What would the Spaniards do?

Evidently, 2012 has failed to bring West Ham fans the joy they feel they deserve. The genuine criticism tends to lend it’s way to the following areas;

1) Big Sam’s tactics – His persistence with long ball tactics to Carlton Cole who fails to do the necessary are starting to grate on the faithful. Consistent failure to retain possession with very little width, means a distinct lack of creativity.

2. Players Out Of Position – We do not have a right midfielder and Matty Taylor has been in and out of the team due to suspension and injury. Due to this, Sam has played the ‘sought after strikers’ out wide as opposed to through the middle. Playing arguably our best defender in Tomkins holding the midfield has left us defensive and lacking in creativity.
3. Sam Not Mixing His Words – Big Sam has done nothing to help himself, firstly criticising the Upton Park Atmosphere, then challenging the ‘West Ham Way’ as mythical, before announcing that the crowd were deluded (and that was after a win!) His outspoken nature may show his thick skin but in reality, it only angers a set of fans looking for anything to jump on

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Believe it or not, there is a genuine argument in favour of Mr Allardyce for all of the above…

1) We have picked up more points with the more direct, long ball tactics this season. When we have tried to play the ball on the floor (especially in the first half) we have conceded silly goals and looked nervous.

2) Good, quick strikers at Championship level should have the ability to get the ball down and beat defenders with pace. Maynard/Baldock and Vaz Te should be terrorising defenders regardless of whether they are through the middle or out wide. Also, Sam likes his wide men to stick close to Carlton Cole when the ball’s in the air, latching on to his flick ons. Their inability to do this points to individual error rather than tactics or Sam.

3. When the sh*t hits the fan it is essential to have someone at the helm with a back bone strong enough to withstand it. We all remember Glen Roeder failing to do interviews and hiding in the dressing room? Big Sam is not afraid to tell anyone how it is and this strength will only convey to the players how they should handle themselves on the pitch.

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Taking all of this aside, I feel there is a GLARING problem with our team that very few have highlighted.

OUR INABILITY TO SEE A HALF THROUGH

Of the 42 goals conceded by West Ham this season, 12 goals have been conceded in the final 2 minutes of a half and a further 7 in the final 10 minutes. That equates to nearly 50% of all goals conceded, being late goals. It’s safe to say we have all left Upton Park wondering where it all went wrong on many occasion this season. As Sam quite rightly points out, we have dominated passing stats, shooting stats and games in general but not left with the points. It seems we understand how to control a game and create chances but do not have the professionalism to see it through and do ‘whatever it takes’ to leave with the points.

All you have to do is look at the Spaniards in the Summer. There will be whole nations cursing their screens as they watch Busquets and Silva rolling around the pitch in the 83^rd minute, wasting their customary 10 minutes and breaking up the flow of play. They know what it takes to win. They understand the mentality of professional sportsmen, that when the chips are down, you try harder and you never give up. It is this ‘chips are down’ point that a team is more likely to score while pressing and giving the extra 10% needed to make a difference. Need I remind you about a certain FA Cup Final where a West Ham team failed to clear and met the might of Steven Gerrard giving that extra 10%??

Rolling around isn’t the England way??

Nor is winning…

I have to say I have been surprised by the resilience of Championship teams this year but we should have learned from our mistakes. Noel Hunt rolling around feigning injury on Saturday or Billy Sharpe diving to the floor quicker than the multitude of randy couples back on Valentines Day shows us that Football is more complex than just playing football.

Essentially, we have failed to ‘Do What It Takes’. We have lacked the killer instinct that separates the top clubs from the also ran’s. Our naivety may have cost us dear, the late goals have cost us ten points this season, you do not have to be a mathematician to know where those points would place us in the league.

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So before we jump on Big Sam’s back for his direct play or on Mr Cole for not holding the ball up while surrounded by four defenders, we need to take a step back and ask ourselves the question;

What Would The Spaniards Do? If you think the answer is pass the ball through midfield and attack until the final minute I would urge you to Sky Plus Revista La Liga….

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