Wednesday night was outstanding.
I certainly didn’t expect it to be. I’m worried about the Premier League, so I admit to being a bit relieved to see Sam Allardyce rest some of our regular starters, and give some of our bench a run-out.
I didn’t expect those who have been sat on the bench for most of the season to have outshone our A-team, and collect such a tough result at White Hart Lane. While it’s not good news for Spurs that our so-called “weakened” team beat them, it’s interesting to see some of the second string of Upton Park do well on the pitch against a team who are still sort-of pushing for Europe when a lot of our regular starters have been struggling against the likes of Sunderland and Stoke City.
Rare starts were given to Alou Diarra, Matthew Taylor, Jack Collison, Carlton Cole, and Adrian— most of whom were returning from injury. It was initially a nervous line-up, and pass completion seemed to be a thing we could only dream of, but eventually something clicked, and during the second half we saw the sort of football that’s been missing at Upton Park this season.
Diarra seemed quiet and went unnoticed for periods of time, but very little was able to move past him. Carlton Cole actually looked lively, Adrian looked very confident and comfortable at the back and –dare I say it—Matty Taylor played a blinder, and was my Man of the Match. He was fantastic; creative, strong and delivered some wonderful balls towards goal. He brought an attacking energy to the game that we have been desperately missing.
That energy, as well as a brave attacking stance enabled us to actually move forward in numbers, and attack with support. Mohamed Diame’s appearance at the end of the game was a great move, and his ball delivery was outstanding. The style of play meant Maiga finally had others around him for support, which resulted in him contributing a number of aerial flick-ons, and a stunning headed goal (not to mention it also meant #Maiga was trending on twitter.)
It certainly wasn’t a flawless game (the passing in the first half was terrible, and oh to be able to see what goes on in Joey O’Brien’s head when he sees a ball coming towards him…) but it’s great food for thought as to how we move forward towards saving our season.
We know we can beat Spurs and Cardiff as needed; now we just need to transfer that ability to everyone else in the league. Hopefully the performance by some of our underdogs will inspire a change to the season—and remind some of the regular starters that their positions are not by any means certain.
Oh and Big Sam? So far, Matthew Taylor’s only played in 32 minutes of the Premier League this year. If you want to start him on Saturday, please do. He’s earned it.
Just look at the difference in performance when players can actually look to move the ball forwards, support the man on the ball and dont spend the whole 90 minutes just trying not to concede. Taylor and Maiga actually looked half decent, especially Maiga who won every aerial ball and flicked several dangerous balls on for team mates. Lets just hope these dull defensive displays are now a thing of the past.
Well this is who I’d select to play against Man U today, subs in brackets. Yes Sam made a great selection on Wednesday night & his tactical substitutions were superb. This means we’ve half of our full strength team available to play as follows:
22 Jääskeläinen, 20 Demel, 03 McCartney, 16 Noble, 19 Collins, 05 Tomkins , 24 Joe Cole, 15 Morrison, 21 Diamé, 26 Carlton Cole, 07 Jarvis
Substitutes:
13 Adrián, 08 Rat, 17 O’Brien, 14 Taylor,11(Maiga), 18(Diarra), 10(Collison)
It’s toss up between Collison & Taylor who goes on but yes I agree with you Emily & think we should leave Joey on the bench.
Keep up the good work Sam & good luck to the team today.
Sorry, meant’ to say we saved half of our full strength team to play for today, meaning we’ll be close to full strength.
Football teams and Rock Groups have much the same in common, in that it is the group of fellahs that is important, and not who has the best players in the world. Super Rock Groups didn’t always work out; just the same as super teams don’t work out. I mean Manchester City have a collection of some of the most expensive super stars in the world, but as a team, this talented bunch of individuals doesn’t always work out. There was a Rock Super Group in the 60s called Cream, being a group of 3 of the most talented musicians in the world, comprised of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker & Jack Bruce. All brilliant individual players in their own right, but as a group they didn’t quite click. Whereas, the Rolling Stones individually, were not the best players in the world, but as a group, they were THE undisputed best in the world, and boy could/can they play. It’s just the same with Manchester City, individually, they have the world’s best players, but as a team? definitely not. I mean there are plenty of strikers out there that Sam could have signed, but no, it has to be certain that they would fit into West Ham’s team. I mean West Ham could have signed crouch, but no, he looks like joining Harry at QPR, and Dempsey, no he looks like going back to Fulham. Individually, West Ham do not have the best players in the world, but as a team, well we certainly proved against Spurs on Wednesday night that on the day, we can beat anyone. A team of brilliant, disjointed Man City individuals cannot always win a match. There are occasions where they really click, as they did when they beat Norwich 7-0, and then Spurs 6-0, but no, for a team that’s main focus is the Champions League against Barcelona & their Premier League title ambitions, for them to also be in the League Cup Semi Finals as well as the FA Cup, is just too much. The same goes for Man Utd, in being involved in 4 competitions, is just too much when it is really the Champions League & Premier League that they really want, & I reckon with Andy Carroll returning, that West ham will do them, and then beating Man Utd in the final is a real possibility as this will coincide with Man Utd’s agenda of involvement in the Champions League. Fergusson never focused on the League Cup & when it boils down to it I think that David Moyes will be persuaded to focus on the Premier & Champions Leagues, and that West Ham can really go for it, as winning the League Cup will be our only chance of gaining Europa League qualification! I hope and pray that I am correct!