Congratulations to our US National Team!!!!

Not only did we qualify, but we are going to South Africa as the champions of CONCACAF! Nicely done guys!

Honestly, we missed some very easy opportunities to score, but we drew nevertheless. I hope we have time to improve our performance before June.

It was very sad to learn of Charlie Davies' horrific injuries - the result of a car accident that will leave him out of the game until next year some time. We all certainly hope he has a speedy recovery.

I am very proud of our accomplishments, and I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT UNTIL NEXT SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!! WORLD CUP FEVER BEGINS!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Bad News For West Ham

Sadly, the trouble West Ham finds itself in is not contained to what occurs on the pitch. Evidently, David Sullivan, who had large holdings in Birmingham City, has backed away from the possibility of investing heavily in the Hammers. Aside from what many think is an absurd asking price (100 million pounds,) Sullivan is dismayed by the extreme amount of debt in which the club finds itself.

This worries me for the obvious reasons - the club is in debt, our current owners view us as a burden, nobody wants to purchase us, so on so forth.

This, coupled with our disastrous performance this season makes for one sad blogger. I certainly have faith that our players and our manager can pull the team from out of the relegation zone and at least to mid table, but it is still very worrying.

Terrace Chants

Between the asinine comments of football announcers, you often get to hear one of the greatest, most awe-inspiring sounds known to man - the football audience. Nothing could better capture the power and energy of this sound than chants of the fans, audible during broadcasts, though they often sound jumbled and incoherent.

But the internet(C) has provided us all with a way to listen to and learn new chants at our leisure.

My favorite site is http://www.fanchants.com/, although there are others.

Youtube also allows you unfiltered access to all kinds of chants, even the dirty/insulting/hilarious ones you can't always hear on Fox Soccer Channel.





This stuff sends shivers down my spine!

More Aggravation

This weekend saw Sir Alex ranting and raving like a child over the performance of the referee. Evidently, Fergie does not approve of the refs level of fitness, claiming that he was not running up and down the pitch as he believes the ref should have. Sounds like sour grapes to me, given the unimpressive one point Man U earned themselves at home to Sunderland.

Chelsea looked like they were playing to redeem themselves after an embarrassing loss to Wigan and a less than stellar Champions League win. They beat a sorry looking Liverpool quite easily. This is a problem since it is looking more and more likely that Chelsea, along with six-goal scoring Arsenal (against Blackburn) will both be poised to move in on the top two spots. Man City, the new top four contender, drew against Villa, but are far from being counted out.

Tottenham looks like they have lost a little momentum, but their run for the top is unlikely to have met its end.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth won their first game of the season. Congratulations might have been in order until one considers that their players weren't paid last week. This has to do with the ongoing ownership saga, which now appears to have come to an end. Pompey has owners, the players are getting paid, and the team might have enough funding in January to stave off a predicted relegation at seasons end.

Speaking of the bottom, my poor West Ham slid down the table one place to 18th. A draw against Fulham is indeed a much needed respite from consecutive losses, but our position on the table is troubling. As the press have mentioned time and time again, the last season in which we performed as poorly was the season we were relegated. I truly don't think we will get relegated, but it has become clear that we will be facing an uphill battle through new year. I have faith in Zola, and I think the problem lies in the mentality of the players more than anywhere else.

Meanwhile, Burnley continues to have an unstoppable ferocity at home. Bolton has also been performing well lately. Good luck to all of them.

I'm still here!

Sorry for the delay in posts. Things have been hectic and I've been sleep-deprived/lazy. I will try to post more often!

But...

is anyone out there reading my blog? If you are, I would love to see some comments! If you feel like harassing me or providing me with free drinks/footie gear/west ham tickets, you can email me! I promise to check at least once a week!
sat.morning.fever@gmail.com

Jam of the Week!

Junior Walker and the Allstars: Roadrunner

West Ham and Millwall to be Punished

It has been announced that he FA will make known to the public their decision regarding how to punish West Ham and Millwall as a result of the violence at Upton Park.

Their findings come at the conclusion of an investigation launched in response to the rioting and pitch invasions that occurred during the Carling Cup match at Upton Park in August.
Rumor has it that the FA will be making example of my team as well as of Millwall, which means there will be stiff fines other extreme measures taken.

There is a concern in England that things could get out of hand and return to how it used to be - violent and dangerous. There is also concern that such behavior will compromise attempts to be selected for the chance to host a variety of international sporting events. However, the idea that this was such an extraordinary event is silly at best. Football violence has never completely disappeared, and many hundreds of arrests aremade each year. It is also worth noting that many other teams have a worse reputation for trouble these days than West Ham, although one might argue that Millwalls reputation is not far off from the truth.

