West Ham United started this game with the Premier League’s
worst shot accuracy this season and that statistic will not have been improved
by this trip to the Liberty Stadium.
A lively first half, where West Ham dominated and had a
number of excellent chances, ended 0-0
and how West Ham rued not putting at least one opportunity into the onion bag. Starting
the game again, with the ‘false number 9,’ the Hammers were energetic and
looked certain to open the scoring. One of the best chances fell to Guy Demel
who stretched out a toe but couldn’t get any contact and poke the ball home.
But West Ham did not stop there; the ever-present Ravel
Morrison had a shot cleared off the line, Demel had another good chance saved
and Stewart Downing a shot blocked also. In total, West Ham had eleven attempts
in the first half as opposed to Swansea City’s two.
The second half was a different affair with the Swans
getting a stronger foothold in the game. West Ham’s stout defence limited the
chances and all in all what started as a cracker of a game, petered out into a
dour draw. Swansea dominated possession but could not break down Big Sam’s
defensive system. Incidentally, West Ham have only conceded one away goal this
season and that was Robbie Brady’s controversial penalty at Hull City.
The second half saw the long awaited return of Carlton Cole
to the West Ham side. More importantly, it saw us playing with a striker which
is more than pleasing to see for the West Ham faithful. However, his impact was
minimal making a few important defensive headers but nothing really at the
business end of the pitch.
Joe Cole came on and made a late appearance for Ravel
Morrison and it was disappointing not to see more of him earlier on. The
manager’s continual support of Kevin Nolan despite poor form and a plethora of
midfield opportunities at his disposal, is not helping the goal scoring
situation. Despite a dominant first half, Nolan was conspicuous by his absence,
the only incident of note, where he took the ball off the feet of in-form Ravel
Morrison, preventing the young man from pulling the trigger.
So, pleasing to see another clean sheet away from home, yet
concern once again at our inability to finish chances. Had you have offered
most West Ham fans a draw before the game, they probably would have taken it.
But after our completely dominant first half, it was a different story,
highlighting in glorious technicolor our need for an effective back up striker.
It is important to mention the performance of Mark Noble who was magnificent.
West Ham fans have known of his contributions for years now and I only hope
tongues start to wag outside of East London, as he continues to impress week
in, week out.
We once again mixed it against a very good side and we
continue to show great promise. The defensive frailties of yesteryear are long
gone (think Reading’s 6 – 0 demolition
in 2007), however the presiding feeling is that Big Sam’s inability to capture
a big name striker in the summer has once again come back to haunt us. God only
knows where we would be if Lukaku had moved to the Hammers, it doesn’t even
bear thinking about.
Next week we entertain Aston Villa at the Boleyn Ground
where nothing but 3 points will do for Big Sam’s men.
Jaskeleinen 7
Solid once again
Demel 7
Had a good game
Reid 8
Dominant in defence. Turning into a world class player
Tomkins 7
Could not be faulted
Rat 7
Looking solid at the back and good going forward
Noble 9
A flawless display. Does not get the credit he deserves
Morrison 6
Had one cleared off the line, but not his best game
Downing 6
Looking more effective with more games
Diame 6
Not his best game in claret and blue
Nolan 5
Poor – surely on borrowed time now
Vaz Te 5
Wrist injury forced him off
Carlton Cole 5
Good defensively – not many chances up top
Matt Jarvis 6
Some good balls into the box
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