You couldn’t really ask for two more contrasting matches. A really classy Czech side brought England crashing down to earth in a terrific performance. Between the two games, despite the respective score-lines, I believe that the Czech game will prove a far more useful one than the, men against boys, affair served up in Bulgaria last night.
It’s lovely to see a team ping the ball around so confidently however what did we, and the England players, really learn in Sofia? No doubt the thrashing dished out will consign the poor performance in Prague to the backs of the minds of the England media but I certainly hope that it doesn’t have the same effect on England’s team management because there’s far more to learn. So poor were the Bulgarians that no conclusions about where England are up to can be drawn up in any way. It really is like comparing night and day. Despite the fact that the England shape looked much better, and defensive organisation much improved, the huge gulf in quality between the two opponent teams means that no meaningful conclusions can be drawn when comparing the two matches. To quote Clive Tyldesley at full time “One or two of the questions that were asked of his (Gareth Southgate’s) team’s performance in Prague on Friday have been answered against a weak Bulgarian team.” Are you sure? I couldn’t disagree more strongly.
Bringing the discussion back to West Ham I reflected on the poor balance to the starting line-up in the deep lying midfield area. Despite the fact that Gareth Southgate has learned and grown in recent matches I felt that the most obvious lack of balance was at the CDM position. Perhaps, tactically, Southgate had considered the most effective formation to take the Czech Republic on with but Henderson and Rice are simply too similar. In his pre match ITV snippet ahead of the Bulgaria game GS stated that he had gone with more experience so I can understand why Henderson was selected and, yes, it seemed to work far better. I just hope that it’s not a sign of things to come. One thing I’ve really enjoyed since the ex-Middlesbrough, and England U21, manager has taken over has been the introduction of many young players to the mix. Along with, practically, all of his team-mates Declan had a bad day at the office on Friday night. How much of that was down to him and Henderson doing the same job in the same position is open to debate but I’m convinced that it really didn’t help. Over the last two weeks I’ve listened to many negative opinions of Declan from fans of other clubs. When in conversation with some of those fans I found myself defending the youngster by pointing out his consistently good performances for West Ham – shifts that I’ve witnessed myself. Every match this year, IMO, he’s been excellent. I’m aware that some thought he was poor against Palace but that’s not what I saw. Outside of his handball mistake I thought he played very well to curb many of Palace’s quick counter attacks.
I’m not going to say too much about the racist chants heard from the stands in the Basil Levski National Stadium last night other than to completely condemn those who took part. It is, at least, a little encouraging to see UEFA take a slightly more proactive role in cutting this disgusting behaviour out but, for me, it’s still not enough and much tougher sanctions should be meted out by Europe’s governing football body. There’s still a long way to go to kick racism out of football and the officials need to play their part in making it happen.
A great win this weekend for the West Ham ladies away to Brighton. September Goal Of The Month contender, Martha Thomas, put the Ironesses one up with a clinical finish before French International, Kenza Dali, and Alisha Lehmann made it three nil to the Cockney Girls. A late consolation made the final score three – one which saw the Ladies climb the table up to sixth place. There’s a clear top three in WSL at present, with big spending Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea vying for dominance at the top of the league, however I genuinely think there’s an excellent chance of a fourth place finish come the end of the season. One of the best football outings I’ve ever attended was the F.A. Cup Semi-Final at Adams Park last season so I’d love the West Ham Women to put another excellent cup run together this term so that we can enjoy another great occasion. With any luck, this time, the F.A. might also schedule the latter rounds much more sensibly, without mens fixture clashes, so that season ticket holders and other men’s match day attendees can go and shout the ladies on as well.
Have a great week all.
COME ON YOU RIP ROARIN’ IRONS!