I am biased, so of course I feel like we're being singled out. I also think punishing the club with stiff fines and point deductions won't really hurt the supporters responsible for the chaos. (We don't yet know what the punishment will be, but point deductions will really hurt us.) It is sad when supporters get out of hand, but it would be sadder still if the FA decided to dole out symbolic punishments, regardless of how ineffective they are.

From Derby to Travesty

Sundays Manchester Derby highlights a lot of what aggravates me about football. Allow me to explain.

This was a game worth waking up for. Man U have a long history and are attempting to capture yet another championship under Sir Alex Ferguson. Man City are a recently wealthy team who have been acquiring great players and working their way towards the top four. Naturally, as rivals from the same city, you could imagine how much this game meant to both sides.

But of course, the entire match became a spectacle. It must be said though, that this began weeks ago when the managers of both teams began exchanging barbs. Sir Alex, as we've all come to expect, began maligning City prior to the match, calling them a small team with a small team mentality. Hughes responded in kind, although I am of the opinion that Sir Alex opens his mouth too frequently and deserves rebuke. This set the stage for further tension prior to the game, though you might get the feeling that this is more of a personal issue for the managers and for some of the players. I find all this quite immature. There is really no reason for it to become so personal unless you are a supporter. Even after the match, Sir Alex called Carlos Tevez' performance at United into question. There is no place for someone as accomplished as Sir Alex to act in such a fashion.

On the pitch as well, things bordered on parody. There were fouls that indicated a level of frustration for both sides. City felt the usual pressure any team faces while at Old Trafford. United was confronted with a much more impressive City than they had anticipated.

Then there was the bizarre incident of a supporter rushing the pitch and having an altercation with perennial complainer/winger and West Ham reject Craig "I have No Neck" Bellamy. I do not need to explain how stupid this is, although I must admit I did not see the incident while watching the match.

Finally, there is the curious case of the seven minute injury time. Why so much was added I cannot say - there were no major injuries during the second half, and even the substitutions cannot account for this lengthy addition. Mark Hughes claims that the fourth official added time for their celebration following their 90th minute equalizer. However, the time added was all that was needed for Man U to again take the lead and ultimately win.

All in all, it was an exciting game. Nevertheless, every part of this ridiculous tale illustrates some of footballs most annoying issues - silly fans, sillier players, childish managers with big mouths, and questionable officiating. I dislike both of these teams, but what should have been an enjoyable match quickly became a complete fiasco.

Fortune's Always HIding...

It really stings that we lost again, but that's how it goes. We actually played pretty well against Liverpool, but just not well enough.

I sincerely hope that Zola can put us back on track. There simply is no reason why we shouldn't be a competitive team.



It wouldn't be our West Ham if we weren't being disappointed, I suppose.

The Football Community

Although I've discussed the difficulty with which one follow the Premier League in the US, there are sometimes aspects of being in the minority which are quite nice.

Following a few Sunday games, I spent my day having drinks with some fellow football fanatics. Represented among us were Man U, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and of course, West Ham. It was great not only getting to know some of these other supporters, but in getting to have a drink with like minded people.

In England, as with much of the world, the scene from our local Premier League bar could never exist - supporters from a variety of sides, drinking together, laughing together, and watching hours of football without incident. Because of the scarcity of opportunities and locales at which to view our game, people who might otherwise brutalize each other act as friends. It's all very heartwarming.

As we stood there discussing different venues where Premier League is shown, I realized that we have an invaluable community here in Austin. All the difficulty we might normally have seeing the sport of our choice is partially alleviated by the fact that we have bonded together in many ways. I'll always laugh at the plight of someones team, especially Chelsea, when they lose, but part of me always likes how we seem to get along.

Homegrown Talent Rules - A Blessing for Mid-Table Teams

Of course Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez are opposed, but the Premier Leagues decision to force teams to have at least 8 homegrown players out of their 25 total has been agreed upon.

This will benefit teams like West Ham, for instance, who have a solid youth academy and a tradition of fielding many English or Welsh players.

This will be a problem for teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as others. It is often difficult to pinpoint even ONE English player with some of these teams.

I'm not opposed to foreign players in the least. But I think it would be great for teams to look for talent a little closer to home. Perhaps the secret to a World Cup winning English side is the development of young, domestic players.

Russell Brand

I can't stand Jimmy Fallon, but this interview is quite funny.

The West Ham discussion starts at 7:30.

Russell Brand visits Jimmy Fallon
by starleigh2000

This helped to cheer me up after our loss to Wigan today.

