Europa League 2015/16

[Anon]

Clearly there needs to be a large shift upwards in performance, as even a makeshift team should have created enough to put away them with ease, but can't be too critical of the red cards - referee's decision, not ours, and in the few replays there are I don't think either were deserved at all.

 

[JimmyD]

Actually,has anyone think that they might not want to play in Europa League this season?
Extra fixtures in a competition they won't won..

I'm not saying they will lose on purpose ofc,but lets be serious..
It didn't go well for Everton last season..Didn't enjoy their best season in Premiership..
So i wouldn't be that surprised to see Hammers not going far in Europa

 

[Anon]

Shite results, but the suggestions the players don't want to play in the Uefa Cup is a bit daft. These aren't molly-cuddled CL-level players used to playing in the latter stages of the Champions League, far from it. Probably just a dose of the "I think we'll walk this" and a kick up the arse from Bilic and Dicks will be required.

 

[claret50]

West Ham vs Astra at 7.45, should be an improved performance for this game, plenty of streams available.

EDIT. BBC London radio only

 

[Dazza]

Tricky second leg for West Ham now.They were comfortable until Collins got sent off.

 

[Super_horns]

Good win for the Saints but West Ham clearly are trying their best to be knocked out!

 

[HarvSFC]

Great game and I'm glad we're taking the tournament seriously, unlike West Ham. We have to make the most of playing in Europe, as it certainly doesn't happen too often for us.

The match was fairly comfortable, more than I expected it to be. The game seemed to be over at half time, once we scored the second and we were in second gear throughout the whole of the second half. Mane was pulling the strings in the first half and will definitley be the next player to get the big money move from us. Not sure of Clasie in the DM role, won't be good enough in the Premier League to replace Schneiderlin.

One thing I've never understood is when a foreign player moves over to England and says how great the English fans are, when English fans are poor for atmosphere and the Vitesse away crowd were far louder than us.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Wanyama was outstanding.

 

[claret50]

Not sure it's fair to say that West Ham are not showing any interest in the competition, I only had the radio commentary to go on but we seemed to be playing reasonably well until Collins was shown a red card, and the OG didn't help matters, and have no idea why Bilic was despatched to the stands

 

[Anon]

The "not taking it seriously" stuff is often used as a catch-all when the result doesn't come in, but it can't seriously be claimed it's 100% the case the players are starting the match thinking "I really can't be bothered, I'm only going to put in half the effort". Can be sure the young kids were putting in the effort, and the big money new signings did well too. Who knows the real reason(s), it's likely a combination of things plus the great randomizer of "it's football", rather than being "not taking it seriously".

Plus, look at Southampton's team tonight, largely their first/strongest eleven. The games we've so far played have been a mix of kids with practically zero previous first team experience, reserves, those frozen out under Allaryce, and some new signings. Of course, any one of our players would walk into a Maltese/Andorran team and most would do with Astra as well, but football's not an individual sport and having familiarity or playing together really does matter.

 

[HarvSFC]

We played our strongest eleven, as we're taking the Europa League seriously.

 

[claret50]

The goals from our game vs Astra.

http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/July/31-July/Goals-West-Ham-United-2-2-Astra-Giurgiu

 

[GodsGift]

Surely the fact West Ham are playing some of their kids is enough evidence they're not taking the competition seriously?

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

They rate Oxford very highly. He'll probably get Premier League games too.

 

[Beee]

West Ham are embarrassing themselves and English football. This is the fifth consecutive game in which they've put in a performance well below par. Their discipline is an absolute disgrace and I predict that they're going to struggle badly in the league this season. They're a total shambles at the moment.

Professional performance from Southampton and Aberdeen did well to get the away goal.

 

[joethegill]

I was at Upton Park last night (£10 a ticket, can't argue). For an hour West Ham were comfortable, then Collins got himself stupidly sent off and it was a backs to the wall job. Feel Bilic should've taken off one of Maiga, Zarate or Payet as soon as the red came, as none of the three seemed remotely interested in tracking back. Jarvis for Zarate was completely the wrong move when it finally came. Astra's first goal was a belting strike, and Zarate took his very well too. I know West Ham were a few players understrength, but did they really have that many other options last night with suspensions/injuries/registration? Oxford looks like he could be a player, but I was distinctly underwhelmed with Kouyate, Payet (decent, but I expected far more from him) and Ogbonna. They could do with a few more in before the window shuts, particularly in wide positions. Forward line looks weak too if Valencia is out for a while.

 

[mistermagic]

Great game and I'm glad we're taking the tournament seriously, unlike West Ham. We have to make the most of playing in Europe, as it certainly doesn't happen too often for us.

One thing I've never understood is when a foreign player moves over to England and says how great the English fans are, when English fans are poor for atmosphere and the Vitesse away crowd were far louder than us.

It doesn't happen to West Ham that often either.

And on the last paragraph, people are still living the myth that English grounds are rocking and basically living in pre-Hillsborough era where atmosphere was decent. Big problem is those people are the ones who don't go to games. Not sure about foreign player though.

I'm a bit concerned for West Ham tbh. Still of the opinion that getting rid of Allardyce was a huge throw of the dice as Bilic is unproven and he's bringing a lot of new players. I can see the promoted sides doing alright this season and could see West Ham having a couple of problems in the league. First 3 away games are Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City. Plus they're bottom of the league as it stands.

 

[mente captus]

what was wrong with the Samps? 0:4 at home vs novi sad?

 

[mistermagic]

Probs didn't fancy it.

 

[GodsGift]

Well, West Ham have finally got their wish.

 

[SamScfc]

I really don't understand why West Ham aren't taking this seriously. They won't go down and they won't challenge the top 4 - 6, and this is realistically the highest level they can play at.

 

[Super_horns]

West Ham didn't do too badly considering the team they had...

Saints pretty impressive - are they seeded for the next round?

 

[HarvSFC]

The West Ham fans hated Allardyce for throwing away cup games. I don't doubt that they'll be kinder to Bilic.

 

[Ligue 1 fan]

Seem to remember Astra knocking out Lyon last season. Not a bad side.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

West Ham didn't do too badly considering the team they had...

Saints pretty impressive - are they seeded for the next round?

Apparently so. It was touch and go for a moment but seems like results have gone our way.

Wasn't a great performance from us but it didn't need to be. Pelle's goal killed off any small hope they had of getting back into the tie.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Good riddance to West Ham. Pathetic that they didnt take it seriously. I feel for the fans.

Elsewhere MSK Zlina grabbed a 123rd minute away goal as they beat Poltava of UKraine

Trabzonpor were beaten by Rabotnicki of Macedonia on away goals over the two legs. Poor effort

And Atromitos of Greece v AIK of Sweden has been interrupted for over half an hour for some reason. They have just got back underway 56 mins in with the Greeks leading 3-1 on agg. Anyone know why?

Aberdeen are still goalless v K.Almaty needing just a single goal to pogress.

 

[GodsGift]

Seem to remember Astra knocking out Lyon last season. Not a bad side.

Not saying they are, but Bilic fielded a team of kids.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Aberdeen have just conceded. Looking bleak now. They need two in the final 30 mins to force ET.

 

[Ligue 1 fan]

Not saying they are, but Bilic fielded a team of kids.

Not Astra's fault that young English footballers can't play very well!

 

[G-Dragon]