Money on it's way?

Well, we've read this a hundred times before. We've said that next time, we deserve better, just like SJ Chandos (now on "West ham til I die") do now. Still: Nice reading HERE

Another sticky, stinky 0-pointer against Toffees

So three days after the game I was able to pick up the copy and no doubt we were a bit unlucky.. no points against Everton again but a loads of chances in the second half. We did not play bad. We were the better team. But... And the loss of Carlton Cole is huge.

But I do wonder if the way we always seems to loose energy in the first half - after about 15-20 minutes - and more waits for the game just to continue. It's like Zola/Clarke wants this relief to the game and this kind of "acting", which you can see as a bit of cowardness, seems to cost us in more games than this.

I know we can't run like monsters during all 90 minutes. Still, if we are not able to kill games off (which we never can) with our first energy we need to find something else to hurt our opponents but play a waiting game. Can speed make up for the energy? Or team smartness? Movement? Not losing control, liability, or power as indiviudals, but still able to find the team spirit even if the energy level lowers? Just to keep the opposition not to rise their own power and spirit?

Green 6 - Not much to do at all. Were never able to see Sahas first shot and was a bit unlucky on their second.

Faubert 7 - Really impressive game. Had a lot of help defensively by Behrami but did play like a modern FB. Back to want we want and need?

Da Costa 7, 5 - I'm not so sure that we will miss Ginger sooo much. This boy seems to take his chance like a full pro. I can't really remember a mistake, plays with a lot of comfort and smoothness. And he can not only jump as high as Ginger, he can surely pass a ball too!

Upson 6,5 - As always I miss him to show us that he is the captain in the team. Had a decent game but with 100 percent luck (?) he could have been helping Green with both of their goals.

Spector 6 - Not involved much but he did things totally OK. Moved forward and took care of most thing on his unfamiliar place on the field.

Collison 6 - Started the first 20 very bright, but all of a sudden we did not see anything more. Was subbed halftime. Was he injured from the start?

Parker 8 - Great game. Man of the Match. What stamina, what energy!!

Behrami 7 - Very, very important for the team, one of his better games lately. Still I expect even more offensively.

Jimenez 4 - Another disappointment from the Chilean. It looks how I felt when I hadn't been playin basket (which I did) for fourteen days and still thought I could go out on the field and do my very best. Which I was never able to, the legs were always to weak after a lenghty layoff. Jimenez legs do also seem to weak, but still he seems to think he can do it. Will not start against Hull, I'm quite certain.

Hines 4 - After the matchwinning performance it's not unusual that a young player will come back with a nightmare game. So for Hines who were unable to do anything right for all 90 minutes this time. Still think that it was good by Zola to play him. Will hopefully learn a lot from this game. One out of the three golden opportunites should be a goal. At least he moved good out there....

Franco 7 - Important contribution. Moves well, meets the ball well and I liked the way he moved to Hines just after a missed opportunity just to push the youngster on. I like this guy!

Subs:

Stanislas 6. On at halftime. Good contribution with speed! Nothing spectacular today but gives the team new energy, width and new opportunities. Will need a goal in one of his next three games I guess.

Diamanti 7 - Well on in the 56th (JImenez off), and what a difference a diamanti can give. Explosive energy will and commanding the field with surgical passes and loads of failured shots. Do we like this guy? Well, next time his contribution will lead to a win everything will erupt! Can Zola keep him outside of the first eleven longer? Well: Yes I suppose so, only the team knows if he can do 90...

Tired!

A(nother) loss that really shouldn't have been.

Kate Perry as a new West Ham-toy.

The awesome victory for David Hayes (a devoted Millwall-fan) against Valujev.

Hard weekend.

Speedy recovery Ilunga!

Lately I have been a bit fed up with Ilunga’s lack of commitment. He seem to be interested in the attacking part of the game but strolls back to retake his position as left back. What pisses me off is that he undoubtedly has the talent and he is OK defensively when he puts his mind to it, but too many times we find ourselves without a left-back when the break is on.
My theory is that this is one important reason for the shaky look of our back 4. Ilungas absence stretches the remaining three players too much and leaves holes that are not easily covered.
Now this happens in every team in every game, the back 4, as well as some of the midfielders must be prepared to take on defensive duties of a player that has “gone missing” for one reason or another. But the reason for not being there must be a good one! Ilunga does not seem to be able to present any reason other than lack of interest for his defensive duties! How this can be tolerated by Zola and Clarke is confusing to say the least.

