Relive every moment of every first team game since the beginning of the 2005/06 season. Our archive of matchday threads originally posted in the General Discussion Forum.
bristolhammerfc wrote:For me with Ogbonna, it's his lack of anticipation that lets him down. Masuaku was increasingly pressed into a left back role and performed abysmally at it.
Yeah I'm not expecting perfection from any of our team, they all have areas to improve on. Ogbonna has decent pace, strength and generally does a good job. Him and Rice have been a bright spot to a very dull season.
As I've mentioned in this thread Masuaku was just dominated by Valencia all game.Credit to Masuaku in that he at least tried to keep tabs on his man, but yes I agree he doesn't offer a lot defensivly outside of being a body and a bit of a nuisance.
Loathe as I am to say it, but hats off to Pogba for not making a bigger deal out of Nobes grabbing him. A more snide player, especially a red Manc, would probably have gone down, screaming in agony whilst his mates plead for a red card. I suspect if that'd been earlier in the season, that may very well have been what happened - but it wasn't, and it didn't.
DasNutNock wrote:Loathe as I am to say it, but hats off to Pogba for not making a bigger deal out of Nobes grabbing him. A more snide player, especially a red Manc, would probably have gone down, screaming in agony whilst his mates plead for a red card. I suspect if that'd been earlier in the season, that may very well have been what happened - but it wasn't, and it didn't.
Fair point Dan. He is still an absolute nob though
His battle with Kouyate was about the only legit entertainment last night, along with Nobes's comedy routine. Thought Kou did pretty well to shut him down.
bubbles1966 wrote:
Jones and Smalling? The best centre half pairing in the country? Must be close to it.
I had a similar thought when I watched them (with Valencia and Young!) take on Spurs in the cup. They quietly go about their business, but are brave and tuned in well to each other's games.
Dan, Pogba booted Noble - not quite off the ball, but certainly with no attempt at playing for the ball. I think he was the lucky one not to be red carded. He looked frustrated by the combination of Kouyate and Noble, and I don't think too many oppo midfielders have been this season. Probably about the only highlight of last night.
bubbles1966 wrote:
Jones and Smalling? The best centre half pairing in the country? Must be close to it.
prophet:marginal wrote:
I had a similar thought when I watched them (with Valencia and Young!) take on Spurs in the cup. They quietly go about their business, but are brave and tuned in well to each other's games.
Useful for England.
Have to think I was watching a different game - Smalling was all arms and Arnie beat him easily several times on the floor with a simple stepover and burst of pace.
BabyClaret wrote:Have to think I was watching a different game - Smalling was all arms and Arnie beat him easily several times on the floor with a simple stepover and burst of pace.
You're not alone, I thought Arnie had the better of him too.
Evra to LCB and Cresswell to LWB...less chopping and changing ????
Not a big Evra fan, but they weren't slinging crosses into the box, and Cresswell would have (who knows) done better than Arfur who was truly dreadful.
Glad at least we got Wor Andy on, that was a positive.
Can't agree with Pinky about Jones and Smalling...Smalling should have been called for a penalty.. there's another photo on here with Smalling pulling Arnie's shirt to hold him.
It does help when Arnie was so isolated again - used to be AC like that when they played Big Hair either behind or in front of ...never got a look in..tougher with Arnie though he is much quicker, technically much better but not as strong in the air as AC and doesn't bully defenders quite so much. In full flight though he takes so stopping...
Mario , Lanzini and Masuaku are definitely 'bottlers' with regards tacking . At least they ran around a lot but we need more than that. We need them to win those scrappy little battles rather than just give up possession so easily. I was surprised that Kouyate stuck his foot in for once and wasn't afraid of getting hurt (maybe his contract is coming up for renewal). Noble was MOTM for me , battling for everyone and anyone to get that ball, break things up , retain possession. Need a few really good all round quality midfielders that will protect our defence and also win the ball and drive forward.
Lanzini and Mario simply wouldn't have been taught tackling back in Argentina and Portugal. Its way too Anglo-Saxon for their tastes.
I am being half-serious. Xabi Alonso made the same point about overseas midfielders. Even the best don't get all blood and guts about their football. I think its just a different ethic.
Right, I’ll have another go at this ........
I am at the other end from their fans
I think they were singing ‘you’re not West Ham anymore ‘(yawn)
I believe we responded with with ‘you’re not ****anymore’
Am I correct? If so what was *** ?!
Ta
sw3hammer wrote:Right, I’ll have another go at this ........
I am at the other end from their fans
I think they were singing ‘you’re not West Ham anymore ‘(yawn)
I believe we responded with with ‘you’re not ****anymore’
Am I correct? If so what was *** ?!
Ta
sw3hammer wrote:Right, I’ll have another go at this ........
I am at the other end from their fans
I think they were singing ‘you’re not West Ham anymore ‘(yawn)
I believe we responded with with ‘you’re not ****anymore’
Am I correct? If so what was *** ?!
Ta
I thought I heard 'you only live round the corner' sang back to them.