The football season has finally started – and we’ve taken away three points from our opening game, putting us in a comfortable top of the table position (ha!). It was a great game against Cardiff City, and here’s five things I learned about West Ham based on our first game of the season.
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- We still look nervous on the break
We had a great game against Cardiff, but we weren’t overly troubled by our Welsh visitors. The only time the Upton Park faithful held their collective breaths was on the break. We played three at the back today, and while it worked out okay against Cardiff, I’m not overly convinced that the same formula will be good against stronger opposition (i.e. anyone who has played in the Premier League before.) As soon as Cardiff got the ball and made a strong run, they looked like scoring – fortunately they didn’t. Again, it worked out okay for us today, but I can’t see it working out in the long run. I was also surprised that Razvan Rat was not starting- given his great preseason run, three defenders and no Rat seemed odd.
2. We don’t have a strong Plan B
West Ham have very clearly put all their expensive eggs in an Andy Carroll shaped basket. This is fine when he’s match fit, but when he’s not… well the truth is, we don’t have the world’s best strategy. As much as I hate to admit it, Modibo Maiga is not a strong striker and even though we have a strong midfield, we still need a second striker. We must sign someone before the window closes.
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3. I should have put Matt Jarvis in my fantasy football team
This is Jarvis’ season. I was genuinely confused when we signed Downing, as I have a lot of faith in Jarvis, and he certainly delivered today. He was a great show of pace and positioning, and his setting up of Cole was nothing short of exquisite. Man of the match for me.
4. He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere
Again, I was confused by the Stewart Downing signing. I think it was a great signing, in that he’s a good player, an international player, and a great addition to the squad. But, truth be told, we have a lot of midfielders now. But I was pleasantly surprised when Downing replaced Jarvis, and Joe Cole then switched sides of the field. Joe Cole played a brilliant game, and really showed how useful he is, regardless of what side of the field he played on. Downing was a useful breath of creativity and pace, and I really think we are going to see big things from him this season.
5. Who put the kettle on?
I’ve been a season ticket holder for quite a few years now, and I’m lucky that I’ve never really seen a lot of violence. But I was confused and – if I’m honest – really annoyed at the kettling the police performed after the game. Trying to walk to the East Ham Working Men’s Club (aka my favourite place in the world) was a ridiculous mission, given that there were upwards of 25 police officers forcing fans to walk across the street, forward 5 metres, and then back across the road to cross one tiny street. What on earth was the point. Even the police officers admitted it was ridiculous to make fans walk such a roundabout way. I’m hoping this was a one off as we, as fans, didn’t have any such incidents last year that would lead police to herd supporters such a bizarre way after games. It seemed entirely unnecessary and insulting to fans who did not deserve to be treated as if they could not handle crossing a road.
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It was a good game today, and a strong start to what I hope is a strong season. We will look much better of course once Carroll is back, but this was a good start. I’m expecting big things from the Hammers this season, and today only served to reinforce that belief.
What did you think of the game today? Did you learn anything different from me? Let me know below or tweet me @makingthemarrow
The game was just what we needed to start the season off. I thought downing was a fresh of breath air can not wait to see him and Jarvis operating down both flanks. But I agree we need another a stand in for Carroll, what I saw of maiga his body language did not look right, knowing Carroll is out I would of thought I can be be number 1 and make it difficult for Sam for selection purposes.
Good start midfield looks good, defence ok just need another striker.
Three at the back? Demel – Collins – Reid – O’Brien… (That’s a back four to me)
How he played Obrien in front of Rat I can’t understand !!!!! He’s a covering player end of !!!! Two nil up so bring Morrison on and give him confidence and match play but no , normal BFS . I was there and don’t be kidded by the result and just think ourselves lucky that we played Cardiff who are definately down !!!! Big plus factor , Downing looked the part .
A fabulous start to the season, the strength in depth we have is brilliant. I can’t remember a time when our second eleven was as strong as our first eleven .but that’s what we have now COYI 🙂
I’d like to Morrison get a few games from midfield. Nolan had quiet game by his standards but still popped one in when given the chance. I doubt we’ll buy another striker of quality given the wage capping?
should have put Morrison on there was no point in putting vaz tee on weve seen him.
Looked 433 to me. Good to see j cole get through would like to see morrison get chance why not put vaz te in striker pos while no caroll
Cos Vaz Te is shite !!! Morrison all day long mate !!!
Joey O’Brien’s selection was a bit of a surprise but he was excellent – and some nice flicks here and there coming forward. I think he’d be better still at right back where he belongs and let’s face it, Demel does make you fret more than any other defender we have.
Morriosn should’ve gotten a run instead of Vaz Te who is yesterday’s man methinks. He’s not a proper centre forward and we ave so many options out wide….I’d sell him before Tay;lor who can slip in to left full back and iis useful from set pieces etc.
Downing was stunning – they couldn’t deal with his two-footedness – whichever direction you shepherd him he can still cross it accurately!
Got a good feeling about this season, once Carroll is fit, Downing and Jarvis operating on the flanks, were going too be a handful for most teams we play,
I have to agree with the comments regarding the police. There must have been over a hundred in full riot gear preventing fans going up Priory road to Upton Park station. Bearing in mind no history of any violence either in that area or with Cardiff fans this was totally incomprehensible. Fans had to exit southwards and with coaches parked in the road (all with police escorts) this caused an unnecessary and potentially dangerous crush.
A disabled man aske if he could go through the barrier but was met with a totally unsympathetic response. Who was the bright spark who thought that this was a good idea?
we are overloaded in midfield vaz should have been sold long ago and why is tayler still here?still time for things to happen i hope this is not the finnished product
Yes it was a good performance.But lets not be deluded,Cardiff are a poor team.But in saying that ,their are a lot of mediocre teams in the PL nowdays.The best players are no longer plying theit trade in the PL.Even Man City with all their money are only attracting the bottom end of A League stars.I believe if West Ham get it right we can finish in the top eight.We don’t need a replacement for Carroll,we need a second quality striker.Everybody is remarking how strong our midfield is ,claiming that Diarra and Morrison are like “new signings”Lets say it like it is:if we had continued to play Sam’s love child,Matty Taylor,in centre midfield ,as we did last year.We would of got relegated this season.The midfield was piss poor.Diarra IS a classy player,while Morrison is the most technical gifted English player ,alongside Jack Wilshire.The most intelligent player since Yossi in his prime.The trouble is his mental state.He is like a recovering alcholic,confidence is fragile ,if not played he could have a relapse.West Ham CANNOT afford that !!Get him on the pitch Sam !!.Speaking of Yossi -he’s on a free .Still a classy player.Snap him up!Nice to have him in the squad in case it goes belly up with Ravel or Joey picks up an injury.Which he will do at some point in the season.Time to get shot of Taylor,Collison,Henderson,McCartney and Maiga.Vaz Te needs to be played through the middle.The boy can’t cross a ball,so its no use playing him out wide.However he has exellent predatory instincts and is capable of producing something special in front of goal.Ask Brighton !We are more than a football club,we’re a way of life !COYI’S !!!
Rather routine win if I’m honest! Didn’t get out of 2nd gear ( nor did the crowd). But didn’t need too! Cardiff were rather poor. My only concern is an old one, when we loose the ball around the half way line we loose our shape and open up thru the middle allowing teams to have a clear run on goal. We got away with it today but will get punished against better teams. However, all in all an encouraging start to another good season! COYI!