I didn't expect much before kick off and despite a brilliant first half performance, was not at all surprised by our eventual defeat. Arsenal are a bloody good team and with the introduction of Nasri and Diaby, were far too strong for us. But they were only missing Van Persie, Cliche, Walcott, Arseshavings and Fabregas , whereas we were without Parker, Dyer, Cole, Gabbidon, Collison and Ilunga. Come on, Arsenal's missing personnel just do not compare to ours do they? We brought on Edgars and Sears, they brought on Diaby and Nasri - says it all really doesn't it? But then Zola said he wanted to work with a smaller squad didn't he? Or Duxbury said it and Zola's mouth moved in time no doubt!
But any gripes apart, we ran ourselves into the ground and deserved a draw overall. I'm glad we didn't get a draw mind you, as I said before kick off, that was the worst possible result. A 2-1 defeat with pride intact was just fine given the need to battle for survival in the Prem.
The old weaknesses were there for all to see however. Tomkins was done for Arsenal's first goal and made three terrible ricks over the course of the game. Upson was beaten in the air by the smaller Eduardo, and Green was flat footed for the resultant header. His confidence really is shot to pieces at the moment. Kovac also had his "moment" with a terrible concession of possession on the edge of his own box. Up front, we lacked incision with Jimenez looking inept as soon as he got close to the box. He really isn't good enough, end of.
On the plus side, I thought Faubert was good, Daprela made an impressive debut (did well to block that shot on the line), Behrami was brilliant defensively and Kovac also played well. The Stanislas run and shot was also encouraging. Please note, he was on the right when he had his best moment in the game. Odd that! Diamanti was our best player going forward. His goal was taken superbly and he offered ALL of our creative spark. In a couple of years, Nouble might be a Premiership player but he isn't ready yet.
Hopefully there will be no lasting injuries, just a few aching muscles and limbs. Wolves next, a game we have to win with no excuses.
Player ratings: Green 5 (good double save but made a hash of that cross in the first half and was flat footed for Eduardo's goal); Faubert 7, Tomkins 5, Upson 7, Daprela 6; Diamanti 7, Kovac 7, Behrami 8, Jimenez 5, Stanislas 6; Nouble 6
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green 7 faubert 7 tomkins 7 upson 8 daprela 7
behrami 8 kovac 7 stanislas 6 diamanti 8 nouble 5 jimenez 6
Did you miss the second half Dan? If Tomkins deserves 7 after that second half performance, I can play for England! What did Jimenez do to merit 6 for pity's sake? I counted 4 unnecessary free kicks conceded in our half and three times that he ran into a blind alley when we were three against three on the attack. His failure to play in Stanislas was embarrassing and potentially cost us the game. Take off the claret and blue specs mate!
Pride in defeat? you kidding me mate! is so cute and cuddly, i'm touched and proud to be a part of such a great club cause we can take pride in losing against the mighty Arsenal. With this mentality you are admitting that you except defeat cause they actually played some football. Such low expectations you have being a iron supporter. We lost buddy cause we have no pride! West Ham players/fans today have NO PRIDE cause they put up with this crap every week!!. If we had pride, zola would be sacked, this club would easily sell with all that f**king pride bursting out of upton park. Good players don't come here CAUSE WE HAVE NO stinking PRIDE, get that through your thick skulls, the sooner the better. Waken up West Ham supporters or take pride in relegation with hf. Leeds Utd have pride not us.
Disappointed to lose after a very good first half performance and one or two chances to extend the lead early in the second half. The Arsenal subs. changed the game as we tired. Even with their injuries they were still impressive when it mattered.
Pleasantly surprised Upson played, but where was Collison?
Behrami was massive and our man of the match. He and Parker can be worth an extra man in central midfield. Good debut by Daprela, and some nice through balls by Diamanti. We can concentrate on the league now and on this showing there is enough in the locker to get out of trouble.
a little bit off the headline but do you think jermaine beckford is a bargin waiting to be had newcastle bid 1.25m and leeds tell them to double it and they have a deal if we came in for him at 2.5million i think it would be a great bit of business not just because of his performance today but most of the season at leeds and if any one can improve a striker its gotta be zola look at carlton now also solano is off to colchester same sort of thing could he not do a job at a club with limited resources just a thought disappointed to lose but at least all our attension is on the league now a couple of wins on the trot and we can get out of this mess come on you irons
I need not say more than we were beaten by a better side.
Daprela looks encouraging. Quite fast wasn't he? And has a good build for a youngster. Hope Herita was watching!
Tomkins was poor. Slow reading for the goal.
Our midfield, minus Jimenez, was awesome. They tired and the defense became exposed. This was very noticeable.
Unfortunately it coincided with Diaby coming on who will be better than Viera.
Agree, Nouble is not ready yet. Needs to do some work on being quicker on his feet e.g. shuttles, skipping, ballet; all that will help him.
lol I would pay the price of todays ticket to see Nouble doing ballet
I was being serious T.I.S! But I know what you mean, I'd pay for that too :)
There was a story a few months back about a manager in our lower leagues taking his whole squad to ballet classes. I can't for the life of me remember which manager or team it was but its a clever thing to try. It'll improve balance, aid foot speed and enhance propioception. I'd send Tomkins, Noble, Nouble, Green and Kovac...try get them lighter on their feet.
Nouble was effective at keeping the corners out, but looked lost at the other end.
Nouble reminds me of Cole back in the day...he can hold the ball and pass it decently, but couldn't hit a barn door! In all honesty, even though Sears barely touched the ball, that cross to Diamanti in the 94th minute from Jiminez's counter attack was pretty good. It was a disappointing loss, but maybe it could be the turning point, kinda like our 3-4 loss was back in 07.
Sadly predictable way to finish.
Tomkins should have have done better for the first goal and Upson shouldn't have been out jumped by a midget.
Daprela was encouraging, Nouble was Cole two years ago, Jimi was improved and Diamanti runs like he is wading through treacle but our best creative out let at the moment.
At least that's out of the way now and we can concentrate on the league eh? ;)
Stani, you are probably too young to even remember him, but Clyde Best was famously sent for ballet lessons in an attempt to make him look less clumsy. Back in those openly racist days, if Clyde went to ground, he was accused of tripping over his spear. I think Pop Robson went along with him for some reason - but my memory may be playing tricks here. Anybody remember?
I thought Nouble improved secong half but his feet are slow at the moment and he looks cumbersome.
2006, I think that was a bit harsh. If you read the report, I do acknowledge that Zola / Duxbury are to blame for stripping our squad down to the bare bones.
Ah 'the good old days'. Yeah it was before my time HF. If theyre too embarrassed to go ballet, maybe a bit of tap-dancing? Thats a bit more macho no?
I know, send the whole squad on strictly come dancing :)
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