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The West Ham Way-Sam?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 19/10/2020 - 12:12

Over the years many observers from outside of the West Ham family have mocked or questioned the very existence of the 'West Ham Way', new signing Saïd Benrahma knows the West Ham Way before even kicking a ball for the club. Let's get straight to the point though, yesterdays 'match made in heaven' was not just one of the greatest come backs in Premier League history (no other team has come back from being 3-0 down with 10 minutes to go) it could also have been a defining moment not just for the season, but possibly for the club's future trajectory.

There are those who would rather disingenuously say that David Moyes' team shouldn't have been 3-0 down after 16 minutes, and they are correct, however it is what happened after going down by three goals so early in the match that was pivotal in the remarkable come back. Instead of heads dropping and players not wanting the ball, the opposite happened, the 'press' became more functional and the whole team harried and scurried for every ball.

At this point we should ask a question of viewers, 'how many of you turned off the channel broadcasting the game after Tottenham's third goal went in?' Honest answers only please, we can confess that at the Org we were all viewing the game on different screens, and SOMEONE who shall remain nameless, decided they had had enough and decided to drive over to see their girlfriend instead! Actually watching the game became less painful as it seemed that Sourpuss's men were taking their collective foot of the gas, although a lot of that was down to Hammers' players snapping at their heels.

Still, with 15 minutes to go things were grudgingly acceptable, the feared 6 or 7 nil drubbing having failed to materialise, and then David Moyes, he who is accused of never using his substitutes well, decided to take off Michail Antonio and Pablo Fornals bringing on Andrily Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini instead. The former was the provider for the eventual cross that was headed in to his own net by Sanchez, the latter scored a 'worldie' to bring the match to an unbelievable climax. Lanzini's 30 yard strike rolled back time, this was the player who used to light up the pitch once, and while it may turn out to be a needle in the haystack event, it will have done the diminutive Argentine a massive confidence boost.

The fact that Lanzini's strike was the last kick of the game made the draw attained seem much more like a victory, Son Heung-min was almost in tears as he tried to describe the shock being felt in the Tottenham quarter at their sides capitulation within the last 10 minutes, their manager Jose Mourinho was far more sanguine with his appraisal, citing West Ham's guille and determination to attain such a remarkable turn around as being key to why his team floundered at the closing stages of a game that they had done and dusted after just over 15 minutes!

Before signing off, we should also mention 'The General', Fabian Balbuena, he might have got skinned by Son Heung-min for Spurs' first goal, but it was Balbuena's 82nd minute bullet header that began the most unlikely of come backs, even then with just 7 minutes remaining hope of attaining a draw seemed non-existent, but when Davinson Sanchez headed in to his own net 3 minutes later a small glimmer of hope emerged, that glimmer was almost instantly extinguished by Harry Kane, but his shot ricocheted of the post. A minute or so later Tottenham's prodigal son, Gareth Bale' was put through on goal, did all the difficult stuff by bamboozling the defenders but then put his shot just wide.

It is worth noting that the Spurs boss took off Son Heung-Min and replaced him with Lucas Moura on the 80th minute, three minutes later Balbuena scored the goal that was either the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning, depending on which view point you have. Either way, even the most stone hearted of observers would have found it difficult not to share the joy shown by Manu Lanzini and how his team mates celebrated with him, it is common knowledge that he has really struggled since the massive ACL injury he sustained while training with the Argentine national team.

So to those who ask, including an ex-Hammers manager, what is the West Ham way, and does one even exist? We would suggest watching the game before passing judgement, if after reviewing the match you cannot understand 'The West Ham Way', then you probably never will understand it! - Ed

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mcbikeman's picture

But supporting West Ham for over 50 years you wear the brutal defeats as a badge of honour that no matter what happened you stayed to the Bitter end we are West Ham its what we do so whilst shouting at the tv over our schoolboy defending and the commentators go on and on about how brilliant guppy was defence midfield att blah blah blah funny they never mentioned his was the bad header out that leads to Lanziniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis worldy....this moment will bond the team even tighter and other teams watching will know this is not the old West Ham that raise the white flag no this is a team that kept going despite the score that kept believing that kept going until the ref blew for full time...Moyes and his team must take great credit for installing a new hard work ethos into the squad and if you want to be part of it then you are going to have to put the hard yards in....and on a final note what a humble guy Lanzini was in his post match interview and the fact that many have questioned if he still has it in him to be the player we all love watching(me included)well i hope this gives him belief that his injury is behind him and he can still do it because we fans would love that..COYI

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27 users have voted.
boogerscaravan's picture

I think this shows the value of the whole squad. Too many people are fixated on a starting 11. Anyone else is surplus to requirements and can leave. It's a very narrow minded vision of our football club. Moyes really has got something going here now. Maybe it's to do with no fans and the toxic atmosphere. Who knows? But there is a togetherness, that's the important thing...

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17 users have voted.

Just before the game so had to listen to 5 live,after the 3rd goal I turned off fearing a cricket score! I'd like to think if I was watching on the box I would have kept with it.kept looking at my phone after 80mins 3-1, then 3-2, radio back on lanzinis belter!! Couldnt believe it,theres a new togetherness & spirit in this westham side not seen in a long time

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18 users have voted.

west ham. so many times have i watched west ham and you think that's it we have lost this one and they come back and get a result it's what being a hammer fan is all about ,so never switch off support till the final whistle and beyond

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10 users have voted.

Well summed up Nev ,since last seasons restart and including this season every match bar 1 has been exceptional ,i allways say when you cant pick a man of the match its a great sign ,allthough i think every west ham fan would give it to Lanz even if he was only on for 10 minuets

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17 users have voted.
mcbikeman's picture

And if anyone is clever enough on here or knows someone able to do it could you please please please show the Son interview and have Crying Crying Cryinnnnnnnnng played as sound track..and yes i know you all have the del boys CWying in your head lol

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18 users have voted.

I think that Ogbonna should also be given credit in the manner in which he blocked Winks' run, that resulted in Lanzini have a free shot at that cracker of a goal.
This team looks like they have acquired something called spirit and desire in the manner in which all was not lost after being gutted by those three Tottenham goals within 16 minutes of the kick off. Not they started to show some resilience around the half hour mark.

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24 users have voted.

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