It’s been a while since I’ve woken up smiling on a Sunday morning.
Sam Allardyce has described this week as a “season-defining” week for West Ham. He’s certainly right about that; and what a start we’ve had to the week. We knew Fulham was a six-pointer, and a strong team performance has now elevated us to 15th in the table (with a goal difference drastically preferable to the team above us. Just saying.)
It was a deserved win. Fulham did not play well, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we got a lot of things right yesterday. Modibo Maiga wasn’t played drastically out of position and had support, meaning he was able to contribute to the game and was unlucky not to be on the score sheet. Kevin Nolan seems to be learning, as he waited until 16 minutes into the game before moving into an offside position for the first time.
Mohamed Diame was fantastic, Guy Demel did well and, fortunately, Fulham did not manage a single shot on target. That must have been a relief for Jussi Jaaskelainen, as he has had two games where awful errors led to dropped points, and probably needed a game like this to settle his nerves.
Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Ravel Morrison made for outstanding subs, and I was so pleased to see Carlton score. George McCartney delivered an impactful performance on his return from injury (with the exception of the yellow card – from where I was sat it did not look deserved, but I admit that I did not have the best view of it.) McCartney kept his side of the pitch locked down, moved the ball up the field well, and recovered to get back to defend very quickly.
It was a good and well needed three points that came from a strong team performance.
Of course we must remember that we are not out of the woods yet, not by a long shot. In the next two weeks we will have to work hard as we’re playing the other two teams in the relegation zone. Those two games are still six pointers, and if we want to stay out of trouble, we must win them.
And as for our “season-defining “week well, I couldn’t have dreamed a better start if I tried.
What did you think of the game? What made the difference today compared to other games we should have won? Let me know below or tweet me @makingthemarrow
Fantastic second half. Nolan coming off left room for Joey Cole & Ravel Morrison to go on the rampage. What a player we have in this lad when he’s going forward. Hope we can keep hold of him. Carlton Cole’s goal was an absolute peach. I was so pleased for him & for Downing for the assist.
Away from yesterday’s game, a disturbing rumour passed my ears last night whilst chatting in my local to the effect that Andy Carroll was in that Belgium clinic for reasons other than a football injury. Hope it’s not true. C’mon Andy we need you back. COYI
The Andy Carroll ‘rehab’ rumour has been doing the rounds for weeks & has been pooh poohed as a load of tosh by everyone that knows anything about the club. Chinese whispers, nothing else.
I agree a brilliant second half im really pleased for the Cole twins will done boys and as for big Sam please take note , strikers yes strikers IS the way forward so stop being so stubborn, we have to really good wing men in Jarvis and downing who love to feed STRIKERS yes STRIKERS ! , and as for our midfield they are holding their own, will done mr noble, our defence is almost complete, hurry up back Mr Reid . A good team effort boys thank you all,one more thing PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, West ham supporters STOP booing our boys on the field it really doesn’t help boo big Sam and let him know your not happy ,because he is the one who is playing them out of positions and sticking with a formation that isn’t working .