Well, it was great to be back at Upton Park and in the sunshine, there was a pretty good atmosphere. Unfortunately for us, there were not a barrage of new signings to welcome to the East End, just a quick wave from our loanee Luis Jiminez. If this continues to be the case, it will be the difference between an average season and a great one. This game exemplified this.
The lack of squad saw Johnathan Spector in for Herita Illunga at left back and Junior Stanislas in for Kieron Dyer, who mysteriously disappeared from the squad completely. Overall, the Hammers played pretty well, especially in the first half where Spurs were denied the ability to play the flowing football and the Hammers probably had the better of the chances.
In the second half, Carlton Cole would have impressed the watching Fabio Capello with a finish supreme quality. Sadly for Carlton, he then went on to provide a back pass to Jermaine Defoe who finished as we knew he would. For me, the Hammers heads went down a little bit too much after that, and when Lennon put Spurs ahead, a bit of a lack of fitness on our part was showing. We looked to the bench, but the young contenders are not ready to change games.
This sounds pessimistic, actually, it is the opposite. We have a good side, top ten in this league I have no doubt. What is frustrating is that we are only two, maybe three players away from being a very good side, but with the club in continued financial disarray, I'm not sure it going to happen.
Player ratings:
Green - 7 - couldn't do much about their goals and made some decent saves along with good kicking
Spector - 6 - did a decent job on Lennon in the first half, it was hard for me to see his apparent error which led to Lennon's goal, but I think Specs did okay
Collins - 7 - some immense, strong heading of the ball reminded us of what we will miss if he goes, I really don't want him to
Upson - 6 - fairly strong against the diddy men of Spurs attack
Faubert - 8 - my man of the match, after looking good going forward last week at Wolves, he did a good defensive job for us today. This could be a crucial turnaround for us
Stanislas - 7 - kept himself busy and made some good runs, good replacement for Dyer
Parker - 6 - better game than last week, made some crucial tackles for us
Collison - 5.5 - didn't think Jack was great today, lacked a bit of fitness towards the end and found it difficult against the Spurs midfield
Noble - 6 - did some things well, but would have liked a bit more from him
Jiminez - 7 - this boy is fitting in nicely, some nice runs and a great touch
Cole - 6.5 - oh Carlton, if it weren't for the error, you'd be looking at a possible man of the match. Keep your head up mate, you gave Spurs a torrid time and are still a cracking striker
Zola/Clarke - 6 - the guys had to jig things round and I'm not sure I would have done things too differently. I might have bought Hines and Nouble on a little earlier to have given us a better chance of the equaliser.
Overall, I'm not too disheartend, yes are North London rivals beat us, but if they think they trounced us, they are seriously mistaken. They had a tough game and got the rub of the green to win it, and they know it.
Next up Millwall, bring on Tuesday night! Oh, I took some pics today and will upload them soon. Up the Hammers!
Faubert is a thug and with a stricter ref he would have been sent off
Posted by: name | 23/08/2009 at 18:30
Forget about Faubert, what about Parker? Two blatant yellow card challenges in the first half and got away with them both.
Posted by: Ice | 23/08/2009 at 18:45
I thought there was a cracking rendition of abide with me before the game.
Posted by: Aardvark | 23/08/2009 at 18:46
Parker and faubert just kick lumps of people, they lack any skill. You got well beaten by a better team today. If jiminez keeps diving like that he'll spend most of the time sitting in the stands. Cheating cnut. You'll be lucky to escape relegation, if you haven't gone bankrupt before the end of the season.
Posted by: Stoney | 23/08/2009 at 18:47
I thought you spammers were a little unlucky not to get a draw. We looked a little tired but still played some nice football as did West Ham.
I wasn't impressed by some of Parkers fouls and there was also a bit of diving going on. Still I think you will be a top ten side and if you can get a Defoe you will probably be challenging for a european spot.
Posted by: wembleyspurs | 23/08/2009 at 18:57
Your season's over alalallalalal your season's over alalalalallal your season's over, spurs beat you again!!!!!! COYS!!!!! YIDS!!!!!!!
Posted by: Doglegz | 23/08/2009 at 19:36
I have to add the diving and cheating of the wham players was disgusting. Only down point was that we didnt get the goals we deserved and boost our goal difference. Five or six one would have been fairer lololololol. Just look forward to playing the fellow little clubs shit ham. And you can all fuck off you anti tottenham bastards.
Posted by: Doglegz | 23/08/2009 at 19:40
we shouldn't get carried away. We always beat them because there a shit team.
Posted by: Nose | 23/08/2009 at 20:10
Little tiny wetspam are to release a DVD of Carlton Cole's goal. More embarassment is likely however as most of the pikey boys will be priced out of buying this rare collectors item as the (prick) duxbury has placed a price tag on the item of 39.99.
Posted by: YY | 23/08/2009 at 22:59