Daily WHUFC News - 20th April 2015

Big Sam left to rue 'silly mistakes'
WHUFC.com

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce was left to rue his side's generosity
after they handed Manchester City a gift-wrapped win at the Eithad Stadium
on Sunday. James Collins' 18th minute own-goal was followed by a Sergio
Aguero strike on the counter-attack as the Hammers' wait for an away win in
2015 goes on. After missing late chances through Enner Valencia and Kevin
Nolan, the manager was left to reflect on an afternoon which could have gone
so much better for his side, had they been sharper in both boxes. "We knew
that Manchester City, with their ability, would have a lot of possession,"
he explained. "When we beat Manchester City in October, they had a lot of
possession in that game but we took our chances. We played better when we
had possession and we didn't make the type of mistakes we made in the first
half and that's why we won the game. "Today's mistakes have ultimately cost
us two goals which we could have avoided quite easily. Sometimes when you
play Manchester City with the quality and talent they've bought here you
have to hold your hands up because you can't stop them. "But certainly today
makes it very disappointing because we gifted them two goals which we could
have avoided quite easily. "Then of course we've gone to the other end and
often you don't get chances here as good as we had, but you have to convert
them. "We're still in the area of not quite converting the chances we're
creating. That should have been for something more than coming back from 2-0
down by not making the silly mistakes we did. "It's a great shame after a
resilient performance, because in the main we made life difficult for
Manchester City to create chances. "The disappointing thing in the first
half wasn't just the two mistakes, but the possession we gave away and when
that got better we started to penetrate Manchester City. "Our two golden
chances came and went. Enner Valencia, four yards out with just the keeper
to beat toes it wide, then Kevin one-on-one with the keeper. Yes, the keeper
makes a good save but Kevin is one of those that normally you can rely on
him to score that."

With five games of the 2014/15 season remaining, Big Sam is determined to
get over the 50 point mark and lead the Hammers to a top-ten finish. He
added: "The players really now have to accept responsibility that they've
got to focus and knuckle down to ensuring we hit the 50-point target and
achieve our best season in the Premier League since promotion. "We should
have done it weeks ago, we should have 49 points now just based on the last
few seconds of games. It's their responsibility along with me guiding them
the right way, we all accept responsibility together. "When they're on the
field they have to make the right decisions at the right time and make sure
we get over the line. "I'll try to guide them as much as I can and make sure
we don't fall away and everyone think it's a disappointing season when we
did so much in the early part of the season. "My focus is still on the team
trying to achieve five clean sheets in the last five games. Unless we do
that we're going to find it tough to win a game of football because it's
simple maths that at the moment we rarely score more than one. "Because of
that it's simple for the team to understand that if they want to win a game
of football, they've got to not concede a goal . "They've got to focus on
making sure they keep a clean sheet and who knows what would have happened
if we hadn't made those two mistakes today. We may well have come off here
with a 0-0 from how well we defended. We may well have come away, with Man
City getting nervous, nicking the game. "But until we keep a clean sheet
we're going to find it difficult to win a game of football."

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City prove too good for Hammers
WHUFC.com

Manchester City bounced back from a derby defeat to rivals Manchester United
by dispatching West Ham United 2-0. The hosts came out of the traps full of
creativity and intent, and it was not long before they fashioned a number of
threatening openings. First, Martin Demichelis' lofted ball found David
Silva in the six yard box, however the offside flag came to the Hammers'
rescue before Sergio Aguero fired wide from close range. Despite the
current Premier League champions establishing a stronghold on the game, the
deadlock was broken in somewhat fortunate circumstances in the 18th minute
when James Collins' attempted clearance sliced of his boot and looped over
the helpless Adrian. Having taken the lead, City continued to pile on the
pressure, David Silva went closest to extending the lead before Aleksandar
Kolarov's free kick went inches wide of the right-hand post.

