A very welcome 3 points from the Riverside yesterday and you could have also improved your Christmas had you taken up my prediction as well. Bit spooky but the last correct reuslt I predicted was....3-0 at home to Middlesbrough earlier this season.
As for the game it was a very scrappy affair in the first half, brightened up by a moment of genius of Dean Ashton, a really terrific goal. The second half saw us in control and I felt it was fairly simialr to the display we showed against Derby earlier in the season although obviously with fewer goals. Overall, a good performance that sets us up nicely for reading on Boxing Day. Here are my player rankings for the game;
Green - 6 - not much to do and not much done wrong, quiet day at the office for the hero
McCartney - 6.5 - part of a solid line at the back, still seems to miss Matty going forward though, having built up a great understanding with him earlier in the season
Spector - 7 - emergency centre half and has possibly his best game in a Hammers shirt, kept Boro quiet and played very well
Upson - 7 - another solid game from the rock
Neil - 6 - definitely getting back to his best
Ljungberg - 5 - our poorest player on the park,wondering if his heart is really in it
Parker - 8 - starting to be our most influential player on the pitch, great range of passing and socred a peach of a second goal
Mullins - 6 - an okay game from Hayden hard to find fault but nothing especially inspiring
Solano - 7 - a better game from Nobby, looked more dangerous
Ashton - 7 - starting to get back to his best, looked a little leaner and stronger than recently, hope he keeps his fitness
Camara - 5 - helped set up our first goal but spent long periods out of the game
It was only earlier in the month that most of the plastic fans wanted rid of Specter, yesterday he stepped and I fully agree, it was his best game in an Irons shirt. Deano is still a mile away from fitness but his class is awsome.
Parker is now starting show the class act he is, however I am increasinlgly worried about Freddie. I have watched three straight games now and he has been a shadow of his former self. If the press got it right about the 110k a week then it is only a matter of time before the fans will loose patience, I hope not tho, cos if we are to buy a top stiker in January then it is the likes of Freddie that will be needed to take the club forward. Watch him score against the Gunners and Man U over the new year and prove me wrong. PS, I am home for the first Xmas in 14 years, the last three in the desert, so I will be behind the goal on Boxing day to watch the Irons romp home for another 3 - nothing. It will be my daughters first visit to Upton park, having cut her teeth with the away fans this year she has high expectations. Happy Christmas.
Posted by: Soldier Hammer | 23/12/2007 at 20:29
The press did not get it right about the wages,papers are notorious for talking crap.There is a wage cap at West Ham.Gudmunsson is not stupid and neither was Eggert Magnusson.
Posted by: Dave | 23/12/2007 at 21:59