When the team sheets became available ahead of the Irons game against Manchester United, the inclusion of Mark Noble in the starting line up came as a shock to most West Ham fans. Now hindsight is a wonderful, but eventually an ineffective influence on the final outcome of the 1-0 defeat against Man U, but on reflection David Moyes would admit, at least privately, that starting with 'Nobes' was probably the wrong decision, perhaps Noble's new contract took one of the most experienced Barclays Premier League managers' eyes off the ball temporarily.
Now we at the ORG know that criticising Mark Noble is akin to stamping on a puppy, or drink driving, but without claret and blue tinted spectacles on, 'Nobes's' performance was not up to the standard that he would have expected from himself.
Unfortunately the 'perfect storm' was set in motion initially because of Jesse Lingard's unavailability, which probably reduced the team's overall energy levels by around 10%, this had been anticipated, but to lose the 'duracell bunny' that is Pablo Fornals, just before the journey up North, was devastating.
Without Fornals, the team looked 'leggy', unfortunately Mark Noble was the prime example of which, and despite his undoubted efforts, he was 'caught short' on more occasions than he would like to remember. The combined loss of Linhgard and Fornals did actually illustrate, yet again, just how far Hammers are punching above their weight given the paucity of squad options available to David Moyes, bare bones? We're taking bread and water here! - Ed
Comments
Moyes inferiority complex
He did not believe we could get a win and so resulted to type and played for a draw leaving the creativity on the bench......and like against Liverpool we predictably lost against a team no great shape at the back......chasing the dream of champions league for probably the one and only time Moyes needs to be braver and take a chance in games like this.....Arsenal next week they are rubbish at the back so will Moyes be brave or will he be cautious?
I do agree
We are solid as you like with the back 4 & soucek,rice in the middle,so defensively we havnt a problem.but with the line up it totally isolated Ants & absolutely no creativity whatsoever.Benny & lanzini come on & we were a different team,credit to moyes & the position we are in but I'd like us to throw caution to the wind & go for it a bit more.top 6 even top 8 is a great season but top 4 imo is punching well above our weight
as usual buddy.. spot on!
playing the top clubs recently demonstrates clearly to me that we are not a top four side. Its been a great season, massive improvements not just to last season but best for 5 seasons?
Lets be clear, The Moyessiah on this occasion got it wrong.
Noble, lovely guy, been a great servant but no longer a Prem player and a passenger.
Johnson, young and lots to learn, but frankly last night a passenger.
2 goal keepers on the bench? No idea what that's about
March is a difficult month for us and no easier on Sunday with improved Gooners visiting. I still think over 70 points for the season is realistic.
Agree Dartford
Feel exactly the same about nobes & johnson! Benny & lanzini on the bench against manure makes no sense to me.
I've said it before. But as
I've said it before. But as much as I like Moyes and all he is doing he is very one dimensional. You play one of the so called big boys and he reverts to type home or away. It's just inviting trouble and we always get what we deserve - beaten!!
We are lookin to be a top 4
We are lookin to be a top 4 club right?what top 4 club would play like that?, first half diabolical, their keeper hardly touched the ball .top 4 ,sides dont do that,sure air on the side of caution but don't turn us into a laughing stock .
As for Nobbs I'm surprised he isn't seeing it himself ,the moving on of west ham should have been a clue ,and its not just the fact that his legs have gone ,its that the football has changed ,we've gone on to a more methodical place ,one in which there's no room for Marky.
Lastly I don't no whether or not anyones noticed but Thomas Souchec has lost a little bit of his mo jo ,yesterday he was drained its like his legs were glued to the floor ,he just hasn't got the energy he had when first he came,I noticed they were all bolloxed ,they looked like they had been dragged through a hedge backwards,playing that shut the shop game only does one thing it drains you ,it saps you energy ,your doing twice the work without the ball ,when your continually chasing shadows they just get longer
Excellent point about the
Excellent point about the energy levels Burkie. Playing that shut up shop style really drains you mentally. The concentration levels needed to constantly defending wave after wave of attack ruins you. Constantly closing down pressing, all without the ball really shags you out it's true!!
Someone please explainit to
Someone please explainit to me ,we play this shite against manua and the hub caps and yet we go to shity and give them a real game ,i believe he set this team up to defend and maybe get the odd set piece because he was missing 1 player who couldnt play against his parent club ,and as for Marky ,Moyes has to fall out of love with him