The host's pressure took its toll soon afterwards as Sergio Aguero capped
off a fine counter-attacking move to double their lead. Fernando picked up a
loose ball deep in his own half before releasing Aguero. The prolific
Argentine raced away, combining with Jesus Navas before slotting past
Adrian. In response, the Hammers had several half-chances, the best of
which came after good pressing by Enner Valencia who dispossessed Martin
Demichelis. Carlton Cole ran onto to the loose ball and forced a smart save
from Joe Hart, Valencia stretched for the rebound yet Pablo Zabaleta did
just enough to put the Ecuadorean international off. At the half-time break,
the score remained 2-0.

The second half started much like the first, with City again demonstrating
their top four credentials. The Citizens moved the ball around superbly on
the edge of the area and looked to have sealed the three points but for an
inch perfect tackle by Carl Jenkinson to deny Aguero his second of the
afternoon. In an attempt to inject fresh legs, Allardyce brought on Matt
Jarvis and Kevin Nolan on for Carlton Cole and Alex Song and the change
appeared to inspire a stronger final 20 minutes for the Irons. A lengthy
stoppage in play then ensued as David Silva needed medical treatment
following an accidental collision with Chiekou Kouyate. The Spaniard had to
be replaced by Samir Nasri while Kouyate, who was deemed to have used his
elbow deliberately, was booked.

Shortly after the restart the Hammers appeared to have regrouped as the ball
fell to Stewart Downing on the edge of the box, whose shot was blocked well
by Eliaquim Mangala.

In the 86th minute, Enner Valencia came closest to reducing the arrears
following a fantastic run that bamboozled four City defenders yet his shot
fell just wide.

Inspired by the Hammers stand out moment of the game, Kevin Nolan picked up
a loose ball and bore down on goal, forcing Joe Hart to make another smart
save. Moments later a lofted free kick broke to Winston Reid who fell just
as he was about to pull the trigger. Despite fervent appeals from the
Hammers, referee Anthony Taylor waved play on. Despite an improved finish,
it proved too little too late as City held out for an important win as they
look to secure fourth spot. The Hammers next face relegation threatened
Queens Park Rangers as Sam Allardyce's men look to record their highest
points total since returning to the Premier League.

Manchester City: Hart, Demichelis, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Mangala, Silva (Nasri
74), Toure ©, Fernando, Jesus Navas, Lampard (Fernandinho 88), Aguero (Dzeko
91)
Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Boyata, Pozo

Goalscorers: James Collins (O.G.) 18, Sergio Aguero 36

Bookings: Silva, Navas

West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Kouyate, Downing, Noble,
Jenkinson, Collins, Cole (Nolan 66), Song (Jarvis 66), Valencia
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Nene, O'Brien, Amalfitano, Burke

Bookings: Kouyate, Downing

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Noble takes solace in second half
Noble takes solace in second half

Mark Noble felt West Ham United's second-half showing at Manchester City at
least restored some pride, as the Hammers succumbed to a 2-0 Barclays
Premier League defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Hammers fell behind after 18 minutes in freak fashion when James Collins
sent a Jesus Navas centre spinning beyond Adrian and in off the underside of
the bar.

A clinical City counter then saw Sergio Aguero exchange passes with Navas
before slotting through the legs of the Hammers' stopper to double the
hosts' lead.

But far from caving in, West Ham were much improved after the interval and
after Enner Valencia had squirmed into the box and stabbed wide, Kevin Nolan
was denied by an excellent Joe Hart stop in the latter stages.

Though there was to be no grandstand finish, West Ham's stubborn display
after the break left Noble with reason for optimism.

"I think we played a lot better in the second half and had a couple of
chances," he confirmed. "You know you're not going to get a lot of chances
here and the ones you do get, you have to take. Unfortunately, we couldn't
take them on Sunday.

"Enner's wiggled through and just missed the target, if you get a goal back
then it puts a little bit of pressure on them.

"But I think, to be honest, they took their foot off the gas. They were 2-0
up and just tried to play the game out. We were obviously trying to catch
them on the break and nick a goal but it wasn't meant to be and with five
games left now, we need to get better and end the season on a high."
You know you're not going to get a lot of chances here and the ones you do
get, you have to take. Unfortunately, we couldn't take them on Sunday.
Mark Noble

West Ham's plight was hardly helped by Collins' most unfortunate of
interventions and Noble naturally had nothing but sympathy for his
centre-half. "It's unlucky from Ginge. He chucks his body on the line all
the time, so now and then he's going to get one of them. Unluckily enough it
was in the back of the net on Sunday. "As I said, we weren't good enough in
the first half, well, we couldn't get the ball in the first half to be good
enough. In the second half we played a little bit better and came off with a
bit of pride."

