West Ham United 1 Fulham 1

Thursday, 26th December 2002
by Steven Barlow

Boxing Day, in recent years, has been kind to West Ham. Perhaps a bit too kind because today we had nothing like the kind of good luck witnessed in the last few Boxing Day encounters.

A combination of the early start, the Christmas hangovers and our woeful predicament ensured a subdued crowd. The team news brought its first shocks. Freddie Kanoute fit! And Ian Pearce dropped altogether!

So the usual suspects left to battle for desperately needed points - despite their repeated failures this season. Pearce's relegation to the subs bench (and eventual appearance up front) means Titi Camara is now firmly rooted as the last choice striker - and I doubt we will ever see him in a claret and blue shirt again.

Fulham were supposedly ravaged by injury and suspension (although that certainly didn't appear to be the case to me). We started brightly with Freddie looking sharp and Carrick pulling the strings in midfield. But any impetus gained was soon undermined by David James.

James, who was the best keeper in the Premiership last season made an appalling start to the game. In an almost 'McKnightesque' moment he hit a backpass straight at the advancing Sava and almost saw the ball end up in our net. Things didn't get any better for him. His distribution was awful and his all round display was nothing more than panic inducing.

Our best chance of the half fell to Steve Lomas of all people. My heart sinks every time I see his name on our team sheet, and this was one of his performances that strengthen my dislike of him. His passing was awful, tackling non existent and his finishing was typical Lomas i.e dreadful.

Following a cleverly worked move, Seb Schemmel put in a good cross. The ball came over to Stevie, in the box, 10 yards from goal. Result was the ball nestling high in the stands. Chance wasted, an opportunity to allay our nerves, get on top and grab the impetus gone in the time it takes to say 'you useless tosser'.

Apart from a Dailly header from a corner (and when do we ever score from them??) the rest of the half fell away; we were nervous, defended poorly, attacked with little purpose and (Carrick apart) the midfield was non-existent. Thankfully Fulham themselves had little to offer. The half time whistle came with us on level terms; it was a blessed relief to end a turgid 45 minutes of football.

Half time. Time for Glenn to spur his troops on, motivate them into getting out there and gaining 3 valuable, vital points. Did he???? Did he f.......

We came out looking even worse. Still no passion, still no commitment to the cause. It was no surprise when Sava turned in a cross from the right early on in the half. Unmarked, he really couldn't miss and ran to the Fulham fans pulling on his trademark mask. How we could have done with them in Dowie's days.

The biggest shock of the day came when we scored an equaliser. We had done little to deserve it. Christian Dailly met a corner kick with some purpose, forcing Legwinski to handle; the ref duly pointed to the spot. Cue some debate in the stands over who was to take it. We had faith in no one.

Trevor Sinclair picked the ball up, Freddie and Jermain each had a word but Trev decided to take it. He tucked it away ... just. Surely now the game was in our hands.

Then came a stroke of genius by Roeder. Having just drawn level, desperate for three points and looking to win the game Glenn (God bless him) decided that Freddie was not the man to win the game and decided to stick Pearcey on up front. Myself, I would have taken Lomas off and stuck Don Hutchison up front with Fred and Jermain. There's no point in drawing anymore. We need to win. But Glenn knows best..... allegedly.

The result, we were on the back foot again. James made a fantastic save from Marlet tipping a fierce shot onto the post, but time and time again Fulham came at us looking the more likely of the two sides to score.

Lomas eventually made way (for Hutchison) following knocks picked up from a tackle by Repka and a collision with the linesman. Don almost scored with a looping header but was denied by a good save from Maik Taylor.

Then in the last minute, with Fulham pushing for a winning goal came the most controversial moment of the game. Their player handled by the ball - missed by the officials - before shooting narrowly wide. Tomas Repka was incensed by the miss and let referee Gallagher know it. Having been booked for his outburst, he stupidly continued his verbal assault. A red card was duly shown and we were duly down to 10 men.

Off he went & a chorus of 'f*ck off Repka' went up. Now I'm not condoning his actions, but this is just what we didn't want. Tomas was stupid to react as he did, but could perhaps be forgiven somewhat as in recent weeks he has been our best defender and has regained the form so sadly lacking earlier in the season.

And then it was all over. A point gained or two points dropped? Either way, with news of Bolton stuffing Newcastle it wasn't enough. An air of resignation fell over the departing fans.

Nobody I spoke to believes we can stay up - the truth is we don't deserve too. Another truly shocking display, more truly shocking decisions from Roeder and the truly shocking refusal of Brown to get rid of his puppet tarnished Christmas for the 35,000+ fans at the ground and the thousands of West Ham fans around the globe.

I'm sorry to say this ladies and gentlemen but we're down. The players, despite the repeated claims by themselves and Roeder don't appear to care either. They haven't the fight or passion required to keep us up.

Millwall, Millwall here we come.

Player Ratings

David James (6) Usual mixed bag from Dave. Sometimes shocking, sometimes class. Nothing in-between.

Sebastien Schemmel (6) Great going forward. Created our best chance. Defensively lacking, but strangely rescued us twice at the last moment.

Nigel Winterburn (7) Never let us down.

Christian Dailly (6) Two good headers from corners. Never looked comfortable with Marlet and Sava.

Tomas Repka (7) Good game tarnished by his mouth.

Trevor Sinclair (4) Ok he scored the penalty, but that apart was woeful. Sincs has been having an absolute Reggie for the last few weeks. If only we had someone to enable us to drop him.

Michael Carrick (8) Our Man of the Match. Bright, busy and crisp passing combined with a workrate that put his fellow midfielders to shame.

Steve Lomas (3) I never want to see him play for us again, he is clearly out of his depth. Jeez, he'd look out of his depth playing for a pub side.

Joe Cole (5) Joe, what happened mate? Where was the inspiration we needed? Where was the spark?

Jermain Defoe (5) Not in the game at all. Needs a break. Needs to become the supersub of last season once again before Roeder completely destroys him.

Frederic Kanoute (6) Started brightly but was then starved of any real service. We've missed him. Glenn has been saying that for 12 weeks, which is obviously why he took him off ...

Subs:

Ian Pearce (5) The man isn't a striker. And he will never become one in a side that doesn't get crosses into him or play to his strengths. Lets hope we see him defending again real soon.

Don Hutchison (5) Clearly far from match fit and sporting a bizarre blonde/grey highlighted hairstyle. Unlucky with a late header, but didn't really get in the game after coming on.

KUMB Stats

West Ham United: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Cole, Lomas (Hutchison 76), Carrick, Sinclair, Defoe, Kanoute (Pearce 68).

Subs not used: Bywater, Breen, Moncur.

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Brevett, Malbranque (Goldbaek 78), Legwinski (Djetou 65), Wome, Davis, Sava (Hammond 89), Marlet.

Subs not used: Herrera, Knight.

Booked: Legwinski, Winterburn, Repka.

Sent off: Repka

Attendance: 35,025

Referee: Dermot Gallagher

KUMB Man of the Match: Michael Carrick

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Match Facts

West Ham United: , , , , , , , , , , .

Goals: None.

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.

: .

Subs not used: .

Goals: .

Booked: .

Sent off: None.

Referee: .

Attendance: 0.

Man of the Match: .