The 1-1 draw with Portsmouth was a disappointing result in the end. But I actually agreed with those that argued prior to the match that this was one that we could not afford to lose. So, based on that rationale, mission accomplished! In truth we had enough goal scoring opportunities on the night to win three matches, but you cannot fault the likes of Collison, Nouble and Diamanti. They all placed the ball well and/or hit the target, but their goal keeper was in inspired form. He saved Pompey on at least three or four occasions.
I really could not believe the downbeat nature of the press reports on Wednesday morning. I thought we dominated for long periods and carved out some great chances. We should have been 0-3 up by the time that Pompey started to come back in to the match in the second half. Our retention of the ball, passing and movement were all good. Once we have a sharper cutting edge up front, to supplement our fluid passing game, I reckon we will not look back.
I was particularly encouraged by the displays of Mark Noble and Frank Nouble. I agree that it appears that Noble’s best position is as midfield anchor, shielding the defence, winning the ball and distributing it. Seeing Noble perform so well in this defensive midfield role reminded me of the strong, dynamic young player who made one of the key individual contributions to West Ham staving off relegation in the great escape of 2006-07.
Noble is not built for speed and does not appear to have the pace to play out wide. He can play as the offensive point of a midfield diamond, but with the likes of Diamanti around there are now better alternatives. Playing in the anchor role allows Noble to use his aggression, tackling and ability to distribute the ball to deliver a range of quality forward passes.
Noble has hopefully found his niche and now Zola needs to show the faith to continue playing him in that role. It also frees up Scott Parker to play further forward. Parker defends well, but his aggressive forward play is exceptional. Noble occupying the anchor role would allow Parker to drive the team forward, make strong surging runs in the final third and pick out decisive passes in and around the box.
Frank Nouble had his best game in a West Ham shirt against Portsmouth. His recent inclusion in the first team has been driven by necessity. I had feared that his opportunity had come too early after the FA Cup tie against Arsenal, where he worked hard without making any real head way. However, the Villa and Pompey matches saw Nouble’s performance levels improve demonstrably. Against Pompey he led the line well, was very mobile and showed good technique in receiving and passing the ball. Nowhere was that technique better demonstrated than his role in the build up for Collison’s excellent strike in the first half. It was accomplished and intelligent play by the young man and it bodes well for his future at the club.
I am now convinced that Nouble’s early exposure to first team football has been positive, accelerating his development and improving his confidence at his level. As for criticism of his finishing, yes he probably should have buried his chance against Pompey, but he did hit the target and that is a good indicator of much better things to come. Remember, this is a 17/18 year old we are talking about, he has plenty of time to sharpen his finishing a la Carlton Cole.
As things stand Nouble is a real prospect and is nicely poised to push on next season to increase competition for the striker positions. Indeed, it has to be said that Nouble’s decision to leave Chelski has been fully vindicated. Would he have had these early first team opportunities there? No of course no, he would probably still be stagnating in their reserves.
The loss of two points turned on Tomkins losing a key challenge due to an opposing player’s wayward elbow and the referee’s baffling failure to award a free kick. Arguably, 9 times out of 10 modern referees would have awarded an free kick in that situation. Indeed, they usually seem to stop play and issue yellow cards for most trivial of challenges, yet this time, nothing! Not only did he ignore the offence, but the referee then failed to stop play so that a player with an head injury could receive urgent treatment. Surely that flies in the face of the FA guidance given to referees?
How many points this season have we lost due to poor refereeing decisions? Decisions such as Cole’s disallowed goal against Wigan, Sunderland’s dodgy winner and the penalty that never was against Chelski. These type of decisions are supposed to even themselves out over the course of a season, if so we can look forward to a glut of dubious refereeing decisions going our way between now and the end of the season!
SJ. Chandos.
Goodbye Mr.Duxberry you are to get your things and leave the building,NEXT!the new regime is a happening,no-one is safe from Karren Brady,s claw!
Dux has gone
quelle surprise!
Nani watch out I'd say….
watch out anyone with a salary higher then 5k i reckon
No more custard creams for the directors at half-time
I hear Netto are doing a special on bulk buys of rich tea, Graybo
Great news this morning. Just hearing that West Ham have ended any interest in Benjani. Phew. Gudjohnsen and now Benjani. I think we have dodged two bullets there.
Benjani's last appearance for Man City against Scunthorpe was nothing short of woeful. If Scunthorpe's defense could completely dominated him then imagine how easily the rest of the Premiership could.
This probably means we have someone better lined up.
Still really crossing me fingers that rumours linking us with Beattie and Keane are complete fabrication.
I'm feeling really confident now that something good is happening behind the scenes. I know. I know. You think by now I would have learned to expect to be disappointed!
i read in the times this morning that Mido on Loan is a strong possibility – Jesus Christ!!!!!!
A Spoonful of Sugar makes the medicine go down (or should that read Karren Brady). With the takeover barely 2wks old MS Brady has taken up her mentors role as Head Apprentice & taken over the "YOUR'E FIRED" stance.
Since her arrival former players & icons of Tony Gale & Tony Cotteeas ambassadors have left their positions in the club. Now Scott Duxbury has resigned moving on to pastures new. Tony Gale said on SSN this morning that this is a cost cutting exercise & more heads will role as Ms Brady becomes the Clubs Financial Doctor. Looking now into the medical area of the club, more employees will be looking to combine roles plus a reduction in wages or leave. As they say things will become worse before they get better & her swift action will not go down well with everyone. However the footballing side will not be affected.
With the possibility of Mido now coming on loan & other players in the pipeline & less than 3days left, it is good times ahead for THE HAMMERS/IRONS or whatever you wish to call WEST HAM UNITED!!!LOL!
The clock is ticking.
Is the lack of news re McCarthy just because we are playing them tomorrow and BFS doesn't want to risk Benni playing and scoring?
any other targets confirmed before Monday now that 'I'd a' has signed for the spiv doctor?
Palermo are now linked with a bid for Behrami in the summer if you believe what you read!!!
surely targets for us have to be people like this given the time we have left
Moses – £2m bargain
Shorey – loan (pay more of a loan fee than Forest done deal)
Benjani / Beattie – ok not great but doable and will do a job if required and I emphasize if required with Cole and Franco coming back
I would take this opportunity at Portsmouth now that the owners mate is doing all the transfers to snap up anyone of Boateng (as we have lost a midfielder and could free up Berhami to play right back), that striker beginning with P god knows how you spell it, Belhadj and even Finnan as right back cover. I know it will be like kicking a man when he's down but we have to take this opportunity to maximize our chances of staying up…………… im sure anyone would d it to us given the chance!!
I would take this opportunity at portsmouth now that the owners mate is doing all the transfers to snap up anyone of Boateng (as we have lost a midfielder and could free up Berhami to play right back), that striker begining with P god knows how you spell it, Belhadj and even Finnan as right back cover. i know it will be like kicking a man when he's down but we have to take this opportunity to maximise our chances of staying up…………… im sure anyone would d it to us given the chance!!
Interesting to read about Zola's "one on ones" with Tomkins & Nouble – this is why he is so important to West Ham as a coach – the ability to work with players and make them better a la Cole.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, McCarthy's signing (assuming it is still happening) is all we need to complement the current squad. The thought of Benjani or Mido joining horrifies me and makes me worry for Sullivan/Gold's judgement if true.
If I was in the position of head scout, we would already have Moses, Young and Begovik! B)
[...] Noble and Nouble Impress! | West Ham Till I DieThe 1-1 draw with Portsmouth was a disappointing result in the end. But I actually agreed with those that argued prior to the match that this was one. [...]