Next up for Noble and co is a trip to relegation-threatened Queens Park
Rangers on Saturday. It promises to be a very different challenge, but one
that West Ham's longest servant wants his colleagues to embrace. "We've got
QPR next week and we've got to play a lot better. Against a team that's
fighting for their lives, we know it's going to be a tough game. The crowd's
going to be up for it. We need to go there with some heart and try to get a
result."

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Man City 2 West Ham 0
FT 90 +9
HT 2-0
West Ham defender James Collins watches on as his clearance loops over
keeper Adrian to give Man City the lead
19 April 2015
Last updated at 15:56
By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport

Manchester City firmed up their grip on a top-four place as they beat West
Ham to secure their first win in three Premier League games.
James Collins looped an attempted clearance from a Jesus Navas cross into
his own net to give City the lead. Navas set up Sergio Aguero to slot in a
second after a slick counter-attack. With the game won, City playmaker David
Silva was carried off on a stretcher after being caught in the face by
Cheikhou Kouyate's right elbow. Silva appeared to be given oxygen as he
received eight minutes of treatment prior to his departure in the 75th
minute. Before the game, City boss Manuel Pellegrini conceded he could be
sacked if his team do not finish in the top four to claim a Champions League
place for next season. But while speculation about his future continues
given their tame title defence, the chances of missing out on a place in
Europe's elite club competition receded with this victory. With five matches
remaining, Pellegrini's side are seven points clear of fifth-placed
Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and a point behind derby rivals
Manchester United.

City looked a vastly improved team to the one that had lost four of their
past six league games, and more like the side that beat West Ham on the
final day of last season to claim the Premier League title. The Hammers,
meanwhile, have won just once in their past 12 games, with their last away
league win coming on 2 December. From the outset, it seemed a question of
how long West Ham could hold their dominant hosts at bay, and the answer was
18 minutes. Navas swung in a low cross and, in attempting to clear the ball,
West Ham centre-back Collins instead looped an effort over Adrian and into
his own net. It was 2-0 when Stewart Downing gave the ball away in the City
half, the home side broke in lightning fashion and Aguero and Navas
exchanged passes before the former slotted in. The goal meant the Argentine
was the first player to reach 20 Premier League goals this season. Aguero
had several chances to add to his tally, with one effort saved by the
sprawling Adrian following an incisive move from Pellegrini's side. West Ham
had a late Kevin Nolan shot saved by Joe Hart, but they rarely threatened a
comeback.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce: "The two goals we gifted them are pretty
disappointing on the basis of how we conceded them. "You can't make the
mistakes we made and expect to get anything out of a game at Manchester
City. We created our two best chances late on but can't seem to be as
clinical as we used to be. "The goal threat from us has not been as potent
as we showed earlier on in the season."

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Manchester City 2-0 West Ham Utd
KUMb.com
Filed: Sunday, 19th April 2015
By: Staff Writer

West Ham slumped to a predictable defeat at the Etihad Stadium this
afternoon, extending their winless run on the road to eight games.
It's more than four months since the Hammers last tasted defeat away from
the Boleyn Ground, following today's reversal against Manchester City - who
by their standards had been on an equally disappointing run prior to this
afternoon. However the hosts were barely made to sweat today as they breezed
to victory against a Hammers team that had been harbouring hopes of
repeating their unexpected 2-1 win over the Citizens in the corresponding
fixture earlier in the season. It took City just 18 minutes to open the
scoring, having dominated the opening exchanges; James Collins, tremendous
of late yet still prone to the odd notable error was left red-faced after
his wickedly-sliced clearance from Navas' cross looped over a startled
Adrian and off the underside of the crossbar.

They doubled their lead ten minutes ahead of the break after taking
advantage of some more poor defending. West Ham were caught flat-footed as
Man City broke with pace and urgency, and a one-two between Navas and Aguero
ended us being passed beyond a closing Adrian into an empty net.

