FIVE things we learnt about West Ham against Barnsley

Love him or hate him, Kevin Nolan is always in the right place at the right time –

A think it’s fair to say that West Ham fans have not exactly taken to Kevin Nolan since his big move from Newcastle United in the summer. A real Sam Allardyce type of player, Nolan was not bought to replace Scott Parker, but may have been expecting a similar sort of response from the fans as last years Player of the Year received before he left. I also think that Nolan thought the Championship would be easier for the Hammers than it has been and his work rate is hardly spectacular. However, Nolan is West Ham’s top goalscorer this season that certainly proves he is worthy of a place in that midfield. His tendency to bein the right place at the right time is terrific and he is slowly winning over the fans with his crucial goals in crucial games.

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Maynard is the way forward –

It was nice to see Sam Allardyce finally give Nicky Maynard a chance to play up front for West Ham. His place on the bench or even more frustratingly on the wing has meant he hasn’t been able to show his real talent, but he certainly did that Friday evening. A stunning goal, immense work rate which enables him to find some space and his link up play with the wingers were all factors of a good performance from the player and the team. His lack of aerial ability alsoforces the defence and midfield to play the ball to feet which every West Ham fan has been asking for throughout this campaign.

Allardyce’s tactics are great…away from home.

 

West Ham’s home form this season has been consistently inconsistent! Far too many draws and the odd shock defeat is the sole reason that the Hammers are not top of theleague going into the final five games. The five in midfield, with pace out wide works fantastically away from home where the hosts usually try to attack West Ham from the off, but when a side is sitting deep behind the ball, it justdoesn’t work. If a team have stuck five defenders in their line up, why are West Ham playing one striker? Allardyce blames the supporters, I blame Allardyce.

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Carlton Cole doesn’t play, West Ham look an attacking threat –

Some would say the criticism on Carlton Cole this season is harsh, but he just simply isn’tgood enough. Yes Allardyce likes his aerial ability and physical presence, but he rarely uses either to good effect and he is hardly a danger in front ofgoal. If you look at games like the ones away at Cardiff, Blackpool and now Barnsley, West Ham have looked a much better side with Cole on the bench andthe likes of Maynard in attack. It wouldn’t be a great shock to see Cole backin the side against Birmingham but I genuinely don’t feel he deserves to be.

When thepressure is off, it shows –

I think after the Reading defeat last week the majority of Hammers resigned themselves to the play offs. The players certainly looked more relaxed without the burdenhanging over them, with a chance to just focus on themselves and finding someform ahead of a tough few weeks that could end up at Wembley. But with another lookat Reading’s fixture list and Southampton being held by Portsmouth, the chance of automatic promotion is still high.

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