Another huge three points towards safety were acquired at the Stadium of Light, last night as goals from Andy Carroll and a deflected Mohamed Diame effort were enough to see off a spirited Sunderland side and send the Hammers 11 points clear of the relegation.
So just what did we learn from tonight’s win?
1. We play better when we keep the ball: Yesterday, saw a refreshing change in approach, we were calm on the ball and it proved key in killing the game off in the end. At times this season we have just gone long as quickly as possible, but as a team getting the ball to the edge of the box is far more effective than hoofing it straight down a defenders throat.
2. Pablo Armero is alive! : It is a shame that it took an injury to George McCartney for Sam Allardyce to throw on the Columbian but it is nice to see him get some minutes. Although he was at fault for the Sunderland goal, I felt considering he was thrown into the deep end he coped admirably well, and at times showed us his lighting pace, a very promising start indeed.
3. Andy Carroll is finding his straps: It is now two goals since returning for Andy Carroll, both typically headers, but a confident Andy Carroll is just what this team is missing. When he is back firing on all cylinders this club can only go one way and that is up, another crucial goal today and here’s hoping for another one on Sunday.
4. We are surely safe now (touch wood): Wednesday night’s win and yesterday’s win have meant the Hammers have taken a giant stride to survival, and just at the right time, with the big boys still to come the Irons have to win their “winnable” fixtures and they have done in the last week or so. Eleven points clear now, surely even West Ham can’t mess this one up, right?
5. Last but not least, a quick mention to all those that went up there: Those 800+ fans that travelled up to Mackem-land, restored my faith in West Ham fans, after the pantomime show performance from the West Ham fans on Wednesday night. To see the claret and blue army in full voice on a cold Monday night oop North brought a smile to my face. I salute every single one of you.
Come on you Irons!
Tweet me @Bowdenwhu
What we learned is that we are the new stoke city. It may seem a stupid thing to say because it is but I would rather we played like the sunderland style even though they lost and are certainties for relegation than being the current west ham. Surviving grinding out wins in a physical style just existing. Playing the long ball game with 30/40% possession every match,its not entertaining. Were just a pointless team in the premier league making up the numbers. Were hard to beat,have a game plan. Its great in your first season back after promotion or maybe the second or third but its time to push on and actually play football. Big Sam needs to go if we are to move forward,i like him hes a good manager at what he does but its boring.Also I will be sad to see Sunderland go down far worse teams and clubs than them,they have been unfortunate with goings on off the pitch and playing catch up after a bad start. Great passionate working class support like ourselves.
Although BS is clearly not everybody’s cup of tea, that we can all agree on! But last nights performance on weir side was exactly what was required! It was competent, professional and what’s more comfortable. The perfect away performance under the circumstances. Everybody was saying we were safe and consequently had little to play for! Sunderland is a hard place to go to and they desperately needed the points. All the ingredients for us to get a right doing! But we played the right way and got 3 points! Job done! I get your point though. I would be far happier if we could put some attacking flair onto our new found defensive resilience, especially at home! And often wish we went for it away a bit more as well. As some of the teams we have played this season have been there for the taking! I hope we make a midfielder who can link defence and attack a priority in the summer! Failing that somebody who can play at 10 and can double up as a second striker will do! COYI!
What I learned within the last week is that we have a fair few corrosive (claim to be) supporters of the club, but are prepared to undermine the club “Selfishly”, just to be proved right!
These same people with ultra short memories and a lack of grey matter between the ears, conveniently forget where this club has come from and the financial mire that we were in. We have two british chairmen who actually support the club, who have stabilised the club as well as backed the club, with a vastly experienced manager who has managed to meet everything asked of him on a budget. Unable to see the BIG picture and long term view, sadly we have some deluded supporters.
Take a look at the spuds, corrosive impatient supporters who think they are better than they really are and DON’T understand that it’s STABILITY that brings success, not changing your manager once or twice a season whilst throwing millions at it!
Anyone that thought the performance at Sunderland was poor, probably needs to pull their head out of the clouds. The so called supporters hoping for a loss, must’ve been disappointed.
COYI
Well said Cat , i agree entirely , 68% of fans want BFS to stay anyway which as far as i know is the majority .
Thanks Peter. Sometimes I read stuff and start to feel that I’m in a minority of supporters who realise where this club has come from in recent times and the positive direction we are now heading in!
I’d like to add, that the things I take for granted from a level of understanding don’t seem to go for many of our supporters, like the basic understanding that this team IS a work in progress and with better personnel the way we play would make more sense.
I think many supporters forget a club can’t buy players if it hasn’t got the money….. Which is the reason why we are moving to the OS. How many supporters criticised Mourinho for playing Drogba on his own??? It’s all about personnel and I’m happy with this club progressing without the recklessness that could put this club out of business.
Safe and steady but I’ve got EVERY confidence that this club is heading in the right direction!
Every team has fickle supporters (man utd had empty seats at old trafford vs villa last week) but every club needs the fickle supporters because without them we would never fill the new stadium,in fact I still don’t think we have the fanbase to fill the new stadium and its a worry. Empty seats will affect our progression and home form.(we will sell out the first three seasons but the novelty will wear off). Also we will stay stagnant if big Sam stays in charge he’s good at what he does but he won’t bring enjoyment. Also You don’t need big money to buy the right personnel to play nice entertaining football.Swansea have had an average season because of Europe etc but they play entertaining football and their squad cost less than ours I bet. I wouldn’t mind that korean KI from Sunderland whos on loan from swansea he’s a talent,Borini also. In fact is Laudrup still available? He would be a step forward.
Fickle is one thing but when the fickle supporters try to undermine a club……. They No longer become supporters (as per Oxford Dictionary….. Encourage!). Some of the great players of this club couldn’t understand it and neither could many true supporters!
This club doesn’t NEED fickle!
Your wrong the club DOES NEED the fickle fairweather supporters I’m afraid for money reasons. Bums on seats,merchandise etc etc. West ham have a 20k+ hardcore support base,its not enough. We need these muppets so we can compete.
Don’t know why people are bothered by fans who boo Say if i was a fan of whoever and went to a west ham game and booed jeered etc etc I have paid the same money as real fans and if i wasn’t happy with what’s on offer and don’t think I have got my moneys worth I am in my right to boo and complain,whether it be football,music venue,boxing whatever. Football is business big business.
I have been to a Sunderland match and a Newcastle match as a neutral,they are fickle christ they boo throughout the match over the slightest thing apparently its passion.
You’re probably right about the numbers game and bums on seats, but who wants an idiot booing in their ear whilst trying to be the twelfth man?
We’ve been in the news for all the wrong reasons for too many years now. We’ve now got owners and a manager with ambition and a game plan…. It’s just that initially it will be a slow process and at times the manager will have to work with what he’s got utilising the players he has, in a system that works. A little patience & understanding will help get this club to where we as supporters want it to be!
It is Collins that does the hoofing, We had the best 2 defenders on Tompkins and Reid, They play so well together, they know exactly what the other one is thinking and doing.