My God we nearly won! If only Collison's header had cleared the defender on the line!
That was one of the best West Ham displays I have ever seen. Over the years I have grown royally sick of our lay down and die attitude at Anfield, and Allardyce's critics might like to reflect after that showing.
Collins and Tomkins were immense. I lost count of the number of times they tackled and blocked. True Tomkins was a little lucky that the referee didn't buy Gerrard's penalty claim - most would have done in front of the Kop - but that apart, he was flawless.
And Collins? Well he looked like Tony Adams or Alvin Martin at their very best. Three times Suarez tried to dribble round him and three times Collins said, thanks very much, and took the ball off him. Bobby Moore against Brazil? Absurd I know, but it came to mind!
Demel, O'Brien, O'Neil, Diame, Jussi, they all played their part in keeping the score down, whilst Jarvis ran with the ball at every opportunity and Cole did the donkey work up front, with the emphasis upon donkey!
Nolan went missing until he was withdrawn but even Vaz Te dirtied his knees in a couple of tackles!
Heroic. Wonderful. The best 0-0 I have ever seen!
I'm off to celebrate with a couple of beers before watching Steaua. It's a tough life!
Player Ratings: Jussi 7; Demel 7 Collins 10, Tomkins 10, O'Brien 7; O'Neil 7, Diame 9, Nolan 5, Vaz Te 6, Jarvis 7, Cole 6 Subs: Collison 7, Taylor 5, Pogatetz 6
Oh and 10 out of 10 for the ref!
I don't agree with some of that fella! Slightly harsh on vaz te for starters, worked very hard. Carlton was given not much service and flicked loads on which we fed off. Not sure ref deserves such high praise, didn't give us much in second half and how he didn't give the pen after tomkins was fouled is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteAre you still concerned, HF? Seriously. Did the last gasp Wigan strike worry you? Seven points better than six. Not taking the piss. Asking for your one of a kind HF insight and analysis.
ReplyDeleteTypically Allardyce...
ReplyDeleteUntil we get better players, we should bear in mind results like this when calling for Allardyce's head. I disagree with a lot of what he does, but managers of our recent past would have lost a game like this and probably embarrassingly.
Scousers, as usual not very gracious, blaming the officials for ineptitude, Glen Johnson for his overall display, no Sterling, no Sturrige and the fact that it was played too early! Great point for the Hammers. I notice that they all sign off their posts with YNWA. Got me thinking, why don't us Hammers all sign off with WC66?
ReplyDeleteWicked. Consider that sign off stolen. WC66 COYI
DeleteDave, a draw suited me. One win and we are safe. I still think 40 points may be needed. But today's point was a huge bonus especially with Sunderland losing and Wigan only drawing.
ReplyDeleteAppy, I have defended Carlton many times but he looked knackered after five minutes. He clearly is not fit.
ReplyDeleteVilla have to play both Sunderland and Wigan still. Sunderland also have Stoke. The points down there are still going to be spread around a bit. I'm not sure about 40 being needed. Have you done the BBC predictor recently? Do it and write a post about it.
ReplyDeleteHF I'm w you on the Collins bashing, I've always believed it should have been JT and Reid but Collins has seriously been prime these past games. I still think you rated obrien and demel high. Obrien made some good challenges AFTER he gave away the ball and demel just seems so lazy at times to play defense. If we fix the fullbacks maybe we can attack every once in awhile and be less ecstatic about a draw and more for a win.
ReplyDeleteUs HF
Put O'Brien in his natural right back position, bring in a new left back and I think our defense will be great next year. Also if Carroll would have been eligible I think our hold up play would have been much better and we could have snagged 3 points. And for the love of God why did we get Chamahk???
ReplyDelete37 POINTS WILL SUFFICE
ReplyDelete