man united

December 20, 2013

Man United vs West Ham Match Preview

After a confidence boosting performance against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup, it doesn’t get any easier as we go to Old Trafford to clash with fellow semi-finalists Manchester United. To get anything out of this game we need some repeat performances from the tie at White Hart Lane, albeit from a (probable) different look side, particularly from Maiga who will sure take the berth up top after nodding home the winner against our rivals.

While it will be tough to get anything I certainly don’t think it is a full gone conclusion, with RVP definitely out and Rooney a probable absence Moyes goes into this game without his two most influential attacking players. The obvious weakness in the Man United team is the strength of their midfield and our obvious strength is our midfield… if we  frustrate them and try and take control of the middle third we can pick up a positive result. Having said that, we will only do so if the likes of Diame, Morrison and Noble all perform like we know they can.

Just one more point, I think Matty Taylor‘s performance merits a place in the team. While I have been against it most of the time this season I think that playing Diame out wide and slotting Taylor inside next to Noble could be a good move, as the former Bolton man will be full of confidence after Wednesday night.  Diame also looked very dangerous out wide when he came on in the cup driving into the box and creating opportunities. Whoever plays one thing is for sure, we need to play like we did in the second half against Tottenham to have any chance of getting a result at Old Trafford!

Prediction: I expect it to be closer than people may think but unfortunately can’t see us picking up points, if we go out with the right attitude you never know. Full of confidence after Wednesday and with Maiga finally scoring, lets hope the goals start flowing for the Mali striker. COYI

 

October 15, 2013

Ravel Morrison: He’s still young

Ravel MorrisonAfter the superb goal against Tottenham it seems that Ravel Morrison has become one of the prized assets for both club and possibly even country. We must understand that he is by no means the finished article, and any club willing to pay his rumoured £19 million release clause at this moment in time is very foolish indeed, with plenty rumoured to be keeping tabs. While I would love to see us tie down and remove the clause in his current contract I do think we have time.

The former Manchester United prospect has the makings of a wonderful footballer I am not questioning that in the slightest… As a club we cannot pin our hopes on a youngster with as little top flight experience as Morrison has. After a successful loan spell in the Championship he has learnt a hell of a lot but as I am sure he already knows by now the Premier League is very different. With the ball at his feet Ravel is exceptional for someone without blistering pace he can glide past players (like the goal I am still watching daily) and can find that pass or shot to finish it off, we know he is capable of becoming a great but lets not get ahead of ourselves… he’s not there yet.

However, if he continues to grow as a player as quickly as he has in recent months, it wont be too long until he is up there with the best.

April 18, 2013

Another great performance… West Ham 2 -2 Man United

There are not many teams that come out of a draw against Man United and are frustrated that they didn’t get all three points. Yesterday was one of them days after Van Persie’s offside strike levelled the side as the game drew to a close.

We once again proved that we can give anyone a game on our day, and we have the foundations of a team that can really push on and compete in this league. Collins furthered his reputation as a leader from the back with another exceptional display, Diame again dictated the midfield and scored a fantastic goal, and up top Carroll proved once more that he has found his form and can be dominant and battle against the best defenders in the world.

Yesterday was certainly a day to make you proud to be a hammer, not only for the magnificent work ethic but the way we played was so refreshing. Knowing that we were all but safe we went out against Sir Alex’s side knowing we had nothing to lose. We also rubbished the myth of ‘Big Sam Football’ with Diame’s goal which epitomised our quality play.

For me the great thing to see as the season has progressed is how dubious players have started stepping up to the plate. Jaaskelainen is one, the goalkeeper has been magnificent, as quelled any doubts, of which there we a few, that he had lost his touch. Others who have come on leaps and bounds, Joey O’Brien and Demel have done what has been asked and more throughout the season and again did what they had to going back and forward against the soon to be champions. In the last few weeks another player who has really proved his worth is Gary O’Niel, the player who was completely out of the equation at the start of the season has been a more than adequate replacement while Noble was out and has more quality than many had realised.

With a few additions next year we could really push on and a top half finish should be expected next season. Saturday’s fixture against Wigan should see us reach the 40 point mark with games to spare and then planning can certainly start for next season. COYI

November 29, 2012

Manchester United 1-0 West Ham

Well the performance deserved at least a point. Defensively (after the first minute) I thought we were excellent, if it wasn’t for a lack of quality with the final delivery I really do feel we would have been bringing something back to Upton Park.

As Van Persie found the net around 30 seconds after kick off, you would have expected Man United to go on and grab a few, but our resilience kept us in the game and for the most part looked worthy of a draw.

Man United again proved that they are not without their weaknesses, and cannot close games out in the way they once could. Having said that, they might well have done has it not been for Jaaskelainen. After hearing rumours Green could well return Jussi put in a superb performance commanding his area and making a string of great saves.

What was so refreshing was seeing a West Ham side putting pressure on the opposition all over the pitch forcing mistakes and making the united side nervous. However, for all our good play we didn’t work Lindegaard enough for my liking. Only Cole’s swivelling strike forced a save and for all our decent play we should’ve had a lot more to show for it.

One thing is for certain if we play the same against Chelsea we can definitely get something out of it. COYI

Fans Know Best MOTM: Jussi Jaaskelainen

November 27, 2012

Man United vs West Ham Match Preview

Well after the turmoil surrounding our club as certain idiots embarrassed us at White Hart Lane, it’s good to have a game come around so quickly to allow us to talk about…Sadly, it’s Man United and if we play at all like we did against Tottenham we will again be punished.

These are, as I mentioned previously, ‘bonus’ games. We are not expected to bring anything back from old Trafford, and should go there without fear particularly because of our great start to the season.

However, while these games will not decide our season if we lose comfortably against United and Chelsea morale could be seriously damaged. In these games it’s the performance which is important and any points we pick up are great, let’s just not go down easily.

With Carroll finally scoring his first goal lets hope the floodgates open. After Benteke put the Man United defence in their place when they travelled to Villa, let’s hope Carroll can put in a similar dominating performance.

Prediction: sadly I think we will lose quite easily, if we play like we did against Spurs anyway… 3-1 Man United