Harveys_HammersLH wrote:Just got back - I'm in no state to make a full report so that will come tomorrow.
Anyway I felt we looked much the better side and I was impressed with the team. Collins was fantastic as was Gabbidon while Dailly impressed in the holding midfield area for me. Konchesky also impressed me today and our defence looks very solid.
Licka looked bright when he came on while I felt Harewood was poor upfront and highlighted the fact we need to bring in a good striker. I also felt Carroll and Newton played well today as well.
Yossi did not have much time to make an impact but he showed some very nice touches and nearly scored late on so I hope Pardew plays him for a good 70 minutes against Den Haag.
Who was number 19 btw? We asked one of the medical staff and he just said "Sid" to us which gave us all a good laugh as he seemed to have no clue who he was. Can anyone help?
As I say I'll write up a report tomorrow sometime but I was very impressed with us and felt we played very well today.
I agree totaly with HH. First pre-season game I've been to and I was impressed. First a general overview. We totally out-played Palace. We looked atleast a division above them.
Carroll looked good. Made a couple of decent saves, looked in control and was great with some quite awkward back-passes confidently booting them downfield.
Gabbidon looked good, composed, got up and down the pitch well.
Konchesky for me was man of the match. Looks confident and hard in defence. Great energy, covered a lot of ground. Linked well with Matty, got to the byline and whipped in some good crosses.
First time I've seen Collins. Liked him. Good positionally, good in the tackle, looks confident.
Ward was the same Ward we saw at the end of last season. What you see is what you get. Big guy, safety first defender. Not pretty but effective. He believes in getting the ball as far away from the West Ham end as possible as soon as possible.
Dailly, playing in his best position, looked good. Reads the game well sits in front of the back 4, taking pressure off them and freeing up the full-backs. I think he'll be great for us ths season.
Reo Coker. Had an OK game but we need more from him. Doesn't seem to be playing with enough confidence. Not really sure what his best role is. I think he'll play a bit-part role this season.
Williams. Didn't look up to it. OK game but didn't really do anything to effect the game.
Etherington really looks back to his best. Full of energy, plenty of pace, always involved and Johnny on the spot for the goal.
Teddy is class. Made a dozen great little passes and through balls. If only everyone in the team had his vision.
Harewood. Had some chances, made a few good runs, most just sort of faded to nothing. Lovely work to create the goal. I'm not a fan of Marlon he flaters to deceive. He wastes too much. Someone said he could cost us our Premiership status. I tend to agree.
The subs. Newton looked lively, saw a lot of the ball, beat the full-back, whipped in some crosses. Everything Williams wasn't. I liked Licka. A lot of vision, very positive, again everything Reo Coker wasn't. Who is he where is he from Pards sign him. The 'trialist' looked positive. Nice touch, whoever he was worth another look. Yossi in his 5 minutes all I saw was that he really is a stick insect makes his shirt look like a tent!
Gd, I hate being this positive, it's not natural. But add Ferdinand and probably Repka and please, please, please a new striker and we've got a team to relly get behind.
****!