It's Official: Diego Maradona sucks

Many people, like me, hate Diego Maradona because he is a cheater and all-round scumbag. But you have to wonder how much of a hero he will be to the Argentinians when their national team fails to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer. Apparently being a legend does not always mean you'll be a satisfactory manager. One article I read said that there is a reluctance in the Argentine sports press to criticize this god of football. But if anyone needs to be criticized, let alone fired, it's him!

What really boggles the mind is how with the team he has, he still can't guarantee a qualification!

The West Ham - Millwall Debacle

While you were busy putting together your NFL fantasy football team, you might have missed what many in Britain could not stop talking about. I am, of course, talking about the riot that occurred outside, and to some degree, inside of Upton Park during their Carling Cup match against Millwall FC. A few weeks have passed, and the dust seems to have settled, which means we can all look at this with some perspective.

For those of you who need it, here is some background information that will help you to understand the severity of what happened on the 25th of August.



West Ham was drawn lottery-style to play against arch-rivals Millwall in the first round of the Carling Cup, a multi-league competition. On the night in question, organized groups of hooligans, known as firms, made plans to attack one another in the vicinity of the game. While the game was being played inside, there was carnage on the streets, culminating in brawls, projectiles being hurled at opposing supporters and police, and even a stabbing. This sort of behavior used to occur quite frequently in the heyday of football hooliganism, a period from the end of the 60s until the end of the 80s, which made this very public display of violence so shocking. Less shocking, but more idiotic, was the minor pitch invasion at the hands of several dozen West Ham supporters. (Reader comments attached to some media reports have indicated that true hooligans would never do something so blatant for fear of being caught. A number of the people on the pitch were wearing West Ham colors and had many were photographed - surefire ways to be identified.)


Of course, football violence in Britain never really disappeared. Firms began to fight each other in agreed upon locations away from stadia, as to avoid lifetime bans from matches as well as increasingly punitive measures that had been enacted over time. While the infamous firms have never fully gone away, it is something of a surprise that such blatant and open aggression would surface on the streets of London in this day and age. Nevertheless, as we sat and listened to Sky Sports recount the events of the day, we were stunned - but only slightly. After all, the moment I learned that the Irons had drawn against their oldest and fiercest rivals, I immediately considered the obvious implications.

The bitter rivalry has its roots in a time when teams often represented the company or profession from which its early players were chosen. In the case of these two teams, they represented competing ironworks on opposite sides of the Thames. When the employees of the Thames Iron Works, West Hams original incarnation, went on strike, there was immediate ill will towards the employees of the company from which Millwall was born, as they did follow suit. The rivalry also exists, to some degree, because these two parts of London are traditionally poorer, working-class neighborhoods. The very identity of those who live in such depressed areas has therefore been strengthened around their respective teams.


Furthermore, this should not have been treated as quite as much of a shock as it was in the media, given that the teams had not played each other in five years. This pent up desire to trounce one's greatest enemy must only have been heightened by the long wait between games. It should also be said that Millwall, although currently two leagues below West Ham, has a record of upsetting the Hammers. It is the very nature of both the Carling and FA cups that smaller, lesser known teams can sometimes embarrass squads from the Premiership.

The reaction could not have been more one-sided. Initial reports on Sky Sports indicated that Millwall supporters had planned attacks at nearby Tube stations. But the sheer numbers of West Ham supporters present, common for a home game, created a situation where Millwall supporters found themselves outnumbered. The poor decisions made by supporters within the grounds also made it seem as if West Ham and their supporters were entirely responsible for what happened. Both teams are generally looked down upon, but the reaction against West Ham in the press was disproportionate. There were a number of people calling for a grounds closure, whereby West Ham would play a number of games behind closed doors - a crude and ineffective group punishment unlikely to dissuade the minority of supporters involved.


Some called for West Ham to have points deducted from their standings in the Premiership. This sort of punishment can cripple a team, and is entirely unfair since the game was a Carling Cup match, not a Premier League event. It should be stated that fewer people called for a deduction of Millwalls points, which, despite being less one-sided, is still unfair and ludicrous.



Former West Ham player and manager, and current Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, made the most logical suggestion, but one that defies the lottery system of match-ups. He recommended that the teams never be allowed to play one another ever again. Should they ever be drawn at random again, they should both be placed back into the pool and drawn against other teams. This is fair minded as it attacks the problem at its source - crazed fans. However, this would not rid football of violence associated with other rivalries, nor would it negate the potential for trouble should Millwall ever ascend to the Premier League.

A number of journalists declared this a return to the "bad old days" of rampant hooliganism, but one must consider that policing is more effective, punishments have become more severe, and the problem of violence, although ever-present, has declined over time. But the reaction towards West Ham, as well as towards Millwall, is really beyond belief. I hate to have to defend Millwall, but would this have been the reaction if Chelsea fans had invaded the pitch, or if Blackburn supporters had thrown rocks at the police? I seriously doubt it.

