Before you read another word I should explain. I’m on holiday and, at time or writing, have shared a couple of bottles of local tempranillo and a jug of Sangria with my good lady wife whilst out for a family meal. I watched last night’s (by the time you read this) game in a ‘Costa del Sol’ restaurant and took notes on an A5 sized reverse side of a boarding pass. Despite all that there is certainly plenty to talk about.
I would like to draw comparisons to the, now famous, boys of ’86
Tonight showed me, and my boys, numerous positives. To date I would like to draw a comparison to the, now famous, boys of ‘86. A losing start. Amongst others a new striker and midfielder added to an, already talented, squad. Everyone writing off our chances and expecting nothing. Personally I’m extremely excited about what I believe we can do this term. So much so I’m off to the bookies to add West Ham making the top 6, and winning a cup, to my accumulator. Seriously folks – another couple of wins and things are going to start looking extremely good. If we can avoid injuries to key players in ‘17-18 we’re going to be a group of very happy Hammers come May!
So we fielded a, supposedly, weakened side. Adrian, Byram, Og, Ginge, Masuaku, Fernandes, Rice, Nobes, Obiang, Sakho & Ayew. If that’s a weakened side then, frankly, I’m confident of a strong squad for this season. OK – so in midfield it looked quite defensive but there was some great experience mixed with youthful talent on show.
Around the 5 minute mark a nice footballing move ended in the ball being slightly overrun and the keeper smothering it on the line. A few minutes later (excuse the vague references to timings but the screen I was watching cut off the clock and score) Ayew was wasteful with good options around him following another quick break shortly before a beaut of a ball down the line from Byram found him in headless chicken mode.
We got lucky after Cheltenham created their first opportunity. They found our defence flat but the resulting shot constituted nothing more than a pass in to Adrian’s arms. Shortly after they threatened around the edge of the box but Rice expertly watched the striker, with great body shape, to deny even a sniff of an opportunity to shoot. Cheltenham aimed a speculative ball at our back line that found Ogbonna in time and space and under no threat. I wasn’t impressed by his lack of confidence as he had time to bring it under and find a team-mate but opted to head it straight back to the opposition. Perhaps he didn’t get the shout he should have but I expect better from an international CB – especially an Italian one. After that, however, he did show great confidence and was unlucky to see his powerful header cleared off the line shortly followed by a shot from the ever busy Sakho saved well. Diafra chased a lost cause to gain a free kick on the Cheltenham goal line. Great attitude and application from the Senegalese striker put him in a great position to receive a lovely slide rule pass on the edge of the box. A lovely touch and turn followed by a well placed finish saw us one up. Vintage Sakho and well deserved IMO.
Personally I am a fan of Diafra. In our last Boleyn Ground season I took both my boys to the Half Term open training session and shirt signing. We queued with shirts in hand in the club shop. My older lad wearing his own, orange, club colours of the team that he was playing for at the time. When we got to the table Payet and Og were nice enough but didn’t really engage with my lads at all. Diafra showed interest and spoke to both – commenting “Good Man” to my oldest. Maybe it was a language thing but I got the impression that he was more a ‘club’ man than the other two. That definitely turned out to be the case where Payet was concerned. On the pitch he’s a handful for any defence. He’s a natural finisher who works like a trojan in the channels – creating time and space for others. My lads think a great deal of him and so, when they found out there were accusations of common assault against him leading to his reported arrest, they were crestfallen. Later rumours of him being sold by the club didn’t cheer up my boys either but last night, for me, he showed us what he’s all about. I know Ginge got MOTM, and Declan Rice was in contention for that too, but Diafra was equally in the running for the award for my money. I’m hoping to see the name Sakho on the scoresheet for us several times alongside Hernandez and Carroll this season. Would be great to see Martinez get a few too. Only question I would ask is ‘was he putting himself in the shop window’? I prefer to believe that he’s been motivated by this Summer’s signings and that we’re going to see the best of him this term.
Three minutes after the first goal the lads broke quickly again and, this time, Ayew showed us what he’s about. He slotted a good finish to make it 2-0 following good movement and nice give and go football. Overall the first half was good but there’s still one or two concerns for me.
It saddens me to say it but Nobes was inconsistent
It saddens me to say it but Nobes was inconsistent during the game. Two occasions spring to mind in particular. Early in the second half he headed the ball back towards his own goal straight to a Cheltenham player in a very dangerous position. Later on he took on two men in Red & White shirts – but back towards his own goal before losing control and giving away a silly free kick in his own half after he found himself in a good position in the right half of the pitch. On a more positive note he did use the ball well when linking things up with one touch passes in the middle of the park but I’m concerned for him this season. I’m a big fan of his but I wonder whether he’ll start less games. Remains to be seen. You watch Nobes in games like the Spudz at the OS/LS and you can’t deny his impact but how often does he have games like that and why does he not get so up for ‘normal’ fixtures?
Ginge certainly staked a good claim for more future starting berths. Again he looked like the rock that finished last season so well. He blocked, dominated in the air and, overall, inspired confidence in front of him. As the team grew in confidence you felt that they ‘smelled’ goals. When Chicha came on Ayew immediately showed a good understanding with him. It was good to see Cheik take the field again as well as Quina get a run out and Rice play yet another good game.
This game couldn’t have come at a better time for the team. The fact that the forthcoming weekend’s opposition had a poor game is a bonus. It’s more about us though. Like a much needed shot in the arm it will boost confidence and morale. St James’ park is a tough place to go but I genuinely believe it’s going to kickstart our Premier League campaign.
COYI! West Ham for the Cup!