I didn't see the game so I will simply quote from Radio London's commentary. It was very illuminating because it echoed everything I have been saying all season!
Here are the key soundbites.
"Nicky Maynard has looked pretty ineffective so far. Not that I blame him because the supply has been pretty awful. Maynard works better for me with a big man alongside him."
"I don't like how narrow West Ham are. They've got five in the middle of the park and you can literally throw a blanket over them. You can't play that way."
"If you're going to play one man up front and narrow, your full backs have got to be flying machines. And West Ham's full backs are playing more defensive minded."
"When you look at West Ham's midfield, there's too much of a muchness...there's too many players the same doing the same thing. That's why they don't create anything."
"The only way West Ham are going to score is from a set piece".
"Warnock is going for it far more than Allardyce".
"It's just too hopeful. You might as well keep the ball rather than keep lumping it in."
With the introduction of Morrison: "I don't see how the youngster can influence the game with just nine minutes to go."
When Leeds scored. "Unmarked for the third ball in a row."
"I don't think West Ham set up positively enough to win the game."
"It was Warnock who took positive steps to get a result".
"To be fair to the full backs you would have had to have a radar to pick out one of your forwards today."
"I wonder how the West Ham fans feel about the lack of positive intent. I don't understand one man up front, particularly Maynard."
"It's Gary O'Neil, he's got players inside the penalty box. Ooh dear, looped cross."
Allardyce will talk about a good point and a great fighting spirit and bemoan injuries, missed chances and say you can't give away soft goals, but he won't address the real issues - his shit team selection, his shit tactics, his own negative mentality which infects the players and the total lack of quality in the team - because of his shit recruitment policy.
There's still no balance in the team. There's still no width. There's still no goal scoring threat other than from set pieces. Once again, Allardyce shuffled his forward pack and once again failed to pair either Maynard or Baldock with Cole. Why? Because he has to accommodate Nolan. But the team doesn't dominate when Nolan plays. We pinch goals, we pinch points, we even pinch the odd win, but we don't steamroller teams like Southampton and Reading. And we play Boro and Reading at home shortly, with both looking to contain and hit us on the counter. Tell me, who is going to unlock their defences?
It's now eight wins from nine for Reading. What did I say about the Theory of Momentum this morning?
8 comments:
Anony-mouse says,
Same old same old from you HF. Nightmare scenario? You just keep on panicing and spreading the gloom and let the rest of us get behind the lads.
Great point today- solid if unspectacular performance. I saw it albeit via the internet- and i think most fans would be pretty satisfied with what they saw in a game most of us thought we'd lose given the circumstances.
And yes we've got Boro and Reading coming up. Brilliant. Bring them on. And get your arse down there on Tuesday HF- no excuses - there's loads of tickets left.
Now I think it's time to stick your neck out and say who you think will go up automatically. Not being arrogant or presumptive but I'm plumping for Saints and us. Who are you going for? I await your un-prevaricating answer.
Reading and Southampton. They can score, we can't!
Anony-mouse says,
Come on Fabrice. I hope you can make it.
Mouse, I think HF is right. My only "hope" is that Sam does with Morrison what Curbs did with Tevez and throw caution to the wind. And that assumes the risk works. Different with an unproven kid than Carlos. We might still win via the playoffs, but Im feeling very pessimistic.
I was there today being a northern hammer I don't get to go to many matches. The atmosphere was fantastic from both sets of fans and it was a sell-out. Within the first 10mins the problem was clear for all to see, lump it up top to most of the time nobody or a small number 8 by the name of Maynard. I really feel for Maynard looking at today's game, he tried his hardest to get into the game but you simply cannot put a small man like Maynard up front on his own and expect him to win every ball. If he did partner Cole or Baldock I'm absolutely positive he would b smashing the goals in. If he can score that many for Bristol City he WILL score for west ham. BFS really didn't set up right today. No pace, no goal threat and jus simply hoofing the ball anywhere and to anyone. Credit to the lads they got the draw but we really should have put them to the sword in the first half and took the wind out of their sails. Sam needs to open his eyes and sort something fast. Nolan can't b arsed he hardly jumped for a ball and used most of his time working his mouth. Yes we are unbeaten but reading and Southampton are pulling away. We will pull through we're west ham. COYI
Culdesac says...
I thought today's performance was poor in the first half, but for both teams. Second half was better, and the sensation that any of the two could win was present until the last minute.
Positives : resilience, hanging on to come back in added time, more ball on the ground play than on last matches played (we are clearly better and more fluid, effectiveness is just a matter of time, when we play like this, rather than the prehistorical famous British kick and rush). I also liked the substitutions. Throwing Morrison in the game wasn't a bad choice, even for ten minutes, it gives him the push to continue. Faye was spectacular, Collins good, and let's say he needs to settle with the teammates before we can gauge him. Collison finally showed good skills in the ball handling. Both full backs had a good match.
The bad : Three Leeds players alone on the 1-0 (and nobody mentions there is an offside on that action). Maynard can't control a ball. He received several balls he wasted, and he lacked dash on his scoring opportunity. Nolan doesn't bring enough to the team besides big mouthing, and I agree we play better and more fluid when he's not there. Taylor is out of shape.
I also a agree that the tactics that are too conservative. We should play with two forwards and push the opponents into their own half, instead of giving them hopes of creating opportunities.
Reading ? I don't think they're anything special, They just have momentum, but I don't think they have the quality to keep it up, or do anything in the premier, unlike Sawansea or Norwich. Reading's balloon will burst. Wait and see.
The next 3 results are everything now...
3 very winnable games.. And we must win all 3. That will take us to the reading game in the right frame of mind. 1 loss between now and the reading game means play offs
God we always do it the fukcing hard way
I was at the game and it was a pitiful sight in the first half seeing Maynard being left out to dry up front on his own - how can such team selection pass even a simple test of intent? Little Maynard is six inches shorter than the guy towering over him just waiting for the long ball up to him - no chance and a complete waste of time. The difference when Cole came on was remarkable - he is a master at that part of his game - pity he's lost the touch to score. I have to say also that Nolan is a mystery to me - just doesn't seem to provide us anything in midfield - and yet Noble also seems to be unable to play his more decisive passing when Nolan is in the team. Looking at the games we had when he was suspended - I would have to aqgree that it might be bet to try the team on a 4x4x2 without Nolan.
I am a long serving season ticket holder - I really worry about the tactics that Big Sam has used recently, if he want auto promotion he has to set up more positively. WHat is the point of being told he has the best squad in the division and yet doesn't seem to know his best team and set up yet - with 10 games to go !! Even if we win our game in had - we stay in the play-off positions and this is not what we were told to expect from Big Sam only a few weeks ago. The prospect of play-offs with Cardiff Birmingham Middlesborough Brighton or similar is a frightening prospect when you look at our form over the last three games. I am fed up with being told that the fans should be more supportive or not to voice our concerns - this is a results game and we are not getting them and haven't looked good since Nolan came back. I just hope that the players get given the chance to play in a way that gives them a chance to go out and win the games we have left - not more of that negative rubbish I had to watch at Leeds. It costs a fan about £200 to go and see the Leeds game, we deserve to see a good performance or at least good application - I saw neither. But there were still 5000 of us moaning supporters there and I can assure Big Sam that I may not be one of those that actually moans or boos at the end of the game - but I DO FEEL let down and and unhappy - as most of the fans at that game were - it is not a minority that are pissed off with the tactics and the lack of positive intent on team selection - and Big Sam had best understand that. Even he could surely see the 'long ball' crap being sent into little Maynard - he has to be watching the same game?
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