We also did have some luck... Defoe could easily have been sent off, leaving us without any senior forwards for Wednesday (and next weekend), so happy with that!
RE: Lotak We started the game well and dominated the first 20 minutes, with Bale hitting the bar and being unlucky not to score, but we then went flat for the next 20, as we struggled to break them down. The opening goal was a solo effort from nothing and seemed to really hurt West Ham, as they had to open up a bit in search of a goal. http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/jermain-defoe-solo-special-v-west-ham/ We looked much more fluid and dangerous, opening them up quite a few times and controlling possession completely. All they had was the long ball for Carroll to flick on and we were winning most of the second balls, so they never really threatened. Dempsey hit the bar and then fed Bale for a very well taken 2nd goal, as the ball was never really under his control. http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gareth-bale-v-west-ham/ The third wasn't long in coming and it was a deserved one, too. Sandro won the ball when he had no right to and a quick one-two with Dempsey sent Lennon away, leaving Defoe with an open goal to basically kill the game off. http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/jermain-defoe-2-v-west-ham/ The game sort of fizzled out a bit from there, though we continued to look like the more dangerous side, until a defensive mistake allowed Carroll a simple finish for their consolation. http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/andy-carolls-first-west-ham-goal-v-spurs/ Even after that we could have got a few more, so the scoreline's a bit flattering for them. Pretty positive performance, overall.
Dempsey had a good game and probably deserved a goal, great assist for Bale's goal and set Lennon on his way well for the 3rd. Walker looked far more assured than he has been so far this season as well, which is very encouraging. I'm feeling optimistic about Liverpool now, although obviously losing Sandro is a problem. Anyone know anything about the extent of his injury yet?
Let's not forget that West Ham have 19 points and are doing quite well and a London derby to boot where all things are possible.
Very true, TMT. They looked bloody awful today and I think Villas-Boas' team selection was very sensible, which nullified them almost entirely.
Good result. Don't think we dealt with the aerial threat particularly well but it's difficult when they're throwing elbows and generally fouling all over the pitch. There was no lack of effort though and I thought we were excellent on the attack in the second half. I can't wait to see us play a football team when we get all our players back from injury.
We must give AVB a chance PNP and not just half a season. If you look at Carroll's goal it looked a touch lucky as he didn't seem to direct the ball rather he jumped up facing away from the goal and it went in. I hope that we continue with Lloris in goal. You said that they'd finish mid table and it looks like you're right. They've conceded very few goals and we score three so it's a good sign. A better sign is when Spurs beat Liverpool at WHL, a good season normally follows. Roll on Wednesday.
What a nice Sunday. Good result , defence far better without Gallas. 2 top goals and one outstanding. Central midfield still not quite doing it, but with Dembele back that should be a lot better. A lot more positive from AVB. I also had a wonderful lunch with some simple but wonderful Plonk. Goodnight Vienna. PS, G10 was right all along. Our man of the Garlic was outstanding a superb asset.
Their goal could have been avoided, the cross came back in from a poor miskicked clearance from Caulker I think it was, point is he didn't need to make it. No spammer near him and Lloris stood behind him waiting to catch it, which would have slowed it all down, everyone up to the halfway line. Did Lloris shout?, did SC ignore it?...if there was one?? dunno, but the two need to get the communication thing sorted.
I'm not sure who it was, but there was an audible shout of, "Clear it!", as the ball came to Caulker, Notso. Not sure if it influenced him or not, though. Might have had a bit of concussion after being elbowed in the face by Carroll. Not intentional, but Defoe got sent off for something similar at Villa a couple of years ago. Dawson took a few knocks to the head, too. Standard Allardyce team, really.
Yeah, the goal conceded really took the edge off the performance. We really need to take cleansheets when we can. Caulker just played it blind into a dangerous area when he should've sent it straight into the stands. Gallas, Walker and Sandro have all been guilty of making stupid clearances this season too and I hope it's something AVB is noting. Until we start getting regular cleansheets I want to see us hoofing our clearances into orbit, particularly towards the end of the game.
On the way home and not read through the thread, but here's my views!! Dawson was immense, the back 4 looked solid and in control today compared to other weeks where we've looked all over the place. Walker had his best game for a long time today, long may it continue. Sandro was another today who I thought was immense. Dempsey had by far his best game in our shirt. West ham were at their best today but still very poor. Their fans were scummy, more so than usual, but what's new!
Is it "keepers" in French?! Also, I'm used to the keeper having the over-riding shout in his area. SC
Overall, well pleased with today's performance: Dempsey had a really good game and deserved a goal, Walker was certainly better, Verts had a particularly strong 2nd half - as indeed did Hudd. The defence generally did well coping with the aerial barrage that the Spammers employed throughout (worse than Bolton) and was good to see Dawson play with such assurance, as did Lloris. The wonderful solo goal from Defoe definitely changed the game, as although we had started brightly, from 20 mins in we had lost direction and impetus. That goal also seemed to knock Wet Spams confidence as well. If they can keep that level going into the Mouser game then think that we will get a positive result. Well done all - including AVB for his team selection.
IF Lloris shouted something like 'clear it' then its clear what happened, Caulker went to clear it and on his weaker foot sliced it a bit. It happens, no centre half is going to be 100%, 100% of the time, let alone a 20 year old still learning his game. The vast majority of the time that goes into the stands I'd hope. It's a really frustrating goal to concede but these things happen. Better a seemingly random mistake like happens when we're 3-0 up at home against West Ham than in a more difficult situation, and better to lose a goal like that in a seemingly random fashion than to have a massive problem at the back that keeps rearing its head, like a marking system/offside trap consistently not working.
