FIVE things we’ve learnt about West Ham

There are always lessons to be learnt, sometimes these are from mistakes and sometimes they’re from observations. Here below are a few things that we have learnt from West Ham over the last week.

1. James Tomkins needs to stay off the grog:

Tomkins is a player I like, he could have left in 2012 but stayed loyal to the club. He is a good defender and key to us staying up. It was very undisciplined of him to lose his temper and get arrested. While I will admit I have done some dumb things in the past, this one takes the cake.

Having a big night out when your team is almost in the relegation zone and you play Arsenal in a few days is a bad call on his part. Not only that Tomkins has some big charges to face up to, I hope he learns from this and doesn’t put himself ahead of the team.

2. We can score

Three goals scored in two games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United is what we have been hoping for. While we didn’t win against United, at least we scored and we did beat Tottenham. While the defending against United was poor we did manage to breach their defence, and goals have been our downfall this season, so let’s hope that this is the start of something.

The Tottenham game was a brilliant game because of the endeavour and fight, as well as Modibo Maiga finally scoring. The fight and unwillingness to simply flake and die is what builds character in teams. This game didn’t include many players from the first team, but they got the job done, and some players surprised us with what they could do.

3. Mark Noble continues to perform despite the criticism

Mark Noble made 54 passes at 87% accuracy in the Manchester United game. He continues to be the passing man and help maintain possession when needed. While he didn’t go on some mad run like a Brazilian and dodge four players, he did his role in the team, which was to maintain possession and pass the ball. Anyone who has played the game knows when you have the ball and you have two players breathing down your neck with no space, your always looking for a bloke like Noble to pass to rather than give up possession.

Noble right now is a shining light for this team and any manager from another club who wants him will have to over pay to get him. I personally believe that he shouldn’t be for sale if someone comes knocking on the door

4 Adrian is good but Jussi Jaaskelainen is better.

There is no doubt in my mind who I would want in between the sticks. Yes Adrian is a good ‘keeper but he looked shaken at times and did concede three goals. Not only that his passing was fairly ordinary, while Old Trafford is a intimidating place, I still feel that he isn’t up to the same standard as Jussi.

The Finn has done very well and although he has had a few games where he has made a mistake he has pulled some amazing saves out of the top draw. We should keep Adrian, but for the next few games start with Jaaskelainen.

5. Arsenal are vulnerable.

The game against Chelsea was ordinary. I watched it at the airport and was so bored I almost fell asleep and missed my flight. There were a few chances but not many and they just wanted to hold possession, not attack. They didn’t look like a team that was too of the table.

And with less than 48 hours to recover and throw Christmas in there as well, many players won’t have recovered from the Chelsea game. This can give us a big edge, many players would have had a extra three days rest and be ready for the game, Arsenal are still sore from the last game. If Arsenal play like they did against Chelsea we should pick up a point or perhaps three.

Things are looking up, we are close but just not there. I hope we have turned the corner and are going to head up the table

Come on you Irons