We Are West Ham Podcast

Coronavirus has seen football wiped out across Europe and the Premier League is no different. The English top flight is suspended until April 30 but the football blackout is expected to continue well beyond that date. But while the country is locked down and West Ham remain home from training, the boys try to bring a bit of light relief and Hammers chat during these uncertain times. James Jones and Will Pugh are joined by Charlie Hawkins as the three conduct the show via Skype video link for the first time. The Evening Standard's Jack Rosser also joins in the fun from his front room to give a valuable look behind the scenes at London Stadium. David Moyes, Jarrod Bowen, seat relocation and relegation clauses are all on the agenda before the return of the quiz for week 22. Thanks for listening, keep safe and please rate and subscribe if you like what we do. #COYI #WHUFC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During an unprecedented time in peacetime Britan, and even the world, football has taken a back seat while we all try and survive the Coronavirus pandemic. But that hasn't stopped there being a number of pressing talking points, not least what the sport should do for the rest of the season. Should they play behind closed doors? Should they follow Karren Brady's lead and just null and void the campaign? Should we just end the season with the league tables as they are? Either way, West Ham will be affected and that's what the boys discussed on this week's show, albeit from the comfort of their own homes as Charlie was forced to self isolate on his own in the studio. James Jones and Will Pugh spoke in depth about what the pandemic means for football, West Ham, Leyton Orient's FIFA tournament and, as always, they did the Mystery West Ham Rogue Players Quiz, which involved some interesting trivia about Ilie Dumitrescu. With a VAR check deciding the winner, it's fair to say James has a lot of work to do in the quiz! Please leave us five stars and a review if you like what we do and tell your friends to listen in and SUBSCRIBE. #WHUFC #COYI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham lost 1-0 at Arsenal on Saturday and Michail Antonio fluffed three clear cut chances before Alexandre Lacazette got the Gunners' 78th minute winner. The Hammers showed heart and desire for the third game running but just as they did at Liverpool they walked away empty handed. Will Pugh and James Jones discuss any positives to be taken away from the Emirates and West Ham legend John Moncur joins the lads to give his views on the Irons and #GSBOut. Jarrod Bowen and Jeremy Ngakia get mentioned in dispatches and one of the lads reveals David Moyes is from a new continent no one has heard of before. Sam from the Wolves 77 pod calls in to talk Europa League, coronavirus, and Sunday's game. And of course the rogue players quiz is back so can Will make it a world-record five win streak or can James finally stop the rot to level things up at 10-10 again? Please leave us five stars and a review if you like what we do and tell your friends to listen in and SUBSCRIBE. #WHUFC #COYI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham put Southampton to the sword on Saturday after thousands of fans took part in a pre-match #GSBOut protest march against David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady. Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring on his first Hammers start while Sebastien Haller and Michail Antonio notched the final two to secure David Moyes' second win since he took charge... again. Will Pugh and James Jones are back in the studio after their superstar appearance on Sunday night's Match of the Day 2 (still available on iplayer), and Tom Edwards also makes an appearance. The lads discuss all of that before previewing the Arsenal game ahead of Saturday's trip to the Emirates. The rogue players quiz is a dead heat at 9-9 after a mammoth comeback from Will in recent weeks. Marc Rieper is still the shout of the season but listen in to see if James can stop the rot. Please subscribe if you haven't before and leave us a review if you like what we do. #COYI #WHUFC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a week of two very different performances against two of the best teams in world football and we only came out of it three goals worse off. The 2-0 defeat to Man City involved a very defensive approach while the 3-2 loss at Anfield came via the sort of attacking, positive and meaningful performance we've been craving from the team all season. In truth, we deserved to take something from Anfield but an uncharacteristic performance from Lukasz Fabianski ensured we left empty-handed. Perhaps the highlight of our season will be the 14 minutes in which we were winning away at Liverpool. And that's the main focus of this week's show as, in Will Pugh's absence, James Jones and Charlie Hawkins review the last two defeats and then look ahead to this weekend's massive six-pointer against Southampton at London Stratford. The boys also discuss recent fan protests, the ineffective use of Sebastien Haller and the impressive introduction to first-team football for Jeremy Ngaki. And finally, Will does join us on the phone for the Mystery Rogue Players Quiz where he looked to go level with James again! Please subscribe if you like what we do and tell your friends. Irons. #COYI #WHUFC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham were without a game this week but Uefa stepped in to ensure Man City were handed extra motivation ahead of Wednesday night's clash at the Etihad. City's FFP breach saw them handed a two-year Champions League ban and some Hammers fans kindly suggested West Ham also refuse to play in the competition for two years in a noble act of solidarity. Will Pugh and James Jones are back to discuss this as well as Winston Reid's departure to MLS side Sporting Kansas City on loan. Football.London’s West Ham correspondent Sam Inkersole also chipped in with a large dash of Irons insight. And the boys chat #BeKind and its place in football before having a look at another potential thrashing with a trip to Anfield on the horizon. The rogue mystery players quiz is back as Will looks to continue his red hot form. Please subscribe if you like what we do and tell your friends. #COYI #WHUFC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham managed to prolong the inevitable on Sunday as Storm Ciara saw their game with Man City postponed. It's been rescheduled for February 19 but is that a good or bad thing? Will Pugh and James Jones discuss the looming thrashing at the Etihad as well as the continued press backlash against West Ham. Oliver Holt used his Mail on Sunday column to unload both barrels at the board in the wake of the club's extraction of an apology from Sky and Sunday Supplement. The