Shortly after City's second goal, the first anniversary of the death of
Dylan Tombides was marked with a minute's applause on the 38th minute, his
final squad number at the club. Sadly, there was to be little more for the
travelling faithful to applaud.

Bombarded for the first half hour of the second half, the Hammers were
somewhat fortunate to remain only two behind as the game approached its
finals stages. However the match - extended for nine additional minutes
following an injury to David Silva - ended with the Hammers enjoying as many
chances as City.

Enner Valencia was inches away from halving the deficit when he danced
around Martin Demichelis before firing across Joe Hart's goal; Kevin Nolan,
lurking at the far post was inches away from being able to make contact.

Moments earlier the substitute found himself one-on-one with the England
'keeper after he intercepted a dreadful back pass, but the chance was
snuffed out by Hart as Nolan shot straight at him.

You have to go back to 2 December 2014 to find West Ham's last win away and
with trips to a resurgent Aston Villa and Newcastle - rarely a happy hunting
ground - to come, the chance of seeing another this season, given the team's
current form, appears to be slim (at best).


Match Facts: Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United

West Ham Utd: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Noble, Song
(Jarvis 66), Kouyate, Downing Booked, Cole (Nolan 66), E Valencia.

Subs not used: Jaaskeläinen, , O'Brien, Amalfitano, Burke, Nene.

Booked: Kouyate (67), Downing (90).

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Lampard (Fernandinho
88), Fernando, Navas, Touré, Silva (Nasri 75), Agüero (Dzeko 91)

Subs not used: Sagna, Caballero, Boyata, Pozo.

Goals: Collins OG (18), Aguero (36).

Booked: Aguero (36), Silva (58).

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Attendance: 45,041.

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Cheikhou Kouyate elbowed David Silva 'with intent', say Sky Sports pundits
Last Updated: 19/04/15 5:21pm
SSN

West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate intentionally used his elbow on Manchester City
midfielder David Silva, say the Sky Sports pundits. Kouyate was booked for
the challenge as Silva was taken off on a stretcher after several minutes of
treatment during the second half. Manuel Pellegrini's side won the game 2-0
thanks to a James Collins own goal and Sergio Aguero's finish 10 minutes
before the break, but the post-match concerns were all for the Spain
midfielder.

Kouyate appeared to put his hand up in apology after catching Silva, but
Niall Quinn told Super Sunday the 25-year-old knew what he was doing.
"Having seen the replay I must say that it was a nasty challenge," he said.
"Obviously we have the benefit of sharper replays and you see he comes down
on to his face with the power of his elbow. That's not good. "I'm not going
to stand here and defend that as a mistake, as an accident. If I'm asked to
give my opinion, I think there's intent there.""The important thing is David
Silva, because it didn't look good for him at all. Our thoughts are with him
and we don't know exactly how he is yet."

Glenn Hoddle agreed with Quinn's view, saying the angle of Kouyate's arm was
a sign of intent from the Senegal international."Very dangerous. There's
intent, I agree," he said. "He's actually come down – he knows he's taller.
When you hold a player off it's normally with a straight arm but he's gone
with a bent arm and he's come down to make contact. "It should have been a
red card, but obviously we hope the lad's going to be OK."

Jamie Carragher was surprised to see the midfielder only pick up a yellow
card and, while admitting there's no way of proving intent, the pundit feels
the video evidence looks damning. "I think [the FA] will be looking at it.
No one knows [if there was intent], only him," he said. "It was like Diego
Costa when he stamped on Martin Skrtel – no one can say 100 per cent. Only
he will know. "You know when you've played the game that there's certain
challenges, or when you're running past someone, you think 'I can get away
with this, no one can actually prove that I meant it', and I think he's gone
past just thinking 'I can leave one on Silva there and put my hands up, I
didn't mean it'. "It doesn't look good. It should've been a red card."