Sadly, West Hams hard-earned victory over a surprisingly strong Millwall side was completely forgotten in the discussion altogether. By far the most touching moment, though, came at the end of the match. Jack Collison, whose father had been killed only days earlier en route to see his son play against Tottenham, (another rival, by the way,) left the field in tears. He was visibly upset, not only for his tremendous loss, but from the chaos of the evening in general. He, like just about all of our players, had been urging the wayward supporters back to the stands, proving that he is a player of exceptional integrity. Although this whole affair has been very disheartening, Collison showed everyone what true courage and class really is. Our thoughts remain with him in this extremely tough time.







If you are interested in reading more, take a look at some of these links:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1209050/West-Ham-fans-face-life-bans-hundreds-bloody-rampage-night-shame-Millwall-Upton-Park.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8221626.stm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/westham/6093066/Violence-at-West-Ham-v-Millwall-a-disgrace-says-Sports-Minister-Gerry-Sutcliffe.html

http://westhamprocess.com/2009/08/26/jack-collison-a-true-west-ham-hero/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1209062/West-Ham-3-Millwall-1-AET--Thats-worst-Ive-seen-says-Gianfranco-Zola.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8223000/8223844.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/aug/26/west-ham-millwall-violence-punishments

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/westham/6097814/West-Ham-and-Millwall-should-never-play-again-says-Harry-Redknapp.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/david-conn-inside-sport-blog/2009/aug/26/west-ham-millwall-hooliganism-history-violence

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/aug/30/football-violence-west-ham-millwall-carling-cup

Jam of the Week

Handicap - Upsetter All Stars
A different take on Lee Perry's "People Funny Boy," which has been sampled/replayed many times as other songs (for instance, "Longshot" by the Pioneers). This one is awesome for a lot of reasons, including the Steel Drum.

Apostrophes?

Bonus points to anyone willing to teach me how to correctly use apostrophes. Plural, belonging to, etc... I find this all a little confusing.

Help me out, English majors!

Send grammatical assistance to:

sat.morning.fever@gmail.com

USA 2 - El Salvador 1

In a moderately impressive showing, the US national team beat El Salvador 2 to 1 on Saturday evening. Although I do not believe our third goal should have been disallowed, we played quite well, and for a brief moment, we were at the top of our qualifying group.

Mexico managed to get themselves together and are now barely trailing behind us, while Costa Rica, who had quite a lead until Saturday, have slipped into the non-qualifying part of the table.

I believe the US will qualify, but unless we see a performance reminiscent of this last summers Confederations Cup, we won't last long in South Africa.

Womens Football

Like most men, I tend to regard womens sports as inferior. Before you react to that statement, either with agreement or complete opposition, allow me to clarify. What I mean, is that when comparing a professional sport traditionally played by, as well as dominated by, men, I am more interested in the mens version. When it comes to Softball, Volleyball, Gymnastics, and a number of other athletic events, womens sports seem just as exciting and competitive.

Now, I don't believe I am being sexist. Men can generally run faster, tend to be stronger, and have a longer history of competing in athletic events. It is usually more exciting to watch mens sports of all varieties. I am hesitant to say that one gender is supposed to play one sport and another is supposed to play something else - I truly don't believe that. Nevertheless, when it comes to just about any sport, I find womens sports a little boring.

Unsurprisingly, there is one exception to how I feel.

You guessed it - Soccer. Although I will never find any league, mens or womens, that can ever draw my attention away from the English Premier League, womens football does come close.

In England, there is a Womens Premier League which runs concurrently alongside the mens league. Although Arsenal appears to have dominated this league over the years, there are teams that mirror their mens counterparts for just about every imaginable football club. Although I am privy only to highlights care of Sky Sports, I have been impressed with what I've seen.

Similarly, there are UEFA competitions that represent all of Europes womens leagues. And there is a womens World Cup. In fact, while the US mens team struggles for worldwide recognition in the world of football, our Womens team has won twice! We have a better record than Brazil!

There are a number of reasons for this. Soccer has been a popular youth sport in the US for some time, but we lack a system of academies or training beyond that of academic institutions. This means we can't seem to get our shit together when it comes to having a quality professional league or successful national team. On the flipside, it means that we have been cultivating a lot of otherwise forgotten talent - that of our girls and young women. The US has long been a nation where women have played sports. Soccer is a sport that has particularly resonated with our women, and the results speak for themselves. The fledgling WPS does not look set to overtake the MLS or any other league in popularity, but the quality of play is, in my opinion, comparable.

