Nice set of results, bad luck losing to Leicester

I wish my strikers could score chips like that.

What a goal! Charlie Adam-esque. God, that goal still haunts me.

shylax & Tallery Gotta thank Begovic for taking such a wide FK tho

October contained yet another international break, meaning West Ham played just 3 games over the course of the month again. Southampton, Manchester City and QPR were the opponents and with an almost full-strength squad, West Ham were looking to pick up as many points as possible.


Barclays Premier League
SOUTHAMPTON 0-1
Adrian, Lowton, McShane, Tomkins, Cresswell, Noble, Song (Nolan), Poyet, Ibe, Jarvis (Amalfitano), Sakho (inj Valencia)
None
Steven Davis (Southampton)

An incredibly even match at St Mary's Stadium was decided in the dying moments by an unlikely source, with 18 year old striker Ryan Seager scoring in the 87th minute to win the match. Both teams couldn't find the target for the majority of the night but in the end it's the Saints who walk away with 3 points thank to a late - and lucky - winner.

Barclays Premier League
MANCHESTER CITY 0-5
Jaaskelainen, Lowton, McShane, Tomkins, Cresswell, Noble, Song, Poyet, Amalfatino (Ibe), Jarvis (Downing), Valencia (Sakho)
None
Samir Nasri (Manchester City)

Manchester City were simply a class above West Ham at The Boleyn Ground, running out 5-0 winners thanks to an explosive performance by winger Samir Nasri, who netted two goals. Frank Lampard, David Silva and Sergio Aguero also scored as City put West Ham's defence - missing injured goalie Adrian - to the sword despite just 2 clear cut chances to West Ham's 1.

Barclays Premier League
QPR 1-0
Jaasklainen, Lowton, McShane (red 88), Tomkins, Cresswell, Noble (Kouyate), Song, Poyet, Ibe, Downing (Jarvis), Sakho (Valencia)
Enner Valencia
Karl Henry (QPR)

To West Ham's credit, they bounced back with a plucky win on the counter attack away from home, capitalising on Eduardo Vargas' saved penalty in the 2nd minute to score an 84th minute winner through substitute Enner Valencia. Backup keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen's save early in the match effectively won his team the game, although Paul McShane dangered the lead with a red card late in the match.


After 9 games, West Ham sit exactly where they want to be - just behind the top 7 clubs. With a game in hand over Leicester, and their next game being against Villa, they will be confident of securing that position and perhaps challenging for a Europa League spot.


The young Spaniard arrived from Charlton with just 20 games under his belt but has come from injury to show why he was recruited, playing brilliantly alongside Alex Song and Mark Noble. The 19 year old was solid throughout October and looks to be a great player for the future of the club.


Paul McShane stubbed his toe in training on the 1st of November and is expected to be out for a further 6 to 8 days.
Guy Demel suffered a sports hernia in training on the 16th of October and is expected to be out for a further 2 to 3 weeks.
Adrian suffered a double hernia in training on the 10th of October and is expected to be out for a further 4 to 5 weeks.
James Tomkins sprained his ankle on the 1st of November and is expected to be out for a further 5 to 6 weeks.

Not the best of months, but a very solid 8th place still.

Ik it was 3 pages ago but Ibe can be absolutely class, especially if you're using the pr0 update! By the looks of things he's doing well so far anyway, good start to the season as well, idk what your lads were doin against Swindon though haha!

Not the month you needed really, but 8th is brilliant, hopefully you can get some results next month.

I'd be happy with the position you are in, but many pull some more for EL?

LFC Yeah luckily no one below us capitalised and we remain in 8th

Aaron He's keeping Amalfitano out of a first team place atm!

IWelshWizard I'm hoping so too

Pauker It'll be tough, but who knows?

West Ham striker Andy Carroll will finally return to full training after 4 months on the sidelines, with the 25 year old expected to make his first team return against his former club Liverpool on the 8th of November. Carroll has missed 12 months of football in the last 2 years and will hope his unlucky spell of injuries is over.

