Schenker the ex-Scorpions guitarist. There was an iffy patch in the second half, but another great win and we remain fourth. The next league game is against Liverpool so we can't get too carried away, but it's starting to feel like a special season. The only thing that could make it better would be if Tottenham sacked their manager in the morning... Irons!