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Manchester City 2-0 West Ham: Sergio Aguero strikes in easy win
By Simeon Gholam. Last Updated: 19/04/15 7:36pm
SSN

Manchester City closed the gap on Manchester United in the Premier League
table after a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.
James Collins gifted the home side the opener with an own-goal after 18
minutes and Sergio Aguero added a second before half-time. The result sees
City reduce United's lead over them to just a single point, after the
third-placed side lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Saturday evening. A real concern
for City, however, will be the injury suffered by David Silva, who was
forced off on a stretcher after taking an elbow to the face from Cheikhou
Kouyate midway through the second half. than at home to West Ham – who from
the first whistle had the look of a team who knew their season was already
over. The first sign of danger for the Hammers came within five minutes when
Silva got in behind their defence and managed to bring a pass down from
Martin Demichelis, but the Spaniard couldn't quite get his shot away before
he was blocked off.

Sam Allardyce's side looked well off the pace and their sloppy play at the
back saw them give the ball away on more than one occasion in the early
stages, a trait that led to both goals they conceded in the opening half.
First, Adrian's goal kick that barely reached the halfway line was picked up
by Navas, who charged forward menacingly. His cross from the right was poor
and only reached defender Collins, but the Welsh international got his feet
into a major muddle and somehow managed to slice the ball over his own
keeper under no real pressure. Then, with less than 10 minutes until half
time, Stewart Downing relinquished possession on halfway, only for Aguero to
pick it up and skip past Collins before driving at the heart of West Ham's
defence. The Argentine then played a little one-two with the lively Navas
before finishing calmly from close range. City were two up and cruising.

And they continued to dominate after the break, with Aguero and Silva both
having chances that they couldn't quite convert for a City third. On the
whole it was a satisfying afternoon for Manuel Pellegrini, with the only
real negative from the game being the injury to Silva after his collision
with Kouyate. The West Ham midfielder was booked for his troubles but he
could easily have seen red for a challenge that saw the City midfielder
taken off on a stretcher to a warm ovation from all corners of the Etihad
after seven minutes of treatment. Understandably, the game lost a little
momentum after the injury to Silva and other than a decent chance for Enner
Valencia the home side never looked in any real danger, cruising to a
victory that also sees them extend their gap over fifth-place Liverpool to
seven points.

Player ratings

Man City: Hart (6), Zabaleta (7), Mangala (6), Demichelis (6), Kolarov (6),
Fernando (7), Lampard (6), Toure (7), Navas (8), Silva (7), Aguero (8)

Subs: Fernandinho (5), Nasri (5), Dzeko (5)

West Ham: Adrian (5), Jenkinson (5), Reid (5), Collins (4), Kouyate (4),
Song (4), Noble (5) Downing (4), Valencia (6), Cole (3)

Subs: Jarvis (5), Nolan (5)

Man of the match: Sergio Aguero

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Manchester City boost as David Silva allays fears over serious head injury
after West Ham win
18:23, 19 April 2015 By Liam Prenderville
The Spaniard was stretchered off during Sunday's 2-0 win at the Etihad after
being caught by Cheikhou Kouyate's stray arm
The Mirror

David Silva has played down fears he suffered a serious head injury in the
win over West Ham. The Spaniard was stretchered off during Manchester City's
2-0 win at the Etihad after he was knocked out cold by Cheikhou Kouyate.
Silva received treatment for seven minutes after he was caught by the
Hammers midfielder's stray arm. He was given oxygen on the pitch before he
was stretchered off and was immediately taken to hospital for tests, with
fears he had suffered a suspected broken cheekbone. However, Silva has since
taken to Twitter to confirm the tests were a success and he had been
discharged. The City playmaker posted: "Many thanks to all the messages of
support, all the tests have gone well and I'm already home.The 3 points is
what was important!"

The incident took place after Sergio Aguero scored to give City a 2-0 lead,
which West Ham were unable to come back from. James Collins opened the
scoring with a bizarre own goal before Aguero doubled the champions' lead
with his 20th Premier League goal of the season.
The win means City stay in fourth place in the Premier League, but move to
within a point of their crosstown rivals Manchester United.

