Saturday 19 January 2013

West Ham 1 QPR 1 - West Ham Mortally Wound The Albatross

Normally a draw at home to the bottom club would be seen as a poor result, but I will take this. To stay up. QPR need to win seven games and as each match slips past, so the mountain they have to climb becomes steeper. This would have been earmarked as a three pointer by Redknapp, and our second half equaliser has probably mortally wounded 'Arry the Albatross's survival bid. For as long as Remy's goal gave them the advantage, the Great Escape was on, but with Joe Cole's equaliser and news of Reading's stunning victory at Newcastle, QPR are actually deeper in the mire than they were before the game kicked off.

First half we were poor, second half we were so much better. Noble, Jarvis, Joe Cole and Carlton were the difference. Noble took control of central midfield and picked his passes impressively. Jarvis came alive and tormented Onuah. Joe Cole, allowed to roam, started to dictate the play in attacking positions. And Carlton was a massive improvement on Chamahk.

The loss of Wright-Phillips helped us as Demel was liberated to get forward down the right and our centre backs were less exposed to a pacey break. And Taarabt, who dominated the game first half, went missing to such an extent that Redknapp pulled him off. Tired? Injured? Bored? Who knows with Taarabt.

Our goal was impressive: an intelligent pass from Noble, a superb cross from Jarvis, a powerful header from Cole, and there was Joe Cole, doing what Nolan has failed to do in recent games, picking up the pieces in the six yard box as Cesar parried his namesake's header.

We could have won it. No we should have won and had Jarvis delivered the cross that Noble's clever free kick deserved, we might have done. Shots were blocked, shots went wide, shots were saved, and shots were cleared even when the impressive Cesar was beaten.

We didn't win, but nor did QPR. We need 11 points now and 'Arry needs a miracle.

The big debating point, to be explored tomorrow, is if Nolan is now a square peg with Joe Cole in the team!

25 comments:

fred149 said...

Thing is Nolan doesnt offer us anything apart from the odd goal. When he isnt playing the team player better and Noble dies better as captain without Nolan clogging up the field. All of QPRS attacks came from Nolan losing the ball and this is what its been like all season.

Anonymous said...

6th form drivel from someone who doesn't go to games. You're a disgrace.

Sav said...

I have only heard commentary of the game. However, I can't for the life of me understand how it is that Allardyce cannot see what is happening to us when Tomkins is playing. The last three goals we conceded were very similar. Lay a through ball past Tomkins and have a forward sprint to the ball against Tomkins. Voila, simple, goal! It happened with Van Persie at Upton Park, again in the replay at Old Trafford and from what I understand, again, today!

I am not that happy about the draw because it is a game we should have won easy. And remember, it is not QPR we want to be above but at least another two. Reading won again, Aston Villa is winning and Sunderland got another three points today. Our next games will be a lot more difficult than this one.

Finally, I was amused to see how you started describing our goal about 4 passes before the final kick by Joe Cole so as to involve your protégé in our equalizer.

Tom said...

I have to say I am concerned with the current form of Nolan, without Andy Carol he isn't the same player. Our inability to score is becoming a concern regardless of today's one way second half. QPR scored and planned to hold that lead, for all BFS's whingeing about his defence he need to review his strike force. We won't be relegated, we will have hugely under achieved though

Anonymous said...

Sad Sad Hammersfan !! Celebrating nicking a home draw against a doomed bottom of the league side

Why do you even want to be in the Premier league when all you ever strive to do is avoid relegation?

It must have been more fun in the Championship where at least you had ambition to succeed AND got to play against all the teams you obsess about week in week out

Don't count your 11 points as a given that the Sad's will survive based on this performance.

Give up hoping they stay up and come on down to the Championship where you belong you Sad Sad Hammers

Hammer mark said...

Poor in the first half.jarvis was the difference and carlton cole a considerable improment on chamahk.clearly you didn't watch the game.we were dominant in both halves Jarvis apart from his cross for the goal was woeful he couldn't beat an egg.cole did very well when he came on but chamahk had a perfectly good game and his control is ten times better than carltons.shouldve 3-1 at half time and it should've 5-1 at full time we murdered them but didn't get the breaks today.perform like that on another day and we will batter someone.

Stani said...

You sure you manage to mention Noble enough HF? Hahaaa, you really have got the propaganda machine going. By the way, why don't you tell us what he did in the ninety third minute when we had the chance to put pressure on and nick one at the end?

Hammersfan said...

Yep it was crap Stani, like the two Joe Cole corners that failed to beat the first defender, and the Jarvis corner that did likewise, and two Cole free kicks that were equally as bad.