In short, although I seem like a sexist asshole, I have actually watched womens soccer. It is entertaining and exciting. If given the chance to watch the West Ham womens team, I absolutely would. And if you doubt what I say, I recommend watching a WPS game some time. The names of the teams leave a lot to be desired, but the players are quick, skilled, and most importantly, passionate.

International Break

Due to a number of World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, there are no Premier League matches this week.

However, the US does take on El Salvador, which should be great. It has been exciting to watch the US get better and better at a sport considered by most in America to be foreign. Hopefully they will continue to improve and have a more impressive showing in the World Cup next summer than in years past.

Just to give a preview of upcoming posts:

More on the US National Team

My take on the MLS and the USL - Americas domestic soccer leagues

Thoughts on the West Ham - Millwall debacle

and finally,

The issue of money in Football and the aftermath of this summers record spending




Thanks for reading! Please feel free to leave comments!

Jam of the week!

Wilson Pickett: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
originally by Solomon Burke, this is fucking classic



Slim Harpo: Got Love if You Want It
great blues number

My thoughts on South Africa 2010

Although I am an American, I am also a South African, insofar as I was born there. I have been to visit several times, and as a result, I have seen South Africa return to the world of international sports following the end of apartheid. Sporting events mean a lot to the diverse people of South Africa, not just from the perspective of participating in such events, but also because of having the chance to host such events.

South Africa has made multiple bids to host the Olympics in Cape Town, of which none were a success. Although they have hosted plural Rugby and Cricket competitions, these do not attract the kind of international excitement followers of such sports may believe they do.

It should be no surprise, then, that South Africa was elated to have been chosen to host the 2010 World Cup finals after a number of attempts. This has excited many beyond belief, as this is not only something for South Africa to proud of, but for the continent as a whole, since this will be the first time the Mundial has been set in Africa.

This means so much to South Africa for a lot reasons. Aside from the aforementioned return to the world stage post-apartheid, it would be a huge boost for the tourism industry, and a chance for an extremely beautiful country to showcase all of its positive aspects.

That being said, there still looms the threat of a FIFA intervention which could result in a move to a new location. I have heard that if things are not to FIFAs liking by December, the Cup could be moved to a country whose infrastructure is perpetually ready for such events (most countries in Europe and many in South America, as well as the US, for instance.)



South Africa should have a lot to worry about. Crime is a major issue, if not THE issue. There were numerous cases of robbery, muggings, police extortion, theft and security issues that foreign travelers, journalists, and even players experienced during this summers Confederations Cup. Imagine, then, what this sort of situation will look like when tens of thousands have traveled to South Africa for the World Cup.

There is also the larger security issue that faces many African nations. Aside for South Africa's own extremists groups (militant Afrikaaners, Islamic extremists,) there is generally a lack of the kind of infrastructure one would hope for given the threat of terrorism (and I don't mean the hysterical, take off your shoes at the airport kind of threat, I mean the real kind of threat.) Between terrorism and crime, these threats could make World Cup '10 a minor catastrophe, if not an outright cataclysm.

One also has to wonder if the building boom related to new stadia will result in well built structures, or potential collapses the likes of which have certainly not been seen in Europe for some time. Contractors may not be building safe places to host games and people may be getting payoffs to look the other way. However, people maybe spared the cruel fate of dying in a collapse if regular strikes by workers hamper the building at these sites any further.

On a more practical level, there is the issue of transportation. South Africa also possesses a poor system when it comes from getting from point A to B. Many of the roads are too small to facilitate such a large influx of tourists all at one time, not to mention that the train system has had a whole gamut of problems itself (and did I mention crime? The trains are a great place to get mugged.)

Of course, I do tend to be pessimistic when it comes to just about everything. South Africa is a country plagued with so many problems, it's hard to be positive about all of this. But it is also possible that this could go very well. South Africa might very well hold the first World Cup with few major problems occurring, and the entire continent would be the better as a result.

I certainly hope it works out that way.

You have less than a year to memorize this. Get started.

West Ham? Really?

But... why?

It's a question i'm often asked. Why would someone interested in English football arbitrarily select West Ham United of all teams? For Britons, the question is confounding, as many seem to think the team is obscure, unworthy, or generally marred by a poor reputation, at least as far as fans are concerned. Americans, who love winners and despise a challenge, are puzzled by this choice because West Ham has not truly seen glory days in some time.

So why do I love West Ham? The reasons are numerous.

It would be foolish to discuss this matter without mentioning the fact that Americans who love the Premier League are exactly that; Americans. We're not from East London, West London, Manchester or Liverpool, and it is possible to imagine that many people who follow the Premiership have never even been to England. So how then do people select a team to support?

Some choose teams based on performance, as I mentioned earlier. Some choose their squad based on a place they visited or studied abroad. Others make their decision because of a team their friends like.

