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The Jimmy Cooney Column

Trying to Keep It All In Perspective

Well enough time has past, and I’ve fully processed the Chelsea match, weathered some tragedy, and major catastrophes, on a daily basis for about 2 weeks, now, however, so I won’t get labeled a “drama queen” by my “bestie”, I won’t get into it, and to Tom, I beg your pardon, I did just see your complements, and I appreciate them very much, so, David Murray, and I think Collie may have noticed I have been not in the chat as much, so that’s where I’ve been. I’m trying to roll with it, however still need to vent about the Chelsea match a bit.

At first, I thought we’d lose, (by a much closer margin, of course) I woulda been chill with a draw, and a win??? I think quite a few in similar chaos in their lives which is everyone REALLY coulda really helped get us through an already upside down, Holiday season, so I did horrible on my selections and changed an original losing scoreline in the name of “being positive!” :))

The morning of the match was a headache when it came to figuring out who was gonna play. I saw that Masu and Antonio were a no go (anticipated), Balbuena was not quite ready (false, Moyes was all shady about that one, and he was not at all the reason we lost) and, with all the injuries, I had no idea who would be best to put up against a Chelsea side that is playable, but when they are on, forget it, I think old Frank holds a grudge, he’s gonna like beatin’ us, I think.

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They got in quick, but we responded well, and I don’t think we played that bad between 25’ and 76’ mins, we responded well, just like Nobes said and came close to a few good chances, there was more offside controversy, especially with Bowens goal, it was really disappointing. Then other than that, they just couldn’t set up a finish, on target, cos while they are beatable, when they are on, forget it. Chelsea are top 4. With that, I have forgiven Jr, as it appears he still hasn’t quite forgiven us, maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I really wanted him to stay, and I generally think the whole thing was a shame, however, one thing y’all cockneys have taught me, or more accurately, reinforced, is to have a thick skin. As a matter of fact, almost don’t give a t#ss about things I probably should now, and I am actually learning the art of getting happy when I’m angry, which is always better that feeling hopeless, plus, I am a pretty miserable bar steward to begin with….. so “Cheers, muckers!”

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=HhR6+3gd&id=1057534E617970FF4E4733712A0ACAD51EAD4A97&thid=OIP.HhR6-3gdpqVx3KezKQi5VAHaJq&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmain-designyoutrust.netdna-ssl.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F10%2FLondon-Calling-Album-Cover-Pennie-Smith.jpg%3Fiv%3D110&exph=1120&expw=858&q=getty+images+london+calling+album+cover&simid=608009667057550660&ck=2A5945EB1CE05F44C2334B38D63DA749&selectedindex=0&form=EX0023&adlt=off&shtp=GetUrl&shid=f34d23c7-efc2-4433-9837-7f8415e56a5e&shtk=TG9uZG9uIENhbGxpbmcgQWxidW0gQ292ZXIgUGVubmllIFNtaXRo&shdk=Rm91bmQgb24gQmluZyBmcm9tIGRlc2lnbnlvdXRydXN0LmNvbQ%3D%3D&shhk=i0sLkszPHwLg%2BNkNcwHbHTGWUih7yXc6HkeJjGyLHts%3D&shth=OSH.94ZBh7s08%252BVIolVgfyAvJw

Not that I didn’t know from anger, already, and I wanna take a few geezers to task about slagging off Cresswell so much. Has he responsible for a few goals? Sure, responsible for relegation scraps? Absolutely not, However now that Alves has been acquired, and Masu will be back, the man can see out his contract in the LCH, LWB, or impact sub role, just not a flat four, and WHO KNOWS???? Maybe Alves is the “Antonio of LB’s” in loyalty, heart and skill, sans the yearly injury issues. Those 3 in tandem, working out for the next 2 years would be a wonderful thing. If it happens, remains to be seen, but Cresswell has reached “legend” status for me, in PL terms, he’s an “old head”.

