Everybody sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin:

As the newest member of the kumb team, I thought I should give a brief account of myself.

I’m 18 and currently studying IT at the new Docklands campus in East London. I’m a lifelong Hammers fan, with thanks to my dad who got me to some away games when I was younger. My home is up North, which made the choice of team an easy target. I still stand by the belief that we can play the most exciting football in the Premiership.

Since I moved into halls in September, I have been to a few games, sitting in the upper West Stand, though I am currently hoping to purchase the remainder of a friend’s season ticket. I’m a user of several WHU sites and lists and also the ICQ chat room on matchdays when I can’t get to the game.

I join the team on the back of a defeat away to Southampton (again!). Managing only to catch commentary at various intervals and the final 15mins (due to the late kick-off), I cannot vouch for the teams match performance, although it sounded from Capital Radio, like Moncs had another good solid game. After the game I was subject to some So’ton supporting fool singing an adaption of the Frank Snr. Song, involving Charles falling on his ar*e and scoring the F*cking winning goal. As yet I’m not totally sure of the tune he used…something along the lines of a dying cat I believe.

"My theory is that if Leicester beat Villa and we beat Leicester, we’re the best"

With a home game against Bradford on the way next Saturday, surely there is a reprise for a side much in need of another victory as seen over Leicester. Two footy supporters living next to me support Leicester and Villa. My theory is that if Leicester beat Villa and we beat Leicester, we’re the best and I have delighted in showing the Leicester goals (from the site) over and over and over again.

I have recently discovered that Harry is prepared to once again take the Intertoto route into Europe and regardless of our current low form, isn’t it good that the manager can at least stay optimistic?? Considering the competition, I believe it did us the world of good and gave us a good premiership start and lets face it, this is the only way we can find ourselves with pre-season competition which isn’t from the lower divisions and might actually test the side. The choice of starting a season on the back of multiple results against a rabble of lower league sides, or a stonking victory over Metz, I know which I would choose. The other view is the Intertoto Cup being responsible for our current form, as fatigue begins to set in among the players, bearing in mind that Christmas and New Year provided no break. At least when we get tired we play on like real sportsmen, rather than jumping out of the FA Cup, postponing the league and running off to play crap in a Mickey Mouse cup.

Also, the emergence of Adam Newton (rightfully), on the bench. Many of us saw the superb youth cup performances of last year and we are now seeing a steady turnover of youth talent Rio-Lamps- Cole-Carrick and now Newton. My hope is that they continue to prosper and Harry might also try the likes of Holligan (where did he go?). With current striker problems it cannot hurt to try them out. With Di Canio admitting he is not a striker and Wanchope improving but not yet back to his best, now could be the right time to use a rotation of youth subs. Gary Alexander was seemingly unrecognised for so long, but is currently doing the business at Exeter.

Fear not, the writing will improve next time, I’m merely finding little inspiration after the So’ton result and equally staring at the greying sky, which hangs maliciously over the mass of rundown student cars.

Matt

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