Well has anybody ever been more wrong? I lambasted the team selection. I said if Spurs scored, there would be no way back - and we could have scored five! And I mocked Jarvis and Maiga, the two goal scorers. Add in criticism of the inclusion of Adrian, who was excellent, Diarra who played with real composure, and Taylor who set up the Jarvis equaliser brilliantly and also forced a superb save from Lloris, and I couldn't have been more wrong. But I'll take being wrong like that every week thanks very much!
What a heroic performance all round. At the back, Collins was huge, marshalling O'Brien, Rat and McCartney superbly. The Spurs goal came from a break-away with Collins stranded up top from a corner, and that was the only way they were going to get past Ginge. Just as at Liverpool last season when he kept Suarez in his pocket, the Welshman was absolutely brilliant. And he nearly scored when trying to give the ball back to Spurs after a re-start following an injury.
But the other defenders were excellent too - even Linda McCarthorse! And when he was called upon, Adrian looked decent too. Not that he had too much to do!
In midfield, Collison and Taylor ran and ran and ran. They covered, they closed, they pressed, and once we were behind, they rampaged forward. Taylor so nearly scored with one shot, and his pass through to Jarvis for our first goal was sheer class.
Diarra too was impressive, especially given the fact that he is back 6 months early from injury and that he was desperate to leave the club last season.
Diame and Morrison came on and transformed us from a defensive unit to a well balanced team and, miracles will never cease, both Jarvis and Maiga scored! And what's more, Maiga rattled the bar with a fantastic effort!
Add in the tireless efforts of Carlton Cole, until he tired, and the only disappointment on the night was Joe Cole.
So, to the goals. The first saw Maiga flick on to Taylor who, with back to goal held the ball up, then played a delightful pass between Tottenham defenders for the on rushing Jarvis, who buried the chance with aplomb.
If that was amazing, it was nothing on the second! Our chance seemed to have gone when Diame over-hit a cross, but we won the ball back, Morrison played a clever ball back out to Diame, who looked up and picked out Maiga, who soared like Andy Carroll at his very best and buried the header. As useful on the pitch as a square football I called him after the Sunderland game! I take it all back! Maiga we love ya!
Playing ratings: Adrian 7; O'Brien 7, Collins 10, McCartney 7, Rat 7; Diarra 7; Collison 7, Taylor 8, Jarvis 7; Joe Cole 5; Carlton Cole 7 (superb when defending corners!) Subs: Maiga 8, Morrison 7, Diame 8
All that from ur arm chair eh! Fair play to you tho, I didn't expect that result, well done
ReplyDeleteI told you we would win this game against the Spuds! Check the article.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for about 70 minutes we weren't at the races. After the substitutions we were really on top of them.
Well it was good to see West Ham score goals and coming from behind to win a game. I almost forgot what it felt like.
shame its just the mickey mouse cup.back to 0-0 draws this weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou were right first time about the team selection. He picked a team designed to lose. He doesn't want a two-leg semi-final in January to get in the way of grinding out a couple of 0-0 results against poor opposition. His total disregard for the cup competitions is at odds with what the fans want. Mere survival cannot be the limit of our ambition at a club like West Ham. If you're managing a lesser club that's punching above its weight Sam might be the right man (e.g. Bolton Wanderers).
ReplyDeleteHe actually looked disappointed in his post-match interview tonight. He had clearly picked a team with a view to elimination, but the team let him down by winning. Well done lads. It was a night to cheer up every Hammers fan. It's the kind of night Martin Samuel was talking about yesterday: a night when you go home elated. To me that's what the game is all about. Sam evidently prefers to save players for a league game that we are going to lose, rather than take the opportunity to be one tie from a Wembley Final. He will do the same in the semi-final to ensure that a Wembley appearance doesn't get in the way of his preparation for a "vital" league game. The man has no perspective and no soul. It's time to get rid... Phil Brown
Well done lads. Could we have another Birmingham City or Wigan Athletic on our hands??
ReplyDeleteI would take 0-0 gladly at Old Trafford!
ReplyDeleteBloody hell Phil! He looked pretty bloody passionate on the touchline! Or was his fuming in the first half because we hadn't conceded yet?
ReplyDeleteKevin in Manchester writes..
ReplyDeleteif he truly wanted to lose ; he'd have played the kids - he didn't. It was a good win. As Maggie T once said - "Rejoice, Rejoice at that News" or some such
Did she say that when she resigned?
ReplyDeleteoh sorry,didnt realise you were playing man u.5-0 to man u
ReplyDeleteRemember hf it's only the fans tin pot cup. Still, it'll hurt when you go out in the semi's.
ReplyDeletekevinwrites
ReplyDeleteNah.. when the might of the British armed forces re-captured South Georgia to re-impose British soverignty over the colonies of Emperor Penguins on that forzen rock near Antartica
its all irrelevant city will fucking murder you chaps
ReplyDeletetruly remarkable a feasibility study into weekly deaths in the family prevents some chap in bulgaria from leaving his home on match days.....
ReplyDelete