boys look at how sincere his Holt's scathing apology really was and dissect Steve Lomas and Tony Gale's message to fans urging them to halt protests and "get behind the team". Kevin Nolan also returned to the club and the boys discussed the recent takeover rumours amid the #GSBOut campaign. The rogue players quiz is back as always as Will looks to overturn his 9-6 deficit. Thanks for listening and please like, rate and subscribe if you like what we do. #COYI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You really can't write it at West Ham. At a time when a bit of positive PR would have done David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady the world of good, the Hammers decide to issue the first legal complaint Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement programme has ever had. The seemingly petty nature of the challenge at a time when there are surely more important things to worry about - like impending relegation from the Premier League for example - sparked a thoroughly unsurprising backlash from the mainstream media. The Guardian's Jonathan Liew called the club a "shambles" and the Telegraph's Matt Law suggested "everyone has their hands in the till" on the show and this clearly rankled. But now the great and the good of British sports journalism has come out in force against West Ham's board who seemed to be defending their egos and little else. Well Will Pugh, James Jones and Tom Edwards put all that to rights as well as reviewing Liverpool and Brighton, previewing Man City and of course doing the rogue players quiz. Like, rate and subscribe if you like what we do. #COYI #WHUFC #GSB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A few years ago we were promised a "world-class stadium and a world-class team." Today we have neither, and the realisation that the board have averaged a net spend of just over £20m a season on transfers over the last 10 years just goes to show how little they are committed to making that promise a reality. The truth is, while they may not be committed to it, they're also very clearly incapable of making it happen, hence the even louder calls for them to step aside and allow someone with a bit more clout to take this club forward. On this week's show, James Jones and Will Pugh discuss all that and more, as well as review the shambolic FA Cup defeat to West Brom, the final few days of the transfer window and preview the upcoming games against Liverpool and Brighton. Despite the depressing nature of life as West Ham fans, the lads do try and make it as upbeat as possible this week. Thanks for listening and please like, rate, review and subscribe if you like what we do. COYI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last weekend the protests went by without incident and will have caught the attention of those responsible for taking our great club to where it is - nowhere. Will they react? Will they even listen? Well, given the current transfer window innactivity there's a chance they won't. But we have to keep making a noise or we're going to be stuck here forever. On the pitch, the Everton game wasn't exactly brilliant but at least we didn't lose. If anything, it only further highlighted how thin and slow our squad is, but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of reinforcements before the transfer window shuts next week. On the show this week, James Jones, Tom Edwards and Charlie Hawkins reviewed the Everton game, slammed the current owners (obviously) and discussed our chances against Leicester City and West Brom this week. As always, there isn't a great deal of positivity on the show but the lads still have a laugh along the way. Additionally, former Hammer Danny Gabbidon joined us on the phones to discuss Moyes' chances of success at the club and what he believes the future holds under Gold and Sullivan. Thanks for listening and please like, rate, review and subscribe if you like what we do. COYI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NEW YEAR SPECIAL - PART 2! The nostalgia series is different from your usual weekly offering from We Are West Ham. Its aim is to look back at seasons past with fondness or fury and hopefully evoke memories of West Ham that otherwise might be forgotten. This is part two of episode one and of course the lads (William Pugh and WAWH quizmaster Reece Bayliss) chose the last season at Upton Park to kick off with. Don't forget, it might be worth going back to listen to part one first unless you don't mind parachuting in in the middle of the season. Sections are as follows in case you want to skip to a certain part: 0:00 - Re-introduction 3:05 - New year 2016 - double over Liverpool, last UP win vs Spurs 13:00 - Magical FA Cup run - beating Liverpool AGAIN, Blackburn masterclass... Old Trafford 23:50 - Closing stages of the Prem - robbed at Chelsea, Payet FK vs Palace, Carroll hat-trick in Arsenal 3-3, down to earth vs Swansea 34:00 - The last ever game at Upton Park 57:45 - End of season and final thoughts Let us know if you like this format and if you'd like a particular season to be considered for the next one. Thanks for listening and like, rate and subscribe if you like what we do. COYI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the same day it emerged West Ham are the 18th richest club in Europe and Karren Brady claimed the board are "trying very hard in the transfer market", the boys discuss the tragic trio's burnt bridges and broken promises. The lads desperately tried to put a new spin on the "How rubbish is VAR" chat after the remote ref intervened at Bramall Lane on Friday to rob the Hammers of a point. Paul McParlan from TheseFootyTimes gave an opposition view ahead of Saturday's clash with Everton. And after Jonathan Woodgate described Darren Randolph's medical as one of the longest in history, the boys reserved a solitary minute and a half (which was still too much) to discuss the club's embarrassing transfer activity. All in all, a pretty positive show! Oh and of course the mystery rogue players quiz returned along with Will Pugh. Will graced everyone with his presence after a week skiing in the Alps while James Jones welcomed him back to the fold by wearing a matching roll neck. Overall, a lovely way to get the dynamic duo back together for the first time in 2020. Thanks for listening and please like, rate, review and subscribe if you like what we do. COYI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NEW YEAR SPECIAL! The nostalgia series is different from your usual weekly offering from We Are West Ham. Its aim is to look back at seasons past with fondness or fury and hopefully evoke memories of West Ham that otherwise might be forgotten. This is part one of episode one and of course the lads (William Pugh and WAWH quizmaster Reece Bayliss) chose the last season at Upton Park to kick