On Wednesday Ilunga was replaced by Spector after a few minutes and even though it was a blow for the team and Ilunga, I was very eager to see what kind of impact this would have on our defensive game.
But Villa refused me any opportunities, at least during the first half of the game.
Again and again Heskey, Young or Agbonlahor tried to outpace poor Faubert – but didn’t really get passed him. They did create the corners and it almost seemed as if this was their primary goal. (no wonder 10 out of 15 Villa goals has come from dead ball situations). However, this left Spector with an easier task. Eighteen times (!) Villa chose to attack on their left side compared to 4 on Spectors side and 4 in the middle during the first half.In my eyes Fabert had a brilliant game but why Villa kept at it is beyond me!
In the second half the stats evened out a bit as NRC replaced Heskey, but still they charged down Fauberts side twice as many times as on Spectors.

So basically, the jury is still out – Spector did well in that game, also when attacking but let’s see how he performs against another opponent!
But then, the best thing would probably be that Ilunga got well and understood that a speedy recovery of his left back spot after we lose possession is vital for our defensive game!

Optimal timing and opposition?

The most interesting questions following the 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa is why we did not implode following our 1-0 goal, why we managed to keep up our game for the remainder of the game?

The games of late have been discouraging as the lack of morale and/or belief in our ability and/or game plan has resulted in a mental breakdown as soon as we have something to hold on to or lose. The Sunderland and Fulham games in fresh memory…
When we have nothing to lose however as in the Arsenal game or after the 1-2 goal by Gera in the Fulham game, or after the 2-2 game at Sunderland, we suddenly have nothing to lose and we are able to play football again.

I’m fully aware that this is a general sports phenomenon and everyone that has seen a few games can appreciate the change of face of a game that follows any goal of “importance”. However, as with the flu, the symptoms of the disease can vary significantly. West Ham of late have shown the “full blown picture”.

Why then did we not suffer from this in the Villa game?
The answer is in the timing of the goals as well as in the Villa game plan. Both goals were scored in overtime – not giving us the time for the typical “rebound nervous breakdown”. Zola had the opportunity to install some faith in the troops during the break, sending them out into the second half with a greater belief in themselves and the cause. To be quite honest, there was not that much time to show the signs of a mental breakdown after the brake either as their equalizer came only 7 minutes into the second half and a few of those minutes were used for the penalty debacle (not the save – the call!). Still, during the opening minutes of the game West Ham did not seem to suffer much from post-scoring stress syndrome.
The deduction here must be that we would be in a far better table-position if there were timeouts in football…

But the Villa style of play certainly helped. They did not, for the entire game, put our ball carriers under any significant pressure during the early buildup phase. They focused on cutting off passing opportunities, and even if this was effective in getting the ball back, they regained possession in their own half and they didn’t put the panic installing pressure on Parker, Behrami or Collison.
It can be that Villa was the optimal top 15 opponent for a team with the shakes.

Thanks!

Thanks Zavon Hines! U saved my evening.

Well not to mention all others, including Robert Green.

Hines first goal in PL and his injection to the team means a lot. Thanks!

The team that faded

Before the game I had accepted a draw as a pretty good result, as Sunderland seems to be a hard nut to crack at home. After the game - when we got that single point - we all seem very disappointed, and of course we should be, after having a 2-0-lead and again lost a lead when the opposition acted with only 10 men.
I saw the game a couple o hours (on the telly) afterwards but had of course read reports from fans and journalists. Most of them told me that we had a terrific first half but were awful in the second. I do not see that clearly as the first 30 minutes of the game was pretty even and we had spells in the second half that looked decent. But our last 15-20 minutes of the first half was as great as the second 15 minutes in the second half was scrappy. As Kovac, Noble and Spector all was underperforming most of the game the big change was - I would say - while Collison had a awesome first half and where Behrami was important too, that our important midfield men lost the plot (or their breath) in the second and where never close to put pressure on Sunderland or create a positive own play. That was enough.... 2-2 after a lucky second goal from Richardson. Well, they deserved it alltogehter.

The referee Mariner was bad and Steve Bruce may complain in the way Jones had to go, but I think he should be more than happy that Cana stayed on the field. He could have had a second booking three-four times. From the tv-repeats I can hardly see that the free kick that Sunderland was awarded (and gave Kovac a yellow card) which Andy Reid took so beautiful was a freekick at all. And Kovac's sending off was totally wrong...

But: I may be a little bit more positive than others here. As I was surprised by Zolas more than careful starting lineup, I also saw what we can do from here and at least we had some very good moments going forward which we've hardly seen before this season. Now we got to transform this to more than one-pointers! Can two home- games change this? First Villa and then Everton. A couple of weeks ago I would say that I would have been happy with two points from this games. Now I want six! And actually think we could have at least four!

Green 6 - Not challenged at all in the first half (besides Reids freekick where Green not acted at all as he didn't have a chance), made three very important saves in the second and was very unlucky at their second).
Spector 4 - No, he is not good enough. And when Tomkins had a pretty bad day as well, and Behrami went fatigue in the second half noone was there when Sunderland stormed down their left flank. The best moment of the Americans game came when he had a wonderful cross towards Cole in the second half, but he looked lost defensively all the times with Reid and Richardson. I can't see Faubert as a solution to our RB problems either, and once more I would try Behrami in this position. Or Gabbs.
Tomkins 5 - After a couple of great games this was not one to remember for the youngster. A handful of mistakes in the second half (after a quiet first) may have kept him awake last night.
Matthew Upson 7,5 - Great and solid as a rock in the first half. Wonderful! But faded in the second, well he did OK still, but as a Captain you need to take those rough decisions and push the team forward when it blows hard.
Ilunga 6 - Ups and downs during the whole game. Pushed the team forward when he could in a good manner, and had some harsh moments with Jones (who was rightly sent off after pushing Ilunga in the face, even if Ilunga actually acted like a dying bird in the moment as well) but also did some mistakes in the middle of the park. We've complained that he must run back to his position faster when the team loses the ball, well he did today.
Behrami 6 - Very involved! Made mistakes as he yet has to be friend with the ball, but was also very important with his fighting spirit and no nonsense play. Which we need and I like. Faded.
Noble 5 - Another not so impressive performance. While the rest of the team had a good first half and a below pair in the second I think Noble fought better after the interval. Made too many sloppy half-mistakes during the whole game though.
Kovac 4 - Did we miss Parker! His first half was pretty bad, his second was awful. He is not reliable in Parker's role. I'd rather play Noble in his position next time Parker is suspended. Kovac should be an important senior player in our squad but still looks like a teenager.
Collison 7,5 - His first half was absolutely his best in a West ham shirt ever, and one of the best of a West Ham player this season. Put up both goals and dominated the midfield. His lack of match fitness may have cost not only him but the whole team in the second as our midfield all of a sudden acted like a bust baloon.
Cole 7,5 - This man is good! His first half was excellent and even if Paul Merson may have been exaggerated a bit (or not seen Cole in the game against Mersons old team Arsenal where he was outstanding) I have to quote: "First half he was unplayable. He was absolutely phenomenal. It was like an 18-year-old playing in an Under-12’s league. Honestly, he was frightening, absolutely frightening. He was Drogba, he was absolutely brilliant." Opposed to many in the team Cole had even a decent second half.
Franco 7 - The surprise of the day. This certainly does not look like a new Tristan! His first goal may have been an easy tap-in. But he played very mature the whole game and I think he can be important for us from now on.

Subs:Diamanti 5 - Came on late in a game which does not suit him. Our players where tired and he was not able to fight down Sunderland by himself. One decent shot though. I would have started with him.
Hines 5,5 - Some very good moves. Should have been given more time.

Please do not look at the table yet!
Villa next!

414 days

Today we can count in 414 days since Dean Ashton played a game for his team. Since his first start the 1st of February 2006 - three years and nine months ago tomorrow! - he has started 43 games and subbed 13. Well, 19 goals as well is not that bad. Zola does not know - it seems - when he can be ready for our next game. In small letters: Pity!

Today our manager could confirm another setback as Dyer is injured again.... just as he was ready after last injury. The poor bloke has managed 6 starts and 9 subs for West Ham since he arrived in August 2007.

Well, that has nothing to do with our game against Sunderland which I would like to see as follows:

Green

Behrami Tomkins Upson Ilunga

Diamanti Collison Kovac Jimenez/Stanislas

Cole Hines

I guess my hope won't be fulfilled. But a point would do, Sunderland is a very strong team at home, so we'd better put up another fight like the one we did in the second half against Arsenal. I suggest that Hines scores his first PL goal!

All of a sudden: Energy!

I'm sorry if I misspell things today, as my palms are still wet of sweat. What a finish, what a game! 0-2 down against Arsenal after one heavy mistake and another goal too cheap. We playes allright, created as much as Arsenal did but still was far away from any points. So two changes: Diamanti and Hines instead of Novle and Zola and all of a sudden everything changed. Zola usually make his changes far too late. But not today. Diamanti and Hines both had the opportunity to change the game. And they did. Carlton Cole had been awsome, but far too alone (as usual). But all of a sudden he had som players to play with. All of a sudden we had 2-2! And I will not apologize! The penalty was not the easiest one to spot, but on the other hand it's easy to that Parker should have had one moments earlier. This may be the moment that can change things! All of a sudden few things looks impossible as long as we have the spark of energy that Diamanti and Hines put in the game.

Green 6 - Well, was he at fault at the first goal when he ran into Tomkins and was unable to reach the ball (it fell to van Persie for an easy tapin)? Yes, probably. But things happened very fast and Tomkins did not see a thing. On the other hand Green had two really good saves in the game, on in the last dying minutes which saved us a point.

Spector 5,5 - Did not convince me, but on the other hand played more safe than Faubert. Well, most of the times. He may not be the answer, but I'll give him a couple of more games... Weaker than Faubert but less foolish mistakes.

Tomkins 7 - Another good game from the youngster as he took responsibilty in the middle and to help Spector out. Was strong in the air and fought hard.

Upson 6,5 - Good game.

Ilunga 6 - Better than lately and tried to push forward. Which is not the easiest task against Arsenal, but was level with Sagna. Missed a few good crosses though.

Valon Behrami 6 - Important fighter for us, but far from his best yet after his injury. He can handle his opponents, soon he has to be able to handle the ball too.

Mark Noble 5 - Rans like hell, tries to be everywhere and do the corners as well as the free-kicks. But very little happens. When he put the questions, and goes to the head of the game he must be able to give some answers too, force some kind of conclusion. The speed is lacking, even if he contributes with other things, like his big heart. I'll rest him to give others a game now.

Scott Parker 6 - Good first 45, disappeared after half-time. Before he raised his energylevel again and firstly wasn't awarded a penalty that I think should have been given and later on was given wo yellow cards. The second one was an awful mistake by and insecure referee. He controlled the ball after he - in a very decisive monent - came in front of Eduardo (?), was pushed down and given a yellow. Stupid decision.

Jack Collison 5,5 - Few things happened here, but he progresses from game to game after his lengthy layoff. And in the end he actually had new energy to give the team. We do also have to remember that our midfield had very good opponents today.

Guillermo Franco 4,5 - A bit like Tristan in his debut. Could't affect the game at all. But good in the air despite quite small.

Carlton Cole 8,5 - King on the pitch. So strong, so impressive. Awsome. And a goal as well! My wife told me that Cole will play in "a better" team next year. Hopefully not, but the other players have to lift themselves to his level, now he is too often left stranded on his own like a whale. Well, he was given some help when Hines and Diamanti came on.

Subs:

Diamanti 8 - He may shoot too often and sometimes try to reach his teammates running around him instead of trying too much on his own. On the other hand he gave us the energy so much needed. He gave us the weapon of his left foot. The freekick was great, the penalty even better! Liked his old hairstyle better.

Hines 7 - Gave us the energy so much needed as well. And pace! I want this youngster to start!

Kovac 5 - Late introduction, just given a few minutes as he will probably start next game, when Parker is out.

A new dawn!

Sunderland next!

Still hope!

Just a link to WesthamtilIdie and an article I do agree with totally: HERE

Is Zola too afraid?

No, I did not see the "incident" where Robert Huth thought it was a K.O. contest he was invovled in and swung Upson to the ground.

I was actually not able to see anything of the game, but some video highlights after the game. And it really looks that Faubert is at fault for both goals. The second should never be able happen at all.

So another loss. Another game we should have won. But did not.

One thing is clear though. You have to critisise Zola for his substitutions. They have always been too late. But today was a really disastrous example. We had to get some points. But our first change came when there was just 12 minutes left. And Hines (who I wanted to see from the start) came off replacing... Diamanti! Far too late, but as important: Why not Kovac or Faubert or Noble?

Diamanti is a threat and the minute after he had been taken off we had a great chance with a free-kick close to the box but no Diamanti left on the field. Stupid.

Stanislas came on even later (then replacing Kovac) and Franco got ONE ! minute (in his debut). Why??

I do not know if there are some statistics that teams loose if they make the offensive changes too early. but I do not care: I did not know that Zola/Clare were so afraid of losing that they did not dare to win.

Arsenal next....

At last (?)

Long time no see, and sure we have missed the breath of Premier League. We are many that have spoken less about West Ham than we usually do during this break, as we try not to demonstrate too clearly that we are all a bunch of maschochists.

We have also really tried to avoid all the papers imaginable as one may contain a Premier League table.

And we have in silence seen, but not spoken too much about, our new record, that we are the club that have the first keeper to be red-carded in an English shirt. (Well, all because of a former Hammer has lost the plot, we know).

Hopefully - and this I do mean - we have not listened to those porn-men Gold & Sullivan when they say they want to buy their "beloved" club but - as they see it - not for any money at all, as it it totally bankrupt. Which they of course want to tell the world.

So now is the time to go back to the field. And Zola has spent his time to tell everyone that he will stay (as we already has told you - and him) and that he now is finally convinced how to best use his players. We have a nearly fit squad (Dyer is missing and the pizza man, I've forgotten his name by now) to grab three points against the surprisingly strong Stoke. They have Fuller, Kitson, James Beattie, Tuncay and Etherington as more or less threats which is not a bas selection. They have Delap, Shawcross and Lawrence and are hard to beat at home. Still we usually do. But would we be able for once cope with an early home lead? There's a lot of questions and I'm not the one to answer them this time. As there is to many insecuritys after our weak sart of the season. Another loss against Stoke will leave us on as many points as during the season 2002-2003. Still I have faith in this team. I have faith in the manager and I will support him and the players as long as they fight until they bleed. One player who will not bleed tomorrow is Scott Parker, as he is suspended. Not a good game to loose him, but tell me one game that is....

So that leaves me with this formation:

Green

Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga

Diamanti, Behrami, Noble, Collison

Cole, Hines

Sub: Stech, Gabbidon, Da Costa, Kovac, Jimenez, Stanislas, Franco.

I can't see Franco start, but it's hard to see him left out for another game. I mean he played over 80 minutes for Mexico last weekend. Nouble on the othe hand has played three games in a week and needs a rest. We could maybe save Da Costa and put in another youngster as Gabbs and Kovac can be cover enough. Jimenez is a good player, but he need to convince me a bit more and as Collison is back and we may need Noble (another one who has to convince me) on the field when Parker is gone I'll sacrifice Jimenez this time around. Diamanti is needed as freekicks may be our solution against the hard men in red and white. And I really would like to see Hines and Cole together in a 442- formation. Hines scored two in his debut for England U21 last weekend and was the match-winner. You do not put a player like that on the bench.

Zola will stay

The persistent rumours that Zola will dash to Napoli as soon as he can, has - in my opinion - been dashed. Today our manager has been revealed as a Word Cup 2018 ambassadour, trying to persuade the big bosses to understand that England is the best place in the world for a football tournament. Would he have taken that stand and task if his mind was to return to Italy a s a p? No chance.

So; At least one less thing to worry about. For now.

Loseophobia or bewilderness?

loseophobia noun
/lu:z.ə’fəʊ.bi.ə//-ˈfoʊ-/ n [U] extreme dislike or fear of losing or failing.

Last year, following the initial two PL wins after Zola took charge we went in to a tragic period of 7 losses, 4 draws and one (1!) win before we could start to produce decent run in the dying days of the year.
The problem then was, as I see it, as much in the head of the players as that the system wasn’t working. The fascinating thing was that the angs of losing, back then, was apparent in the actions and eyes of the players while the talk from Mr Zola was that there was too much focus on the result, and that football was all about going out there and enjoying the game. There was supposedly no pressure on the players to win – just to play the game according to the plans.
If the players thought that it was important to try but not vital to succeed, why the loseophobia?

There are obvious loseophobic signs in the team today. Teams do go behind, some teams just handle it, some brake down. Why don’t our players just buckle down and work? Is there maybe another facet to their anxiety? In my experience the situation as such is not always the problem when groups start to repeatedly under-achieve under pressure, it’s that they are not quite sure how to go about fixing it. When you’re not sure how to fix a problem – the anxiety gets the better of you.
This brings up another memory from last fall. Noble was cited saying that the 433 system would take “a couple of years to get right” http://bubble-view.blogspot.com/2008/10/noble-art-of-4-3-3.html.
Could it be that the players still haven’t caught on to the style of play enough to trust it when the going gets rough?

We turned it around then...

Embarrassing second half

Many rivers to cross.... Well, Fulham was not our bridge to safety, 2-2 with a luckily defelected shot in the dying over-time minutes saved our players from even more blushes.... Can't understand how we were able to play the last fifteen minutes of the first half like we were Champions and then the last 49 like we were the midgets (no offence) of the whole English Pro system. Fulham played with ten men in the second half but were in control after Upson's clumsy challenge after 36 seconds in the second half. Not his only mistake this afternoon. I couldn't agree more with the TV-commentators: Were is our leadership on the field? Today our backbone-players, those the team shall rely on, those who fell totally prostrate.

Green 5 - The second conceded goal was not only his fault, but - one thing you learn as young is: if you are not certain to catch or box the ball when leaving your goalline. Stay put. You can say the same when he gifted the ball to Johnson in the dying seconds. Stupid....

Faubert 5 - An uneven performance. Worked pretty hard but failed to keep Gera in his pocket for their second goal. Some good crosses, some awful...

Tomkins 7 - Our man of the day in the defence. Strong and solid. Good game! The youngest took the biggest responsibilty.

Upson 3,5 - I've never seen him doing so many mistakes as today. I started to shout to Zola to put DaCosta on. I don't know if his layoff after injury had affected him or anything else, but this was far from what you can ask for by our Captain. We lacked the leadership onthe field, he gave away a stupid penalty and did not impress at their second goal either. Gave away possession and gave away passes. What's up? I doubt Capello will start with him next game.

Ilunga 5 - Another feeble impression from our Congolese. Seems to be affected a lot when the team looses confidence.

Mark Noble 5 - Fought hard, had the ball a lot but delivered very little. Another game with questionmarks for him.

Luis Jimenez 5 - Has not affected any game so far, and this was no exception even if he were more invovled in the middle of the park and had some good touches. After ten games I think it's time to ask for more... More pace, more ball, more goals, more good and fast deliveries.

Scott Parker 5,5 - Fought hard but fought to make any impression. I demand more!

Zavon Hines 5,5 - His play today was less impressive than before, and so it will be as he is new to the game and still young. But I think it was right to play him and he moved very well and had a great chance in the end of the first half. Could have been involved more as he challenged by moving from left to right, but his companions failed to see it. Or did not play him.

Carlton Cole 7,5 - Once again: Our only true "hero" of the day. The only one that really impressed. Good goal as he muscled himself from Hangeland and won the header. Was left too alone for big parts of the game. He can't win the matches by himself can he? Where is the midfield when he wins the ball?

Alessandro Diamanti 6 - I like to see that he always want to be involved. Shoots too much and have to find his teammates more often, but runs like hell, have a wonderful left and takes more responsibility than newcomers often do. One of his better performances, but still has a lot to learn.

Subs: Behrami - OK, did not make the team spark when he came on, but he should have been given more time.

Stanislas - A quiet start, then he really tried, and tried and with a huge bit of luck he gave us a point and saved the team for more awkward losses.

Well, this was embarrassing enough. Why can't we keep the standard through the whole game, or at least 60 minutes, why can't we kill games off, why can't we defend like we used to do? Yes we play some pretty stuff which we enjoy to see, as the first half was lovely to see, and I still Zola/Clarke have the answer somewhere. But it is a lot to do from now on!