Nolan has his critics, and I've been one of them this season, but what you can't ever take away from the guy is his hunger to score. What a finish. The move looked dead and buried after Maynard trapped the ball for the first time all game, then gave it away. But when Maynard won it back, Nolan was superbly positioned, on the shoulder of the defender where you would expect Vaz Te or Collison to be, and he opened his body brilliantly and buried the chance like Van Persie at his best. Fantastic.
But that was just about it in terms of offensive play. Maynard snatched at and missed a good chance on the volley after a lovely cushioned header from Collison and poor technique saw JC put a similar opportunity over the bar. Allardyce should show them a tape of Van Persie's goal yesterday so they can see how it is done! Vaz Te also put one over, falling backwards as he shot.
In midfield we have been measured, retaining the ball well until a forward pass has been attempted, which has invariably then been too long. Noble is controlling things, but has not found his passing range yet, Collison has been busy but ineffective, Nolan has impressed, closing down with surprising hunger but Lansbury and Vaz Te have disappointed. Up front, Maynard has been more conspicuous than against Palace but still looks lost up front alone.
Defensively, thus far, we have been good. Cardiff look subdued but Faye, in particular, has been huge. Fingers crossed we can keep it up!
Sorry HF you have give nmaynard to much credit he did not win it back collison did if it werent for collison who you underrated today may have been a different story
ReplyDeleteI live in China and read your blog and many others - you always say we are shite, today I get to watch a game (the first of the season) as it was on the BBC and it looked like a fine West Ham style team playing entertaining football. Now I know why you get the pi$$ ripped out of you on constant basis. You should be ashamed of yourself. COYI.
ReplyDelete16:36 is was Maynard's pass and he looks a bloody good player. Shame you didn't try too hard at school Fred, if you had you'd know the different between too and to.
ReplyDelete22:20 I know how you must feel, but as they say the table never lies.