After an utterly inept first half, where we offered nothing going forward and could have conceded twice, a different team emerged from the dressing room for the second half, inspired by Carlton Cole. He has his critics but his attitude is beyond reproach and today he notched up the two crucial assits that saw West Ham through to a precious, precious victory.
Cole wasn't the only hero in a much more impressive second half. Noble too had a part in both goals, Baldock added to his tally with another neat finish, Collison rounded off a fine move for the second, and Faye and Green played their part in taming the Tigers when they threatened. The fact that Green was required to make three saves in the last five minutes of the game is a worry, but overall, this was a much more impressive second half.
Noble knockers should note that after two successive MOTM awards, the Academy product was heavily involved in both goals. The first, from a Noble corner, saw Cole head on and Baldock bury the chance expertly. For the second, Noble led the charge before passing to Cole, who slipped the ball through perfectly for Collison to score. A goal created from open play and passing football; Allardyce will be bemused!
The centre of the defence opened up a few times - which is a concern - but, for the most part Faye looked massive. He blocked, he tackled, he closed, he hacked the ball clear. It wasn't pretty but we don't need pretty defenders - we've had far too many through the years. Faye may just be our new Collins, a player who should never have been allowed to leave, of course.
Overall, this was a pleasing performance. The first half was utterly uninspiring but Cole made all the difference when he came on for the labouring Carew. Was the Norwegian still feeling his injury or was it just a bad day at the office? One thing's for sure, Cole transformed us! But then, he plays well against Hull, doesn't he?
Credit where credit is due, Allardyce fired them up in the dressing room for the second half and made the right decision to send on Cole. We remain very ordinary at home, but on the road we seem to have it sussed. It's a shame that Southampton can turn it on both home and away!
Ratings
Green 8 (one clownish moment when he punched the ball into his own hands!) Faubert 6, Faye 8, Tomkins 5, McCartney 6, Diop 6, Collison 6, Noble 7, Nolan 5, Baldock 7, Carew 4 Subs Cole 9, Sears 6, Piquionne 5
21 comments:
Tomkins should have a 7 to
come on HF tomkins wasnt as good as faye today but he was strong in the air and made quite a few important blocks. And this is where Sav and Stani point out some random made up negatives from Nobles performance
Just a musing..
After our 2nd half performance, do you think sometimes the players get on the pitch with "the Allardyce way" in their heads, & aren't afraid to put their foot through it looking for Carew - knowing that pundits and fans will blame the manager for the approach.
Completely agree about Carlton, they just couldn't handle him. I hope Headmaster finally gives Carlton some credit.
As for the positives you point out about Noble HF, come on!? The corner was floated sh*t, you know it! It was Carlton that made it into something.
As for his straightforward pass (not an assist by the way) in the move for the other goal, he's a bloody footballer on he pitch, he's supposed to do that! Why's it something amazing when he does it when it's happening all over the field at every game up and down the country? I know why!
The best thing Noble did today was the clearance off the line. On the post for set pieces...Noble's finally found his role!
By the way, why the hell can he still not beat the first man from a free kick? Utter waste and so frustrating. The guy kicks a ball almost every day of his life and he still hits the first defender time and again.
Where is HF and what have you done with him, you imposter!
just about a postive post from you ,are you sure your feeling okay perhaps you should go lay down .not even a mention of nolan,guess we will all have a good night...
If Tomkins, a player I like a lot, deserves a 7 too, why did gaps keep appearing through the centre of our defence? Two moments explain why he didn't deserve that mark. The failure to close the shot in the first half that Green pushed around the post. He backed off, backed off and backed off and only when he crossed the white line of the penalty box did it occur to him that Hull were within shooting range. Then there was that terrible headed clearance when he could have let an innocuous ball through to Green, instead he conceded possession about 5 yards outside our box. Sloppy.
1821 and 1829, I say it how I see it - bad and good.
haha typical stani and HF if we let in goals because of it fair enough but you can't put gaps in the defence downto one defender
Carew was lethargic and off-pace. Carlton really made the difference. However, statistics don't lie. We had 2 shots at goal while Hull had 14!
I know we got the three points and Sam will say that is all the matters. But somehow, I beg to differ. We would probably lost to a better a team than Hull. As I am sure we would have if he persisted with Carew.
Credit to Sam however for that half time change. I don't think Avram would have managed even that.
Typically you tap with the tines for a more torrid tell-all on the match. Tho I miss the sardonic smash of the hammers (fan) head today, I am happy with the scoreline. Wish I could have found a link in the States to watch. Enjoy the blog immensely HF, read it every day.
Cheers Annapolis.
Read my half time report Sav, that chimes pretty much with what you are saying.
Fred, often gaps in a defence are entirely down to one defender! I give you Herita Ilunga for one!
but gaps in defence if they are on defender are usually caused by the full back when they push forward and don't cover properly just like ilunga :)
Fred, listen to Hansen on MOTD. If centre backs don't work as a pair, there are all sorts of problems. Time and again, he shows how centre backs are split because they are too far apart, level with each other, both drop when one should close etcetera. I'm not saying it was all Tomkins fault, I am saying that Faye recovered a lot more situations than Tomkins did and I was amazed how much space and time Hull players were allowed around the edge of our box at times.
but if tokins has to g oout to the right to cover for faubert till he gets back then he cant help but leave the gaps
http://www.hammerstv.com/livewesthamstream.html streams for every game.
This one's for Stani;
Cole was outstanding for 20 minutes today when he came on. Totally made the difference and effectively won us the game. No sarcastic sting in the tale. I genuinely mean that.
Problem is, I bet that'll be it in terms of his noteworthy contribution during November. Therein lies the problem, for me. He does bugger all for week after week, comes in and looks decent for a game or two and then it's back to type. I'd really rather it wasn;t that way, Stani, honest I would but that's the way I've seen it, mate.
But, for today, he's the reason we got the 3 points. Simples.
Fair enough Headers, but you just be ready to change your mind about him!
Cole needs motivation of some kind. Seems simple, but it's true. Today he needed to show the gig should still be his. When he gets too cozy with it, he will lapse and Sam will pull him.
By the way, the stream link mentioned above is more of a portal to other streams. Not a service itself I don't think.
23:43 siding on this one with the man who's the highest in TGGC league.
02:02 Dave portal for streams and not a service?!?! Eh? what's the problem? they had 5 different streams there this weekend all for the hammers game - apologies for sharing - I shan't do it again.
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