off with. Sections are as follows in case you want to skip to a certain part: 0:00 - Martin Peters tribute 3:00 - Leaving Upton Park 17:10 - Big Sam out, Slav in 22:10 - Squad list 29:25 - Europa League 35:10 - Prem season starts - wins at Arsenal and Liverpool 42:45 - Win at City and League Cup campaign 45:48 - The big swing - nine games into Xmas and Payet's injury Let us know if you like this format and if you'd like a particular season to be considered for the next one. Stay tuned for part 2 of this episode next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back! After a couple of weeks off for the festive period, the We Are West Ham return this week to pour over what has been a pretty crazy fortnight at the club. Manuel Pellegrini was finally sacked but then the board did what they did best and showed their complete incompetence by re-appointing David Moyes on an 18-month deal. The initial outrage was clear - are we ever going to move forward!? Luckily, the early signs of Moyes' second coming have been positive. A 4-0 thumping of a terrible Bournemouth side at home was encouraging, as was the professional 2-0 win over Gillingham in the FA Cup. But now the real work starts. Difficult fixtures against Sheffield United, Everton and Liverpool are just around the corner and they will be the games in which we'll really find out what Moyes is capable of delivering. Also on this week's show, James Jones and Tom Edwards discussed a number of transfer rumours doing the rounds at the moment - the impending return of Darren Randolph being one of them - and previewed Friday's trip to Sheffield United. West Ham cult hero Jimmy Walker also joined the lads for a chat about the current goalkeeping situation and how he believes Moyes will do in his second spell. It's a brilliant show to kick 2020 off with - enjoy! Please, subscribe, rate and review if you like what we do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a Christmas break approaching for We Are West Ham and actual West Ham, the boys tried to sign off the last live show until the New Year with some festive cheer. But Felipe Anderson made that quite difficult... AGAIN! David Martin picked up an injury vs Southampton which means we may not see him in a West Ham shirt again as Lukasz Fabianski is reportedly close to a return. Martin's Sky Sports interview in the week was lovely and it is truly heart warming to see just how much this time has meant to him. Really a dream come true and a moment of light among the darkness for the fans to see one of their own living out their childhood fantasy. Pablo Fornals got an honourable mention before new daddy James Jones joined us for one last rogue players quiz. The boys signed off with a few thank yous - with the biggest one reserved for you listeners who tune in every week and make the show worth doing. There will be a couple of festive episodes released but no more live shows until the first Tuesday in January. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at We Are West Ham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It felt wrong to run with the usual format this week. The boys would have usually reviewed the previous game and cracked on but this week it just didn't feel right as there is so much more going on at West Ham United than one soulless defeat to Arsenal. Many people don't recognise the club anymore and the feeling that it is rotten from the top down continues to grow among the fan base again. With some real emotion and real passion, the boys lay it all on the table about the state and more importantly the fabric and soul (or lack of) of West Ham. Why we are where we are and who is to blame. In short, it's time for the board to go. Join Will Pugh and Tom Edwards who discuss this sad spell for the club. On a MUCH happier note, huge congratulations to We Are West Ham's very own James Jones who became a father to little baby Harrison this week. Loads of love from everyone to the Joneses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Martin crying with joy in the arms of West Ham legend dad Alvin is exactly the sort of thing this club and the fans needed. The heroic win at Chelsea - the Hammers' first at Stamford Bridge since 2002 - made Frank Lampard the first Blues manager to lose at home to West Ham in 17 years... shame! Aaron Cresswell's beauty took the pressure off Manuel Pellegrini for now but his touchline argument with Felipe Anderson seemed to prove rumours of a rift between the pair. Will Pugh and James Jones discussed all of this and the We Are West Ham listeners also had their say on the Brazilian. The boys also look ahead to Wolves and Arsenal and the rogue players quiz hots up as the boys approach the Christmas break. There is also some bonus Roberto content from Richard Lee and Matt Beadle from the Goalkeeper's Union podcast at the end. Please like, rate review and subscribe if you like what we do. #COYI #WHUFC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's difficult to find any more words of anger, disgust or sadness to describe the current situation at the club, but on this week's show Hammers legend Martin Allen summed it up perfectly. Mad Dog believes the win over Manchester United a few months ago led the team to believe they'd completed their journey to becoming a top team and that everything else would naturally fall in to place and everyone would be happy. He believes there are currently too many players in the squad who just aren't prepared to pull their weight and in order for West Ham to successfully make that transition from mid-table side to top-six contenders, playing "sexy soccer" in the process, the squad needs to instill a constant competitive mindset. Without that, it's just going to be more of the same. Also on the show, James Jones and Will Pugh attempted to dissect that Spurs defeat last weekend and had a chat about the dire goalkeeping situation, while Will returned with a bang in the Rogue West Ham Players Quiz. Despite the negativity around the club at the moment, this is surprisingly quite an upbeat show. Please, subscribe, rate and review if you like what we do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tottenham at home always promises to be a special fixture, but suddenly this weekend's clash has been given an extra twist. They've sacked Mauricio Pochettino, the man who had earned the right to be completely untouchable in North London, and replaced him with Jose Mourinho just days before they travel to Stratford for their first away win in the league since January. Whatsmore, they made the announcement while we were live on air and previewing the weekend's game! To say it was the craziest 20 minutes of radio we've ever been involved in would be an understatement, made even more bizarre by Daily Hotspur blubbering over the phone as he reacted just minutes (literally) after Spurs had sacked their greatest ever manager. James Jones and Tom Edwards did also discuss what Manuel Pellegrini should've been doing during the international break in order to fix our own problems, but any plans he had made ahead of this fixture will have been completely ruined by what Spurs have just done. So, as always, this is a belter of an episode and even more so given what happened halfway through. Please, subscribe, rate and review if you like what we do. Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is unacceptable. This is ridiculous. This is a joke. This is West Ham United. But how long do we go on like this? No win in six league games since that victory over Manchester United has seen us go from serious top six contenders to 16th in the league and mere mid-table candidates at best - all in little over a month! Not good enough, but we've been here before. Manuel Pellegrini doesn't seem to know how to change it, spending big over the course of two summers has only masked the worrying fact there is no squad depth and the top it off, our goalkeeper is absolutely hopeless! It's just not on anymore, but who do we bring in to steady the ship and start directing us in the right direction again? No one stands out, unless we nab someone from another club. Sullivan's not going to want to spend the money though, is he? So here we are, winless in what feels like years, a manager with no clue, a goalkeeper with no hands and Spurs, Chelsea, Wolves and Arsenal up next. As you can imagine, on this week's show James Jones and Tom Edwards don't hold back in their disregard for how this season has gone from positivity to utter disgrace in such a short space of time. James calls for the youth to be given a chance, Tom has his say on Pellegrini's future and the boys both have a discussion about what to do about Roberto. Warning: This episode is even more negative than last week's. Please, subscribe, rate and review if you like what we do. Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Much has been made of The West Ham Way in recent years. The older generation of football fans will know that it did once exist, while modern-day football fans scoff at the idea of football existing before 1992. Yet what we are currently seeing is the modern edition of The West Ham Way. Definition: Win when you're supposed to lose, lose when you're supposed to win. Be inconsistently inconsistent. Occasionally show signs of promise, always revert to the norm soon after. So this week, James Jones and Will Pugh dragged themselves to the studio to have a real good moan about the modern-day West Ham Way, while they were also joined by regular studio guest Tom Edwards. Discussion points include Felipe Anderson's work rate, the unacceptable performance against Newcastle, Manuel Pellegrini's future, the Burnley game this weekend and much more. And of course, James and Will went head-to-head again in the We Are West Ham Quiz. If anything, it's the most exciting competition involving West Ham (fans) this season. Warning: This is a very negative episode. Please, subscribe, rate and review if you like what we do. Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham were blunted by the Blades on Saturday which opened the door to some bizarre calls to sack Manuel Pellegrini. Now James Jones and Will Pugh don't agree on much but there was ferocious agreement in the studio that anyone who harked back to the Sam Allardyce or David Moyes days after the Sheffield United draw is a dross merchant. Jonjo Heuerman also joined the lads to talk about his inspiring 'Upton Park bricks' project and the fantastic work he is still doing for the Bobby Moore fund. The Daily Star's Aaron Stokes gave his view on Newcastle's visit to London Stadium. And of course the rogue West Ham players quiz was back in competitive action with the guys reunited in the studio for the first time in two weeks. Please, subscribe, rate and review if you like what we do. Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the worst performance of the season at Everton, the postmortem started in severe fashion as the boys tried to dissect what went so badly wrong. John Moncur helped shine a light on the disastrous showing and revealed the names of the "world class" players he played with at West Ham. Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson are supposedly the best players at the club but are they pulling their weight at the at the moment? All of that before a look ahead to Saturday's HUGE clash against Sheffield United - the first Premier League game against the Blades since Tevez-gate. Will Pugh is back after his very own international break but jury service means James Jones' was replaced by the opinionated Tom Edwards who tried to knock Will of his perch in an exhibition version of the rogue West Ham players quiz. Please subscribe, like, rate and review if you like what we do. Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The international break has given us the perfect chance to reflect on the first couple of months of the season. The defeat to Palace was frustration but not the end of the world and the boys will no doubt be up for putting it right when they visit Goodison Park this Saturday. But while James Jones and guest Danny Lewis discussed our chances against Everton this weekend, a large part of this week’s show was dedicated to West Ham’s youth players, who have been very impressive of late. A 16-game unbeaten came to an end with a defeat to Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy, and the Development Squad’s star players are really getting the recognition they deserve. Anthony Scully won the PL2 Player of the Month for September, Nathan Holland is being touted for a first-team call-up this season and Conor Coventry is, hopefully, on the verge of a well deserved improved contract. And while all that goes on, Declan Rice is representing England and Grady Diangana is smashing it for West Brom in the Championship. So, is the Academy of Football back? We got club legend Tony Carr on the show to find out what he thinks of the academy’s recent success and it’s fair to say he’s very excited for the future. Also on this week’s show, the boys discussed Fabianski’s injury woes and what to expect at Everton this weekend. As always, it's a cracking show. If you enjoy what we do every week then please take two seconds to subscribe, rate and review us on your preferred podcast platform - we really appreciate the support! Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite the defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, we've still enjoyed a good start to the season. We've lost just two of our opening eight Premier League fixtures and we're currently 8th in the standings - not too bad, eh? However, James Jones believes all the talk about Manuel Pellegrini instilling a big team mentality at the club needs to stop publically, as it's harder to accept defeats when in the lead against the likes of Palace at home. William Pugh obviously disagrees and loves Pellegrini's mindset, which made the opening stages of this week's show very interesting indeed. Also on the show this week, the lads spoke to former Hammer Geoff Pike about the first couple of months of the season and they also had a chat about what our expectations should be between now and May. As always, it's a cracking show. If you enjoy what we do every week then please take two seconds to subscribe, rate and review us on your preferred podcast platform - we really appreciate the support! Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If there was ever a week that summed up our club, it was last week. In typical West Ham United fashion, we followed up a dominant 2-0 victory over Manchester United with a 4-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup to Oxford United before taking a very respectable point from 2-1 down at Bournemouth to go 3rd in the Premier League. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has supported the club long enough to know this isn't anything out of the ordinary, but it doesn't take anything away from the fact it's still unacceptable to lose so heavily against lower league opposition. Still, we're unbeaten in the league since the opening day of the season and have a huge chance to really consolidate our top six bid with victory over Crystal Palace at home this weekend. James Jones and William Pugh discussed it all in this week's show, as well as debated the impact Lukasz Fabianski's injury may have on the side's fortunes, and Andriy Yarmolenko's outstanding form in recent weeks. As always, it's a cracking show. If you enjoy what we do every week then please take two seconds to subscribe, rate and review us on your preferred podcast platform - we really appreciate the support! Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manuel Pellegrini's 'Big Team Mentality' is beginning to shine through, and that win over Man United last weekend suggested it's here to stay. Last season we saw glimpses of it but suffered from inconsistency, which prevented us from making a serious challenge for a top-seven finish. So far this season, though, we're showing signs that we're more than capable of competing. On this week's show, James Jones and William Pugh waxed lyrical about the victory over Man United and asked why the Hammers haven't received much credit for what has been an impressive start to the season. Also on the agenda was the build-up to the Oxford and Bournemouth clashes this week, discussion on whether Arthur Masuaku should come straight back into the team for Aaron Cresswell and the boys clash over who they would prefer to have in the starting XI each week: Andriy Yarmolenko or Michail Antonio? As always, it's a cracking show. If you enjoy what we do every week then please take two seconds to subscribe, rate and review us on your preferred podcast platform - we really appreciate the support! Come on you Irons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham were lucky to escape Villa Park with a point in the end on Monday. Especially after King Arthur Masuaku's second-half red card - which strangely made the team play better. That was the general consensus on the show this week. Sebastien Haller seemed disinterested and immobile while Andriy Yarmolenko will want to forget his night in a hurry. But after a slow start Declan Rice really came into the game while Manuel Lanzini showed no signs of the 10,000 mile round trip to Texas he made during the international break. James Jones is still away so ever-present William Pugh and the returning Tom Edwards dissected the game and looked ahead to Manchester United at home on Sunday with some confidence. Like, subscribe and review and COYI! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We heard a lot about it last season but didn't see a great deal of it. But so far this term, Manuel Pellegrini's Big Team Mentality seems to have finally arrived. The performance against Norwich last weekend was almost a complete one, with Felipe Anderson, Manuel Lanzini, Andriy Yarmolenko and Sebastien Haller combining on several occasions to really show the world how far we've come since Pellegrini arrived in East London. And that was the bulk of this week's conversation between James Jones, William Pugh and Charlie Hawkins as they dissected what's been good about West Ham so far this season and then looked ahead at what we're capable of achieving if we can consistency to our game. Also on this week's show, the boys discussed Arthur Masuaku's continued growth as West Ham's best left-back, the decision to sell Chicharito without being able to replace him and the chances of going far in the league cup after the professional victory over Newport County last weekend. As always, it's a cracking show. If you enjoy what we do every week then please take two seconds to subscribe, rate and review us on your preferred podcast platform - we really appreciate the support! Note: As it's the international break now, the boys are having a break of their own and will be having next week off. We'll see you in two weeks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup last night after a professional 2-0 win against Newport County to make it two wins on the bounce. Prior to that victory, We Are West Ham's James Jones and William Pugh discussed with Charlie Hawkins the Hammers' first Premier League win of the season and the impact Mark Noble made against Watford at the weekend - does he deserve a statue? Sebastien Haller got off the mark with two goals against the Hornets and he certainly exhibited positive signs with his overall performance. Both Jack Wilshere and Pablo Fornals also got their first goals for the Club last night as the Hammers ran out comfortable winners to put themselves in the pot for the next round, with the draw taking place tonight. The lads spoke to former West Ham forward Steve Jones about the importance of taking cup competitions seriously, Manuel Pellegrini's influence and more. As always, James and Will battled it out in a highly-competitive quiz with everything at stake and it made for an excellent listen. A preview of the forthcoming Norwich City clash on Saturday concluded the talk, so make sure to get this in your ears and as always, enjoy the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That draw at Brighton means we're one point better off than at this stage last season, which is progress. Isn't it? Some believe that was a good result away from home against a good Brighton team, others think we should be beating teams like the Seagulls without any issues. The trouble is, we had our two most expensive players in history injured, and that