Comments on: Man U Match Report: Proud to be a Hammer

By: Upton Spark

Upton Spark — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:12:58 +0000

On the subject of Carlos Tevez,there was such an overflowing feeling of love from the fans which was reciprocated by Carlos,it was no wonder that he was hardly able to even kick a ball afterwards.
The last time I can remember such a reception for an ex player was when Rio first came back to Upton Park when he was with Leeds.
I can only imagine what sort of reception Di Canio might get?

By: The Headmaster

The Headmaster — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:54:22 +0000

Thoroughly agree with your ratings, Iain – although for me Freddie had his best game for us by a distance and would merit an 8.

By: WHU Kim

WHU Kim — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:18:27 +0000

It’s days like Saturday that make it all worthwhile. Well done Curbs for getting the tactics right. We played so well all through the team and went at Man Utd from the off which I think rattled them as they certainly made plenty of mistakes. I never thought we were out of it and once that penalty was missed it was lift off at UP! After the game it was great seeing the joy and happiness of fellow Hammers and a much needed left after the Boxing Day disappointment. Onwards to the Emirates and fingers crossed for another fine display.

By: DevoDevo

DevoDevo — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:34:25 +0000

Only saw the extended highlights on Sky, but it looked like the best performance of the season for me – we actually kept the ball!

Hard to single out any player but the return of Noble certainly strengthened the midfield.

Final word for Curbishley who – and I’m not sure why, seeing as he is a Hammer himself – but the supporters seem to be ultra critical of him, quick to judge when something goes wrong and reluctant to concede when he gets things right.

This season has been extremely testing for any manager considering the number of injuries he has endured, yet we sit just below the top 7 with a game in hand.

Compare that to where we were last year and give the man some credit. He cleared the club of the ‘Baby bentley’ mentality and has a set of players working TOGETHER as a team.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that with the iminent return of key players, we could break into the top 7 this year.

Who would have said that a year ago?

By: Brian Sains

Brian Sains — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:50:45 +0000

Fantastic performance, especially after the Reading game. Noble brilliant. Is a 4-5-1 system the way to go ?? I thought dropping Ashton was right as he was woefull against Reading.

By: Kiwi Iron

Kiwi Iron — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:02:03 +0000

Like Hammers & Zvezda I suspect I woke up the neighbours too. However it was shown here as a replay at 8am so at least I gave them a bit of a sleep in.

What a perfect way to end 2007.

By: Megalosaurus

Megalosaurus — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:25:36 +0000

Painter. Injuries are Solano, Tweaked hamstring. Parker, Jarred his knee (Again).

Both could be dodgy for the arse game. ;-(

By: Wavid

Wavid — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 07:15:22 +0000

Glad to see some mention of Pantsil – he was a mare in defence when he first came to us, but now given the freedeom to roam more from mid-field with someone covering behaind he showed what we were about yesterday, although I thought he was going to be sent off at one point! Beating Man U in this way was the perfect tonic after a miserable Xmas – Boxing Day was depressing! Like others, I looked at the team and formation and thought ‘That’s it, we will lose’ but Curbs got it just right – can he do that again? His substitutions, although responding to player injuries worked and the shift in team formation and tactics made sure we continued to out play the opposition. A whole team performance, but must say that when Anton came on, yeah I wasn’t happy like others probably wasn’t, but he did an excellent job and showed focus and composure from the first moment he was involved in play. Well done the whole team!

By: Woking Hammer

Woking Hammer — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:26:26 +0000

I am so emotional and bit the worst for wear so sorry for any errors or utter dribble

I got home in time to watch the game on Match of The Day. As ever did not look like the game I watched at the ground, there again that’s the BBC’s bias towards the big clubs. What a result, that was a nailed on pen for us in the first half, well it looked it from where I was standing, there’s was a pen but would it have been given to us at Old Trafford I doubt it!!.

I thought all the players were outstanding today, they looked comfortable not like those players in cup games against top teams playing above their abilities. Mullins for one stopped thinking he was Zedan and played the ball simple, god he is so much a better player when he does that. Noble , Parker, Solano looked liked they had played together for years, I hope the injuries are not that serious but I suspect we will not see Parker or Solano New Years Day, I would rather not risk them. I know some don’t like Ferdinand but what he does do is try and play the ball out rather than hoof it, let’s keep the ball rather than give it back to them!

Two (headed) goals from two set pieces, when was the last time you saw that at Upton Park, then again was the last time did you see us commit so many forward at set pieces.

What I do hope is that Curbs realises we are a far better team attacking teams than trying to contain them and play around them. If we had a few of the other players fit would he have played in the same way, in deed did we play as Curbs wanted or was it the nature of the players, particularly in midfield, to play the way that they felt more comfortable with.

3 wins in 3 games against the Mancs, were not becoming their bogie team are we!!

The players have now set there stall out, it is now up to them keep it up!!
They have no reason to complain if the crowd get on their back for sub par performances like that against Reading.

Come on you Irons!!

By: Hammers & Zvezda

Hammers & Zvezda — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:28:54 +0000

Stayed up till 2 in the morning to watch this match live in Aus – if I didn’t wake up the neighbours then I obviously wasn’t screaming loud enough! What a result! What a team! What a CLUB! For those that understand economics and the Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC), West Ham fans have the greatest MPC in football !!!