Match Report

Being a London based Mag, this was the first game of the season that I would have the privilege of going to and I was well chuffed when my ticket turned up at work via recorded delivery courtesy of my Dad (as usual). This fixture was one of the better games down in London Village last season, probably due to the fact we lost every other game in the capital!

With Bramble missing Ramage moved to centre half alongside Moore, and together they never really looked in any trouble. Zamora was never a threat since he’s rubbish and Tevez wandered wide and was easily picked up by Carr and Babayaro when ever he came near the ball, which was rare. Other than a Free kick by Tevez, which rattled the bar and a long range shot by Bowyer following a poor Given clearance, I can’t think of a decent chance West Ham had in the game.

Parker and Emre looked much stronger and confident in possession than Reo-Coker and Mascherano. Parker seems to have endless time on the ball, and I can’t remember the last time he gave he ball away cheaply, and as captain he leads by example in the same way as his predecessor. Martins and Shola up front looks a promising combination, Shola is working harder than I have ever seen him, and his holding up of the ball and his short passing has improved over the past year or so. Martins will score goals in this division; I have got no problems sticking my neck on the line to say that. His pace and willingness to run at people is a quality we have missed since the Dyer injury saga and the Welsh one being shown the door, his directness and power lead to our first. A great run starting just inside our half, making Mascherano look like a mug in the process, and a perfectly weighted pass to Duff, who beat Carroll with ease. Good scenes after the goal as all the outfield players looked genuinely chuffed Duff had scored and that Martins played such a big part in the goal, and joined in the celebrations.

The second goal came from a very poor piece of defending by Gabbidon, who for some reason just watched as the ball rolled past him, allowing Martins a free run on goal. There was no way he was going to miss, his confidence and calmness was akin to Mickey Owen, one on one and you just know they are going to score.

Some quality taunting of West Ham lot ensued, "where’s your argies gone?" being the pick of the bunch after both of their alleged world class new signings had departed, Tevez at half time after wandering aimlessly for most of the first 45 minutes, and Mascherano just after the hour after being given a lesson in midfield play by Parker and Emre. Roeder enraged the home fans by replying to a chant of "Roeder give us a wave", which is the polite thing to do, seeing their fans rush down flights of stairs to give his some abuse was priceless. How they can feel bitter towards Glenn is a mystery to me, after all wasn’t it Trevor Brooking that took them down in the end?

A nasty looking injury to Given after Harewood (who I think touched the ball twice in 45 minutes and got booked for moaning) slid in a tiny bit late and clattered him. Given has stayed in London Village to undergo surgery on a stomach tear, which will keep him out for a while. But Steve Harper is a more than adequate replacement, and looks as though he will get a run in the first team that he deserves.

Funny mob, West Ham - they love to get a sense of insult and injustice getting them going - apparrently its now an offence for the Newcastle United manager to wave to supporters when we are on the way to a win. Goons.

All in all, it was a good performance and a fully deserved win against what is in reality a poor West Ham team. Yes they have a few good players, but there average players are very very average and 1st division at best. After seeing the mammoth queue outside Upton park station, I decided to walk to Plaistow station and get the tube from there, walking along with mainly home fans was an experience. They seem to think two decent signings (who nobody else wanted) has made them a Premiership super power, and surely the one of the most stupid comments of the day was by a bloke walking in front of me who told his son "We made them look good, they are the ones in trouble this season".

NS