The boo boys returned after another frustration afternoon of football at the Boleyn where West Ham claimed the 4th consecutive home draw against Doncaster Rovers.
Doncaster who dictated large spell of the game deserved their point as they came up against a Hammers side who lacked ideas and endeavour in a must win game. The ‘afraid to play at home’ line is wearing thin with the home faithful who just want to see their team play good attacking football and win.
The Hammers made three changes from the side who disappointedly drew at Watford midweek bringing in Collison, Vaz Te and Lansbury coming in for O’Brien, Maynard and Faubert in a quite baffling starting line-up which saw normal left back McCartney pushed to the right back position whilst Taylor played left back as the Hammers lined up in a 4-3-3 with a front three of Vaz Te, Cole and Collison. But unfortunately the changes didn’t make much of a difference on the pitch as the Irons looked flat and out of ideas.
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It could however have been all so different had the Hammers took advantage of their early dominance which saw a disallowed goal and a shot crashing of the crossbar before Nolan poked home a deserved goal for the home side who flew out of the traps for a change.
Just 30 seconds into the game Ricardo Vaz Te latched onto a Nolan through ball and after a shoulder barging Chimbonda away he coolly slotted home only for Andy D’Urso to pull him up for a foul, the first of many woeful decisions by the Billericay born ref. As last time I checked the rule book shoulder barging was allowed. Not undeterred by the injustice the Hammers continued to dominate the early stages of the game and came close again in the 4th minute as good work from Collison on the right hand side found Cole who smashed a curling effort against the bar with Donny ‘keeper Carl Ikeme well beaten.
But just five minutes later and with Rovers well and truly on the ropes the Hammers finally got the goal they deserved as a superbly clipped in ball by Vaz Te who looked lively early on again was headed across goal by Tomkins and Nolan picked up the pieces to prod home from a yard to send the Hammers in the lead. But when Vaz Te pulled up injured with a suspected Hamstring strain the Hammers fell apart and lost their width and main attacking outlet. But the Hammers were playing well and the home faithful responded with songs and chants urging the home side to grab a second the calm the nerves.
But as they game went on the Yorkshire club grew in confidence and played the better of the football, passing and moving to great effect frustrating the home fans and players alike. With the
away fans buoyant and cheering their boys on they believed they could pick up a massive result in the East End. Donny first came close when Gillett took a shot from distance and stung the palms of Robert Green who palmed the ball behind to safety. Little did he know how much pressure he would find himself under during the rest of the game.
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On the stroke of half time D’Urso second big error of the day occurred as he failed to spot a clear handball following a Mark Noble short corner was crossed by Collison as Tomkins powered a header across goal it hit the arm of a defender, not only didn’t he spot the handball he gave a goal kick baffling to say the least.
But as half time came the home fans were reasonably pleased to be going in 1-0 up and with the first twenty minute spell of dominance, but frustration was rearing its ugly head as it seemed the Hammers had took their foot of the gas a little after Nolan’s goal. But we believed as the players entered the fray again.
But what came next was one of the most toothless second half displays I have seen as a West Ham fan. Big Sam’s half time team talk must have had the touch of the Avram Grants about it as the
players came out in the second half more nervy than a blushing schoolgirl.
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Doncaster came out with a no fear approach and turned the Npower Championship table upside down as they were the ones who looked like table toppers and not bringing up the rear as they
outclassed West Ham with every footballing detail, first touch, passing, shooting they looked a class above their nervy counterparts.
As frustration grew around the ground, the home fans knew what was coming as the Hammers were camped in their half defending for their lives. Then the worst substitution possible was made
by Big Sam, Lansbury who was one of West Ham’s only bright sparks all game was removed to be replaced by Gary O’Neil, a player who since his injury has failed to settle down into a consistent level of form and it gave Billy the opportunity to moan more than he already does. Constantly telling me he has “no presence” . After 30 minutes of seeing him run around aimlessly I tended to agree with him by full time.
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The Hammers were still struggling to gain a firm foothold and but for the heroics of Green, could have conceded much earlier. As he stopped everything that was threw at him. But even he was caught with nerves when he dangerously left the ball for Tomkins to deal with in a congested area.
West Ham’s passing was letting them down and they struggled to maintain long periods of pressure and possession and were punished when a move broke down inside their own half leaving Doncaster with a three on two attack. A deep cross wasn’t dealt with properly by Green or Tomkins and Gillett was there to toe poke the ball back across the box for Coppinger to slide the ball home to send the travelling 900 Rovers fans into raptures and to give Donny a deserved equaliser.
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In truth the Hammers could have found themselves behind if it wasn’t for Green saving pantomime villain for the day Diouf’s scuffed shot. The Hammers had one last chance to do what champions do best win ugly in the last minute when a Noble cross fell to Collison at the edge of the box and the effort summed his season up so far. As he volleyed woefully wide much to the frustration of the home fans as a sea of groans echoed around the ground.
The full time whistle went and a chorus of boos echoed around the Boleyn as frustrated home fans watched yet another toothless display culminating in yet another bore draw at the Boleyn. As I
trudged back to Plaistow station “play- offs” was the buzz word of the day, as worried home fans began to question West Ham’s promotion credentials.
After yesterday’s performance it is difficult for me to be positive but I’ll try, we’re still in the automatic promotion places albeit by the skin of our teeth’s and we do still have that all important
game in hand to close the gap on leaders Southampton who won again yesterday against Barnsley whilst 3rd place Reading won against Leicester.
Come on you Irons, help us believe! Tweet me: @Bowdenwhu
