premier league

April 5, 2014

Survival all but guaranteed. Now let’s play with freedom.

Sam_AllardyceAllardyce has made it clear that he is now confident, that the job of securing safety is complete. So now there are no excuses. He made it clear that in the situation we were in, the result was the most important thing… Well now that safety is pretty much a sure thing, I and I’m sure most West Ham fans, want to see our team play with the freedom our position now gives us.

There is no longer that desperation for points, so performances will now be scrutinised even further by the Upton Park faithful. Big Sam has always had a strained relationship with the West Ham fans, and yes he has ‘got the job done’ but there is more to it. To fill the Olympic stadium, not only do results matter but the football must be entertaining.

The style of play has been work hard and scrap our way to results. I want to see our side try to actually play their way to a result not defend their way to it. If we lose… So what? We know that we shouldn’t be caught by those below us, and should prove that we can play football, last season we did (at times). Even though we are now in this pretty comfortable position, I have only really seen us actually outplay our opposition two or three times. Which for a team like ours is simply not good enough.

Still, don’t mean to sound negative, will be nice to go to Upton Park tomorrow to enjoy a game of football as opposed to getting stressed before the game has even started!

February 24, 2014

It’s no surprise that our form has improved as Nolan’s has.

Now I am happy to admit that  I questioned the performances from Kevin Nolan in the last few months, like the majority of West Ham fans, hut he has something about him that I find infectious, an honest attitude. Nolan himself admitted that after his second red card he knew he’d let the club down. Well he has certainly made up for it in recent weeks and proved what he can offer.

Goals are the obvious thing. Five goals in as many games has fired us into the top half and he showed no signs of taking his foot off the gas when Saints visited Upton Park on Saturday. Allardyce stated “There are very, very few players better than him at scoring goals from midfield,” and he is absolutely spot on, not many read the game as quickly and as well in the oppositions penalty box.  What he has also added recently is a greater work rate, that we hadn’t seen very often this season, tracking back getting involved in both boxes and fighting for the cause alongside his team-mates, which has undoubtedly 

The most pleasing thing about Captain Kev on Saturday, was seeing something I didn’t know he had in his locker. The vision and quality to pull apart a defence… the pass to assist Jarvis’ goal was, simply put, world class. If Ozil, Oscar or Mata played that ball a lot more would’ve been made of it that’s for sure (and no I’m not comparing him to them, just making a point).

It’s great to see our captain firing again. Long may it continue.  I will continue to look forward to the glorious chicken dance. Kev, you’ve won me back, just please god don’t lose your head again, please? Cheers.

January 17, 2014

West Ham vs Newcastle: Match Preview

West Ham go into this game with another shot of picking up back to back victories, for the first time since returning to the top flight. After a hard fought win against Cardiff, we go into the next vital home Premier League fixture against Newcastle looking to pick up three points in our bid to steer clear of the drop

We defended very well against Cardiff, not just the back four, but player vs player we came out on top in most battles across the pitch. We will need to defend in a similar way against better opposition in Newcastle, who can hurt you through many different options.

A few obvious selection dilemmas surround our club at the moment the first of which is Carroll. The answer is simple, he is not ready. As a result it is great that we have signed Cole onto an 18 month deal and I expect Carlton to start up top. It will also be interesting to see what part Ravel Morrison plays as the absolute mess that surrounds his future continues to drag on, speculation aplenty must be altering his frame of mind going into this game, lets hope it has a positive effect on his performance, proving he wants to play for West Ham.

Three points is essential here. The way to hoist ourselves away from the relegation zone is to play with the same desire as we did against Cardiff, every game from now on must be played with that intensity if we want to play in this league once again next season, if we do so… I’m confident we can win against Pardew‘s side and remain a Premier League side for the next campaign

Prediction: I am confident that we will finally win back to back league games since our spell in the Championship, against a side who Allardyce will be desperate to impress against! 2-1

 

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

 

November 1, 2013

West Ham vs Aston Villa Match Preview

A good result against Lambert’s Aston Villa could make this a very impressive week for the club. The result against Burnley on Tuesday was one I wasn’t expecting but we managed to do enough to run out 2-0 winners without the use of our major stars.

With our key players now fresh for the home Premier League fixture this is a real opportunity to push ourselves away from the battle at the bottom of the table. If we want to claw ourselves away from the relegation scrap our home form has to improve, and games like these are what will determine how our season goes. I am confident we will have enough to control the midfield against Villa we just have to be as clinical as our opponents who are very dangerous going forward.

Prediction: They will undoubtedly cause us some problems but the team seem to be understanding the importance of turning round our home form… starting tomorrow… 2-1