So, after 37 games we’ve finally achieved what like it or not was our only real objective for this season, survival. Our third (yes third) win over Spurs this season secured our status and as a consequence the tempest surrounding Big Sam’s future has abated, in fact that victory and the manner in which it was achieved has in all probability secured his own future in the Hammers hot seat for next season.
The performance against Tim Sherwood’s boys was incredible; it had everything we’ve lacked in our four straight defeats; verve, determination, tenacity and most importantly a cutting edge. In many ways, Tottenham Hotspur at home was the perfect fixture for Sam Allardyce; he’d already masterminded two victories over the Lilywhites and he knew even his harshest critics would be silenced by a yet another victory over our neighbours.
From the first to the last minute we were in complete control and it was only the brilliant Hugo Lloris who kept the score line respectable. The extra man we had in midfield really told as we were able to overrun Spurs and put them under constant pressure; it really is incredible when you consider what Spurs spent on their midfield that they could be so easily marshalled and dominated by Mark Noble and Matt Taylor.
Against Tottenham to a man I thought we were magnificent, we snapped into tackles, closed them down quickly and we carried a threat throughout the game. We started the match quickly, got on top and didn’t relent until all three points were in the bag. There were so many top individual performances but I’d like to single out Stewart Downing who caused Spurs problems for the entirety of the contest. It was his surging run which forced Youness Kaboul’s red and though the Spurs wall was as flimsy as their performance I must admit it was nice to finally see West Ham score from a direct free-kick. (Lord knows we’ve conceded from enough of them this season.) It was by far Downing’s most impressive showing for the club and I’m sure there’s more to come from him next season.
Whatever fans may think of Sam Allardyce his West Ham record now reads promotion in his first season and safety in his next two, we realistically as a club couldn’t ask for anything more.
Lastly on the win over Spurs; I remember when beating them used to be a big deal…it simply isn’t anymore. It’s sweet but whilst a win over Tottenham was something we use to be able to dine out on; it now just seems a bit run of the mill and to be honest it’s something we expect these days.
Next season we should be stronger, this season has been testing but the experience of what has been an incredibly difficult campaign will surely have battle-hardened our squad and should give the fans a bit of faith that we can come through the difficult times.
Now I’m not trying to say that one swallow a summer makes! or that our best performance of the season by far can make up for some of what has gone before! But we were truly brilliant today! Carroll was simply unplayable! Nolan was like the Nolan of old! (I really thought he was gonna flatten solfloppo), downing oozed class and confidence! And noble just walked on water! Even mo stopped sulking long enough to be at his most frustrating best! The crowd was bouncing and the ground was rocking! Altogether a brilliant day! Everything else can wait till the end of the season where more than likely they will work out for themselves! Let’s just enjoy the day! I know I did! COYI!
Hey i don’t mean to come across bitter but “run of the mill? and what you expect is to beat spurs? Really? To me you raised your game 3 times against us because quite simply it meant more to your players, they wanted it more and treated it with a much better attitude then our players fair play, but to say you expect it when before this season you beat us once in something like 8 years is bordering on arrogance. How can you expect to beat a side that has finished above you for at least 10 years now, and even after today’s defeat still 26 points ahead of you?
I didn’t expect it, in fact I was praying for it. I am fully aware of the quality that Spurs possess. The best team on the day won my friend.There’s been psycological warfare going on against our manager here & it worked. Now all we need is for Kevin Nolan, who being from Liverpool, is Liverpool mad, to captain our lads on to victory next week, as I’m sorry, I’d much rather see Liverpool win the title than all that power & money that City are using again, to buy the title again. I am gald UEFA are pulling them up about it, as I can’t stand it when money dominates everything.
Sorry, I meant to say, I am glad UEFA are pulling them up about it, as I can’t stand it when money dominates everything.
Haha haha ha ha,unlucky we are better than you spud
Yeah your position in the league shows that !!!! What a dumb statement !
Well said could not agree more. Won’t be sorry to see the back of this season but onwards and hopefully upwards. COYI !!
Spurs have been prolific of late but what happened yesterday? At times I thought that we were playing seven men, we were that dominant. I have been slagging Mark Noble off this season because of his lack of pace & unwillingness to go forward. However, yesterday apart from a couple of hiccups, he was outstanding being adequately bolstered by Matt Taylor.
Stewart Downing was superb on the wing. Carroll, Nolan & Diame were revelling in the atmosphere. Sam definitely got his tactics right yesterday. With Taylor getting so far forward & having a few pops at the goal, drawing the defence, allowed more space for Nolan & Carroll. Let’s hope that we can stymie ‘Citeh’ next week with more of the same. COYI
At last a performance that the fans deserved.For all the pudits wondering what westham fans expected or wanted well yesterday was what we wanted and expected from our team but it would be nice to get that level of commitment/performance more often.we don’t expect top five champions league cup finals etc all most of us want is good honest open commited football.Well done West ham for ending my season on a Massive High.
COYI
I Agree steve I have been following the hammers for over fifty years and each year we get highs then lows etc but good wins against sides in the upper tier of the premiership are what makes a loyal fan go home happy (I even started thinking big fat sam is okay)
To the spurs fan who said it was bordering on arrogance that we expect to beat you.I have been a supporter of West Ham for more years than I care to remember and in all those years I have never seen a Spurs side turn up at our place looking so scared and toothless like you did yesterday.We have played you three times don’t forget and scored 7 goals against you.You say our players raised their game.well that just proves to me that we do expect to beat you like the three times we already have. COYI. ps can we play you every week?