West Ham Utd 1 Watford 1 (07/03/2012)

[Harlow Hammer]

I thought Vaz Te looked quite lively when he came definate inproved from the palace game.

Although I don't like the long ball game when played correctly it is effective. Shame we can even do that right some times, the two strikers on opposite sides of the pitch. Cole's flick on's to no one make him look bad but Baldock and Maynard should be sniffing round his feet picking them up.

I noticed yesterday that no one wanted the ball, no one want to drive the team forward and we had very little creativity in the midfield

When do eventually start passing it about we have been untouchable this season but as mentioned before when teams come to defend with 9 at the back is is very difficult to make that incisive pass.

I believe we would have scored more if they didn't have half the team defending on the goal line.

We also seem to be attracting a lot of new fans that think we should be strolling the league and winning 5 - 0 every week. Not going to happen and we need to grind results out against stubborn opponents.

[ihateroeder]

To be fair, WERE there actually that many chances for the strikers to bury last night? BFS says we created loads, but mainly what I remember is things continuously getting muffed in midfield. Faubert's boot is still the place where promising moves go to die.

[wizzo_66]

I'm not looking forward to promotion, because unless a totally new team is built, we are going to get seriously punished week in week out.

We said the same 5 years ago with Reo-Coker, Etherington, Zamora, Mullins etc.

I would have said the same about Swansea or Norwich last year. Get out of this division and everything changes. We're fortunate in this division that we currently have at least 5 Prem players (that you mention above) how many other sides in this division could say that?

With respect, a lot of us didn't, myself included. The team that was promoted last time out was young, hungry, full of pace, power and a manager at the helm who was willing to attack the premier league the "west ham way" - hate using that but the point I am trying to make stands.

This squad is more robust, more solid and more resiliant to play away from home. HOWEVER, it lacks the pace, width and creativity that made staying up in 05/06 a reality. Much like Swansea/Norwich are looking at this season.

[ihateroeder]

I think yesterday was the worst match i have been to in a long time. Both teams were abysmal and couldn't pass or control a ball properly and the crowd were truly awful. The boo boys were out in full force yesterday. Was funny when they booed Allardyce decision to take Taylor off and put Vaz Te on and drop Faubert to right back, when it actually turned the game on its head and rescued a point.

I dont think the Faubert aspect of this change turned the game on its head.

[Georgee Paris]

The Melon scale hit as massive 7.5 out of 10 last night as the wally's of West Ham United were in full voice. Carlton Cole and Faubert were described as 'fookin shight' and 'farkin rubbish' and fat Sam didn't know 'what the fark are you doin?' When doing substitutes. Seriously think when we have a full house it is because absolute R Soles have come out of hibernation and stopped watching barcelona to come to the Boleyn to see how we compare. Carlton vs Messi. I reckon I could have wiped out half the stadium if I had a ray gun.

[Dyer's Leg]

We said the same 5 years ago with Reo-Coker, Etherington, Zamora, Mullins etc.

I would have said the same about Swansea or Norwich last year. Get out of this division and everything changes. We're fortunate in this division that we currently have at least 5 Prem players (that you mention above) how many other sides in this division could say that?

I know I never said that.

The team seemed different then. There was a buzz about the place. Zamora, Etherington, Reo-Coker, they gave you a feeling of excitement when they got on the ball. Who we got in our team that does that now?

Take the younger players from that team. Zamora, Ferdinand, Reo-Coker, Etherington, all playing in the top flight still. Mixed in with seasoned pro's like Teddy, Shaka, Rob Lee, Powell, and the grafters like Mullins, add a Harewood, and Pardew should have done better.

We then put Yossi and Ashton in the mix the following season, and still on a high from our promotion, we were the Swansea or Norwich in our first season. Got found out big time in the second season though.

Hand on heart, I honestly can't see us being next season's Norwich or Swansea.

[ironilunga]

With the exception of Green, Tomkins, Faye Nolan, and Noble, the rest of them are just avarage players in an average team.

Its a team though that is in the automatic promotion places for a return to the prem. It is cobbled togeather by a manager who knows what he is doing. If we go up then many of the players will be released, or sent back to their mother clubs and the others will perhaps be squad players. The likes of Maynard, Vaz and Baldock are low risk signings that can be sold for a very small loss if they do not cut it in the prem.

Its all good at the moment.

[wizzo_66]

Hand on heart, I honestly can't see us being next season's Norwich or Swansea.

[Up the Junction]

When we do eventually start passing it about we have been untouchable this season...

As we were last night just prior to our goal.

Too often Green would roll the ball out to our back four who looked up ... to find the nearest player 50 yards ahead. It's not working at home and needs to be addressed.

[The Gibbins]

I dont think the Faubert aspect of this change turned the game on its head.

