West Ham slumped to another disappointing draw in the ‘must win game’ against struggling Bristol City. Starting where they left off against Brighton, the Hammers looked to take the game to the opposition. Corners and shots on goal were a plenty and Ricardo Vaz Te was looking to increase his recent tally with a bright start to the game.
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Within 10 mins the news of Southampton’s two goals had placed more importance on West Ham winning this match. On 17 mins the Hammers had the ball in the back of the net only for the ref to blow up for handball against Kevin Nolan.
Just 8 minutes later the Hammers have grabbed the lead when Mark Noble floated over a perfect cross for James Tomkins who headed the ball back across goal which nestled in the Bristol City net. Hammers fans could have been forgiven for thinking another 6-0 were on the cards such was West Ham’s dominance.
With Bubbles ringing around Ashton Gate the Hammers were soon pressing for another when suddenly out of nowhere Bristol City were level. Cole Skuse cleverly gathered the ball and unleashed a volley which dipped and skidded directly in front of
Robert Green and squirmed under the England keeper to leave the Hammers stopper rather red faced.
Momentum was switching toward the Bristol side and Nicky Maynard was left increasing isolated by West Ham’s predictable long ball game. The ex Bristol striker had a torrid day with his every touch booed by the bitter home fans who used to sing his name not so long ago.
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The Hammers went in at the break level needing to up there tempo whilst our midfielders desperately needed to get forward to support Maynard. Allardyce’s direct approach without Cole, who missed out due to the knock he picked up during our last outing, lacked any cutting edge. So could Sam turn to the Bench to inspire the team to get that crucial goal? Not with a subs bench with one striker he couldn’t.
The second half started pretty flat and it took an excellent Lansbury effort that clipped the bar to get the Hammers looking dangerous.
John Carew entered the fray for the booked Danny Collins who had appeared shaky against the excellent Yannick Bolasie on the Bristol Wing. Carew has delivered very little in his few appearances since his transfer this season and did himself no favours by squandering numerous chances to put his side ahead.
Our defence was then tested to the maximum when a fine Chris Wood effort was excellently saved by Rob Green who redeemed himself from his earlier error in style.
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Collison and Faubert entered the game on 74 mins but to little effect. Jon Stead missed the target for City as they continued to press, by this time most hammers fans were consigned to the fact that things were not going to go our way. Carew managed to miss one last chance and the final nail in the Hammers play off shaped coffin had been struck.
So the play offs await West Ham, lets just hope Big Sam picks the side that performed so well against Brighton for the biggest games of the season, not these lot! Hang on, bar Cole I think it was. Oh dear!
COYI
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