Man of the Match? It has to be the very model of an Allardyce player, Faye. He was huge at the back, not just the brick wall you might expect, but a highly mobile brick wall. Twice he was exposed, one on one with a Cardiff forward, and twice his leg telescoped out to win the ball, belying his bulk and years. He aint Bobby Moore, but he is playing as well as any West Ham defender I have seen since the great man - and that includes Alvin Martin, Bonds, Collins, Tomkins, Gale, Bilic, Upson and co. He is big. He is hard. He is unflappable. He reads the game. He is strong in the air. And he can tackle. And he played the best pass of the game into the bargain! Not bad for a free transfer!
Mind you, he was superbly screened by the organisation of the midfield in front of him. There was no designated holding midfielder so the team did the job as a unit. Only twice all game did we look stretched as Cardiff broke, and on one of those occasions Maynard chased back and got in a brilliant tackle. We were tight, we were professional, and we thoroughly deserved our victory.
That said, we could have blown it. Whittingham's free kick against the post was superb but Nolan should never have given him the chance with a silly and unnecessary push. And at the death, Green pulled off a brilliant save to stop Cardiff scoring. It remains a slight worry that even when so professional, two slips of concentration / momentary losses of discipline might have cost us victory. There was also Faye's clearance off the line after McCartney's weak header back which was never going to reach Green.
But at the other end we had our chances too. Maynard missed a sitter after being played in by a sloppy headed back pass, and Vaz Te should have done so much better after Faye's lovely 40 yard pass. Maynard missed two other good chances, one in each half, and Vaz Te twice missed the target in goal scoring positions. Add in Collison's volley over the bar, and this could have been another four goal away performance had the team been wearing shooting boots. Another nagging worry perhaps.
Vaz Te was poor in truth and neither Lansbury nor Collison contributed to the required level when we had the ball. Noble was everywhere, always making it easy for team mates by making himself available, but his passing was not up to recent standards.
But no matter. Nolan's finish to give us the lead was out of the top drawer, equalling for me his drilled volley finish against Derby. The technique, opening his body and placing the ball into the far corner, was Van Persie like, and there's no bigger compliment than that at the moment!
And as for Lionel McCartney's goal, well his run, cross, and right footed finish were...well mesmerising. Never again will he be called Linda on this blog, he's Lionel until his retiring day for me!
This was a huge win achieved under huge pressure. Southampton and Reading fans would have settled down expecting us to crumble, but as Nolan confirmed at the end of the game, we are in this Championship to win it! And if we keep playing like this, we could well do it!
Player Ratings: Green 7 (Was that free kick covered though? Seemed to leave too much of a target again), O'Brien 6, Faye 9, Tomkins 7, McCartney 7, Lansbury 6, Noble 7, Collison 6, Nolan 8, Vaz Te 4, Maynard 5 Subs: Cole 5, O'Neil 5
17 comments:
as a bluebird i must say hope you go up as champions.
Pretty good summation fanno, thought we looked pretty solid at the back baring a couple of slip ups but over 90 mins looked good. Slightly worrying seeing the amount of chances we had during the first 10-15 mins of the second half and really should've had the game well and truly wrapped up. I thought Nolan was superb and thoroughly deserved his recall into the team (it may just be me but I thought he seemed a bit leaner and mobile than previously) Vaz te and collision were disappointing for me and Lansbury also had little impact but with tomkins and especially Faye at the back we really look to have a solid base. A thoroughly deserved 3 points and now we really need to capitalise with 2 home games in a few days, nothing less than 6 points from them is pivotal. It may not be pretty but it's look pretty effective. Come on u irons!!!!!
Another brilliant performance from Faye. Concerned about Maynard missing chances, hopefully he's just rusty.
Anony-mouse says,
Sure Cardiff hit the woodwork twice (great save Greeno) but apart from that they didn't really get a sniff. Though Cardiff looked flat and a jaded we were still extremely professional- apart from some of the finishing and final balls.
I love the hard-working ethos of this team and the 'they shall not pass' organisation and mentality.
Importantly, we now have daylight between us and Blackpool, Cardiff and Brum who were all threatening our top two placing a month ago. Reading have steamed through the pack but they and the saints will hopefully feel a bit disheartened by the comfort of our win today. COYI!
Fred, Maynard played in Nolan and I think won the ball. And Maynard's finish was superb. Your comments on the Org were a trifle premature mate!
I meant Nolan's finish! Maynard's finishing was crap!
Who wrote this? Who are you and what did you do with HF? It was a game of discipline and organisation. Would have preferred a Baldock run out but cant have everything. Collison looked a little out of sorts and the finishing if Vaz Te and MAynard were the only other 2 negatives but other than that a very happy hammer.
Maynard was awful today. Based on that performance I'd be pissed off if he starts on Wednesday. I think Cole and Baldock need to play together because I think they could form a good partnership up top. I was excited when we signed Maynard but if today is anything to go by then what a waste of money! Just hope he is a bit rusty and has much more to offer, especially some finishing!
HF collison won the ball back after maynard lost it and i thought cardiff would have played like the ydid in the final last week owell i admitted i was wrong on the org to
kevin in Mcr writes... The benefit of a mid season break. Nolan looked more like the player we thought we had bought. Let's hope Taylor comes back similarly refreshed.
Maynard will bag goals by the end of the season. Have to start with him next game. Dropping him will do him no favours. Cole up top with him, though.
I honestly wouldn't give Maynard a 5. For me, a 3 would be more appropriate and I'll probably up Vaz Te's rating to 5. As for the rest,I completely agree. I wonder though,when will Nolan put up another performance like today? I'm sure for our next game, Cole will probably start. We might even opt for a 442 who knows... COYI!
Faye better than Stretch, Bilic and Bondso?? You left out Reiper - was he better than him too?
Methinks you been on the sauce a bit too much this lunchtime HF.
Where do I say "better"? I say "playing as well as". And I think that is fair personally. We have only lost 3 games when Faye has played!
Anony-mouse says
Maynard's misses were bad/ unlucky but I still think he was worth a good 5 today. And though I prefer Baldock I agree with Stani's point- it wouldn't be wise to leave Maynard out on Wednesday.
Baldock's chance will come. After a knackered, unchanged team dropped points against Palace Allardyce rightly said he'd rotate the team more for the rest of the season. That's great cos it keeps everyone fresh and on their toes. So 4 4 2 with Maynard and Cole against Watford please, and get Baldock on if it's not working.
Cardiff were actually lucky to finish with 11 players. The Slovenian should have been sent off for the agression in Faye's face. The rules are clear. Yet we get Taylor sent off and three matches suspension for much less. Turner and Gunnarsson should also have received a yellow. I've seen West Ham players getting yellows for similar fouls this season, so where is the equity ?
Besides that, yes, solid match, with a couple of moments of lack of attention which would have cost dearly in the first division (sorry, "premier" league), and we better get focused on those things to avoid heartbreaks next season, if everything goes according to plan.
McCartney might after all have a roleto play for West Ham next year. Up to now, I've seen him do much more and better than Ilunga and Wayne Bridge combined...
17:09 Fred you've done it again it's too and no to. Geez man, can't you get anything right?
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