This first group is referred to by one of my fellow supporters as people who ride the "glory train", although it could be argued that you may also ride a glory hole. These are people who only want to see a winner. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal are the teams these people support. It must certainly be comforting to follow any of these sides, as the most heart wrenching thing that can happen to you is finishing in the last place of the Champions League qualifying positions. You will probably not see your side relegated any time soon (sadly,) and even though you will take it upon yourself to complain wildly about some perceived injustice, you will, in fact, always be happy about your team's performance. This, however, instantly qualifies you as an asshole, and allows West Ham supporters everywhere to yell at you as they see fit. If you are in the category of people who studied abroad or lived somewhere in England, this is more acceptable, as is choosing a team based on peer/family bonds.

I chose West Ham in the same way many West Ham supporters across the globe did - because some band that we like also supports them. Punk rock enthusiasts the world over often choose West Ham because of Cock Sparrer, the Business, the Cockney rejects, and a number of other English punk bands. Some of these bands, particularly the Cockney Rejects, made mention of the team in their songs.

I figured, since I love football and always have (one of my earliest memories is watching the World Cup with my dad,) what better team to support than the same one that Cock Sparrer loves? Metalheads sometimes choose West Ham because Iron Maiden is all about them. You can even find Maiden football jerseys with the West Ham crest emblazoned upon them.

There are other reasons to love West Ham. It's a team with a long history. Their rivalry with neighboring Millwall goes back a century or more. Their players graced the 1966 World Cup winning English team, most notably Bobby Moore, considered by many to be West Hams most famous player.

West Ham is also a team that inspires an almost religious devotion from its supporters. There is, in my opinion and from my observations, no such thing as casual or partial support of the Hammers. You either care, to the point of obsession, or you support Man U. There is no middle ground. Even the followers I know who rarely even watch the games still know everything that is going on - scores, transfers, general news and gossip. Knowing how much your fellow Irons love this team only breeds a more fierce commitment, and this remains so even when West Ham faces relegation. I remember it happening, and I remember almost wanting to cry. Ours is a team plagued my mid table finishes, injury prone players, frivolous lawsuits by poorly performing teams (Sheffield United, whose crybaby tactics haven't helped them back into the Pemiership,) and assorted other tragedies - and yet this only makes us more die hard.

I love football, almost too much, some might say. But my love of West Ham knows no bounds. So when people ask why I would support such a team, I tell them the same thing: "listen you scumbag Chelsea supporter, go and fuck yourself!" Although, more realistically, I tell them that this team means more to me than many things on this Earth, and that even though I'm not from East London, I identify with the Hammers in a way I can barely describe. I bleed claret and blue, I dream of the next game I get to see, and even hearing "Bubbles" makes shivers run down my spine.

I love West Ham United. I'm West Ham 'til I die, and I'll be there whether we get relegated to the conference level, or if we finish first place in the Premier League.

Now that's true love.

Cock Sparrer

And the theme of this years Premier League season is...

Bizarre Kits!

It appears that rugged individuality has triumphed over aesthetic common sense.

West Ham shocked some of us with their away kit, which I must admit I rather like. It's very, how shall I put this, blue. But it looks sharp.
Many were not happy with our home kit, but I think it's quite good. Now that there's three claret and blue teams, why not spice things up with a tribute to Umbro's signature 80's and 90's jerseys?


Everton has a horrid, sailor like kit for their home fixtures.


Awful, huh? But not as bad as their away kit...

Just fucking terrible! It's like a nightclub circa 1987 exploded on the pitch.

Chelsea have a strange zipper. But why? It looks like Lance Armstrong might don this top for the next Tour De France.

Remember Newcastle? Sure they got relegated, but they won't let that stop them from looking like a honey bee on some sort of childrens TV show. Here is their new away kit.


I suppose the Wolves don't have a horrid kit, just a bizarre logo reminiscent of an organization belonging to a Bond villain. Blackburn should be careful, lest manager Mick McCarthy decides to release a swarm or open a trap door on the field.

Man U appears to have also opted for the sailor look, complete with a LACE-UP CONTRAPTION!!!!!! Just unbearable.

Their home kit is also a little silly, but definitely not as embarrassing.*

Wigan appears to abandoned last years away kit, but they should reconsider. They had been going with a tried and true strategy: BLINDING YOUR OPPONENTS.



Well there you have it, folks. These oddities really stand out, especially compared with recent seasons. Is it just me, or have the designers lost their minds this year?









*I'm not embarrassed, I hate Man U. Enjoy your stupid lace up away kit.

Everything is back to normal. But hopefully not for long.

Despite an interesting start to the current Premier League season, things appear to have gone back to normal, as nature intended.

