That's an odd saying isn't it? Anyone know where it comes from? The tooth of a punch drunk boxer hanging on by a slither of skin perhaps, which would sum up our second half display quite nicely. Until Dyer appeared we couldn't get the ball out of our own half and pass after pass was misplaced as we tried to get the ball beyond that funny white mark that cuts through the centre circle. Did I miss something, was Samba picked as a striker and were Kovac and Parker playing in a back six? That's the way it appeared!
God only knows what happened at half time. Big Spam obviously laid into his players and told them to cut out anything fancy whatsoever. Just thump the ball into the box and chase after it. The keeper is dodgy under crosses so get it under his bar and CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!! Quite what Zola said, I have no idea. He certainly didn't tell Di Michele to track back, or if he did he wasn't speaking the same language, which is ironic given they are both Italian. For once, Zola's tactical switches were intelligent but why did we have to wait until the 80th minute to see Dyer. Surely he could have managed twenty minutes in the circumstances?
What were the plusses? Neill and Tomkins were excellent given the pressure they were under. We are rightfully excited about Collison but it is beginning to look as if Tomkins could be just as good. Kovac did a stirling job defensively and had a hand in the goal. It was great to see Noble get on the scoring sheet - that will help his confidence enormously - and LBM buzzed around like a blue bottle on a summer's morning. The biggest plus, however, was the appearance of Dyer and the stunning turn of pace he showed when going down that left flank. It seems as if the bloke can at least run, and I was having my doubts about that! One burst of speed does not an international footballer make but, who knows, maybe, just maybe, just maybe, Dyer might play a part for us next season. Maybe.
One last major plus - Cole has served his suspension and will be back for the Sunderland game. All those mugs who have been questioning his right to be in the team must surely now see why he is such an important player for us. Cole may miss chances but at least we get chances when he is in the team!
Didnt see the game fanno but just had a text from a mate up there saying we were really hanging on in the 2nd half. To be honest i think we've got to be happy with a point, before the game i thought the best we could hope for would be a 0-0 as i just couldnt see us scoring. As it happens it seems maybe Noble heard my rallying call of standing up and be counted. With Everton losing we're still in with a shout of closing that gap. C'mon you irons!!!
ReplyDeleteWe were definitely hanging on mate and our goal was offside. Mind you Dyer had a fair shout for a penalty. The Blackburn crowd were awesome, appealing for a penalty every time the ball went into our box, and that was just about 10 times a minute! Yes Everton lost but Tottenahm have now beaten Villa and Chelsea in back to back games and are just 3 points behind us now. I predicted back in October that they would finish above us and I can see it happening. Some clown on the mordant org said, two games back, that he couldn't see Tottenham getting to 40 points with their run in - a victory over us alone would take them to 41! Fulham's result also didn't help, not only because it brought them closer but because it means that Liverpool and Chelsea will be in the race and hungry for points when they come to Upton Park.
ReplyDeleteWell Fanno I will remain under cover for the time being and I will allow someone of your great intelligence to see if you can reveal me from my writing style. I do wish you would stop calling it the mordant org. I myself take no enjoyment to see that once excellent site limping around at the moment. Along with you I enjoyed that site for a long time and there are a number of users that can share in the blame for its decline. Like I said it is limping along at the moment but I certainly hope its gets back to what it does best that's good West Ham chat with plenty of banter with out all the personal digs at each other. Anyway on the match you sum up pretty well with the ones you have praised. I was at the game(another clue) and a West Ham team of old would have certainly lost that as we got battered in the 2nd half. Lucas was my man of the match, he had a superb game and along with Tomkins threw themselves at everything. Watching Blackburn is hard work and at some stages I thought I was at Twickenham! LBM did ok and you can't knock his workrate just his final ball at times but that is something that even lets Parker down. Big plus at the end was Dyer's introduction and I was also shouting to get him on earlier as he continued to warm up. We could have even nicked it at the end when he was hauled down. Thankfully Cole is back for the next game, never thought I would be saying that as Tristan no matter how hard he tried is just not up to it anymore, his free kick near the end summed up his performance. A good day out and a well earned point.
ReplyDeleteHi Aycliffe? Or our helicoptor flying friend? Good to see you looking in! I agree with all you say about the game. Glad you had a good day out. Did you meet up with Pete and dave? With regard to the site, it is mordant at the moment and we all know why that is. I did warn that the Klan would kill it by demanding that only those who support the Orthodoxy are allowed to post, and that is exactly what is happening sadly. I loved the site, that's why I participated so often and with such passion, but there is a group who cannot cope with debate and respond by hurling crude insults and then demanding that people are banned. Ignore me, take El Martillo. What did he ever do wrong other than write intelligently about West Ham? If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg you are going to be in trouble aren't you? Perhaps you and a few others should try to get the banned people reinstated. The trouble is, you might then be banned yourself. How long before the site consists of Wrongy pontificating illiterately, IG saying "Alright Bruv, the boys done good, the Ys are shite", davefking giving one liners like, "Donkeys live a long time" and poor Pete, trying to smile at everybody and somehow keep a sense of banter. It is two weeks now without a game. This is a dangerous time for the site. Without del, myself, EMO and Hotshot, who is going to fuel debate? Rockets can't be launched without fuel!!!!
ReplyDeleteWho you gonna call? 118!!
ReplyDelete