pork pie
New member
You are right. They did tend to hoof it back to our defense. Maybe they were fully aware that we would just f*** about with the ball at the back and in midfield, and not create any problems for them?
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Best performance of the season last night
- Thread starter Chesney Christ
- Start date
You are right. They did tend to hoof it back to our defense. Maybe they were fully aware that we would just f*** about with the ball at the back and in midfield, and not create any problems for them?
The Large One
Who's Next?
Oh right, were they?
Genius tactic. Can't wait for Sam Allardyce's promotion to the England job.
darters74
New member
Easy to keep possession when we're going sideways and backwards. I thought I was at a rugby match half the time. We get in the final third and then don't know what to do, ah yes, give it back to Bridcutt, then Dunk etc etc
pork pie
New member
God forbid! It would be worse than another bloody foreigner getting the job. Mind you, for a manager with so many first choice players out, he did a job on us!
Richard Hebberd's Syrup
Banned
I'd hardly describe giving the ball away in areas where an opponent can't do you any damage as a genius tactic. It's more basics.
Twinkle Toes
Growing old disgracefully
That sums it up nicely for me too.
The Large One
Who's Next?
You're not seriously crediting Allardyce with that?
A silly goal, followed by a lesson in bus-parking...
I've got no problem with 'another bloody foreigner' getting the England job. The best 'bloody foreigners' are far better than the best English managers/coaches.
Brighton Breezy
New member
Oh come off it Alan. I am not a massive Allardyce fan but his team was very organised and we rarely, if ever, looked like breaking through his defence.
That sort of defensive discipline comes from the management.
He had players missing, good players, and he came, set his team out in much the same way we did for seasons under Mark McGhee who was portrayed as some sort of genius for getting us exactly the same sort of defensive, scrappy win as they got last night.
The Large One
Who's Next?
Yeah, they were organised, but I'd say we contributed to making West Ham look comfortable, principally by refusing to shoot. A few shots here and there, rather than trying to walk the ball in would have made a world of difference - and made West Ham play differently.
Aside from that we got through to the last third, especially down the wings, at times with ease (Jeez, even Painter entertained us with his one 'trick'). We hassled them off the ball, ensured they gave it away a lot and moved the ball quicker than in previous games. However, while Noone (for instance) was awesome in his approach play, he was woeful with his delivery. How many crosses bounced out for a corner? Is that good defending or shite crossing?
Igor Gurinovich?
New member
not a chance.
Tony Meolas Loan Spell
Slut Faced Whores
Probably Blackpool or Peterboro at home for me.
Brighton Breezy
New member
Agree to an extent. Our final ball was poor. But I felt we were too often ponderous in possession. Need to move the ball sharper. Movement, Mackail-Smith aside was fairly poor as well - which let West Ham pack certain areas knowing we would not pass through them.
I do think at times we look like someone playing Pro Evo. Pass it round, get it to the quickest player (Noone) and then try and dribble round everyone.
Richard Hebberd's Syrup
Banned
I'd say we mainly refused to shoot because we were on the edge of the area at best - while it was frustrating to watch, it would take a very good effort from there to beat a keeper of Almunia's standing. You have to give West Ham credit for not allowing to carve them open in the danger area of inside the box and restricting anything that you could call a real goal scoring opportunity, which all comes from defensive discipline which in turn comes from the manager
You may not like Allardyce and the way he goes about the game, but there is denying that he makes it work
pork pie
New member
With foreigners managing our national team, we should hang our head in shame! I have no problem at club level, but a national team should only be from that country, including the Manager.
The Large One
Who's Next?
I agree. But there aren't any decent English managers.
You can thank the FA for that.
pork pie
New member
THIS! Don't worry about Fat Boy, he is always so far up the Club's arse he looks out of their mouth. True fans can look at the bigger picture.
Medwayseagull
JCB
As much as I like Noones capacity to run at and beat defenders his final ball last night was woeful. We really didn't get any quality balls into the box to create any clear cut chances. Bit mystified by him being named man of the match ahead of Reyes or Greer - I realise its all about the sponsors preference.
Perhaps the club could look into a text system for fans to decide the man of the match.
Perhaps the club could look into a text system for fans to decide the man of the match.
The Large One
Who's Next?
Even edge of the area is fine.
If they realise you're about to shoot, it means someone will come to close you down. A small amount of space behind them has therefore been created. Granted it might be a tight squeeze 18 yards out, but 25-30 yards out makes them think again. Who know what will come of it? Deflection for a corner? For an on-rushing forward? For a goal?
If ya didnae shoot, ye cannae score.
Ooops, sorry.