Well another draw some may say. I think I said in another thread that I fancied us breaking our duck and coming away with the points. Alas, not to be, but am quite happy with a point against a team that has started the season well. Stoke were on top in the first half and were unlucky to only go in at half time at 1-0 to the good. Good goal from Walters and a terrific effort from N'Zonzi. He was my Stoke player of the match. We were very comfortable in the first half but did not start quickly enough in the second half and were caught cold with their equaliser. West Ham threw everything at us in the second half but Begovic was again masterful and the defence held firm. Shame Wilko was injured but Shotton came on and I thought he did well. Being at the other end I did not really see enough of him second half bar a few attacks and a couple of long throws. However he seemed very composed standing in at left back. So a bonus for me that. Begovic still annoys me how long he a) takes to do a drop kick (we will have an indirect kick against us some time soon!) and b) how he wastes time taking goal kicks, or free kicks! I know he wanted to slow the game down but really not quite so much blatant timewasting please! I was listening to some West Ham supporters saying how do we watch that week in week out, but IMO we played some good stuff last night. Palacios did ok when he came on and the midfield worked well. Anyway I must be on the way now. All I say is that 7 away games played as opposed to 5 at home. we may still be 14th but with 2 games at home now reaping hopefully 4 points I remain positive! All in all a good evening! Cheers
Thanks for that Cris. I read somewhere t'other day that none of Allardyce's teams have beaten us for quite some time i.e Bolton, Newcastle (when he was manager) and now West Ham - long may it continue. All the best
I think that some of the West Ham fans questioning how we watch Stoke week in week out on last nights performance is harsh, I though we played our part in the game and it was a pretty end top end game. Value for money I would say, even from a neutral. I agree that we were positive 1st half and played some neat stuff, but to be honest West Ham showed (for me) how to play an eveloved direct football style and they could have 4 or 5 in the 2nd half to go along with the penalty they should have had in the 1st half. Towards the end of the game we had reverted to type which just exagerates our lack of conviction when playing comparable teams. The positive is that we got a point against a decent inform team away from home and we now have a couple of decent home games to go at. I still have my concerns and we are falling way behind our last season comparable (and 5 or 6 wins in approx 40 competitive matches doesnt lie), if we have another tough end to the season we may still find ourselves in dog fat.
Hi Smithers, Thanks for your thoughts. For West Ham they played for me how they have always done in the past, a direct game in the second half naal on floor and always using the wings well. What was the penalty in the first half? I missed that but do recall WHU players appealing for something.
Hello mate Most of us West Ham fans think that both sides played some good stuff last night. I certainly don't think you lumped it any more than we did and overall I thought there was some good quality in a good game. We were a bit lucky to get in just one goal down and second half perhaps you were a bit lucky to hold on for the draw. I think the result was fair and none of us can have any complaints. I was interested to read that Sam tried to sign N'Zonzi in the summer. I have never really looked at him closely before but he impressed me last night and outperformed Diame. I think to a degree we cancelled each other out a little. We tend to do best against very attacking sides as we like to soak up the pressure then hit on the break. When we play a fellow physical, strong team we struggle to unlock those solid, stubborn defences and I think that's what happened a bit last night for both teams. Overall I am quite happy with a point and I am pretty sure that we will both be safe with several games to spare this season.
Thanks Trixster Yes I read that in the programme last night about Sam trying to buy N'Zonzi. Also learnt last night that we could not afford Hoilett so ended buying N'Zonzi. Best buy for us. I see him as the next Vierra for Stoke and France. Just hope we can hang onto him!
Andy Caroll,moan moan,rolling around like a big girl,what a load of carp. We played them off the park first half,well done STOKE.
I think if we got a second goal in the first half we would have won. Unfortunately the early goal for West Ham gave them all of the momentum for the remaining match. Still, can't complain with an away point. Really should beat Fulham on Saturday.
Cheers Chris, Listened in on the radio as my link looked like Charlie Chaplin on speed, missed the goal as I was swapping to the radio. It sounded a good game and the pundits seemed pleasently surprised. I thought we'd lose so a really good point.
