Sunday, August 12, 2007
West Ham 0-2 Man City
We're off to a disappointing start to the season thanks to a couple of goals from Man City new boys. Despite plenty of possession and some flair West Ham could just not create any decent chances - every time a good move was on something would happen to intervene. Still, some positives to take from the game.
Player ratings (these might be out of whack because I haven't seen any kind of game for a few months!)
Green 5 - It pains me to say it but he was pretty ordinary. Couldn't have done too much more about the goals but just unconvincing throughout.
Ringo 6 - Awful start but put in a very respectable performance once he got into the game. Some good work with his teammates.
Upson 6 - Horrible, and costly error for the first goal but other than that I thought he did pretty well.
Ferdinand 5 - Prone to the odd mistake. Didn't look like he cared too much.
Spector 6 - Good, but lacked control. Tired towards the end.
LBM 6 - Promising. I hadn't expected much but he did all right down the left and put in the odd strong tackle.
Noble 8 - Excellent performance, hard working, some really classy passes and footwork. I've had a look at a couple of player ratings sites and he's not getting any decent ratings - maybe I was watching a different game but I thought he was very good.
Freddie Mercury 6 - We had high hopes and he didn't disappoint. Room for improvement, knowing what he can do, but some good signs. Glad he's with us.
Bowyer 5 - No impact.
Zamora 6 - A frustrating game for the angry young man. Plenty of ball but always seemed to make the wrong decision, misplace a pass, or get caught offside. Wasn't helped by somewhat picky linesmen and ref.
Bellamy 6 - Showed what he can do at times but drifted aimlessly.
Mullins 6 - Adequate.
Etherington 7 - Threatening.
Ashton 6 - Clearly rusty, and has had a visit to Advanced Hair I think because his crown seems to be a lot less shiny. High hopes for him this season though.
Curbs 6 - We needed somebody in the box who can head a ball, which is where Ashton might have come in handy from the start, with Zamora used as an impact player which I think is best for him. Kind of pointless substitution with Mullins as it brought Ljungberg out of the game and put more pressure on Spector, who was getting tired.
Player ratings (these might be out of whack because I haven't seen any kind of game for a few months!)
Green 5 - It pains me to say it but he was pretty ordinary. Couldn't have done too much more about the goals but just unconvincing throughout.
Ringo 6 - Awful start but put in a very respectable performance once he got into the game. Some good work with his teammates.
Upson 6 - Horrible, and costly error for the first goal but other than that I thought he did pretty well.
Ferdinand 5 - Prone to the odd mistake. Didn't look like he cared too much.
Spector 6 - Good, but lacked control. Tired towards the end.
LBM 6 - Promising. I hadn't expected much but he did all right down the left and put in the odd strong tackle.
Noble 8 - Excellent performance, hard working, some really classy passes and footwork. I've had a look at a couple of player ratings sites and he's not getting any decent ratings - maybe I was watching a different game but I thought he was very good.
Freddie Mercury 6 - We had high hopes and he didn't disappoint. Room for improvement, knowing what he can do, but some good signs. Glad he's with us.
Bowyer 5 - No impact.
Zamora 6 - A frustrating game for the angry young man. Plenty of ball but always seemed to make the wrong decision, misplace a pass, or get caught offside. Wasn't helped by somewhat picky linesmen and ref.
Bellamy 6 - Showed what he can do at times but drifted aimlessly.
Mullins 6 - Adequate.
Etherington 7 - Threatening.
Ashton 6 - Clearly rusty, and has had a visit to Advanced Hair I think because his crown seems to be a lot less shiny. High hopes for him this season though.
Curbs 6 - We needed somebody in the box who can head a ball, which is where Ashton might have come in handy from the start, with Zamora used as an impact player which I think is best for him. Kind of pointless substitution with Mullins as it brought Ljungberg out of the game and put more pressure on Spector, who was getting tired.