Not Enough Quality! + [Video Highlights]
Nov 23, 2008 Featured Article, Gianfranco Zola, James Collins, Prediction League, Sunderland, West Ham News
After watching the Spurs match and how they only just beat a 10 man Blackburn, West Ham for 50 minutes were sitting in 17th place until Valon Behrami saved the day.
Roy Keane was dissapointed at not at least getting a share of the points and had this to say:
“I don’t think we deserved to lose,” Keane said after the match on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s questionable if we’ve done enough to win, but we could not provide the goal at the end.
“We got the opportunities. At least test the keeper but we didn’t really test him and we gave a bad goal away.
“It’s hard to take.
“I’ve no problem with the effort, we just need a bit more quality in the attacking third.”
Gianfranco Zola on the other hand was over the moon with his team and said to SkySports:
“Football is strange - sometimes you play well and get nothing.
“In those times you have to keep faith you are going to be rewarded and today is one of them.
“Today my smile is bigger. I am pleased for the boys because they were playing well and not getting results.
“We know that it is important to defend properly and the three points proved that.
“We are going to try and build (on) that.”
Match analysis
Valon Behrami handed Zola his first Barclays Premier League victory in eight attempts as Sunderland suffered a third successive home defeat.
The Switzerland international fired West Ham ahead with 20 minutes gone and could have made what followed far more comfortable had he not shot against the crossbar from just six yards on the stroke of half-time.
But in the end, his contribution proved enough to win a game which the home side dominated for long periods, but failed to make the most of the chances they created.
Manager Roy Keane has admitted in the past that the relative lack of goals his side scores often makes life difficult for them, and that shortcoming was painfully evident once again.
Djibril Cisse in particular had a series of chances, but the Wearsiders did not work goalkeeper Robert Green anywhere near often enough and ultimately paid the price.
The Hammers had to defend for long periods, but in Matthew Upson and James Collins, had willing workhorses, while former Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy was at his irritating best in front of a disgruntled crowd of 35,222.
Keane has seen and done most things in football, and little surprises him any longer.
However, he headed for the dressing room at half-time having seen his side create more than enough chances to win the game, but lucky still to be in it.
With recalled midfielder Andy Reid tormenting the Hammers down the left to provide a series of inviting cross for Cisse, it seemed only a matter of time before the home side took the lead.
Cisse sent one header just over and another narrowly wide, and then drilled a right-foot shot into the side-netting.
Reid landed a curling shot on top of Green’s crossbar and Danny Collins forced a good save from the keeper four minutes before the break, and there was fury inside the Stadium of Light went Cisse went down on the edge of the box under James Collins’ challenge and referee Mike Dean waved away his penalty appeals.
But in the meantime, Zola’s men had taken the lead against the run of play.
Reid was penalised for a foul on Lucas Neill wide on the right, and although Nyron Nosworthy cleared Julien Faubert’s free-kick, Behrami picked up the rebound and drilled a low shot past Marton Fulop with the help of a deflection off Kenwyne Jones.
Chances were few for the Londoners, but they should really have been 2-0 up in first-half injury-time after former Hammer Anton Ferdinand was left red-faced.
The defender attempted to control a high ball on halfway when he should really have headed it and succeeded only in giving it to Bellamy.
The Welsh international striker sprinted into the box and although he was forced wide as he attempted to round Fulop, he managed to squad for Behrami on the edge of the six-yard box - only for the midfielder to fire against the bar.
Keane’s side returned determined to make the most of their escape, and they were appealing for a penalty again within two minutes when Cisse smashed the ball against Upson’s arm from point-blank range - although Dean turned them down
The Frenchman was finding space with ease and headed wide once again from Phil Bardsley’s 49th-minute cross, and Green was relieved not to be punished for losing out in an aerial battle with Jones five minutes later.
Having spent 10 minutes pinned back inside their own half, the Hammers eventually fought their way into enemy territory and went close to a second goal with 56 minutes gone when Lee Bowyer headed just over.
The former Magpie was in on goal again on the hour when he ran on to Behrami’s pass, but Fulop smothered his cross with the blue shirts gathering.
Cisse was unable to capitalise on James Collins’ misjudgement when he allowed Reid’s 65th-minute cross to reach the Frenchman, who totally miscued his header.