Carroll was signed for £15 million in 2013 but made just 15 appearances for the Hammers before being cut down with injury. The infamous Liverpool signing has not re-captured the same form that led to him departing Newcastle back in 2011.

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/03/04/1226015/969704-andy-carroll.jpg

At the moment, Carroll may have to fight his way into the West Ham XI with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia doing solid jobs up front so far this campaign. The counter attacking style of play used by the team however looks to favour Carroll, a powerful target man, and he is expected to be favoured over the less commanding pair once fully fit.

Just long-ball it and he'll win the headers. Have him train with the reserves a bit for match fitness, then as a sub, etc.. Do you consider him to stroll as one of the strikers or nah?

Yes, your favourite striker returns! Should've got Crouch to replace him on an emergency loan though

I don't see Carroll getting into the team ahead of Sakho and Valencia, would love to see him try though. And what a great goal that was against Stoke!

Hopefully Carroll will be able to help the bubble blowers get to Europe

November, the fourth month in a row, had just 3 games for West Ham - Aston Villa, Liverpool and Sunderland. The first and third were certainly winnable for the Hammers, whilst a trip to Anfield is an understandably hard trip - albeit one with plenty of meaning. Carroll is back.


Barclays Premier League
ASTON VILLA 2-2
Jaaskelainen, Lowton, Kouyate, Collins, Cresswell (Garbutt), Poyet (Nolan), Song, Noble, Ibe, Jarvis (Downing), Valencia
Enner Valencia (x2)
Enner Valencia (West Ham)

The match between West Ham and Aston Villa was a Enner Valencia sandwich, with Agbonlahor and Sinclair scoring in between a Valencia brace which saw plenty of shots registered. West Ham will consider themselves unlucky not to have won, with 15 shots on target, but Aston Villa deserve credit for an impressive defensive display.

Barclays Premier League
LIVERPOOL 2-2
Jaaskelainen, Lowton (Henry), Kouyate, Collins, Cresswell, Poyet, Song (Nolan), Noble, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Carroll (Valencia)
Andy Carroll, Matt Jarvis
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

After an embarrassing 5-0 loss to Manchester City at home, West Ham supporters would have been dreading a trip to Anfield but were shocked and amazed by their club's performance. Andy Carroll had a dream return by scoring the first goal to put his team 1-0 up at half time. Predictably, Liverpool fought back with goals to Daniel Sturridge and an 84th minute stunner from Jordan Henderson to presumably end the game. However, West Ham had the last laugh with Matt Jarvis sneaking onside to tap in a cross at the backpost in the 92nd minute to steal a last gasp draw.

Barclays Premier League
SUNDERLAND 2-0
Jaaskelainen, Lowton, Henry, Collins, Cresswell, Poyet, Noble (Song), Nolan (Amalfitano), Ibe, Jarvis, Carroll (Valencia)
Enner Valencia
Karl Henry (QPR)

West Ham finally got the win they were searching for after 2 great draws, disposing of Sunderland at home. Both goals came from the wing, with Jordon Ibe and Matt Jarvis scoring at either end of the match as West Ham continued their strong form at home to finish off November.


Roughly a third of the season has passed and West Ham have secured a tidy position for themselves, sitting in 8th with a game in hand. Just below the top 6 clubs, their current, stable form could be the perfect starting block for a late season surge into continental qualification.


Fitness problems with England international Stewart Downing has opened the door for usual second string Jarvis to play at left wing and has impressed West Ham fans with his late impact goals, first against Liverpool and then Sunderland. It is yet to be seen however if he can take over the role permanently from Downing.


James Tomkins sprained his ankle on the 1st of November and is expected to be out for a further 5 days.
Paul McShane stubbed his toe in training on the 1st of November and is expected to be out for a further 5 to 10 days.
Cheikhou Kouyate twisted his knee in training on the 30th of November and is expected to be out for a further 2 to 3 weeks.
Joey O'Brien broke his ribs in training on the 27th of November and is expected to be out for a further 4 to 5 weeks.