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FIVE things we learnt about West Ham against Crystal Palace

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Ricardo Vaz Te Crystal PalaceWe took a lot of things away from the Crystal Palace game – the most important being three precious points. We saw a brilliant game of football, watched some new signings shine, and learned one giant overwhelming thing– that Big Sam has some explaining to do about his previous tactics.

The injury to Kevin Nolan forced Sam to change from his regular formation, and some strange things happened as a result. We played two strikers, and we saw goals scored (crazy how that happens, eh?) We saw entertaining football. Hell froze over. We did have a shaky period after Marouane Chamakh scored against us (how and why does this keep happening), but it was a really positive afternoon for the Hammers. With that in mind, here are FIVE things we learned about West Ham against Crystal Palace.

The apocalypse might be coming. Soon.

The signs were there— we played with two strikers, and as a result, we played attacking football and actually got a result. Carlton Cole bears the brunt of a lot of supporters’ anger at times, but the man is not suited to a lone striker system. When he had support up front on Saturday, he put the ball in the net – prompting the BBC to write that “Carlton Cole quickly re-established West Ham’s supremacy.” Ace. Also, how good did Mauro Zarate look for the Hammers? With this format, Stewart Downing had players to aim for, and managed to score a goal of his own, which is great news for the lad.

On that note…we really did make some good signings this summer.

Cheikhou Kouyate put in another strong performance, and has the potential to really grow and develop into an outstanding player. Zarate scored on his debut, and looks hungry for more. I was glad to see Diego Poyet make an appearance too, brief as it was, as the boy looked good in preseason games. Debutant Diafra Sakho was unlucky not to score, and it’s incredible to see that we’ve got options on the bench instead of just Teddy Sheringham (which was a genuine concern of mine.)

Believe in Better.

Where we didn’t look that great was after Palace scored—and this is something that still should be improved on. Most teams get a little rattled where they are scored against, but they come out fighting as a result. We get rattled, and then we get as shaky as can be. The portion of the game after Chamakh scored was terrifying, and too many West Ham fans remember how easily we throw away a lead—and I think the players remember this also. We must come back from goals stronger, and not let our confidence be so shaken.

We can play football when we want to.

The best thing we learned on Saturday is that when the stars align, and the gods allow (and we put two up front) that we are capable of playing good football. We played well against Palace. Yes, they are sans a manager and in serious trouble, but they put up a darn good fight against Arsenal last week, and we should be really proud of these three points.

Big Fat Sam has a big fat decision to make.

We know full well the only reason Kevin Nolan wasn’t out there is because he was injured. Nolan has done a lot of good for West Ham in the past (notably being top scorer time and time again) but is there still room for Nolan in a team that performed this well without him?

I don’t have an anti-Kevin agenda (okay sometimes I do when he’s not putting in 100%)— as long as he’s giving West Ham his all and staying onside every now and then, I think he can contribute to the team—but I also don’t think it’s a bad thing for West Ham to have put in such a strong performance without the captain.

This strong midfield performance without the skipper will hopefully act as a catalyst for Kevin to concentrate on his individual performance and inspire him to work to earn a starting place over some of the other decent contenders for starting positions around him. This should be a good thing, for him, for the team, and for the supporters.

Overall, Saturday was a great day for us. We saw a great team selection, with some great substitutions to boot. Of course teams can and should be adjusted to best counter the opposition, but it just felt like this is what we wanted – exciting attacking football, and a chance to entertain and take away all three points. We’ve got a big footballing week coming up as we play host to both Sheffield United and Southampton, and I’m glad the Hammers are going in to it knowing that they are capable of giving a great game – and knowing they are capable of winning.

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9 comments

  • The Cat says:

    Maybe I’m old school but when I read headlines like “Big Fat Sam has a big fat decision to make…
    I can’t read on because I’m not a child, I haven’t retained my schoolboy humour (last had it forty odd years ago). Emily I have enjoyed many of your posts and commended you on them, but I believe Big Sam firstly deserves respect for saving this club on a shoestring budget (you cut your cloth accordingly) and now he has been given a “Real” transfer budget he will have a plan A B & C. There are not many supporters who criticise him week in week out, actually have the first clue about managing a professional football club at the highest level.

    Loyalty is a Big thing between managers and their captains & although we played better without him & were more creative, I look at situations objectively and feel the manager needs to be allowed the grace to slowly release his captain respectfully.

    Where I come from it’s all about respect!

    COYI

    • notanyoldiron says:

      Come on Cat. Emily was doing a bit of tongue in cheek. I’m of your generation and any humour is welcome these days, schoolboy or otherwise. Emily is speaking for 98% of West Ham fans. You mention loyalty. Bfs gave Nolan a 5 year deal at something like £50k a week. How’s that for loyalty. Cat, there is no loyalty in pro sport anymore. Anywhere. The big bucks put paid to that. West Ham cannot afford to carry passengers. Skipper or not. If he was a very good skipper he would know himself that he doesn’t, currently, deserve his place! Made very clear yesterday.
      Keep up the posts Emily. Particularly with an injection of schoolgirl humour. Some of us ‘old boys’ still enjoy it. Lol

      • The Cat says:

        I’m sorry notanyoldiron it may be tongue in cheek but respect and tongue in cheek are NOT bedfellows in my book and the difference between speaking for many and speaking for ALL is Vast. 98%? I truly doubt it. I wouldn’t use tongue in cheek with anyone who has done as much for the club. We may be of the same generation, but I’m afraid but I’ve grown up & that sort of humour when it comes to my club doesn’t quite cut it.

        When the team do badly Big Sam gets stick, when they do well, it’s got to be down to someone else. Some of us need to grow up and give credit where it’s due!

        • notanyoldiron says:

          Thanks Cat. Maybe you’re lamenting the ‘good old days.’ Emily speaks for the majority. That’s a fact. Unless everyone on these sites is lying. I give credit when it’s due. And in Sam’s case, right now, it isn’t in my opinion. His poor team selection, and use of subs, cost us dearly v Spurs. He was FORCED into picking Zarate yesterday. And look at the difference. The difference is a fact. Not conjecture. Nor is it an opinion. If
          Nolan had been fit, he’d have started. You know it, I know it, and, probably, 30000 fans know it. It would have been a very different game.
          Now, on a personal level, because you introduced it. I have grown up Cat. But I haven’t yet grown old in my thinking. You think about it Cat.

    • Brian McFlipper says:

      Jesus, lighten up fella !! The article was in no way disrespectful and after so much negativity, and DESERVED after the nonsense that’s been served up by Allardyce for so long, its nice to see some positivity being served up. Nolan has been a joke for so long I cant remember. The Allardyce/Nolan love in has cost West Ham dearly and the manager has lost a lot of respect because of his blind allegiance to his long standing mate. You get picked on form, not how long you have known someone !!!

  • PalaceKev says:

    West ham looked good simply because Palace were pants on the day! losing one of our defensive players during the warm up and obviously all the turmoil after Pulis done a bunk!
    We’re in the brown stuff for sure but don’t think you’re on the up just coz you beat Palace 😉

    • notanyoldiron says:

      Thanks Palace. Pulis wasn’t there last week when you held the might Gooners for 92 minutes! We don’t expect to finish ‘on top’ but fully expect to finish above you!
      Best of luck though for the rest of the season. Hope you stay up.

  • notanyoldiron says:

    Just hearing breaking news that Kevin Nolan’s injury may be more serious than first thought. I have been on of his detractors of late, but I would like to wish him a very speedy recovery. He deserves our support regardless of our views on his current footballing contribution to the team.

  • stuart says:

    shame BFS has to be forced to pick right team !
    nolan has been dogsh*# for 80% of the time at west ham, but get’s picked every week. we looked more balanced without, our “past his sell by date” captain.
    oh and how many times has Vaz Te got to prove, he ain’t premiership quality, before the stubborn one, stops picking. especially when we have a lot better players sitting on the bench ??

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