would affect any team, with the exception of Man City. Either way, we go again at Watford this weekend as we search for our first victory of the 19/20 season. On this week's show, We Are West Ham duo James Jones and William Pugh discussed the impact VAR had on the game (again!), Javier Hernandez's performance as Sebastien Haller's back-up, the confusion over who should be captain when Mark Noble is injured and they looked ahead to the upcoming trip to Watford. They were also joined on the phones by former Hammer Danny Gabbidon, who gave his thoughts on the team's performances so far this term, the captaincy issue and how he thinks Pellegrini should approach the Watford fixture. As is the case every week, this is an unmissable episode as James and Will give their completely honest views on everything West Ham, even if they sometimes disagree with each other. If you enjoy what we do each week, please take two seconds to subscribe, rate and review us on your preferred podcast platform - your continued support really is appreciated. Irons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Losing 5-0 at home to Man City on the opening day of the new season wasn't exactly unexpected, but it still left a sense of disappointment and anger amongst sections of the fanbase. Not least We Are West Ham duo James Jones and William Pugh, who spent a lot of time on this week's show bemoaning VAR (well, James did. Will quite likes it!) and looking back at all the VAR decisions over the weekend. The boys also ran the rule over new signings Haller and Fornals, while they were also joined by Football.London's Sam Inkersole and the Brighton Argus' Adam Stenning, who reckons Brighton are going to have too much for the Hammers this coming weekend. As always, it's a cracking show. Get it in your ears. Irons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the start of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign just days away, it is time to get excited about what's in store our beloved Hammers this season. Manuel Pellegrini is slowly beginning to piece together an impressive outfit in east London, but William Pugh's fashion sense is slightly less impressive this week. On the show, the talking trio of James Jones, Will and Charlie Hawkins discuss whether the pre-season form of Jack Wilshere means this could be the end of Mark Noble's starting position in the squad - long-term admirers like James will always have a place in their hearts for Nobes. Following that discussion, the lads debate the possible starting XI for the new season and whether the Hammers will finally start to display the 'big-club mentality' Pellegrini was raving about last season. They also spoke to @BBCRadioManc journalist and Manchester City fan Jack Ranson to get his thoughts on the upcoming clash between the two clubs this Saturday. And to conclude, Will and James battle it out in the weekly quiz - is this the week someone finally puts an end to Will's gloating? Also, both give predictions for their Hammer of the Year, top goalscorer and who will be top of the assists for the forthcoming campaign. As always, there is plenty to talk about so make sure to give it a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It may have come as a surprise to most, but Arthur Masuaku has put pen-to-paper on improved contract terms at the club, extending his stay at the club until 2024. King Arthur is like marmite to West Ham fans - some love him, some hate him - but one thing you can't knock about the defender/winger/wing-back is his commitment to the cause and that's probably why Manuel Pellegrini loves him so much. One thing we all expected, though, was our very own William Pugh being over the moon at the news. King Arthur's biggest fan was once again waxing lyrical about him on this week's show, although he didn't have James Jones in the studio to counter his arguments. Also on the show, which debuted this week on its new weekly slot of Tuesday at 7pm on Love Sport Radio, Will, Tom Edwards and Charlie Hawkins discussed Jordan Hugill's long-awaited departure, the squad's strength-in-depth, Ben Johnson's first-team role and loads more as the season edges ever closer to getting underway. The lads were also joined by West Ham insider @ExWHUemployee on the phones as he gave his thoughts on a number of big talking points ahead of next week's transfer window deadline. And finally, as is now tradition on the show, the lads finished with a quiz. James Jones was the quizmaster, despite not being on the show this week, and he certainly made it difficult for Will and Tom! Plenty of talking points as usual so make sure to give the show a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham parted ways with Spain midfielder Pedro Obiang earlier this week - but are the Hammers leaving themselves short if they fail to replace him? The 27-year-old completed his £7.2m switch to Sassuolo on Wednesday and it leaves the Irons with Declan Rice and Carlos Sanchez as the only recognised defensive midfielders at the club. West Ham have won one of their opening three pre-season encounters and the lads discuss whether results matter in the build-up to the forthcoming campaign. That is followed by discussion over transfer news - are the Hammers lacking squad depth for the 2019/20 season? The trio of William Pugh, Charlie Hawkins and Tom Edwards also spoke of the improved transfer approach since the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini, and former West Ham midfielder Lee Hodges spoke to the lads about the upcoming season. The show concluded with the announcement of the 'club legend of the week' and Will and Tom battle it out in a West Ham quiz. Plenty of talking points as usual so make sure to give the show a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

West Ham smashed their transfer record yesterday with the £45m acquisition of Sebastien Haller - can he be the man to fire the Hammers into the top seven? Following the disappointment of failing to sign Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo - with the Uruguay forward favouring a switch to Valencia - Manuel Pellegrini and co swiftly moved onto the next target and what an excellent coup it could turn out to be. The France striker scored 20 goals and chipped in with 12 assists for Eintracht Frankfurt last season, but how will he adapt to Premier League football? The talking trio of James Jones, William Pugh and Brad Pinard discussed what West Ham fans can expect from the 25-year-old striker, giving their predictions for how many goals they think Haller will score in the Premier League next season. Also on the show, the lads questioned West Ham's inability to sell players for a reasonable fee following the news that Sam Byram was sold to Norwich City for £750k. To conclude, there is a debate for 'legend of the week', a rundown of the