Im certainly not defending Faubert, he had an absolute mare It was a good move from Allardyce i thought, but Vaz Te certainly changed the game, was nice to see a player stay out on the wing and look to take his man on every time he got it.

[w4hammer]

Hand on heart, I honestly can't see us being next season's Norwich or Swansea.

We wont be- we'll be this season Wolves. Your earlier post was spot-on- we're just not very good.

If we cant score goals and close out game in this league........

[lukeWHU]

The Melon scale hit as massive 7.5 out of 10 last night as the wally's of West Ham United were in full voice. Carlton Cole and Faubert were described as 'fookin shight' and 'farkin rubbish' and fat Sam didn't know 'what the fark are you doin?' When doing substitutes. Seriously think when we have a full house it is because absolute R Soles have come out of hibernation and stopped watching barcelona to come to the Boleyn to see how we compare. Carlton vs Messi. I reckon I could have wiped out half the stadium if I had a ray gun.

Sorry, but are you saying that Cole and Faubert deserved to be applauded for their contribution last night?

[Marky]

I know we win our game in hand we aere first but this is the worst team I have seen in 10 years...our players bar a few are not even average. They cant pass or shoot to a decent level. Its so boring as well.

[rare as rockinghorse shat]

I know we win our game in hand we aere first but this is the worst team I have seen in 10 years...our players bar a few are not even average. They cant pass or shoot to a decent level. Its so boring as well.

Means to an end, my white friend, a means to an end...

Be patient.

[e17]

Until he plays, Ravell = Might be the new Gazza, might be the new Neil Mellor

Either way, although I agree with the comments on trusting the managers judgement, it is frustrating when you see all these youngsters going out on loan who look like they might be real football players, & then you go over there & watch Green punt the ball up to whatever we have up front, while the midfielder struggle to keep possession for more than 5 minutes.

Clearly all that matters to the owners & Allardyce is promotion. Which is understandable, but beyond just booing for the sake of it, I am amongst those who wished we'd played a bit more actual football this season...

& amongst those that is realistic that this is a two year plan we're watching, ie: get into the premiership, finish 11th, see what happens after that.

The problem is, it's genuinely quite painful to watch at times, will be next season too if we go up, & has been for the majority of the season.

Probably wouldn't care as much if I wasn't paying to watch it, & want what's best for the club beyond selfish childish moaning, but I can see why there'd be doubts about apparent skilful players getting left out based on more than just "have you see them in training?".. I've seen Nolan on the pitch, & although he's not been particularly bad since his return, he was 100% guaranteed an instant re-selection, & we have returned to the same standard & style of football (which I am NOT blaming on him, but I am linking with Sam Allardyce's judgement & selection process)

[beckton]

Oh right... was it Allardyce that laced up a pair of boots and morphed into Sam Baldock and missed 2 sitters on Sunday?
Or perhaps Allardyce that ghosted his way into the soul of the other players that have missed a good 5-6 gilt edge chances in the last couple of home games?

Did you mean Maynard?

How many chances did our strikers miss last night? The football at homes games generally has been **** to watch this season. And after another poor home performance the strikers are being blamed again! An easy scapegoat if hoofs up field are deemed goal scoring opportunities.

[Yea Why Not]

I reckon we'll finish around 12-15 next season with the thrill of the Premier League being enough to over rule any judgement on playing style. The second season however I can see the fans turning on Sam

Win, lose or draw I've very rarely enjoyed watching us play this season the games that i've been to. I'm kinda hoping Sam gets us where we want to be, keeps us there then passes us over to someone who could possibly bring the entertainment factor back to The Boleyn

If that was to happen it would be mission accomplished Mr Allardyce. He will be a dead man walking if he tries to become a long term manager of our football club

[beckton]

I know we win our game in hand we aere first but this is the worst team I have seen in 10 years...our players bar a few are not even average. They cant pass or shoot to a decent level. Its so boring as well.

But we've shown that we actually can, playing with 10 men.

[Matt of iron]

Carlton Cole is looking more and more like the Mr Hyde we should have sold 2 years ago for about £7m.

Sorry RARS but were you at the game yesterday?

What can someone do if they get the ball punted to them whilst getting doubled up on?

The football in the second half was beyond stupid, punt constantly.

[wizzo_66]

I reckon we'll finish around 12-15 next season with the thrill of the Premier League being enough to over rule any judgement on playing style. The second season however I can see the fans turning on Sam

Win, lose or draw I've very rarely enjoyed watching us play this season the games that i've been to. I'm kinda hoping Sam gets us where we want to be, keeps us there then passes us over to someone who could possibly bring the entertainment factor back to The Boleyn

If that was to happen it was be mission accomplished Mr Allardyce. He will be a dead man walking if he tries to become a long term manager of our football club

2012/13 - Stay up with Allardyce
2013/14 - Let him walk away after his contract finishes, no compensation to worry about, appoint Paolo Di Canio