Keane’s withdrew Steed Malbranque and Reid and sent on Daryl Murphy and Carlos Edwards, the latter having been recalled from his loan spell at Wolves.
Dean Whitehead forced a smart save from Green with a glancing 84th-minute header, but Sunderland’s fightback simply dwindled away to nothing.
Sunderlands biggest mistake was taking off Andy Reid which brought a sigh of relief to West Ham players and Fans as Reid was a definite danger to the Hammers and was more likely to bring on a goal for Sunderland with his accurate crosses to the 6 yard box.
COYI MOTM goes to James Collins
A massive 50 points each goes to Bobshep53 and shahirenayet for the correct Sunderland V West Ham prediction
This post was submitted by west ham fan.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Tags: Andy Reid, Attempts, Barclays, Barclays Premier League, Behrami, Cisse, craig bellamy, Crossbar, Djibril Cisse, Dressing Room, Gianfranco Zola, hammers, League Victory, Long Periods, Match, Matthew Upson, Midfielder, Moon, Relative Lack, Robert Green, Roy Keane, Shortcoming, Smile, Spurs, striker, Stroke, Sunday Afternoon, Valiant, video highlights, West Ham, Workhorses
Lack of Ambition!
Nov 13, 2008 West Ham News
Lack of ambition is something West Ham are not suffering with under Gianfranco Zola, for 75 mins on Saturday West Ham proved that with more training and experience they can be a side to be on par with any of the Top 4 clubs, so Tony Cascarino’s article in the Times this morning proves unfounded when he stated the following:
The lesser sides are favouring cautious tactics more and more - not just against the elite but against each other. No wonder the Barclays Premier League table is so bunched up, it’s full of teams of similar ability acting the same way. What’s to separate them except a bit of luck, the odd flash of individual inspiration or a refereeing decision?
Every club including the top 4 depends on a little luck, the odd referee’s decision in their favour, and some flash of individual inspiration.
West Ham have gone 6 games without a win, but ambition, skill, and entertainment is 3 factors that they do show, only time will tell if Zola’s tactics are proving worthy of using, i beleive they are, and sooner rather than later we may see some benefits, lets hope it is against Pompey this weekend.
This post was submitted by Mike Sinclair.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Tags: Acting, Ambition, Barclays, Barclays Premier League, Elite, Entertainment, Favour, Flash, Games, Inspiration, Little Luck, Matter Of Time, Odd, Par, Pompey, Referee, Tony Cascarino, West Ham, Zola
West Ham Vs Bolton: Live Streaming and Team News
Oct 5, 2008 Bolton, Gianfranco Zola, West Ham News
West Ham have won both their games under new manager Gianfranco Zola. The former Chelsea player will try to extend the run when they host Bolton.
A win today will see West Ham go into 1st place, well at least for 90 minutes until Chelsea and Liverpool finish.
West Ham news: Craig Bellamy is pushing for a starting place in the first XI, although it is likely Zola will stick to Cole and Di Michele up front. Dean Ashton is still out with an injury, as is Kieron Dyer. Zola’s concerns will mainly be the defence, conceding a goal in almost every match lately.
Bolton news: Gary Megson who spoke highly of both Zola and his predecessor Curbishley will try to win the game at Upton Park as he has lanuched a health programme at the Reebok Stadium. Matt Taylor will be back in contention despite not having played any reserve game. According to Megson, Matthew Taylor is the fittest player they have. The manager admitted Bolton have had problems winning away but will try to collect at least one point against the Londoners.
West Ham United still have the best home record in the Barclays Premier League with three wins from three and secured their first away win of the season at Craven Cottage last Saturday. Bolton, meanwhile, have the worst away record in the league - losing all three away from the Reebok Stadium.
Our bet: 3-1.
Kick-off 13:30
Watch Live FOOTBALL Here with over 23 fantastic links
Join our Prediction League Here
This post was submitted by Soccer-Pages.com.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Tags: Barclays, Barclays Premier League, Bet, Bolton, Chelsea Player, Contention, craig bellamy, craven cottage, Dean, dean ashton, Gary Megson, Gianfranco Zola, kieron dyer, Last Saturday, LIVE FOOTBALL, Liverpool, Londoners, Match, Matt Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Michele, Predecessor, Prediction League, Reebok Stadium, Reserve Game, Team News, upton park, West Ham, West Ham United
