Nationwide Division OneNottingham Forest 0 West Ham United 2
Sunday, 28th December 2003
by Adam Smith
So it was off to the City Ground, Nottingham, the home of East-Midlands finest to witness the Sunday sermon being offered by two of football's purest preachers.
And for the 2-3,000 souls with blood lines predominantly originating in London's East End, it was fitting that we should take our pews in Forest's easterly away stand known in ecclesiastical terms as 'The Sanctuary'.Unfortunately for the 27,491 pairs of eyes that watched this offering, it was with sadness that they witnessed two sides that were mere shadows of their predecessors.
For Forest fans enriched all those years ago by Brian Clough's footballing philosophy, bringing names to behold such as McGovern, Lloyd, Burns, Woodcock, Francis and Robertson, they now know only disappointment and heartbreak.
Indeed, our honoured hosts were no less a mirror image of ourselves that brought us a crop of players that could have and would have challenged for honours had it not been for Boardroom ineptitude when the time was ripe.
With Christmas carol's fading away, the game itself could easily be likened to the advent candle that once burned brightly at the altar but now flickers dimly, reminding us of what could have been an imaginary footballing festive feast. The 1979 Forest versus our very own sides of 1986 or 2001 would have been a succulent offering.
After marvellous Marlon's departure from Nottingham, all eyes centred upon our new number 10. Sky Sports had decided that a mid-day kick off between these two illustrious clubs was too good to miss so there I stood beneath one of their many cameras to see Stockdale return to right-back allowing Hayden Mullins to retake his place with Michael Carrick in midfield. Kevin Horlock making way being the only change for a West Ham side looking to continue a reasonably impressive away record.
It was clear from the start that Forest were weary of Jermain Defoe's quick feet and bursts of pace and therefore sat back offering far too much respect for my liking. Indeed, playing as they did with a narrowish back line allowed Etherington acres of space in which to exploit. It was Defoe who may well have opened the scoring when Connolly's lobbed header in to their six yard box but the ball fell too far beyond the want-away striker, his toe diverting the ball away from harm's way.
It wasn't long before he made an impact though; Etherington's whipped cross being glanced on to Harewood who silenced his detractors with a simple side-foot volley to make it 1-0 to the Cockney Boys.
Watching West Ham is never like watching paint dry, anything can happen - and David James had to be at his best when he rushed out to smother Marlon's replacement, Marlon King.
Forest looked busy (if not effective) and had a couple of good chances - but never really made England keeper James work for his money. Andy Reid (a spitting image of John Robertson) always looked to be positive, running at pace and cutting inside, an attractive feature of a talent who must surely grace pastures new in the new year.
Both Robbie Stockdale and Wayne Quinn (both hammered by many after previous games) looked comfortable in possession and looked to get forward in which to assist in our forays. Quinn - always beatable on his outside - looked a little shaky defending however, and numerous times found covering assistance in the form of our bouncing Czech (ha ha) who is more akin these days to a defensive man mountain.
Tomas was everything he has failed to be in these two years since he joined us from 'La Viola'. His timing precise, his challenging fair, his temperament sound but his determination dominant, he was simply awesome and must surely provide the cornerstone upon which Alan Pardew will build his back four.
Harewood and Mullins both had good chances before the break, but it was Defoe who found Darren Ward in fine form, palming away the striker's shot following a ball in from the right.
Too often though, it was clear that whereas space opened up in front of the rampaging Hammers beckoning Carrick, Etherington and Mullins to drive onwards, the ball found its way to the flanks squandering prime openings.
Half time arrived and the temperature dropped - causing us all problems as we exited for our intermission lager.
A combination of too much Turkey, Carlsberg Export and Bombay-mix threatened to ruin my start to the second half as my irritatingly loose bowel gave me serious cause for concern. I returned to see us too light in the tackle, our midfield pretender (Michael Carrick) appeared lazy, uncommitted and not at all bothered when they won possession.
Its clear to me that we win only our share of first balls but too little of our fair share of second's and until we scrap harder for the pieces, we'll remain in this league. Steve Lomas - where are you??
As Forest were allowed to grow in confidence their playing shape opened up giving the Hammers space, something our players crave. David Connolly, a peripheral player for far too long in my eyes shot at Ward who tipped over for a corner. Defoe, always a threat over Dawson's shoulder, latched on to many balls in our left of centre channel but failed to profit from any.
