Premier League
Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Ham United 

Saturday, 12th September 2009
by Gordon Thrower

This was one of those days when nothing went quite right at any level. As a favour to a forum member Romford and I had agreed to escort some young American ladies on an expedition to the delights of Wigan. That plan failed at the first hurdle as the young ladies in question, presumably having found “Wigan” in their guidebook next to the word “avoid” failed to meet the appointed meet at Euston. Joyful, being of more hardy stock than our cousins from across the water, had made Euston in time for departure and Romford’s lad Luke completed the quartet that made its way north.



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Player Ratings

Robert Green
Some comfy saves in the first half. Unlucky with the goal.


Julien Faubert
Celebrated his HOTM and the more prestigious KUMB.com POTM awards with another improved performance.


Danny Gabbidon
Looked a bit out of position for the goal and, whilst he is no stranger to the left back spot, I?EUR(TM)ll be a bit happier when Cheri returns.


James Tomkins
Ok defensively but will be having nightmares over the two free headers that should have seen him mark his accession to first choice defender with a goal.


Matthew Upson
Steady enough at the back as he readjusted to life alongside Tomkins.


Scott Parker
Held the middle well and was unlucky to see his half-volley turned over the bar by the ?EUR~keeper.


Mark Noble
This was the sort of game he ought to have been taking by the scruff of the neck but didn?EUR(TM)t. Picked up a deserved yellow early on for a niggly little kick and was on a bit of a knife-edge thereafter.


Radoslav Kovac
I couldn?EUR(TM)t quite work out what he was supposed to be there for. Unfortunately, it appeared that neither could he.


Junior Stanislas
Failed to provide any significant attacking threat and faded into anonymity as the match wore on.


Zavon Hines
A decent full debut. Chased down the ?EUR~keeper a few times and displayed a sense of urgency that few of his team-mates matched.


Carlton Cole
Not one of his better days. Failed to cause the defenders any bother.



Substitutes

Valon Behrami
(Replaced Kovac, 63 mins) Good to see him back. Too early to tell maybe but hopefully the long layoff won?EUR(TM)t have affected him too much.


Allesandro Diamanti
(Replaced Stanislas, 63 mins) Promising start. It remains to be seen whether the form shown in a 20-minute cameo will translate into something more tangible but fingers crossed eh?


Frank Nouble
(Replaced Noble, 86 mins) On for what is becoming his traditional few minutes at the end without really causing any trouble.


Peter Kurucz
Did not play.


Jonathan Spector
Did not play.


Manuel Da Costa
Did not play.


Josh Payne
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Julien Faubert, Danny Gabbidon, James Tomkins, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Radoslav Kovac, Junior Stanislas, Zavon Hines, Carlton Cole.

Goals: None                   .

Booked: Mark Noble 28          .

Sent off: None.

Wigan Athletic: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Thomas, Koumas, Gomez, Diame, N'Zogbia, Rodallega.

Subs not used: Pollitt, Edman, Cho, King.

Goals: Rodallega (55).

Booked: Figueroa (69), Bramble (83).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Alan Wiley.

Attendance: 17,142.

Man of the Match: Julien Faubert.