The London Stadium, packed house, the dawning of a new era, after an initial early flurry from the visitors which include Fabianski having to make a very good save Hammers eased in to the match and were playing 'expansive' attractive football, unfortunately there were some worrying signs of defensive naivety showing early on.
None of this seemed to matter as 'Chich' newly installed in the starting line up drew a Penalty decision from what had been an incredibly ungenerous referee, a 'homer' he definitely wasn't. Up stepped 'Arnie', instead of captain Mark Noble, and the Hammers were one up and rightly so, the atmosphere at the London Stadium was excellent and everyone was buzzing. The opposition players had obviously been on a trip to R.A.D.A. before their visit as they exhibited incredible acting powers every time they were breathed on by a player in claret and blue, something their coach can be proud of when he picks up his Emmy!
What could possibly go wrong? The sun just started to shine and briefly, all too briefly, all was well in the world. The Org team were even thinking of a multiple 'happy' purchase from the floating barbequeue moored on the strangely green canal, however Hammers capitulated early in the second half as Callum Wilson managed to go on a Marradona run through the entire defence before scoring, shortly after Steve Cook compounded the misery by landing the winner for the Cherries from a poorly conceided free kick.
Fans of a certain age will have looked at the build up to Wilson's goal and thought, why didn't they chop him down? Back in the day Bonzo, or more recently the Ginger Pele that is James Collins, would have taken a card or even a sending off to preserve their goal, how times have changed?
Here is an example of the sort of rubbish the media have been reporting "It's now two defeats in two for West Ham after that defeat at Anfield, and fans are understandably unhappy – and took to Twitter to criticise individuals for their performances against Bournemouth. Worryingly for West Ham, club-record signing Felipe Anderson really struggled to make any sort of impact against Bournemouth, all too similar to his poor display against Liverpool last weekend.
Fortunatley we don't cut and paste people's twitter comments in order to create free space in our articles, concentrating on content not copy!
The only thing wrong with Anderson's performance was that he tried to be a team player too much and consequently did not go on the solo runs he is capable of, this is something Manuel Pellegrini and his coaches have to redress, a player of his ability needs to be given a truly 'libero' role in order to best utilise his undoubted qualities. During the match Anderson played as left winger, right winger, left back, central midfield and just about every other position except goalkeeper!
Fans who want to chasten Anderson's performance might be better off looking to those of Mr West Ham himself Mark Noble, and aspiring Mr Hammer Jack (John) Wilshere, both of whose performances were woeful in the extreme!
It was always going to take time for the 'new order' to kick in at the London Stadium, why on earth are people, who in their normal lives so pragmatic so unrealistic when it comes to judging their football team after a fortnight?
It must be fantasia! - Ed
Comments
Thought Noble was
Thought Noble was particularly bad and warranted his taking off, he was heading for an early bath courtesy of the ref the way he was going. His pace was exploited time and again and whilst trying to cover for the defence on a number of occasions was left chasing shadows or putting in bad tackles. As for that first goal, jeez. Maradonaesqe is right. Saw the 5 players and didn't even consider he would score until Balbuena's piss weak attempt at a tackle. You knew it was a goal right then. The 2nd was pitiful defending initially from Ogbonna who reverted to the kind of performances we dread and then at the resulting free kick. At least Arsenal have not managed a win yet so we can head to the Emirates knowing a win would take us above em!!!
They will be playing that
They will be playing that Wilson goal on match of the day at the end of the season and celebrating and beaming over it but in truth it was a shameful goal to concede. The defence needs to get their act together and quick
Whatever happened to fouling
Whatever happened to fouling a player deliberately at the start of his run? I thought balbeuna was South American? They all do that don't they? Oh no apparently we got the only one that doesn't. If I was manager and he tackled once like that he wouldn't see first team action for at least 6 months!