WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce wants West Ham United to offer a quick response to Saturday's
defeat
02.04.2012
Sam Allardyce is targeting six of the best as all at West Ham United remain
focused on securing promotion to the Premier League. The Hammers were
cheered on superbly by another near sell-out crowd at the Boleyn Ground
during Saturday's loss to Reading. Now, with six games to go, everyone at
the club will continue to pull together alongside that magnificent support -
both home and away - to help the club achieve its goal of promotion this
season. Big Sam believes that while there is still a chance of West Ham
overtaking the Royals and leaders Southampton at the summit, they must
target maximum points in their remaining games to keep the pressure up. Both
of West Ham's rivals at the top have a difficult run of fixtures coming up
and the pair meet on 13 April in another crucial game in the run-in. "You
have to take each game at a time and try to win it before moving on to the
next one," Big Sam said. "We've had a big disappointment against Reading but
the lads have got to pick themselves up and get ready for a critical moment
in our season. It's the type of pressure we wanted at the start of the
season. "It's the pressure you need when you're trying to clinch automatic
promotion. We've just got to deal with it better than we did against
Reading. Mentally we shot ourselves in the foot and physically the team was
going to tire a little quicker than the opposition as we played on Tuesday
and they had a free week. "We just have to pick ourselves up, have a good
rest as it's been a tough two weeks and then get ready physically for a
Friday and Monday double-header."
The Hammers travel to Barnsley for a Good Friday teatime kick-off and then
host Birmingham City on Easter Monday looking to bounce straight back from
the 4-2 loss in the game with Reading. Big Sam has stressed that his side
must quickly ready themselves for the trip to Oakwell, where they will go
into the game knowing a win will secure them a place in the Hammers record
books for the most away wins in a season. "We must go and break the away
record and win 12 away in one season, which has never happened before. Then
when we get back here against Birmingham, we must use the strength and depth
of the squad and see if we can give the fans something that we've all wanted
for a long time. Not just a good performance but a win. "The Reading result
was a disappointment as it's not normally how we are and it's happened at
the wrong time. We've just got to put it behind us and it's stopped a great
run of undefeated games. There are six games to go and try to win. We've
left ourselves with that being the only answer to us trying end up in the
top two spots now. "We don't want to rely on too many slip-ups from
Southampton or Reading, we want to be winning games of football. We want to
make sure if they slip up we'll be straight back in there."
West Ham had come out of the blocks strongly on Saturday and quickly took
the lead through Carlton Cole. Two quickfire goals from Reading put the
visitors ahead at the break, however, and they strengthened their grip with
two more after the break with a Ricardo Vaz Te adding a second for the hosts
in between. Defensive solidity is something that West Ham have been able to
rely on regularly this season, but a series of individual slip-ups at the
back cost them dear. "Reading knew there was more pressure on us to play
well and win, but I thought we handled that really well. What you can't do
is slip up like we did. If you make mistakes like we did then opposition
teams will punish you. "I don't mind losing a game when the opposition
creates and then put the ball in the net, but I've looked at the four goals
and they weren't good from our point of view."
Although the treatment room has cleared with Papa Bouba Diop, Guy Demel and
Winston Reid all back in full training, Mark Noble's forced substitution at
half-time on Saturday with a thigh injury could see him ruled out for a few
weeks. "It looks like Mark has strained a thigh muscle so it depends how bad
it is. It is unlikely we'll see him for the next two matches. If we're lucky
he might make the next one, if we're unlucky then we'll have to see how deep
the injury is in the thigh muscle when he has it scanned. "We hope it's not
serious as Mark is one of our key players."
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EURO despair for Chambers
WHUFC.com
Leo Chambers' England have failed to qualify for the EURO U17 Championship
02.04.2012
Four second-half goals from opponents Spain saw Leo Chambers' England fail
to qualify for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals. With the West
Ham United defender captaining the side, England went into their final Elite
Round qualifier with the Spanish in Georgia knowing a victory would take
them through to the eight-team finals in Slovenia. After a goalless
first-half during which goalkeeper Ruben Blanco had saved well from Calum
Chambers, Will Hughes and Chuba Akpom, Spain took control after the break.
