Okay, I'm going to confess; I actually bought an under 16 ticket to get into this game (I am actually 20!) but they do not seem to check at all so I thought it was hard to argue with paying a fiver to see the game. No matter what Roberto Martinez says, we deserved to win and except from 15 minutes at the start of the second half were the better side throughout by some distance. The first thing to be said, is the referee had a bit of a 'mare. To begin with, he rightly didn't give a foul on Holt who went down very easily after realising he wasn't go to be able to catch up with a long ball so thought he'd take a tumble. But after that he rarely got a decision correct all game. Many, many times, and I am being impartial here, a Norwich player would be blatantly chopped down and nothing given. And he gave Wigan two attacking free-kicks for literally nothing. But perhaps the worst thing was when Pilkington was brought down adjacent to the Wigan area and he booked him for diving! By the end of the game, the players were furious and I was very worried Bradley Johnson was going to pick up a second booking for dissent. The Barclay spent most of the game labelling the referee a 'w*****' and to be honest, it was pretty hard to argue with that assessment. Mark Bunn really didn't put a single foot wrong all game. He made a wonderful save from the Wigan no 4 and gathered it at the second attempt, caught all the balls to close to him, but other than that was never really challenged except by Maloney's shot which was simply impossible to save. Wigan's goal wasn't really poor defending either, to be honest Maloney made a late run and took the shot so early nobody had a chance to close him down. Steven Whittaker didn't have to much to do but he seemed very confident after his goals against Swansea and took a few shots again today; one shanked a fair bit wide and the other deflected for a corner. Michael Turner was also rarely in much danger, but he made all the tackled we could ask of him and won all the headers and generally reduced Kone to the point of anonymity. Bassong had a slightly more eventful game; he nearly gave Wigan a chance with a poor touch but had the pace to recover. He also nearly scored an own goal from a Wigan cross but thankfully it went wide. What you will all have seen on MotD is his rather special intervention on Kone which almost certainly saved a goal. Mark Bunn was certainly happy with it as he gave him a kiss of the forehead when the resulting corner was cleared! Garrido had the least to of everybody, partly because he had good cover from Pilkington and Johnson. Did a good job of stopping the cross though. Snodgrass had a decent enough game, his set-piece delivery was generally pretty good and for a winger he is a remarkably good tackler. Very nearly scored but for a wonderful save. Tettey and Johnson both did ok, completed most of their passes and gave good shielding to the defence - certainly was nice to see both back in the team and we looked much more secure. Johnson also came close to a goal himself. Pilkington was excellent. I actually think Al-Habsi might have been able to keep out his shot out, but the Wigan full-back just had no answer to him. Before the game it was announced Hoolahan had signed a new contract and he celebrated with an absolutely sensational display yesterday. He scored a rare header of course, but it was really his skill on the ball that was a joy to watch. Finally Holt had a rather so-so game. I only recall him having one shot which was a fierce enough strike from distance which Al-Habsi kept out without to much fuss. And the subs all came on more to waste time then anything actually tactical and didn't have enough time to make an impact.
Thanks Marsupial. Useful to have stuff like this for us foreigners who often have to watch on a very dodgy stream which then gets cut altogether because someone is paid to go round the web and close down these things.
Fairly good appraisal Marsupial - I agree with most of what you have written there. Hoolers was simply sublime and was the outstanding player on the park - may be a bit eraly to call but he's got to be in with a shout for player of the season this year. I thought Holty looked tired on Saturday - he put himself about as he normally does but didn't quite have his normal buzz about him - he's probably too important to rest right now but getting someone in like Mackail-Smith in January to "give the lad a hand" as our former boss would say seems like a good idea to me if we are to get the best out of Holty for the rest of the season.
I agree that Holt needs a rest and perhaps the hamstring pull will see to that. CH hasn't made many mistakes, but I didn't agree with playing Holt in the cup game. I suppose that depends on how important you feel the Capital One Cup is. I think it would be good for Morison to get a run now with Pilks, Wes and Snoddy playing as well as they are. Moro handles the single striker role well, IMO, and this could be his chance to shine.
I agree regarding the cup game.Holt contributes an awful lot more than goals to the side.Opposition defences worry constantly about his presence and that allows other avenues to develop.A side without Holt will always amount to less than one with him.Hope to see him back to face City. The other mention has to go to Bassong.I am unsure what he cost us but a better centre back at the moment might be tricky to find outside Greater Manchester.Would you prefer Meertesecker? I thought not.
Wish I could pass for 16 again , but I rather fear the grey beard might give me away. I´d say you got some pretty good value for a fiver.
Does anyone know if the turnstiles at west ham are automatic or not? I don't want to pay £39 when under 16 tickets are only £1
To be honest, I certainly don't really look under 16 but the guy let me in anyway. Just make sure your clean shaven and put on a squeaky voice.
I have to agree that Holt is looking in need of a rest with a spell on the bench. He looked knackered in the last half hour against Villa and the same against Wigan. Might be handy that Harry Kane is returning today with a bang as set out by Cromer in another thread.
It's only 10 minutes away from me anyway so i'll definitely chance it. If I don't get let in i'll have to watch it in a pub nearby