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Gold: "We won't be selling"
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

David Gold has made it clear to Hammers fans that he and David Sullivan have
no plans to sell West Ham. There has been regular speculation among fans
that the pair only pursued the move to Stratford to attract interest from
potential buyers. But Gold – on Twitter – has knocked back the suggestion
insisting the move is not a money-making exercise. Responding to a fan on
the social networking site, Gold said: "Proceeds from the sale of Upton Park
goes towards paying for our move to the new stadium. "We have no plans to
sell the club."

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Hammers make Klopp contact
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham have been in touch with Jurgen Klopp's advisers having entered the
race to make him the club's next manager. We understand that approaches were
made once it became clear that the Borussia Dortmund manager announced he
was quitting his job in Germany. We are involved with a clutch of clubs
ready to push the boat out big time to get the 47 year old but the club have
told ClaretandHugh: "It's a longshot." Our understanding – according to well
placed sources – is that co chairman and chief shareholder David Sullivan
picked up the phone within seconds of the announcement as he always does
when he wants somebody urgently. ClaretandHugh was told: "The owners love
him. It would be a massive coup but our chances, given the competition are
about 33/1. "They are having a go and the are also keen on Rafa Benitez but
all the while there is a chance of Klopp there is excitement. " Jurgen is
making his mind up and weighing options. They are trying."

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Allardyce rues 'gift goals' and injuries
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has blamed gifted goals and injuries for the
team's continuing losing woes! He gave his overview of the match against
Manchester City immediately following the whistle declaring: "We gifted them
the two goals and you really can't do that to a team like City. "There was a
poor piece of possession for the second goal which handed it back to them
but had Enner Valencia or Kevin Nolan scored with one of their chances we
may have worried them. Manchester City haven't lost that much at home but
you can't make mistakes and expect to get anything from the match. "We are
not in the mood we were at the start of the season where scoring goals in
concerned and the hardest thing is overcoming injuries. "There's no James
Tomkins, Diafra Sakho, Andy Carroll and Guy Demel went down with an injury
yesterday! We have five games left and our target is 50 points or better."

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Embarrassing and clueless as Sam chews gum
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on April 19, 2015 in Whispers
Claret & Hugh

Every single reason why Sam Allardyce must be replaced was on display here!
To rephrase an old expression – the manager drunk coffee and chewed gum
whilst the Hammers burned – embarrassing doesn't even get close. This was a
team without any spirit or guts, left to go through the motions by a manager
who does however have a talent for sucking on Wrigleys and looking hard.
Even when all was lost his answer was to throw on a couple of second half
"game changers" – Matt Jarvis and the inevitable Kevin Nolan WrigleysThe
first half was 45 minutes of total Manchester City domination – the second
wasn't much better but we did put our attacking game together for a whole
five minutes or so towards the end. And to ensure there's a bit of
perspective involved let's please remember we were playing a team that in
recent weeks has been beaten by Burnley and Crystal Palace.

There was never a better time to play them but we were so bad it was
cringeworthy. A Collins own goal set City on their way when he sliced an
attempted clearance over Adrian and saw it hit the underside of the bar and
in. They added the second with a quick break from a sloppy Downing pass when
he would have better employed letting the ball run into touch. Aguero played
in Navas who returned the compliment before the prolific hitman took a touch
before slotting through the legs of Adrian. It was all too easy for
Pellegrini's mob as they showed ball skills and energetic running and skill,
the irons could only dream about. We gave them too much space, allowed them
to play their football at will and then watched in predictable resignation
as Nolan and Jarvis trooped on for the not very good Carlton Cole and Alex
Song. No Nene, no Amalfitano, no flair, no skill, no creativity – just
Wrigley wrappers in the dug out and the regular bullish scowl as he and the
team he has been able to inspire since Christmas disappeared down the
tunnel. My heart went out to our travelling fans who gave a thin rendering
of Bubbles towards the end. Those fellas are brilliant – they and the rest
of us deserve far far more than this.
We could and should have had a go. There was no reason not to. What was
there to lose? Absolutely nothing. But that's not Sam Allardyce's way is it.
It's now widely accepted that he is on his way – there can be no way back
for the man. This may have been our worst display of the season. Change at
the top has never been more desperately needed! This was embarrassing and
clueless and that's being kind.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com



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