Yes, we were getting nothing from set pieces/corners. Its a shame about the rest of their team, and their constant slowing of the game. That's my biggest problem with them.
It happened right in front of me and was a stone wall penalty offence, which JWP was too honest about, he could have gone down, but was too honest, shrugged it off a played to the whistle.
Whilst I have a lot of time for their outspoken fans who say they have abandoned their West Ham Way, the West Ham style of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall from yesteryear, would have been absolutely steamrollered yesterday. They would have played lovely passing football, but with little bite. Like those fans, I can remember West Ham from those days too. They played pretty football, but it never amounted to much really. Greenwood/Lyall were hardly ever going to trouble the top half of the table. They were not pragmatists. They played a style that their players weren't upto managing on a consistent basis. Does that mean I'm a Sam Allardyce fan..? Not in the slightest. He has players who are more than capable of playing prettier football consistently and still doing well in the league.
I thought we actually looked dangerous from corners for a change! Every time we got a corner or free-kick I felt confident we would get a good chance. Rickie managed to hit the post after getting on the end of one. On Wanyama, he's a tank, but his passing is sloppy. I think it was Morgan's best game this season, he got forward more with a couple of good chances.
Then well done to him for being so. I get rather cheesed off that footballers routinely appeal for anything going to their advantage, even Saints players, from a throw-in to complaining about a yellow card when they've practically put a fellow player in hospital. I've no doubt JWP will learn to be an appealing style of footballer, in the long run. Let him stay as honest as he can be, for as long as it lasts.
It was far from stonewall. I would have been massively pissed off if a penalty was given against Saints for something like that.
Agree. It looked bad on first viewing but it was clear from replays that Ward-Prowse had his arms around the defender if anything. Not a penalty for me.
Cork should have played instead of Wanyama, didn't need a purely holding player yesterday, not that he even did that well! Cork would have provided the extra creativity on the middle. This next part I hate to say, but Lallana... What's happened? His touch has deserted him. JWP should have started on the wing, because I don't rate Gaston... Punch would have been ideal.
Can we have an automatic ban on people who say "Punch would have x, or why did we let Puncheon go" please!
There are many players who are wordly wise and would have simulated to gain an advantage, I agree it would have been harsh but we have been victims of similar decisions in the past. A foul in the area is a Penalty offence whether it be soft or obvious.
That is 100% bollocks. Cork does not provide creativity. JWP is not a winger and as Puncheon, it's all well and good saying he would have been ideal but he's not here anymore. Move on.
I would never have given a penalty for that. Look at it again on saints player. Both players put their arms on each other at the same time. The referee was right to play on.
You've got that COMPLETELY the wrong way round - Cork provides more creativity than Wanyama - JWP has played in the wide midfield position for us this season - I realise Punch isn't here any more, the point is, he should be, or maybe we should all sit around whinging about penalty decisions, would that be a better use of this board? If I remember correctly, West Ham had a perfectly good goal disallowed.
Based on their recent seasons, you'd have to say that Cork had been used as a more defensive midfielder than Wanyama. One simple measure (though not exacting) would be goals and assists over the last two seasons.
But would you agree that while playing for Saints, Wanyama's job has been nothing more than winning the ball/ keeping possesion, and playing safe sideways/ backwards passes? If he has more passing range, I haven't seen it.
Up to half time, in the two games I have been at, yes I'd agree. Second half Saturday he started to drive forward a lot more. Cork is a hugely impressive and important midfielder, but I wouldn't put him in the 'creative' bracket. I see him in the 'breaking up' and 'linking' roles much more than creative. Yes, he has played (last season) with a lot more energy than Victor seems to have in his two games, but I don't see him driving forward and shooting. They are both more in the holding role really.
We were at our best yesterday when Morgan was joining the attack. Wanyama gives him the freedom to do that. It's a subtle role but an important one. Lallana had a heavy touch yesterday when he could have scored, but other than that I thought he was good.
Nor would I but then again I haven't Refereed for about twenty years so am probably a bit out of touch about what constitutes foul play.