pre-season encounter with Manchester City and discussion over the strikers West Ham have suffered with over the years. It's exciting times in east London, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is it with West Ham and strikers? It's been two decades since we had a player net 15 or more goals in a single Premier League season for us - that was Paolo Di Canio - and since then, it's just been rubbish striker after rubbish striker. And now, having seemingly identified the man to finally put an end to our striker curse, he chooses to earn less money to stay in Spain and play Champions League football. See, we can't even entice the best strikers with money! As is understandable, top of the agenda on this week's show was Marko Arnautovic's very welcome departure, the ridiculously boring Mazi Gomez saga and the upcoming trip to China. Oh, and Will and James spent most of the show disagreeing about Chicharito. And if that hasn't whet your whistle already, Martin Allen was on the phone to give his two scents on Arnautovic and the general state of our strikers. He was on top form as always. This really is a show not to be missed, so pour yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just as things were looking up for the Hammers, they've been dealt a hammer blow by someone they were just beginning to trust again. It has been revealed this week that West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic is keen on a move away from east London, but this comes as no shock to the West Ham faithful. Just six months prior to this incident, the Austrian forward tried to force his way out of the club; the levels of disrespect to do this again has disgusted the fans, and now, it is less a feeling of heartbreak, but one of detest. With the striker wanting his big-money move to China, both James Jones and Frankie Levin spoke passionately on this week's show about the situation, while debating on who Manuel Pellegrini should add to his squad to replace Arnautovic. Also on the show, the lads question whether Pellegrini's decision to go against signing a defensive midfielder could backfire, before finishing off with recognition for Robert Snodgrass following his recent contract extension at the club he describes as "special". So, if you're a fan of passionate conversation about West Ham, sit back, relax and enjoy the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With our show being recorded four years to the day since Dimitri Payet first signed for West Ham, it seemed almost inevitable there would be links to him coming back. Of course, that has been the case, with teasing signs coming out which showed there could be a return to East London for the Frenchman. So, on the show this week James Jones and Danny Lewis spoke extensively about whether bringing Payet back is a good idea, West Ham's Under 21 Euros scouting mission, the club's potential striker situation and whether there should be more focus on bringing in a defender this transfer window. It's cracking show as always, so sit back, plug in and enjoy! Please make sure you subscribe and rate us on whatever platform you listen on to help us continue growing. We’d very much appreciate it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We don't want to speak too soon, but it looks as though West Ham are going to keep Issa Diop from Manchester United's clutches. There have been bids and counter bids between the two clubs, but as it stands it seems as though the Frenchman will be staying firmly put in East London. So, on the show this week Will Pugh and Tom Edwards spoke extensively about whether to keep Diop, taking into account the performances he gave in his debut season, the price of top quality Premier League defenders and West Ham's mentality. Also on the show, the lads discussed how Pablo Fornals can fit in at West Ham, Declan Rice's exciting future at the club, the prospect of signing Maxi Gómez, Jack Collison leaving, West Ham's tough start to the season and was finished off with a quiz. A cracking show as always, so sit back, plug in and enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We don't want to speak too soon but it does seem as though West Ham have learned their lessons from previous transfer windows. They seem to be getting business done early and on players who have the ability to really transform this football club for the better. Pablo Fornals is expected to be a West Ham player by the end of this week and if you're excited about him then you should be. This lad can play! So, on the show this week James Jones and Will Pugh spoke extensively on the Fornals deal, while they were also joined by Spanish football journalist Euan McTear, who also had some very encouraging words to say about the Spaniard. Also on the show, the lads discussed Aleksandar Mitrovic and Morgan Sanson before they finished off with a quiz, where Will did his absolute best to prove James' lack of knowledge of obscure Hammers of yesteryear, but it backfired! A cracking show as always, so sit back, plug in and enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's show, and in the studio absence of James Jones, Johnny Burrow and Will Pugh discussed all the transfer dealings going on in and around the club. Manuel Pellegrini has already released three first-team players and sold two in what has been a refreshingly early cull of the squad's dead wood - but who will come in to replace them. Weirdly enough we've already signed two goalkeepers, while so many other players are being linked. Not least Andre Gomes who, having allegedly revealed he wants to sign a permanent deal with Everton, is still being heavily linked with a move to Stratford. Can we tempt him into coming to London? As always, it's a brilliant show despite James not being in the studio. He does make a cheeky cameo over the phones, though, which was nice. Irons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most clubs it would be difficult to find enough to talk about in a one-hour radio show during the summer - but not us. There's always something going on at West Ham, and this week we've been treated to a number of different stories. The club confirmed Andy Carroll, Adrian and Samir Nasri will be leaving the club in the summer, there are thousands of transfer rumours doing the rounds as expected and we've been given a look at the beautiful new Umbro kits the club will be wearing next season. So, plenty for James Jones and Danny Lewis to discuss on this week's show. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the season over, our attentions have switched to the summer transfer window. As expected, we're already being linked with the world and his wife but who are the players we should be targeting in order to improve? James Jones and Will Pugh discuss Salomon Rondon, Maxi Gomez, Andre Almeida and a number of other potential incomings being reported in the media. But they start the show with a chat about Manuel Pellegrini, who has now been in charge of West Ham for a year. How's he done? Could his first season have been better? Where can he realistically take us? Are we on the brink of something special under him? It's all discussed by the lads on this week's show. