With the final whistle ringing in the ears at St. Andrews, the Twitter consensus is that it was the result to suit West Ham in our quest for Premiership promotion. I have to say that I am in full agreement.
Here’s why..
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Over the season West Ham and Sam Allardyce have shown that our resolve and tactics away from home have been instrumental in our push to Wembley. In addition to breaking the ‘away wins’ record, we have installed a steely confidence within the team not been seen away from Upton Park in recent history. The obvious reason for this is the ‘Home Mentality’ adopted by teams fearful of sitting back and defending on their turf. Allardyce has a proven track record in pressing home teams high, getting people behind the ball and picking them off as they attack. His tactics ensure strength at the back and in midfield with an intensive work rate, pressuring mistakes in the opposition.
Where we have failed to spark is at home. Why? Simply because we have failed to adopt a Barcelona style patience and speed of passing to break down teams who have banks of players behind the ball intent on the destruction of play. The proverbial ‘Cup Final’ at Upton Park has frustrated the faithful and inevitably ruined our automatic promotion following a run of draws where a single goal in any game MAY have been enough.
What this tells us about our Play-off final opponents is that we suit the playing style of a team set out to attack us and take risk. Birmingham have shown in recent years that they are extremely hard to break down and very well set up. Last years Carling Cup, twice this season, we have struggled to overcome the defensive nature of a strong Birmingham team. Contrast that with the 11 goals scored against Blackpool in our last three encounters (including a 4-0 and 4-1 this season) and only the most negative of Hammer would doubt our favourite status.
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I’m a firm believer in confidence and a positive mindset. The very positivity our boys will have with the hindsight of results this season should prove fruitful at Wembley. Ian Holloway has been continuously praised for his attacking, risk taking playing style but we must remember that he was relegated with one of the highest ‘goals conceded’ totals in recent years and his Blackpool side finished this season conceding more goals than anyone in the top ten (they finished 5th!)
If Allardyce wants to set out his stall for Wembley he must continue with the work rate in midfield, the high pressing and picking off a very attacking Blackpool side. If all else fails, it will simply be a case of scoring one more than them!
Whatever happens, I’ll be there with the Claret & Blue Army…. I predict goals!
What do you reckon the score will be? Let Richard know http://www.claretsweatandtears.co.uk/home/2012/05/09/blackpools-lack-of-rock-is-the-key/
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