West Ham Banter Archive December 01 2013

01 Dec 2013 11:19:37
So, we finally won a game at home agaiinst a pretty dire Fulham side, but having listened to Les Ferdinand On MOTD who praised Modibo Maiga it got me to thinking about our team performance yesterday.

Maiga was all in all rubbish. He hit the post with a deflection of his shoulder when it was easier to score. Too many times he headed a flick on to the invisisble man and his movement and positional play was woeful. Matt Jarvis too many times crossed either too far in front or too far behind players and Kevin Nolan looks a shadow of his former self having lost half a yard of pace and his eye for goal.

The answer! Not entirely sure, but replacing Jarvis and Maiga with Joe COle and Carlton Cole and then removing NOlan for Morrison gave the team an entirely different look with more movement, pace and threat. Ok, it was only Fulham but, we still had to beat them. With Downing playing one of his best games for us, Noble showing great quality of passing in midfield and Diame looking more like his old self we were a better team than the shambles that turned out against CHelsea last week. Its fairly obvious that its time for Big Sam to off load some waste such as McCartney (too slow for premier league), Nolan (although our captain clearlly past his best), Maiga (simply not good enough for premier league) and there are a few more fringe players can go like Matt taylor. We need to get a central defender because quite clearly we miss Winston and although Tonks and COllins do a job they are not comfortable together. A young left or right back such as Chris Solly would be a great addition and a forward with power, pace and is good in the air with an eye for goal would be great Addition (GOMIS for instaance). Our Midfield with DIame, Noble, Morrisson, Cole and Downing is pretty good. We just need to get rid of Dead wood and we might start winning a few more games. Anyone think different

Last words. We hope to have 20 points at the half way stage for a 40 point season and hopeful survival of the dreaded "Second Season" back in the premier league. So far we have 13 points and with gamesd against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United looming its going to be tough so those games against teams around us are crucial. let's hope we can kick on at Palace and the confidence might just grow from there.

Spend Wisely Sam and get us that striker we need

And if it is as the papers say Kenwyne Jones from Stoke I will not sit in the Chicken Run again until BFS is history. MILLSEY

I agree with most of the original post here,

Maiga's time is well and truly up in the PL, in fact it was months ago. Carlton proved a point Saturday and while most may take it with a pinch of salt, he should be starting or at least playing the last 20-30 mins of every game going forward to the transfer window. I disagree with dropping Jarvis, I think with Cole there he will play well, especially with Downing the other side! Maybe start Jarvis with Cole or bring them on together at 60-70 mins?

Morrison for Nolan all day long! How can anyone disagree! However I don't think Nolan should leave just yet, one more season. The reason why I say this is because who will captain the side? Should it be Noble? If so Kevin needs to be at the club a little longer to make sure Noble is taught the right way to lead the team out every week just as Kevin did last season, there is no denying his leadership ability.

One more CB, I definitely agree again. We miss a solid replacement for Reid/Collins, although Tomkins has done the job for me so far this season.

Lastly I believe JJ doesn't have too many more seasons left in him and for me, Adrian isn't quite good enough to hold the fort. A slightly younger proven PL goalkeeper would be a good shout in Jan or at least in the Summer window before next season

COYFI