FIVE things we learnt against Cardiff

Many fans suggested that Kevin Nolan’s dismissal against Millwall was perhaps a chance for Mark Noble to shine (and that he definitely did producing consecutive star performances.) Forums and blogs spoke of maybe removing the captaincy from Nolan and installing Mark Noble as the new skipper. Big Sam’s decision to install his trusted captain in the starting line-up Nolan against Cardiff away yesterday paid off with him producing an arguably ‘MOM’ display. He played out of his skin for the full 90 minutes and was rewarded for his tenacious display with a sublime effort on the stroke of half time (an effort which most strikers would have been proud of.) The strike was a result of a well weighted pass from Nicky Maynard and ‘Captain Fantastic’ did the rest with a first time finesse shot into the far corner beating Cardiff’s Marshall between the sticks.

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Abdoulaye Faye- Our most reliable player?

 

Abdoulaye Faye certainly proved his class yesterday and has consistently shone at the back all season when called on. He was there to mop up any errors made in the midfield or even in goal i.e. when Green was caught flailing in the second half and with the ball looping into the net, Faye was there to nod the ball into his keeper’s hands. Faye seems to be slightly off the pace and the talk of the terraces have been that perhaps ‘he is too slow!’ or that ‘Faye is just an old carthorse’ I however believe that without Faye’s last ditch tackles and booming clearances West Ham would have let a lot more goals in this season than they have. As a result of Faye’s in my eyes, ‘squeaky clean’ performances I believe our best centre defence partnership is now – Faye and Tomkins and not Reid and Tomkins.

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Clean Sheet – Down to ‘England’s No’1 or just an excellent defensive display?

One of the best outcomes of the away day in Wales was in fact the clean sheet kept by the entire team. The BBC commentator commented on West Ham’s team display and that how in the dying embers of the game we had nine out of the ten outfield players behind the ball, this proved frustrating for Cardiff and they struggled to break our commitment down. Vaz Te continuously impressed through tracking back and making a crucial tackle at a crucial point in the game and the same with Nicky Maynard who tracked the whole length of the pitch to deny Kenny Miller the space he needed to get a shot away. Although these attackers proved successful defensively they proved below par on the offence.

Strikers finishing wasn’t up to scratch

With the two goals coming from defence and midfield, onlookers would perhaps suggest a lack of chances and supply for the strikers Maynard and Vaz Te. This was definitely not the case between them as they had at least seven clean cut chances, Maynard in particular missed chance after chance. Maynard is no doubt a prolific striker but yesterday looked very average and this is why I believe instead of the substitution bringing Cole on I believe Maynard should have been replaced by Sammy Baldock who since the January transfer window has had little opportunities to show his quality for the Hammers. I believe in Wednesday’s night match under the floodlights against Watford Sam should if needs be introduce Baldock earlier in the game as he scares defences into making mistakes and can latch onto passes with his expert vision and reading of the game. Myself as a season ticket holder in the Sir Trevor Brooking lower stand get regularly frustrated with the lack of supply to Baldock as he constantly shouts and points in the direction where he wants the ball to be played but is constantly denied the opportunity as his team mates fail to notice the through ball they could play to him.

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George’Diego’ McCartney?

West Ham’s second goal yesterday has been compared to being of the same calibre as Diego Maradona’s dream goal against England in Mexico 86! Realistically it wasn’t that good but for a player who hasn’t scored in over five years this was a spectacular individual effort. George McCartney picked the ball up in his own half and dribbled at the Cardiff right winger and full back. George’s winding run was never intercepted and luckily twice rebounded into his path allowing him to shoot with his right foot (his wrong foot) past the Cardiff goalkeeper. George McCartney has consistently delivered crosses into the box this season and yesterday got his reward. McCartney casually but delightedly celebrated with his arm in the air and was mobbed by his team mates.

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