Ivan Calero curled his side in front on 45 minutes before Alejandro Grimaldo
doubled the lead two minutes later. Luke Woodland hit the crossbar and
Hughes saw his shot cleared off the line as the Young Lions attempted to
mount a comeback, but it was not to be as further goals from Sergi Samper
and Jose Gaya saw Spain complete a comprehensive victory. While England were
left disappointed, the gloss was also taken off Spain's 4-0 victory as they
were denied a place at the finals by mini-group hosts Georgia, who beat
Ukraine 1-0 to finish top.
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Nobby not giving up
WHUFC.com
Kevin Nolan is not ready to concede automatic promotion, despite Saturday's
defeat by Reading
02.04.2012
Kevin Nolan is not giving up on gaining automatic promotion, despite the
disappointment of Saturday's 4-2 npower Championship defeat by Reading. The
Hammers missed out on the chance to leapfrog the Royals into second place,
while also surrendering their eleven-game unbeaten run and losing their
fourth home match of the season. All that after Carlton Cole had fired West
Ham into an early lead at the Boleyn Ground. Despite that hat-trick of
body-blows, Nolan is adamant West Ham can still overhaul either Reading or
Southampton - who lost 3-0 at Blackpool - and get their passports back to
the Premier League stamped without the need for the Play-Offs. "Having gone
ahead at home, it was doubly frustrating to lose, especially as we dominated
from the first minute until the 40th and the next thing we were 2-1 down
going in at the break. It's something we'll learn from. We have six games
left and we've got to win each one of them as they come along and I'm
confident we can do that. "I've not looked at their runs, only at ourselves.
We only have ourselves to blame for where we are - no-one else. We have all
got to stand up and be counted now, everyone. If we all stick together I'm
sure we can all get what we want and that's to be in the Premier League at
the end of the season. "The be-all and end-all has been that our sloppy
defending has cost us and nothing else. I thought we dominated the game
throughout. I almost sure that their fourth goal was offside and I apologise
if it wasn't. "We've got to make sure we go on a run between now and the end
of the season and hopefully put a bit of pressure on Southampton and
Reading."
All four Reading goals came as a result of poor defensive play and Nolan
claimed the Royals could still be caught between now and 28 April. Reading
and leaders Southampton play each other, while both face a series of tricky
fixtures against teams with either Play-Off places or a relegation battle to
play for. West Ham, meanwhile, will regroup ahead of a busy Easter weekend
that sees them go to Barnsley on Friday before hosting Birmingham City a
week on Monday. "Reading have been on a fantastic run and did well on
Saturday and have got what they wanted, but we were hit with a sucker punch
and we've got to get up. I think we're big enough and we've got the fans and
the squad to reach our target. "Of course automatic promotion is still the
target. There is a mini-league between three of us now so let's see if we
can break them before the end of the season. If not, it's Plan B. Easter
weekend is going to be massive. All hope is not lost. We're not all down in
the dumps. We're looking forward to putting the wrongs right next Friday."
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Loanee round-up
WHUFC.com
Four of West Ham United's band of loanees were in action at the weekend
02.04.2012
Four of West Ham United's band of loanees were in action for their
respective clubs at the weekend. Frederic Piquionne, Rob Hall, Cristian
Montano and George Moncur all turned out in the npower Football League, with
the Frenchman taking top billing by scoring for Doncaster Rovers. The
striker put Rovers in front after just four minutes against Birmingham City,
only for the Blues to roar back to record a 3-1 Championship success at the
Keepmoat Stadium. The defeat leaves Doncaster in deep relegation trouble.
In League One, Hall played for 28 minutes as a second-half substitute but
was unable to prevent MK Dons slipping to a 2-1 home defeat by Play-Off
rivals Brentford. MK Dons still look good to make the Play-Offs, however, as
they sit fifth in the table.
Freddie Sears was an unused substitute for Colchester United in the Essex
side's 1-1 draw at Exeter City.
In League Two, Montano was on the pitch for the opening 65 minutes for
Oxford United, but the U's saw their own Play-Off hopes dented by a 2-1 home
defeat by Morecambe. Oxford are sixth in the table.
Finally, Moncur completed a full 90 minutes for AFC Wimbledon, but the Dons
were beaten 2-1 at Accrington. The defeat leaves AFC Wimbledon 15th in the
table.
