One could only view the Hammers starting line up at Goodison with some bewilderment. Carlton Cole is a decent professional, and a good servant to West Ham, but we should not have voluntarily started with a Cole-Carroll partnership up front. Certainly not when there was the much better option of Zarate available. And this point was amply proven when Zarate came on as a substitute, as he quickly underlined the specific qualities that he can bring to the side. These include: creativity/vision, good technical ability and the (refreshing) willingness to run at opposition defenders and make things happen. West Ham’s second half equalizer came from Zarate’s ability to carry the ball forward, put the opposition on the back foot and shoot from distance. Yes, he had some good fortune with the deflection, but he would not have benefited from that factor, if he had not had the bravery to make the attempt on goal in the first place.
I can understand why Allardyce brought Kevin Nolan back in to the side, in view of Downing’s injury absence. I think that at 32 years of age, it is probably asking a bit much of Nolan to achieve the level of graft/industry shown by Noble, Kouyate and Song. However, one can expect him to play to his strengths and that means posing a goal scoring threat in the final third (a la the 0-2 win at Villa Park last season). Instead, he had one of those, all too common, ineffectual and non-descript games at Goodison. Arguably, Nolan needs to prove that he has a future role to play in this much improved West Ham squad. And that inevitably means performing when selected and underlining the fact that he continues to be ‘worth his salt.’
Apart from Zarate, the other ‘stand out’ West Ham player was Amalfitano, who constantly asked questions of Everton. And their solution seemed to be to resort to foul and dangerous play. He was the victim of two examples of dangerous play, at least one of which merited a red card. One must question the leniency that referee Mark Clattenburg showed both McCarthy and Mirallas. That, allied to failing to spot that Everton’s opening goal was at least 3 yards off-side, is more than enough to criticise the match officials. Plus one might also ask how Clattenburg failed to book Barkley for a blatant, simulated dive. And the Tomkins incident? yes, very silly behaviour from Tomkins and I hope that the club have a serious word with him. However, why book Tomkins, for his offence, and not only let Barkley get away with simulation, but also reward him with a free kick! Unbelievable, I certainly hope that the officials are held to account for their performance, but I very much doubt it.
On the plus side, this match proved that we can cope with injuries to key players and still put out a very competitive team. We went up to Goodison with Kouyate, Song, Downing, Sakho and Valencia all sidelined. But the team gave a good account of themselves and were very unfortunate to lose the match. There are those out there who will probably tell you that this result brings us back to earth and our current level of expectation (and league position) is totally unrealistic. That, to me, is a loser mentality and one that Hammers fans need to ditch once and for all. It is born of the experience of years under-achievement and disappointment. It has led people to accept low standards and expect the worst. Hopefully, this is a new era for West Ham and success will eventually change such attitudes and permanently raise expectations. We deserve, on merit, to be in the PL top six and we must strive to stay there, not just this season, but consistently hereafter. That is the challenge for the club going forward to the OS migration. And the most immediate task, contributing to that, is to bounce back with a home win against Newcastle Utd next week.
They say ‘success breeds success’ and that is very true. What is vital is that the board keep the forward momentum going. Hard decisions were made last summer and it is vital that the board do not now rest on their laurels. They must continue to make the difficult decisions that facilitate progression and continuous improvement. One of those decisions could include, amongst other things, whether the present manager’s contract should be renewed next summer. I do appreciate Sam Allardyce’s role (enforced or otherwise), this season, in transforming the club’s playing style and improving results. As such, I have no real problem with him staying at the helm, as long as he is able and willing to keep the club progressing to the next level. However, the question that the board must consider is whether a manager is theoretically any different to a player in at least one vital respect? Successful clubs seek to recruit better players and, in doing so, replace those deemed superseded and/or surplus to requirements. If West Ham identify a manager, who they feel is better equipped to take the club on to the next level, should they not bite the bullet and effect the transition? Obviously, any new manager needs to be a significant upgrade, to make it worth while, but if the club can attract them, why not? Controversial I know, but it is a question which the board are arguably duty bound to consider (as part of their end of season review) before agreeing to renew the current incumbent’s contract. Even if they ultimately conclude that the current manager merits a new deal (and he in-turn agrees to sign it), they should still review their alternative options first. After all, It is the sensible way to proceed.
So, next week, we face a in-form Newcastle Utd with a long injury list and Winston Reid serving a suspension. That means, in all probability, Collins-Tomkins at centre-back, with Reece Burke on the bench. Hopefully, one or two, such as Song, Downing and/or Valencia, will recover in time to play. However, if Sakho and Valencia remain unavailable, then we need to start with Carroll-Zarate up front. I just hope that Downing does recover and replaces Nolan in the key role behind the strikers. If not, it looks like we will be going with Nolan again. While, at the time of writing, the biggest question mark, over selection, is regarding the composition of the rest of the midfield unit?. What the current situation does emphasise is the abject waste of leaving Ravel Morrison to stagnate at Cardiff City. Just think what a great bonus a motivated and in-form Morrison would be to the squad. Critics would say that is just it, Morrison is not presently in-form nor seemingly particularly motivated. Perhaps, but why not gamble (in this injury situation) and bring him back to use from the bench against Newcastle Utd? It is clearly not working out at Cardiff City and Morrison might just respond positively to a return to the club and PL football. It may prove futile, but then again maybe it is worth a try?
SJ. Chandos.