The game was edging away from Forest and although we all have the feeling we need a second goal to seal a win, this looked unnecessary as Forest's young side wilted in the latter stages. So it was back to Mr Tomas Repka to epitomise what he was all about.
Whether it be shepherding the ball back to James, nipping in to clear or use his body to gain possession in bustling situations he was everything today. On one occasion he slid in to dispossess his counterpart, got up and played the ball away effortlessly ... fantastic. Contrast this with the lumbering Ian Pearce; clumsy, heavy footed and unsure. Our defence without Dailly is chalk and cheese.
It was fitting therefore that Tomas should ping an inch perfect pass (okay, hoofed clearance) 40 yards over Dawson's right shoulder for Defoe to sprint, cut in and shoot high into Ward's net to make it 2-0 with just six minutes left on the clock.
' 2-0 to the Cockney Boys' rang out, Pardew waved to us, Forest fans crept out and the game was over - but not before we should have made it 3, when a swift attack down the Forest left resulted in the ball skimming across the penalty area for Etherington to slam home. Ward's reflexes, however, saved the home side from further humiliation.
As the players trudged off to mass applause and chants of 'Super Tomas Repka', our very own doubted Tomas trudged over, removed his shirt and handed it graciously to one adoring fan. My boys loved it; they sang the tunes, they saluted the players and they had West Ham in their hearts. Who needs Playstations?
Defoe turned and waved as he departed for the Tunnel; was that 84th minute right-footer to be his last for the club?
We walked out and headed for the watering hole which sat underneath one of the stands belonging to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. Here I stood, drank and talked with Messrs Chalks, Sicknote, my mates Hodgy and Billy Whizz not to mention Kris Akabussi who we'd noticed in the ground but were not 100% sure it was the man of the wonderful laugh. It was, he was stood beside me at the bar. He laughed when I said "It is you isn't it? You wait 'till I tell my missus!"
I bought him a Guinness, he gave me the change, and signed his autograph for us all. A lovely man.
It was a great day out but not for fellow KUMB member Chalks who after his visit to Ladbrookes was in the mood to throttle Etherington for his miss that cost him ??170 after his fiver on us at 33/1.
The most satisfying thing however was the sight of David Pleat's face on Sky Sports when I got home after he'd overseen his Tottenham side fall in to the relegation zone. A sight to behold indeed.
That wrapped up the Xmas games that saw us lose one and win one; the sound of Jingle Bells could still be heard as we walked down the Radcliffe Road after seeing West Ham win away.
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Click to view all West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest match reports Click to view all match reports by Adam Smith Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
David JamesA couple of good stops, assured.
Tomas Repka
Superb; a dominant figure throughout.
Wayne Quinn
Useful going forward - but shaky at the back.
Ian Pearce
Slow and lumbering but won his fair share.
Hayden Mullins
Best game so far for me, always amongst it.
Robbie Stockdale
Reasonably comfortable but delays his crossing too long.
Michael Carrick
Lazy and ineffective; poor tackling.
Matthew Etherington
Ran all game and caused lots of problems.
Marlon Harewood
Always a handful, scored the vital opening goal.
David Connolly
A busy game but was often crowded out.
Jermain Defoe
Didn't do a great deal; the goal earns him an extra point.
Substitutes
Kevin Horlock(Replaced Connolly, 58) No time to impress.
Anton Ferdinand
(Replaced Stockdale, 89) Fell over before he came on to a chorus of jeers.
Stephen Bywater
Did not play.
Don Hutchison
Did not play.
Neil Mellor
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: David James, Tomas Repka, Wayne Quinn, Ian Pearce, Hayden Mullins, Robbie Stockdale, Michael Carrick, Matthew Etherington, Marlon Harewood, David Connolly, Jermain Defoe.Goals: Marlon Harewood 7 Jermain Defoe 84 .
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Nottingham Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Thompson, Dawson, Doig, Gardner, Stewart, Williams, Reid, King, Taylor.
Subs not used: Roche, Sonner, Gunnarsson, Robertson.
Goals: .
Booked: Taylor (60), Louis-Jean (69).
Sent off: None.
Referee: R.Beeby.
Attendance: 27,491.
Man of the Match: Tomas Repka.