Elsewhere Jordan Spence (Bristol City), Pablo Barrera (Real Zaragoza) and
Olly Lee (Gillingham) were not involved, while goalkeepers Peter Kurucz
(Rochdale) and Marek Stech (Leyton Orient) are injured.
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Sam Allardyce's job as West Ham boss is safe - Karren Brady
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will not be sacked if the Championship club
fails to secure an instant return to the Premier League, insists Karren
Brady. Allardyce has faced criticism from fans with the third-placed
Hammers, who were relegated from the top-flight last May, four points behind
automatic promotion. "Yes he will still be in charge next season -
definitely," Hammers vice-chairman Brady told BBC Radio 5 live. "[Chairman]
David Sullivan wanted Sam - they have a very good relationship." The
pressure has increased on Allardyce after West Ham fell further behind the
top two with a 4-2 home defeat by second-placed Reading on Saturday.
The east London club were top of the Championship on 21 February but have
slipped out of the automatic reckoning following a run of one win in seven
matches. Allardyce, appointed as Avram Grant's successor last summer, has
been forced to defend his team's recent displays after his own supporters
chanted about the side's style of football. The ex-Bolton boss vowed to play
"the West Ham way" when he took over but fans have voiced their displeasure
at what they see as direct tactics. But Brady remains confident the team can
still bounce straight back to the top-flight - either automatically or
through the play-offs. "Obviously the Reading defeat was difficult for
everybody," she said. "We were hoping to win but we certainly haven't given
up the prospect of automatic promotion or promotion, if we have to, through
the play-offs. "That is still our number one target for this season."
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The late late show
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 2nd April 2012
By: Staff Writer
Almost 50 per cent of the goals conceded by West Ham in the Championship
this season have been scored in the final minutes of each half. Ever since
the opening day of the season when Kenny Miller struck in the final minute
of normal time to earn Cardiff City a 1-0 win at the Boleyn Ground, Sam
Allardyce's side have had a propensity to ship goals in the closing stages
of a half. Of the 42 goals conceded by United in the league this season, 12
have been conceded in the final TWO minutes of each half - and a further
seven in the final TEN minutes. Additionally, Allardyce's side were knocked
out of both Cup competitions by late goals; Danny Hylton's 89th-minute
effort at the Boleyn Ground for League Two Aldershot back in August dumped
the Hammers out of the Carling Cup - whilst Chris O'Grady's 88th-minute
strike for League One Sheffield Wednesday won the FA Cup third round tie at
Hillsborough back in January.
Additionally, those late goals have cost West Ham up to TEN points in the
league this season - a figure that, added to United's current haul of 72
points, would have put then four points clear of current league leaders
Southampton who have 78 points. Worryingly, six of the 19 goals conceded in
the Championship have been scored within the last month; one each against
Leeds, Burnley and Middlesbrough plus THREE against Reading last Saturday.
Goals conceded in the last two minutes
August
West Ham 0-1 Cardiff
Miller (90)
West Ham 2-2 Leeds
Clayton (90)
West Ham 1-2 Aldershot
Hylton (89)
September
West Ham 4-3 Portsmouth
Halford (pen 90)
West Ham 0-1 Ipswich
Bowyer (89)
October
Southampton 1-0 West Ham
Hooiveld (45)
January
Sheff Weds 1-0 West Ham
O'Grady (88)
West Ham 2-1 Nottm Forest 1
McGuigan (90)
Ipswich 5-1 West Ham
Murphy (44)
Martin (pen 45)
Thomas (90)
February
Blackpool 1-4 West Ham
Phillips (45)
March
West Ham 2-4 Reading
Gorkss (44)
Hunt (45)
Goals conceded in the last ten minutes
December
Reading 3-0 West Ham
Church (80, 86)
Brimingham 1-1 West Ham
Murphy (81)
March
Leeds 1-1 West Ham
Becchio (83)
West Ham 1-1 Middlesbrough
Ogbeche (84)
Burnley 2-2 West Ham
Paterson (36)
West Ham 2-4 Reading
Leigertwood (84)
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Nolan eyeing six wins
Skipper not giving up on top two finish
Last Updated: April 2, 2012 1:09pm
SSN
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan is targeting six wins from their remaining six
games to try and ensure automatic promotion from the Championship. The
Hammers' promotion charge has stumbled in recent weeks, with Sam Allardyce's
men winning just one of their last seven matches to drop out of the
Championship's top two.
Last weekend's 4-2 home defeat to in-form Reading means there is now a
four-point gap between the Hammers in third and the Royals in second. With
just six games left to go in the regular season Nolan concedes his side are
running out of time if they are to seal a top two spot. However, the former
Newcastle midfielder is eyeing a 100 per cent record between now and the end
of the season in order to give themselves a fighting chance.
Blame
"We have six games left and we've got to win each one of them as they come
along and I'm confident we can do that," said the 29-year-old. "I've not
looked at their runs, only ourselves. We only have ourselves to blame for
where we are - no-one else. We have all got to stand-up and be counted now,
everyone. "If we stick together I'm sure we can all get what we want and
that's to be in the Premier League at the end of the season. "We've got to
make sure we go on a run between now and the end of the season and hopefully
put a bit of pressure on Southampton and Reading."
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Brady - Big Sam will stay
Brady claims boss will stay regardless of season's outcome
Last Updated: April 2, 2012 6:29pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce's job at Upton Park is safe even if the
Championship club fail to secure promotion this season, according to
vice-chairman Karren Brady. The Hammers are winless in six home matches
after Saturday's 4-2 defeat against Reading, which left them four points
adrift of the second-placed Royals with six games to go. The club were among
the pre-season favourites to secure an instant return to the Premier League
but Brady insisted Allardyce's future does not hinge on achieving that goal.
She said: "Yes he will still be in charge next season - definitely.
"[Chairman] David Sullivan wanted Sam - they have a very good relationship."
Under fire
The former Bolton boss has come under fire following a run of just two wins
in eight matches in March, while his style of play has done little to endear
him to a fan base that prefers passing football. Brady admitted the defeat
to the Royals was difficult for everybody but was hopeful they could
recover. "We were hoping to win but we certainly haven't given up the
prospect of automatic promotion or promotion, if we have to, through the
play-offs," she said. "That is still our number one target for this season."
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Delusion or Arrogance?
About 7 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
Over the past week or so we have seen a number of newspaper columnists, such
as Ian Holloway and Robbie Savage, rush in to print to support Sam
Allardyce. We really do not need Ian Holloway to tell us that the era of
Moore, Hurst and Peters is over. Anyone that was lucky enough to see West
Ham's greatest ever players will bask in the memories, but know with a heavy
heart that we are never likely to see their like again. It is still a joy to
watch the DVD of the famous 1964 semi-final victory over Man Utd, the
exciting 1964 win over Preston NE and the classic 1965 ECWC Final victory.
Greenwood said that the latter match was the pinnicle of his career and the
greatest expression of his football philosphy. And he was absolutely right,
it was an almost faultless display of attacking, total football, pre-dating
the Dutch masters by a number of years..
However, West Ham's reputation for attractive football did not start nor end
with the Greenwood era, although it reached its zenith then. West Ham were
always known for the quality of their football and, before the World Cup
winning triumvirate, there wre greats like Shea, Puddefoot, Watson, Ruffell,
Morton, Earle, Goulden and Foxall. We also had the fanastic attacking
football of Ted Fenton's famous 1957-58 promotion team, who run away with
the title and finished 6th in their first season back in the old First
Division. After Moore, Hurst and Peters, we were lucky enough to enjoy the
skills of such greats as Brooking, Devonshire, Pop Robson, Billy Bonds,
Graham Paddon and Frank Lampard Snr. We had the 1975 and 1980 FA Cup winning
teams, the glorious football played by the 1976 ECWC and the 1981 Division 2
championship sides. We were, similiarly, treated to the entertaining and
winning fayre served up by the 1985-86 team that was desperately unlucky not
to win the First Division title that season.
More recently, we had the Redknapp era, which saw some memorable football
and showcased the talents of the likes of Di Canio, Trevor Sinclair, Slaven
Bilic, Ian Bishop and Johnny Moncur. We also played some great footbal under
Pardew, which saw a brand of high paced, attacking football that won lots of
admirers in the 2005-06 season. Who can ever forget the 2006 FA Cup Final,
which will go down as one of the greatest and most entertaining in the
competition's long history. Even under the likes of Alan Curbishley we
enjoyed some memorable football during the great escape of 2006-07, with the
heroics of Tevez, Zamora, Neill, Noble and the rest.
West Ham fans do not need to be told all this, but apparently the media do!
Following on from Allardyce's original comment, they have grown increasingly
fond of questioning the 'West Ham legacy' and repeating parrot fashion 'when
since have they played that way' ? Robbie Savage has informed us that he
played in the PL for a number of seasons and he does not recall West Ham
playing that way, but he does remember us playing with big centre forwards
like Dowie and Hatson. He remembers that, but strangely does not recall
Berkovic, Di Canio, Trevor Sinclair or Benayoun graciing the PL in claret
and blue! Strange that!
Furthermore, they are always quiet on the significance of the West Ham
Academy and its importance to English football. We all know about 1966, but
the Academy has also produced a long line of internationals for the national
team over the decades. Playrs such as Brooking, Cottee, Ince, Ferdinand,
Lampard Jnr, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, Micheal Carrick and Jermaine Defoe.
This is a tradition of which West Ham fans are justifiably proud, it is a
unique contribution that very few clubs can even begin to match.
I have largely been supportive of Sam Allardyce's efforts to turn this club
around and get us back into the PL. Yet, I always feared that Allardyce's
more pragmatic football philosophy and West Ham's traditions would clash at
some point. It was always going be fine while we were winning, but once the
results dipped there was always the possiblility that dissatisfaction would
grow and become much more vocal. The manager has not helped matters by
speaking almost dismissively of the 'West Ham Way' and seeming to equate it
with losing. Those public statements have been ill-advised. Yet, we all know
that there is a certain element of truth here that we are loath to admit.
Amidst the entertaining football, we all remember the cup defeats to lower
division opponents (not that anything has changed on that score this
season!!) and the baffling tendency, for far too many seasons, to be locked
in perpetual relegation struggles; even with players of the calibre of
Moore, Hurst, Peters, Brooking, Bonds, etc. Whle the repeated relegations
since 1978 are a matter of historical record.
My dream has always been to see a synthesis of the West Ham playing style
with a more professional, winning mentality. Because it is the club's past
under-achievement that allows people to sneer at West Ham and question the
club's traditions and historical significance. Well, let them sneer, I know
that there is a 'West Ham Way' and I have watched it over many decades. The
'West Ham Way' is a philosophy of playing a passing game, an attractive,
attacking style of football. It is about an ethos and approach that is
taught throughout the club, from the Academy right through to the first
team. Under Greenwood, it was at its most beautiful, but also most fragile.
Greenwood was a purist, who rejected the more professional and physical
aspects of the game. While, in contrast, the best John Lyall teams managed
to combine that footballing style, with some steel, to produce a beautiful,
but more worldly product. And that remains the key challenge to me, to play
the football, but square it with organisation, discipline and workrate. We
still await the new managerial Messiah who can achieve that combination and
bring us sustained success..
The latest press criticism of us is by Mick Dennis of the Daily Express who,
basically, suggests that we Hammers fans think that we have a divine right
to promotion. There are a lot of dubious, not to mention petty, statements
about the club's record, which are not worthy of response in my opinion. But
the crux of the matter is that Dennis suggests that we West Ham fans feel
that we have 'a god-given right to canter to promotion'. And it is suggested
that one word for this assumption is 'delusional.' and another is
'arrogance.'
Funny, I do not remember the Newcastle Utd fans being repproached for
nurturing very similar assumptions? And are they delusional/arrogant
assumptions or just healthy expectations of the club and its performance?
Are fans supposed, to be satisfied with our recent results and the prospect
of failing to achieve automatic promotion? It would be very strange if they
were. And what about the upheaval and disappointment that the Hammers fans
have endured, in the turbulent period, since the Icelandic takeover. Might
not that be a factor in the fans' impatience and reluctance to put up with
more of the same. I notice that the article fails to mention the West Ham
match attendances home and away, this season, which would make us one of the
best supported clubs in the PL. That is remarkable, a true measure of the
Hammers fans and worthy of high praise, not insults.
Anyway, what do you think? Are we deluded or arrognant? Over to you.
SJ. Chandos.
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BIG SAM ALLARDYCE IS RIGHT ON FANS
Express.co.uk
Tuesday April 3,2012
By Mick Dennis
SOME West Ham fans are outraged that Sam Allardyce has called them deluded.
They were upset when I said it in this newspaper seven years ago. Then, as
now, they had been relegated from the top flight. Then, as now, fans
believed anything short of automatic promotion was a disgrace. They could
not see that being in two successive play-off finals was substantial. Other,
equally proud clubs would have killed for that. But the club of Bobby Moore,
Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters "deserved" better, said many. They are also
the club of Marco Boogers, Titi Camara and Florin Raducioiu. In their 93
league seasons, 43 have been in the second tier. They have not won anything
for 32 years. They do not have a God-given right to canter to promotion.
One word for the assumption that they do is delusional. Another is
arrogance.
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Sam Allardyce will remain manager even if West Ham are not promoted
The vice-chairman Karren Brady backs Allardyce
Former Bolton manager has good relationship with chairman
guardian.co.uk, Monday 2 April 2012 19.59 BST
Sam Allardyce will remain in charge even if West Ham fail to secure
promotion this season, according to their vice-chairman, Karren Brady. The
Hammers are winless in six home matches after Saturday's 4-2 defeat against
Reading, which left them four points adrift of the second-placed Royals with
six games to go.
The Upton Park club were among the pre-season favourites to secure an
instant return to the Premier League but Brady insisted Allardyce's future
does not hinge on achieving that goal. She told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Yes he
will still be in charge next season - definitely. "[The chairman] David
Sullivan wanted Sam - they have a very good relationship."
The former Bolton manager has come under fire following a run of just two
wins in eight matches in March, while his style of play has done little to
endear him to a fan base that prefers passing football.
Brady admitted the defeat to the Royals was difficult for everybody but was
hopeful they could recover. "We were hoping to win but we certainly haven't
given up the prospect of automatic promotion or promotion, if we have to,
through the play-offs," she said. "That is still our number one target for
this season."
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West Ham defender left shellshocked by Reading defeat
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Monday, April 2, 2012
12:20 PM
Never suggest that the West Ham players don't feel the pain every bit as
much as the fans that had to sit through Saturday's pulsating, but
ultimately fruitless showdown with Reading on Saturday. Hammers defender
George McCartney looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders as
he shuffled along the Upton Park corridor to talk to the waiting press. He
stared wide-eyed into the distance as he contemplated what had gone on in 90
minutes of football that may well have cost the team an automatic promotion
spot. "I think for 43 minutes there was only one team out there," he said at
last. "We passed them off the park, created chances, got the lead and had
chances to make it two, maybe three. "But in the last couple of minutes of
the half we have let them score from a set-piece and as for the second goal,
I don't even know what was going on there. "They went in 2-1 up and I think
our lads were a bit shellshocked really. To go in level at half time would
have been an injustice, but to go in 2-1 down was incredible."
McCartney seemed to be in the sort of shock reserved for mugging victims and
watching the goings on at the end of the first half, the whole team had
suffered something resembling a mugging. The full back has been an integral
part of one of the meanest defences in the Championship, but when the
pressure was on, they came up short, something that the left back found hard
to fathom. "I don't' know what happened," he said. "For the majority of the
season we have defended really well and not conceded that many goals. "But I
think throughout the season, our downfall has been conceding off set-pieces
and their first goal has come from a corner and the second has come from a
long kick from the keeper, which we haven't dealt with either."
It is easy to blame the defence for Saturday's failing, but just as
importantly, the failure to add a second goal when they were on top was
something that West Ham were made to regret. "I actually said to Matt Taylor
in about the 39th or 40th minute, we need a second goal, because I think
that would have seen Reading off," said the 30-year-old, who has made 37
appearances in claret and blue this season in his loan spell from
Sunderland. Reading weren't playing with any confidence, they didn't really
have much of the ball and never really threatened us. "Every time we had the
ball we were getting forward, creating chances, getting crosses into the
box, but it just evaded us really."
Hopes were still high for a comeback after the break, but as McCartney said,
it just wasn't going to be West Ham's day. "We came out in the second half
and started to play the way we had started in the first, passed the ball
well and got a couple of corners and free kicks," said the Northern Ireland
defender. "But they went up the other end and got a penalty - 3-1 - and from
there the game is more or less over. "We got ourselves back in it at 3-2 and
I think everybody is looking for a big finish and then we have given away
another stupid goal."
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