I missed the game because my flight coincided with the kick off but, based on the highlights, we were bloody unlucky. And had Reid started ahead of Tomkins, I suspect we would have won!
Cole looked like a man who has come home. His crosses for the goals were superb. Mind you, had his namesake been on the end of them, no goals would have resulted.The finishes applied by Collins were brilliant demonstrating total conviction - something utterly lacking in Carlton's game when he is in the box.
Carlton remains a total head case and so infuriating. Outside the box he is superb and, I would hazard to say, a key member of the team, holding the ball up superbly and occupying both centre backs with his movement and physical presence. Inside the box, he is a disaster. He should have scored twice in this game, but indecision and uncertainty were like lead balls chained to his ankles, so he remained rooted to the spot rather than predicting, gambling and netting twice from inside the six yard box. God knows what Allardyce says to him when they get back to the dressing room!
From a threadbare squad, we suddenly look pretty decent again, the absence of a Premiership class left back apart. It was great to see Diarra making a start, whilst Collison continues to impress.With Vaz Te, JC and Jarvis competing for two berths in midfield, Cole offering an alternative to Nolan, and Noble, Diame (when fit), Collison and Diame fighting for two slots in the centre, the midfield suddenly looks more than decent. And we still have Taylor to make up the numbers!
Can Chamakh lead the line alone? I doubt he will offer what Cole does outside the box, but surely he must be better inside the penalty area. Will we keep Carroll for the remainder of the season? If we do and he comes back fully fit, that area of the pitch looks decent too. And now there's strong talk of Paulista joining. And of course, we still have Maiga.
Some will jump on Tomkins for that equaliser but that would be very unfair. Yes Reid's speed might have saved us, but the pass from Giggs was inch perfect and the control and movement by Van Persie were sublime. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say, great goal, and this is one of those occasions - and Cleverly's wasn't bad either!
So, we played a strong Manchester United team whilst resting Noble, O'Brien and Reid, with a semi fit Joe Cole in the team and with Chamakh not ready and Carroll unfit, and we not only competed, we looked just about their equals. That has to be promising. Full marks to the owners and Allardyce, this is a huge turn around from the shambles left behind by the previous regime - and I suspect the relegation helped!
21 comments:
We haven't had Diame for awhile now yet the midfield has been very strong the past two games. Diarra, Cole, Colilison, all have added. Im wondering if the board and Sam are preparing for no Diame? Maybe the agents antics are wearing a bit thin?
I watched the game while my sons 6th birthday party was going on, trying to explain what the FA Cup was to the other parents. As well as my behavior. You are right, HF. What can you say about a pass and goal like that? Im more upset about an extra fixture between Sunderland and QPR to be honest. That is not something we need.
A very good summarisation fanno. Let me just add my two-penneth.....Agree that as long as we rely on CC to provide the goals we will struggle, relegation year we rlied heavily on him without the team able to chip in with the odd goals with disastrous effect, the same would transpire if that scenario repeat's itself, though thankfully the rest of the team have scoring ability (Nolan,Reid,Collins,Taylor).
Nerxt the transfer's and building of the team, J.Cole,Chamakh,Carroll maybe rejects of teams but (particularly Chamakh) have points to prove and loans deals for quality players makes accute financialk sense, at the same time showing potential signings intent.
Also a mention for Dan Potts who, although obviously still a rooky, looked assured, relaxed and confident, a good sign that we still possess and Sam is willing to use the academy system.
Very good and objective report. Please don't make this a habit because it would be hard to find anything to pick on you in the future.
Tomkins is a very good player but he has this weakness (no pace at all). The only thing I would add is that Ferguson picked the mismatch of Tomkins v Van Persie and that pass (although perfect) did not happen by accident. From the point of view of West Ham we will have to make sure we do not expose ourselves to such treatment from good teams and clever managers. Allardyce failed to anticipate the mismatch in the team. As I am afraid we still have a huge gap in pacy fullbacks, especially on the right side.
I was impressed with the performances of Potts and Diarra.