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So that's it, another season out of the way and while it started badly with four defeats it was nice to end the campaign with three wins and four unbeaten. The 4-1 win at Watford was satisfying and sets the tone for the summer ahead as we expect to see the squad strengthened and the team start well next season. This week, James Jones and Will Pugh were joined by Evening Standard's Jack Rosser to go over the season's highs and lows and to discuss what needs to be done this summer to continue the solid job Manuel Pellegrini has done so far. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a season at our new home. Obviously, it could've been better, having failed to beat the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton, Wolves and Watford in Stratford, but it's been a lot worse over the last couple of years. It's always nice to end the season at home with a victory and it doesn't come more convincingly than a 3-0 via a solid performance. Arnautovic netted his first goals since January and, as expected, his performance sparked questions over his future this summer - should we keep him? Should we still cash-in? Who knows. So on this week's show, James Jones and Will Pugh reviewed the Southampton game, discussed Arnie's future, wished Happy Birthday to Mark Noble and previewed the Watford game. As a bonus, the lads were joined by legend Tony Carr, who came on to give his views on Terry Westley's exit this summer and what he thinks it means for the future of the Academy of Football. As always, it's another cracking show which covers so much in just over an hour. Make sure you subscribe and rate us on whatever platform you listen on to help us keep growing. We'd very much appreciate it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a feeling. On reflection, the first team to beat Spurs at their brand new Cheese Factory was always going to be us. It was written in the stars - after they did all they could to prevent us from buying the Olympic Stadium and subsequently being the reason why the taxpayer has to contribute to its upkeep, it was always going to be us ruining their party. We're now fully etched into Spurs' record books and it feels wonderful, but now there's another battle we have on our hands; the race for 11th. Somehow we've gone from being contenders for 7th to now wondering whether we can pick up enough points in our last two home games to secure a top 11 finish at the very least. We could still finish in the top 10 but the likely hood is we'll have to stave off a late bid from Crystal Palace for leaders of the bottom half, which is something, I suppose. So on this week's show, James Jones and Will Pugh spend most of the show laughing at Spurs, but they also discuss Marko Arnautovic's future, the women's FA Cup Final on Saturday, Pablo Zabaleta's new contract and the upcoming home fixture v. Southampton. Oh, and they laughed at Spurs a little bit more for good measure. Irons.As always, it's another cracking show which covers so much in just over an hour. Make sure you subscribe and rate us on whatever platform you listen on to help us keep growing. We'd very much appreciate it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another week, another decision that goes against us. That's now five points we've been robbed of thanks to sub-standard officiating, which could've put us well in the fight for 7th but instead leaves us fighting to stay in the top 12. It's a joke that needs to stop, but we just need to continue fighting on until VAR comes in to play next season. Obviously, this was one of the biggest talking points on this week's show, while James Jones and Will Pugh also discussed the following in depth... Michail Antonio - has he earned another season? Lucas Perez - Is he actually worth keeping around? The rumoured £30m transfer kitty (seriously!?) Looking ahead to Spurs this weekend, where we'll become the first team to win at Emirates and at Tottenham's new gaff Obviously it would be nice to be the first team to score and beat Spurs at their new place. Oh yeah, they've got a new stadium if you hadn't already heard? It was kept quite quiet, wasn't it? Anyway, the lads had their say on the game and what they expect to see. It's written in the stars, isn't it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We were robbed at Old Trafford, there’s no other way of putting it. It was our best performance of the season and instead of us coming away celebrating another famous victory in the Theatre of Clowns, we ended up being on the wrong end of sub-standard officiating. Again. Sometimes you have to wonder whether these officials are too scared to anger the crowd at top six stadiums; too often they seem like they bottle it at the likes of Old Trafford. We’re not the first team to leave there feeling cheated, and we won’t be the last. Obviously, given what happened last weekend, James Jones and William Pugh spent the bulk of this week’s show moaning and groaning about the lack of VAR in the Premier League and how, if it was already in place, the top-flight may be a bit more of a level playing field. Also on this show, we chatted to John Moncur, discussed what Pellegrini might do to strengthen the squad in the summer and, as always, they looked ahead to the next game – Leicester City at home. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another week, another defeat. This time, though, we technically lost to just one world class superstar. Eden Hazard is absolutely sensational on his day, but we didn't exactly help ourselves by giving him so much time and space in possession. Despite all that, the season still appears to be ending with a whimper. A disappointing start looked to be well behind us as Manuel Pellegrini's plans started taking shape over the festive period but now, with nothing worth fighting for left to fight for, the only battle we have on now is to ensure we don't finish below 11th, which is a bit rubbish, isn't it? So on this week's show, James Jones and Will Pugh gave their thoughts on the Chelsea defeat, where we think we'll finish this season, Andy Carroll's latest season-ending injury and also what they think will happen at Old Trafford this coming weekend. As always, it's another cracking show which covers so much in just over an hour. Make sure you subscribe and rate us to help us to continue to grow. We'd very much appreciate it. Irons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices