I know it’s poor form to blame the ref, especially when both goals we conceded against Palace last week were terrible individual errors, but seriously Mark Clattenburg, what were you thinking?
West Ham
That sending off totally changed the flow of the game. At 2-1 up against Crystal Palace we were looking more than comfortable. But as anyone who’s played football will know, when you’re a goal behind, something like that going your way can give a side an enormous lift.
As for the sending off itself, it was a ludicrous decision that gets even more ludicrous with every viewing. If that was a red card, we might as well give it up; you simply wouldn’t be allowed to slide tackle.
Fortunately, the red card was rightly rescinded - poor Kouyate’s second rescinded red card this season. But that doesn’t help the fact that for about the fifth game in a row, a referee has made an incorrect decision that has hurt us.
Special mention on this week’s column for Ian Wright; who as pundit for Match of the Day, thought Kouyate’s red card was deserved. Don’t suppose that had anything to do with wanting Kouyate suspended for the Arsenal game, did it?
Alan Shearer responds to Ian Wright's view of the Cheik Kouyate dismissal
Arsenal this weekend. Arsenal were, once upon a time, a team I didn’t really mind. Sure they moaned a lot and were insufferable bad losers, but they did have some decent players and their supporters weren’t nearly as psychotic as Spurs fans.
Nowadays, however, I have a fairly significant dislike for Arsenal. I put this down to their anger at what they perceive to be the injustice of constantly finishing in the top four under Wenger; aided and abetted by the hilariously depressing Arsenal Fancast videos, featuring the likes of ‘Ty’ and ‘Claude’. As Danny Dyer says; you’re rubbish now, deal with it.
Fingers crossed we do it this weekend. If only so we can enjoy another embarrassing Claude rant on Monday morning.
Podcast
Our guest this week was Steve Lomas in an appearance recorded in December 2015. That episode was actually recorded on the same day that James Longman recorded his last episode.
It was recorded so long ago that I’d forgotten to remove the part of the interview where I ask Steve what time he has to leave - a little peak behind the curtain at the inner workings of the Podcast there, you’re welcome.
This week's dream team: Longman, Lomas & Scull. Pic: KUMB.
That was the first time I’d met Steve and I have to say, I was totally shocked by how normal and personable he was. The way he did his business on the pitch (combined with his infamously violent spell as manager of St Johnston and that steely Northern Irish twang) had convinced me the guy was a nuclear grade psychopath.
However, when he turned up, he had us laughing in moments; regaling us with stories of going down Epping Forest Country Club with Iain Dowie. What a night out that must’ve been - “lock up your daughters Epping! The lads are on the town!”.
Our guest next week is the man credited with producing some £80million=worth of West Ham Academy footballing talent. It is going to be very, very interesting.
The Rest of Life
Owing to a period of illness last week, I was able to read Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s autobiography. If you haven’t picked it up, you absolutely have to. It is undoubtedly the most entertaining football book I’ve ever read. Well worth reading - if only to hear how much he hates Guardiola.
Zlatan hates Pep
Wouldn’t it be great if he’s playing for us next year, scores a last minute winner at the Olympic Stadium against Citeh - than runs to Guardiola and cups his ear? A guy can dream.
* Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the highlighted author/s and do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy or position of KUMB.com.
