Greetings.
Well….. all I shall say about last week is, at least you know where I stand on the world situation, and now I know where most of you do as well, therefore, I’m going to take as much of the good as I can from the bad, and rest easy knowing that we have a better understanding of each other.
O.k. moving ahead….. like West Ham, on a mostly mediocre performance, however, as Steve Malcolm and Stepney Phil, both correctly point out that some credit should be given to Leeds, (pardon if I struggle giving Leeds credit some times as you will be reminded why), they came out in the second, and are a threat going forward, and, as we know all too well, partly lost by boofing the chances they earned. That being said, there were still strong enough spots in West Ham’s solid effort to just about deserve to get best of Leeds….., either way…its so sweet to “do the ‘dub’” on Dirty Leeds! “Neil Paddock? Pettock? or Buttock….whatever!!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it, wherever you are!!!!! HAHAHA!!!” (Some may recall my unpleasant conversation with a mug from West Yorkshire at Millersville University in 1994? Damn, maybe 1993….I know I was still with Amy and Kurt Cobain was still alive, so no later than than April of 1994…………)
Apologies, I drifted a bit….. (it happens) :))
Well, there was some minor controversy with poor old Mike Dean, again. It wasn’t completely unbelievable. Like some others may have also noticed, I think he may be off even more because of the disgusting threats he received since the Bednarek and Soucek red cards were rescinded. I wouldn’t blame him if he’s a bit shook. (“Shook”-U.S. General east coast urban slang for “very frightened”, or "nervously impaired due to a traumatic incident).
:))
I won’t lie like I like the guy as a ref, his consistency, is “questionable”, at best, I’d not be surprised of possible “favoritism”, and his penchant for making himself a part of the result is biggest weakness, however, I do remember his first match back after he received the horrible, and repulsive death threats a few weeks ago…. jeez, I forget who was playing each other (I’ve had a lot on my mind lately….. obviously….), however, I DO remember that within 10’ he had to go to VAR to make a call…… now, as I already stated no love for the man as a ref, however, he is a human being, after all, and I’d not blame him for going on holiday early this year. It’s truly a disgrace what happened to him, and I think it’s influencing some of his judgment, (which, without what happened could be an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries” to begin with!) However, away we put that chestnut (for now, I’m afraid….), ;)) but, on the real tip? Refs, and the linos, do have a tough job, real deal, “Holyfield”, you dig?
So, 2-0, does the double on Leeds, and both Sheffield, AND Villa, also “dubbed” (Villa, being the sweetest plum), not cos I really hate Villa as much as Birmingham City, but Jack Grealish’s antics are enough to impede my ability to recognize the skill he does have, because it’s chumps (mugs) like him that are ruining the game, and have been for years. I don’t care if it’s West Ham United, or, who I’ve dubbed with just a touch of sarcasm, ;) the “EPL Olympic Diving Team”, who are led by Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Jack Grealish, Mo Salah, and a few others, I cannot abide diving. If there is to be a VAR, they can tell if someone is really being racked, or if they are making a 7 course meal out of it, and simulation, should be as aggressively prosecuted as a real penalty. End of, full stop. Forget about it.
Right, back to our own, I’m enjoying this season for all the obvious reasons, however, squads like ours potentially go down in club lore as a side that reminds us that there is still enough purity in the game, a side that comes once in a generation, maybe two, because, even though this West Ham United squad isn’t packed with billions worth of talent, or are “Thick as a Brick” (yes, again….. “Jethro” gave me an easy “go to”)… :)) but we aren’t as thin as a “Zig Zag” rolling paper, either, and this gang is fighting for each other, the Crest, and their own, which, of course, David Moyes is a huge part of.
Another recently added ingredient to the recipe of this unprecedented year, has been the loan from Man U of Jesse Lingard. We need Lingard to stay, in my opinion, (maybe he should let “Dec” take any more penalty shots we may earn whilst Noble isn’t on the pitch) ;)) however, by crashing the 6, Lingard drew the penalty, which was legitimate, and, from the start, he has encouraged a lot of forward movement. He even said in a post match presser on Monday, basically the same thing I was always told to do as a RW/RWB, long, long ago, when, there were a few times I was fortune enough to get out of the box and the gloves, (as I will paraphrase for you as it was dictated to me, circa 1985), was that "if you EVER find yourself with the sweet, sweet sight of space to run into? You run TOWARDS the 6 yard box, you make your move, and by the time you are on your third touch, you’ll will know what to do with the ball!
