FIVE things we learnt about West Ham against Fulham

Saturday’s match at home to Fulham brought a much-needed win for West Ham. It was probably a more tense affair than the 3-0 score line suggested, but it certainly wasn’t undeserved. So, for the first time in what seems like ages, something more positive can be written about how we played. Here are five things we learnt about West Ham in this match.

1. My god! Modibo Maiga can actually play!

I was advocating a start for Carlton Cole as the lone front man for this game and, while relieved that Sam Allardyce had actually put out a forward for this fixture, I was disappointed when I saw Maiga on the team sheet, given how poorly he had played in his West Ham career to date.

But he proved me wrong on this occasion and this was his best performance by far in a claret and blue shirt.

Firstly, we finally had an option to hit the ball long to when there were no spaces to play through, as Maiga seemed to out jump the Fulham defence and win a header every time the ball was hit up to him.

Not only that but his flick-ons were accurate, allowing the likes of Matthew Jarvis and Kevin Nolan to run onto them. He also held the ball up well and brought others into play.

His work rate was excellent too, which has been a real question mark with Maiga in his previous appearances, always providing an outlet, chasing defenders down, and making runs in behind the Fulham back four. This is exactly what you want from your lone front man.

More importantly, while he didn’t score, he looked a threat all game and had several efforts on goal, most notably early on when he hit the post from a corner. Lets hope this game wasn’t a one off and he can continue this form while we await the return of Andy Carroll.

2. We are more likely to score when we actually have shots on goal!

This may sound a little pedantic, but I saw a noticeable change of attitude when we had the ball in the final third of the pitch. Unlike in many games this season where players looked almost too scared to shoot from outside the area, and would always look for another pass, which would often result in messing up the move, today Allardyce seemed to give the team a license to shoot on sight, and we looked much more threatening because of it.

The likes of Stewart Downing, Modibo Maiga and Mohamed Diame all had good efforts from just outside the box, forcing the Fulham keeper into work. Indeed the crucial opening goal came from a shot from Diame outside the box, where a lucky deflection saw the ball beat the stranded keeper. I hope this continues.

3. Mark Noble is now our true leader on the pitch.

While Kevin Nolan has been a great captain for us, certainly off the field, he is currently offering us very little on it at the moment. Instead it was Mark Noble who was leading by example against Fulham.

It was a brilliant all action display from the academy product, always blocking the path of Fulham when they kept possession well for periods of the 2nd half, and putting in crucial tackles and breaking up play all over the pitch. I would be surprised if there was a patch of grass that he didn’t cover.

Our attacking moves seemed to begin with him too, playing intelligent passes forward and keeping possession when necessary. He’s been one of our shining lights this season, and probably one of the first names on the team sheet. With Nolan possibly in decline is he our captain in waiting?

4. I think some faith in Allardyce’s managerial skills has probably been restored after this game from the supporters.

Many fans – including myself – have criticised him for his prolonging of the 4-6-0 striker-less formations in the last 5 games, but against Fulham he got it tactically spot on.

He was right to start Maiga in the end who put in a fantastic shift, and I also think starting Diame was the correct decision, who could compete with the tough tackling Fulham midfield pair of Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell.

Most impressively, he made the correct substitutions at the right times during the match. Joe Cole came on when Matt Jarvis was looking ineffective in the second half, and he was a constant threat to the Fulham goal.

Then when Maiga was clearly tiring after his substantial efforts during the game, Allardyce brought on Carlton Cole, who went on to score with what I reckon was his first touch!

Finally, when Ravel Morrison came on, his energy and tricks on the ball was probably the last thing a tired Fulham wanted to see, and he had the time and space at that point to produce his best. Indeed, Morrison had a huge impact on the game in his short time on the pitch, playing a delightful ball into the path of Stewart Downing, whose cross was bundled home by Carlton Cole and then going on a breathtaking solo run before laying the ball into the path of Joe Cole who finished first time.

5. Stewart Downing really does look like a class player.

There have been plenty of question marks about the decision to spend £5 million on a winger in Downing, rather than another centre forward, but Downing has probably been our best player in the last few games, and he really came to the party here.

He seems to have so much more to his game than Matthew Jarvis, making it incredible he cost us about half the price. He can give defences nightmares because of the variations to his game. Whereas Jarvis seems to just cross the ball when he gets it, Downing is capable of taking defenders on and beating them, crossing brilliantly with either foot, and can cut inside and unleash a decent shot on goal. Not to mention his corners are always a threat. And what a ball for the Carlton Cole goal!

Personally I’m starting to think we got a great deal with Downing, and he could even force his way into the England World Cup squad if he carries on this form.

So there were many positives for Hammers fans to take from this contest, and things certainly seem so much better after a victory. However, a word of caution is that this was one game against a Fulham side who were playing poorly and down in confidence, even though they do have some quality players in their ranks. Lets see if this match breeds confidence for the upcoming games, and hopefully we can get a few more wins under our belts to see us out of relegation trouble.