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Just a random thought here, but how come the likes of Salah, Kane, De Bruyne or especially Grealish, right? Disgrace to all who get injured by REAL cheap shots, but doesn’t it just seem like any of the other top players are rarely injured?? Kane especially, I’m not saying there is that huge a conspiracy, but along with the protection the refs provide them, could Kane’s genetics be in such a fashion that makes him less injury prone than Antonio, who, if was fit 80% of the time, much like Andy Carroll, we are definitely top 5 by now. Not that I wish injury to anyone (even Grealish) but with West Ham it’s almost a bloody tradition, ( it could say something about how the “glamour boys” of the league get special protection) just like that little bitch, Grealish…… his play acting is getting even more obscene, and instead of the simulation law being used (does that only exist when someone from West Ham does it? Cos I don’t think I’ve seen it used since), these wimps get treated like the Prince of Saudi Arabia, whilst the refs let clubs kick us up and down the f#ckin’ pitch, and just “look away, look away…..” bunch of cowards is what they are.

Meanwhile, ol’ Haller just can’t get the love…. He’s all alone, and I’m not sure at this point, it’s not his own doing at this point….yes, he could be a really cool dude and I’m NOT saying he’s not a quality footballer, I’m not slagging him off as a person, but I’m now going to critique his overall performance, and don’t give a flying f#ck, cos I’ve been cheering, defending, and waiting for him to finally explode, especially after his goal against Palace, but I gotta be honest, he looked off sync, disinterested, had poor box positioning, and the giveaways, again. But the most disturbing thing to watch is him getting bullied off the ball by guys half his height and even less than half his weight, even if they are “Chelsea”…..yet one remaining positive that l see, is that he draws attention from their defense.

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However, can we afford to alienate him just yet? Cos as much of a Hammer and top player that Antonio is, Antonio has spent a good 1/3rd of the last 4 seasons out, or ineffective due to lack of match fitness cos he’s put in a 4-2-3-1 for the 6, or 7 matches, left to hold it up, and hold it down, as a lone striker, who may even score 6 goals, however, just as we’ve won 2 or 3 on the trot, we come to find an hour before the next match, Antonio has pulled a hammy, and then no" Antonio for 2 months", and the more chances they take with him, the longer he is out.

Now don’t even try to get me wrong, I love Mikey, he’s a Hammer thru & thru, but, He’s gonna need some help, either with a strike partner, or just simply someone good enough to rotate with every few matches. I know this isn’t possible at the moment. Perhaps Moyes can find next young Antonio without hamstring issues, or hell, why not try Bowen and Benrahma? Or START Yarmo with the understanding that he will be subbed at HT….. or here’s a thought….. Perhaps it’s time that we tried two strikers, ala, 3-5-2? (That looks like a 5-4-1 on the front foot, to me). Or perhaps POTENTIALLY filling the needs at LB with Alves, the other signing would be a striker (I’m not even going to get greedy, at this point). Could be just enough to see us top 8.

Well, back to my personal version of the “New Reality” that is ripping mine, and I’d imagine most families we all know to shreds. I guess I not need discuss how important it is to beat B&HA, it’s not a critical win for survival, but it carries a different weigh, it’s important in a doctrinal way, for The Gulls have had our # since they came up a few years ago now, and given our last 5 from, we are going to need the points. I know this all comes off slightly morose, but don’t get the wrong impression, this team is one thing I actually still have a modicum of faith in. So, to end on a more mellow note…….

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! I LOVE YOU ALL!

COYI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntbni0Dxgpw

Jimmy

*P.S. there is a good interview with Noble from Wednesday, I’d try to embed it, but by the time this is seen, it will probably have been seen by everyone, and will be concentrated on The Gulls coming up on Sunday afternoon, of which I think I have mentioned above.

I also would like to wish each and everyone of you the best of Holidays as possible, check out the you tube tune I tried to embed, it’s a rare and priceless Xmas song performance by a hybrid of two of the best bands of the late 1970’s*

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