PROS 1. Dominated possession 2. Although we didn't win most of the challenges with Carroll we did decent onto getting the 2nd ball 3. Return of Mertersaker (What a tackle on Nolan!) 4. Giroud's goal and overall performance 5. Podolski lasted past the 80th minute 6. Despite one big spill Manone did ok again...(not bad for 3rd choice) 7. Cazrola, Arteta 8. Theo's sub appearance CONS 1. Some clumsy defending...TV is still not consistent enough during a game 2. Gervinho 3. Ramsey's defensive display 4. Gibbs crossing
Well done, Carzola is one hell of a player, pleasure to watch him play. Atleast we made you work for it and not roll over, can't ask much else from my team.
TBH, West Ham made us look a lot better in the first half. Whenever we got hold of the ball they all retreated to their penalty box, at least up until the Diame goal anyway. Once we got to 2-1, a third goal was inevitable as they came out chasing the equaliser, but despite the final scoreline an argument could easily be made for a draw being the fairer result. Pity life ain't fair Ramsey can be criticised for his DM misgivings, but in fairness to the welshie, he didn't gift the ball to the opposition anywhere near as much as he usually does. Mert was great, but he did forget to plod back into position a couple of times, loitering 15 yards inside the other half when he wasn't part of any build up etc Didn't like the 'French Jimmy Saville' references made by the other lot. The ref didn't have a lot to do, but still fluffed half of what little he was involved in. Leyton Orient have a classier stadium than Upton Park and both are miles better than the one on Tottenham High Road (It's not on White Hart Lane).