Like it or not Sav, Noble's pass released Jarvis for the cross.

Hammersfan said...

It was Reid who was done Sav, he stepped up when he should have tracked Remy's run.

USA Dave said...

Sav, we were the far better side today. So you are correct that we should have won. Cesar had a sensational game, as good keepers will sometimes do, and that is why they shared the points. But I think your read on the teams at the bottom is simply wrong. Villa is not winning, Wigan is dropping, Newcastle are in disarray, and QPR have five fewer points than we did under Moron Grant after the same number of games.

We started today seven points clear of the drop zone. We ended it eight points clear. Hammer Mark is right. Play like this, on most days we win.

fred149 said...

Actually the goal was due to reid not being in line with his defence. Why do people rate Noble by how well he takes his set pieces but ignore everything else he brings. Someone said he had a terrible game vs reading due to his set pieces being crap but ignored the fact that all our best attacks came from his passes.

Stani said...

But we know Cole isn't Noble, HF. We know Cole will produce. We know with Cole it's not his usual standard and he'll get it right. We also know that Noble still cannot deliver after trying to all his footballing life.

Not sure why Jarvis is being hailed everywhere. Gets 1 out of about 50 crosses right. Utterly frustrating. Needs to improve his delivery, adding pace on the ball in particular.

Anonymous said...

Sav where you at the FA cup game? no? thought not - just because HF spouts drivels it doesn't mean you have the to as well. You can't comment on games you heard rather than saw.... that way lies madness.

Sav said...

The commentator said that Remy outran Tomkins. I saw the highlights tonight and I think they were both at fault.

But in any case, my point about Tomkins having this weakness (lack of acceleration) is true and I don't see how the team will not be vulnerable when he is selected. Especially if he is playing in the the position of a full back.

Sav said...

Oh, and I saw the pass from Noble to Jarvis. It was just a routine pass to the winger. From what you said, I was under the impression that Noble gave a super pass (ie. like Giggs to Van Persie in our recent game for example). But after that Jarvis crossed the ball, Carlton Cole headed and the goalkeeper saved, and Joe Cole tapped in the rebound. Only you can make such a connection to Noble in this goal.

And by the way, an 1-0 loss away at Old Trafford without Noble playing is a much better result than a draw against the bottom Club at home (with Noble playing).

Anonymous said...

The goal had nothing to do with tomkins, try going to a game or two before slating one of our own, pathetic

Lord Canning said...

Sav 04:43 Excuse me? A 0-1 result is better than a 1-1 draw? How does that work. The 1-1 gives us 2 things the 0-1 doesn't. A goal scored and a point. When you're targeting 40 points the 0-1 is not what you want is it?
Now, if you're talking performances then your comment may make some sense.
I was at the games yesterday and again we were suckered into conceding within 15 minutes. Immediately after they scored you could see Harry and Jordan reorganising in order to hold on to the points. That's why and the only reason why we gained any ascendency in the match. Jarvis? A waste of £10 mill. Diame faded badly. Get the money in now for him if this is the lelevel of performance he's going to put in.
Basically we have little quality in the final third and until that improves our build up play will never get its just reward

Anonymous said...

Why don't you lot just save it for the sauna?

Sav said...

0201, The only match I didn't watch was yesterday's one against QPR. What made you think that I haven't watched the match at Old Trafford. I have made my comment about the goal yesterday qualifying my statement as I was only able to listen on a commentary on the radio and in order to make a point about how we have conceded the last three goals.

Sav said...

Lord Canning, of course I was talking about performances. I am not that stupid not to recognise that 1 point is better than been knocked out the FA CUP!

Anonymous said...

So, does lord canning sit on the highest shelf in the sauna?what with him having a title and all.Armchair hammer,sav and stani sit at the side looking up. Armchair hammer wants to sit on the top though cos he's a noble-man.

Stani said...

100% agree with you on the Noble pass point Sav. Players must make that obvious and simple pass hundred times a week. The need to highlight it because Noble did it says everything about how he is exalted undeservedly.

Anonymous said...

You're actually reporting on a match you didn't go to? Deluded fool.

Hammersfan said...

1540, you are the deluded one. Live TV coverage gives me a much better view of the game than I ever have when I attend the stadium. When I am in the UK and get to games, I sit in the Bobby Moore lower. The atmosphere is great but I know f all about what is happening when the ball is down the other end of the pitch. As I keep saying, attending games is difficult when you live in Bucharest!

Anonymous said...

If you can't go to the game,then keep your stupid gob shut. What kind of world would it be if it were left to delusional couch potatoes like you to report on it?