For instance, Man U, Liverpool and Everton appeared to be unable to replicate their successes from the previous season, with surprise losses and head shaking performances. It looks as if things are improving for these teams, although it must be said that Everton have an uphill battle ahead of them.

Conversely, Burnley, Wolverhampton and Sunderland look to be settling into their long and depressing battle for the bottom.

Stoke would look great in their standings if this were the end of the season, but it's not a stretch of the imagination to envision them slipping to lower half of the table, and soon.

West Ham, of course, appear to be getting comfortable in the usual position as guardians of the mid table. We're already at tenth place, and after an unimpressive draw against an unimpressive Blackburn, no one should be shocked.

Jam of the week.

I like music. So I thought I would share some with you. There will probably be a jam of the week three times a week, sometimes more than one jam at a time. So what? You got a problem with that? Fuck you.


Jam of the week: The Jam - In the City. A real classic.

What does it mean to follow the Premier League in America?

The end of August and beginning of September, for many Americans, means that NFL and College Football begin any minute. It means baseball is approaching its post-season, which, it could be argued, is the exciting part of the year for baseball. It means the start of the race to the Superbowl, and all the drama and tension that comes along with professional football. It means arguing over the BCS rankings and wild predictions regarding which University will be able to dominate all others and win a national championship. It means tailgates, fantasy leagues, and endless Sportscenter broadcasts.

For a small minority of people here in the US, it means the start of the English Premier League. The Premier League, along with Germany's Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A, and Spain's La Liga, is considered among the best football leagues in the world. Showcased in this league are some the worlds best players, some of the worlds greatest teams, and some of the worlds most passionate supporters.

To follow the Premier League in the US is trying, however. It means waking up very early on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and often having to miss games midweek. While lucky Britons get to watch their games at reasonable evening hours, for us it means sacrificing our only opportunities for sleeping late in order to see all the action. It means sometimes not seeing your game, especially if you happen to support any teams other than Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool or Arsenal. It means having to call it "soccer," or risk confusing everyone around you.

In the US, there are only a few ways to view Premier League matches. For those of us with basic cable, such as yours truly, there is the Fox Soccer Channel. They tend to carry a few games on Saturday, fewer on Sunday, and the occasional midweek game. FSC also broadcasts a handful of Serie A games, which I have found to be the best sleep aid known to man. (I put on Juventus vs Roma, for instance, and within minutes, I am unconscious. I recommend this for all insomniacs.) FSC also broadcasts Major League Soccer (MLS,) United Soccer Leagues (USL,) and even Womens Professional Soccer (WPS), all of which are the American attempts at the game. Fox Soccer also broadcasts some of its own programs, which are notable for low production value and American reporters who always seem to have foreign accents even they are not, well, foreign. I haven't done any research into their viewership or numbers, but I feel like FSC is probably on the low end of ratings for the Fox corporation. How do I know? Proactiv, that's how. Proactiv is an anti-acne line of creams and lotions which must, like most beauty products, be aimed at young girls and teenagers of all kinds. Advertising time on Fox Soccer must be really cheap, as this can be the only explanation as to why I see so many motherfucking Proactiv advertisements while watching Premier League. Someone should tell Proactiv about target demographics. After all, how many fifteen year old girls are watching Aston Villa play Stoke? Honestly. Fox Soccer does redeem itself, though. Every day, we Americans get to watch Sky Sports News, a slick, Sportscenteresque program (or should I say programme?) that covers the Premier League, the lower divisions, and all other sports enjoyed in the UK. Watching professional darts coverage always puts a smile on my face.

Another option is Setanta America, whose European counterpart went Bankrupt earlier this year. That fact boggles the mind. How does a sports carrier fail? In any case, Setanta America is available through Satellite, or at least that's what I've been told. It requires a subscription, but subscribing to Setanta also means potentially watching a great deal more Premier League, as well as the Coca-Cola Championship (formerly First Division,) Rugby, Cricket, and an assortment of other Euro-sports. Setanta usually has the more interesting games, while FSC shows you Portsmouth vs Blackburn. Well, thats not always true, and I'd still watch that game. But you get the idea.

Then we have ESPN and Fox Sports. ESPN, who usually show the more popular sports in the US, occasionally show a live game, although I feel like it's more common to see a replay of a Saturday game on a Tuesday morning. ESPN, however, has stepped in to take charge in Europe by buying the rights to the games Setanta lost by going under. Their coverage in Europe might be different, but it is indeed painful at best to listen to the American anchors share poorly informed commentary during EPL matches. Fox sports also shows a game or two here and there, but you can't really rely on them either.

