Just heard one of those meaningless stats that are so often stated in football. Apparently, West Ham haven't won an away match in the Premier League since February 2011. Now I know we're all meant to gasp at that but nobody adds the rider that they weren't in the PL between May 2011 and August 2012. I heard another the other day/week mentioning that Saints hadn't won a match against a PL league match against another team since 2005, and there was no explanation at all that we haven't been in the PL since 2005..! Do these factoid people think we're idiots..?
There's no denying it, West Ham are doing well, and tonight's game was a good away win against bottom of the table QPR. But who else have they played..? Here's a lesson in looking at things in the sober light of facts, rather than getting too high or too low: Aston Villa [H] 1-0 Swansea [A] 0-3 Fulham [H] 3-0 Norwich [A] 0-0 Sunderland [H] 1-1 QPR [A] 2-1 Now how special is that start..?
always thought west ham would do well, never thought we would get above them this year, future yes, but this year no, there team on paper is really good. With that year of bonding i thought they would be fine this year, their additions were good aswell
To be fair my short post was a reply of sorts in so far as they have reached a relatively high position and have 11 points(?), and will be feeling more confident with their start.
Yes, that's fair enough, but I would say that Saints would have a similar points total [perhaps better] if we had been playing the same teams.
West Ham are a good side. A really fiesty fighting team. We are too nice at times and would be better off adopting a more aggressive nature. Also they have a top manager tactically home and away. They'll finish top 12 if not better and always expected it. A shame we gave Wigan 3 points as they have 1 point from 5 games without playing us. Had we beaten them the table would look very rosey.
Although many might not consider it representative, Wigan beat West Ham 4-1 in the League Cup at Upton Park. Are some of you not seeing what I'm seeing..? I think you are giving more credit to West Ham than they are due.
They are handy away from home though which we struggled with even last season. They are definitely a better side than us at this level over the course of a season imo. There is definitely a case for that we are better head to head though
It is realistic to think that had our next 8 games been our first games then we could and probably should have been in the top 8 of the league. You could say its if, buts and maybes but it is fair to say that had West Ham played the top 3 from last season and an Everton team at the top of their game their points total would be a lot less. I still think a good way of looking at the whole thing is that we are in a league with 10 or so other teams that can get dragged into a relegation fight. All of these teams will struggle to take points off the big boys so lets disregard those matches. So in our 10 team mini league Saints have only played 2 teams in it and have 3 points, with 4 games in hand over West Ham who have 11 points. Last season I would have been confident of catching a West Ham side with 4 games in hand and an 8 point deficit. I may not have made sence as its a bit late, but it makes sense to me!!
OK, whatever. BUT..! There are one or two who have still cut their wrists with the razor, even though the results have been hugely weighted against SFC, with the way the fixtures have fallen, so far.
Some good games tonight with Benfica against Barcelona being the pick. I see our Portsmouth friends have a difficult looking away game against Yeovil. Can't believe that was us only two seasons ago!