We were value for money, to be honest I thought we would have lost. Even at 2-1 & with 90 mins up, still had a gut filling in those 4 added on mins that man u would score as they have on so many occasions. Still a gutsy game by whu
Why didn't you mention Potts? Not a bad 90mins for a 18 year old against league leaders
Thought the team did exceptionally well yesterday I was proud of them.Lets face we were playing the top team in the country and one of the top teams in Europe and we had a weakened side out. Sounds as though there are more interesting signings in the pipeline Feel a lot more confident about everything this week than last.COY
pmsl undone by your own style of play here rvp have a free shot at goal
Tut tut. 2 comments? Looks like you'll have to make some comments up again cos nobody gives a flying toss.
Says something when there are more replies to your Leeds articles than there are on this one....
... but then that's why you have to attract REAL supporters to your site, obviously no Wet Spam ones can be arsed with you.....
Hi Isaac, how are you keeping? Family well? How's the helicopter?
Yes, I'm concerned about the extra game Dave.
I didn't see enough of the game to comment on Potts but I was impressed that Allardyce gave him a go!
What a laugh! 10 comments to date When you write a real football blog and over on your Moronic writings page you have 39 comments to date when you write about Leeds closing their training ground (because everyone has the flu).
Says two things
1)How badly you need Leeds in order to survive as a blogger
2)How little interest there is from West Ham Fans for what you write.
Oh and comiserations to the Sad Hammers. Unless they could do something in the Cup,The Sad's only ambition for the season was to avoid relegation . Now a trip to Old Trafford. Dear oh dear, back to the fight for survival Sad Hammers.
Anonymous 23.10 and 20.52, unfortunately HF's obsession with your lowly club drove us away as the distasteful comments left by your moronic chums did not make for good reading. Now he has seen the light and separated you onto another blog it allows us proper fans to write and read about our club. You will note the comments here are all about football which is what HF invited your chums to discuss, but clearly very few Leeds fans were up to normal debate. So why don't you just leave this blog and our little club alone and get back to your self appointed mighty world beaters.
Fight for survival? Take a look at the league, we are comfortabley mid table even with our injury problems. The reason HF gets more hits from Leeds fans is because your all thick as planks and bite every time he goes fishing for you. Your all doing him a favour by increasing his hits therefore increasing awareness of him on the web. Leeds fans: complete and utter deluded morons
Well said Travelling. Where are you at the moment?
23:10 here Travelling Hammer, If 'my chums' pop up on this side of Hammersfans dividing line it's because your favorite author writes inane comments about Leeds which evoke the need for Leeds fans to celebrate everytime West Ham fail.
Fact is Leeds couldn't give two hoots about West Ham, they do however love to rub this Authors nose in it.
As for you 06:36, All we hear from this Blogger is how he keeps getting a chubby every time West Ham get points so they can avoid relegation. This is his only and stated ambition for your club, in other words, A fight for survival.
By the way, dont be so insulting about Leeds fans if you want to keep them off Hammerfans dividing line.
All good fanno...and I apologise for my dreadful spelling on my post, I was in rather a hurry, things certainly look positive for West Ham Wanderers...cannot say the same for 'Phoney Tony Ferroni' and his rubber chop's manager..Oh well I won't gloat just bask in the claret sunshine whilst it lasts.
Why are you a travelling hammer? Is it because you make a more difficult target you thick piece of shite?
Travelling hammer,there weren't many of you leaving comments on plastic hammers site anyway. It has always been and always will be tumbleweed city. The fact that few can be bothered doesn't stop plastic hammer though,despite the ridicule and humilation. That is why he get's it with interest from everyone else,as even if there were no comments on the stuff he rehashes and repeats about Leeds he would still continue. Screw loose you see,just like you.
No two ways about it - HF is writing here under at least two pseudonyms, I guess it really rankles that Iain Dale got 1200% more replies to his West Ham vs Manure post.
Well said 22.22. I've just been pointing out to the plastic hammer that Orient,Millwall and Palace also have more uptake on their fans blogs. Say's it all really.
Oops. I meant-Well said 20.22. I've just been pointing out to the plastic hammer that Orient,Millwall and Palace also have more uptake on their fans blogs. Say's it all really.
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