Before his [Lingard’s] arrival, I believe we lacked forward momentum, from time to time. I understand the fact that passing back, and around is also to stretch the width of the field, which is necessary in spreading a defense out, however in addition to Lingard signing on a permanent, we will still need a true, natural finishing “Fox in the Box” to COMPLEMENT, Antonio, and hopefully Lingard, cos I definitely include Antonio as part of this teams core, however, his very hustle, the very trait that truly makes a Hammer proud, is what busts open those hammys! (every early December, it seems, Damn! Unfortunately, were gonna miss him for a few months every year. Then again, with another trusted striker to go to, this could alleviate so much pressure for him to lead alone, EVERY week? Thus, perhaps he sustains less serious hammys, less often?)
I also am hopeful for Bowen, Fornals and Benrahma, to take some influence from Lingard, “Should He Stay or Should He Go” (hopefully stay, of course), however, either way, I hope he sets an example for those three to grow more of a killer instinct for the goal. I don’t want them to lose their cohesion, team ethic, passing improvement, and ability to see 3 passes ahead on their day, however, for them to know when it’s o.k. to be selfish, like, “yeah, forget this, there’s 20 yards open in front of the 18, and I’m going to take it as close as possible to take it on my best side and get this club and these supporters the 1 or 3 points they, and we, deserve.”
Now, the “Esprit de Corps” of these lads, together in complete harmony, is unlike any I’ve seen in the 22 years I’ve been following.
Now, this isn’t the “first match ever” that we didn’t play 100%, balls to the wall, or very pretty, and still found a way to see a 2-0 HT lead stay that way through to the end, (another old bogey laid to rest, hopefully.) There are the next 3 bogeys to exercise, which, the first, is a long, long overdue, and that is a proverbial “old fashion’d thrashin’” (U.S. southern slang for turning someone over, or severely flogging someone) of Manchester United, at Old Cheatford, #2, finally beat Arsenal, for f#©ks sake, and #3? B&HA…..we haven’t beaten them since they have been back up in the PL. We need 3 from that fixture on the South Coast.
David Moyes, is picking the right players, for the right opposition (he’s killing me [and, Florida!] with his selections in the predictor) :)) however, this matters little, and the heft of importance is now seen in the form of the lads chins’ staying up when we go down a goal, and once the correct gear has been found, West Ham stay in it long enough to see out the close ones, of which WHU would have dropped in the last 3 out of 4 seasons, instead, we now coming back to earn that point, or actually take all 3.
I hate to admit this, (actually, I don’t, I’m proud of it) but I’m beginning to expect top 5. I predicted 6th, kinda expanded the window to 6-8th, however, between the on pitch quality, more over is the “Band of Brothers” feel, from at least the Gaffer on down to the Academy, and regardless of the start Monday night, Leeds were much more scattered in spite of a stronger second half.
West Ham United (with the help of the best coaching staff this club has seen in quite some time), have indeed not only stopped the bleeding, but the staff has the defense set up in such good shape, and the players are working together, and communicating much like a well honed “Spec Ops” unit would, and the result is that offenses are finding penetration much more daunting due to the proverbial parapets, staves, and anti-Calvary traps that would have made Julius Caesar proud, and left Vercingetorixs’ infantry and cavalry with more holes in them. No one whoops our asses anymore!
Nobes…….. a true class act, I honestly teared up after I read that letter, I’m glad we’ll get to see him for another year, in front of full grounds. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, he’s my favorite athlete of this century, thus far, and, I’m sure his influence has a part in Rice’s apparent drive to build a winner, at West Ham United, as opposed to going the traditional route……. which looks like if one left Selsdon Rd by car, it would involve taking Barking Rd East to Circular Rd and the M-11 North (I guess) to the M-25,West to the M-1 North to the M-6……..
Anyways, it’s good to know that Nobes will be sticking around, as it appears Declan Rice will be around for the foreseeable future.
Well, onward we go. Another positive common theme I’ve noticed within the lads, is the, “one match at a time” approach", leaving it to us to have fun debating who would be in the best side to beat “United”, because if the staff, and the squad can sort out the proper squad and strategy? We ALL can enjoy some LONG, LONG, overdue restitution from a club who, on their manor, at least, seems to get away with daylight robbery against us, one way, or another……
I think it’s time for West Ham United F. C. to be the ones that are referred to, as “UNITED”.
P.S. I’d like to thank Mr. FloridaHammer for his help, banter, and good feedback with this piece, and we should look forward to his guest column next week!
COYI!!!
Jimmy.