Therefore, the American Premiership enthusiast must rely on a local bar, somewhere in their city, to be the one place that shows games. If you live in a small town or rural area, you are essentially fucked unless you feel like you want to spend some money on satellite and subscription fees. But if your reasonably sized city or metropolitan area does, in fact, have at least one place that will help to feed your football addiction, you will probably end up there. In my case, here in Austin, we go to one of three places I can think of that actually open early enough and play the games I want to see. One is more of a restaurant and caters to Chelsea fans. Needless to say I almost never go there. The other is a bar whose inconsistency and obvious Liverpool bias makes it equally unpleasant. The bar that my fellow Hammers supporters and I attend is an "Irish" pub, complete with assorted antique crap on the walls, intended to make you feel like you're in the old country circa 1884. It is a franchise, it is expensive, and sometimes it smells like feet have been vomiting, but it is the place that shows our games. In every place in the US, it is always a bar that shows the games that you spend so many mornings at, yet curiously, you refuse to be seen there at night, preferring instead to go to a more enjoyable establishment. I have, however, come to enjoy going there, although if they ceased to show Premier League matches, I would never set foot inside again.

For me, Saturday morning goes a little something like this:
8:00 am - Wake up, come to terms with hangover/lack of sleep/irritated girlfriend.
8:30 am - Leave for bar. It's important to leave on time, since there's some sort of asinine festival or marathon every fucking weekend here. Why do people feel the need to run in groups?
9:00 am - Game(s) begin. Sometimes they are on earlier, but it's rare that I'll break my ass to get to the bar unless West Ham is playing.
9:50 am - Halftime. Cigarettes, bathroom, drinks refreshed.
10:36 am - Warm tea ordered. Yelling at Arsene Wenger has damaged my vocal chords.
11:05 am - Lull in the bar between games. Celebratory yelling or weeping as needed.
11:30 am - Next game(s).
1:15 pm - Return to the house to read football news. Turn on Inter vs Torino. Instant coma ensues.

Sundays are similar. And this is what I do with my weekend.

In short, American soccer lovers have to complete with other sports for what any bar will show, have to endure early mornings, and are forced to deal with a scarcity of TV channels and venues with which to enjoy their game. It's difficult, it's lonely, and it really sucks sometimes. But I wouldn't trade my Saturday mornings for anything else.


(Except for getting to live in London and season tickets.)

The 2009 - 2010 Premier League Season: thoughts, predictions, and feelings

After an agonizingly long summer punctuated by the Confederations Cup and by assorted other competitions (the CONCACAF Copa De Oro, for instance,) the English Premier League has finally begun again. Like many in England and across the globe, my life again has meaning.

Although I am writing this a few weeks into the season, I feel like I might as well share my thoughts on the games that have already been played and on some of the teams performances.

Though it pains me to say it, the teams to watch this year are Tottenham and Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has a long history of great management, and in his short tenure at Tottenham he has already created a very competitive team. Players like Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keene, to name only two, are impressive on the pitch to say the least. Redknapp is generally not interested in self promotion and bragging, and has been careful in declaring his team the greatest anyone has seen in a while, but a number of people have said his team could break into the top four, or at the very least go on to play in Europe. Arsene Wenger must be feeling very happy at the moment as well, as his Arsenal side are looking better than they have in recent memory. Their victory over last years FA cup runners up Everton shocked me, at least, and their performance over soon to be relegated Portsmouth was no less impressive.

Man U began their season with a stunning defeat by recently promoted Burnley. Frankly, Man U looked confused and little silly during the match. They appear to be back on track as a very competitive team again, but their initial loss made them look beatable, which is always comforting. Liverpool has already lost twice, and if they hope to be contenders for the Premier Leagues top spot, as everyone seems to have thought they might, they had better get their act together.

The poor, poor Wolves. Wolverhamptons promotion made me happy, but one has to wonder if they will last more than this season. Such is the case with promotion teams (West Bromwich who?) although Hull has managed to hang on for another shot in the Premiership. Bolton, Blackburn and Birmingham also look to be the teams that struggle at the bottom. Conversely, Chelsea look great, which, despite irritating me greatly, could mean a chance to take the league.

And what of my West Ham? The Irons looked like they might have a good this year, or at least it appeared that way at the end of last year. Gianfranco Zola now has a little bit more experience under his belt as manager, and the younger up-and-coming players look a little sharper than before. However, it wouldn't be my Hammers without the drama and heartbreak, which I will discuss in a future post. In short, this year might be painful, but I predict a mid table finish, as always.

I'm glad that I again have an outlet for my misplaced rage, and I'm glad I have my friends with whom to enjoy these matches. Even though I am robbed of my weekend by this madness, there is next to nothing that makes me as excited as Premier League. Baseball, college football, competitive bowling - these things are trivial compared with the Premiership. The drama, the disappointment, the joy - this is what we live for!