Before we start, I would like to point out the definition of insanity, as quoted by the great Einstein –
“Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
Like 99% of West Ham fans on the way to the ground on Tuesday night, I found myself debating the changes Big Sam was going to make in preparation for what was a MUST WIN game against Middlesbrough. Let me share a few highlights with you;
The Scene – A packed Boleyn Pub on a very mild evening, everyone sweating, very loud and the smell of beer filling the dark room.
The Characters –
ME – Understanding our lack of width, I thought we would experiment with a 4-1-3-2 formation. Mark Noble holding in front of the back four, a midfield three of Henri Lansbury, Kevin Nolan and Matty Taylor with the quick Baldock and Maynard up front. I felt we would play very narrow and strong, passing through the middle and feeding off the intelligent runs from the strikers.
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NEIL (My Dad) – He felt that we should do what the top performing teams in the league had been doing, blending the mature experience with some young, fresh faces. He thought we were going to play a 4-4-2 with Taylor out left, the youngster Montano out right, Noble and Nolan in the centre with Cole feeding off the imminent crosses from the wingers and Sam Baldock feeding off the scraps.
BAYLEY (a Mate) – He was confident with the solidity of the 4-3-3 formation but felt that we needed the emphasis on the two attacking wide players to get the ball down and whip crosses in for Carlton Cole. He was happy with Taylor out left (even though his poor form was raising questions) and out right purely down to pace, he wanted Baldock.
THE ENDING – A carbon copy, grainy re run bought from the little chinese lady selling DVD’s in the pub on a Saturday. Players played out of position, an extremely similar starting XI to the team who have failed to win at home in 5 league games, slow build up play, direct balls from the centre backs through to a swamped Carlton Cole, no one able to split the opposition with their passing. NO PLAN B.
I’m not a Big Sam basher. I don’t agree with his football style but I have seen him get results when it matters, and we have been in and around the top of the table for the season. HOWEVER, at arguably the most important stretch of the season, teams have begun to find us out. They are visiting Upton Park, camping out in their half with banks of five and soaking up the inevitable long balls. As the faithful crowd begin to grow restless they then proceed to hit us on the break, taking full advantage of the atmosphere and subsequent nerves. If they score they win, if they don’t they get a valuable point at a top ground.
I can see it
You can see it
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34,000 other people can see it.
Yet Sam persists with making the same mistakes, over and over again. Much to Einstein’s frustration!!
Wide Right – If we don’t have a player to play wide right DON’T play with one. Tuck a midfielder in and play narrow!
Positions – If a player is not comfortable playing out of position i.e. Tomkins in midfield, Any of a number of strikers wide right/left, then DON’T play/buy them!!
Carlton Cole – Arguably having one of his worst periods as a West Ham player. Why? Because you consistently play him alone, with no support. He wins a flick on, no one is near him. He holds it up but is surrounded by four opposition shirts. He cannot play the role of two strikers, he does not have enough quality.
One Up Front – Isn’t working. I don’t even believe one big man/one small man works up front. Get it on the floor with two quick strikers who can terrorise defenders.
Slow Build Up – When we break, we hold it up and then pass backwards due to lack of movement and lack of strikers. This allows teams to get back and park the bus. This is happening EVERY time we get the ball. We must be quicker, spreading the play quicker.
If we continue to field the same route one tactics without a plan B, playing players out of position and with no speed to our play we will not be promoted. I cannot see us winning two legs of a play off semi final, especially as one of them will be at home!
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE SAM
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You tout yourself as a future England manager but your tactics are inept and one dimensional. You have the best squad in the league (by miles) but you do not have a team spirit. Nor do you have a team who believe in what you are trying to do. There will only be so many more times you can blame the negative fans before messrs Sullivan and Gold begin knocking on your door.
We don’t want you out, we want you to admit things are wrong and change them. It takes a man to recognise his mistakes and implement change, do it now or risk the Upton Park wrath for weeks to come….
What we have here are genuine suggestions for a team who do not seem to be able to win a football match. Legitimate questions asked amongst tens of thousands of West Ham fans over a 48 hour period leading up to a crucial game.
Pop over to Richard’s website for even more West Ham news http://www.claretsweatandtears.co.uk/
PDC looking at promotion and cup final (and likely a cup) in first season as manager. I’d say already close to on par with BFS’s entire career achievements. Leads with passion and coaches very well. We’re playing a dicey game, hoping that he doesn’t fall deeper in love with Swindon (already looking at getting a tattoo of their crest, next to ours). Only one man could lead us into a new era and take us back to the days of long WHUFC managerial tenures.
WOW!
WHU are a BIG club!
All clubs have managers in the stands – some terraces.
U guys have them “On the net”, in the high street,
in front of the telly,in the pub,ETC,ETC,ETC – Speaking of which – you just dont convince me you could organise a significant alchohol consumption session in any brewery!
Let the “Popular or not” manager manage – and if you do get promotion – be gratefull not grouchy!
Oh! Re your Science knowledge – What is it they say about “What goes up” again?
But sir, I used to do the same thing over & over with Bolton and it worked. It hasn’t worked for me anywhere else.
It will work again god damn it. You”ll see. You”ll see You”ll see You”ll see You”ll see You”ll see.
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