It's an early trek along the Overground to Hackney Wick, then through security and time to purchase a match programme for the tardy Nigel, who has left home believing it to be a 12.45pm kick-off. He is also definitely going to be voting on December 13. Inside the ground are daughter Lola, Fraser, Matt, Lisa and just making the kick-off Nigel. Meanwhile it seems that the absent Michael, Alison and Scott are all stepping down from loyal supporting duties. Though to be fair Alison seems to have been more effective in goal for Liverpool than Roberto is for us.
Spurs have some new bloke on the touchline and start with renewed intensity. There's an early warning as an offside Kane sneaks behind West Ham's defence to fire home. But at least Rice plays more like his old self and we keep it goalless for half an hour, but only have a blocked header as a chance. Anderson and Yarmolenko pull out of tackles and we're playing with nothing like the intensity you need in a local derby. Roberto is all panic-inducing arms and legs, flying from his goal and punching one of his own defenders at one point.
On 36 minutes Spurs score the goal they have threatened on the break, Son turning past Diop with ease and firing through the hapless Roberto. Two minutes before the interval Dele Alli manages to produce a back heel while prone on the touchline to send Son away behind Fredericks. His low cross finds Moura ahead of Cresswell and the Spurs man bags the second. Only a fine tip over from Roberto prevents a third goal before the break.
HOW S••T MUST WE BE, THEY'RE WINNING AWAY?
At half-time Nigel introduces me to the journalist who tracked down the 1966 World Cup Final match ball to Germany. Pellegrini acts by taking off Anderson for the returning Antonio. Lucas Moura misses a great chance as Spurs break straight from a West Ham free kick, but it's three soon after as Snodgrass doesn't get tight to Aurier, who crosses for Kane to beat Diop too easily and head home.
"How shit must you be, we're we're winning away?" and "West Ham United you'll always be shit!" chant the away fans, which is less a series of jibes and more of a match report. I apologise to Lola for introducing her to West Ham, as her Spurs-supporting boss sends malicious texts.
At least Antonio runs at players and appears to be one of the few players left with any confidence. Fornals comes on and Pellegrini is booed for bringing off Diop for Sanchez and putting Rice in defence, though actually it's because Diop is suspended at Chelsea and he wants to give Rice some game time at centre back.
We actually look better with Rice in defence and Sanchez at least performs simple passes well in front of the defence. As against Newcastle the Hammers start to put some effort in when it's too late. Noble does well to find Antonio who shoots instantly to pull one back with a fine finish. Rice has the ball in the net after poking home Haller's header only to be ruled offside.
With the last kick of the game Ogbonna pulls a second back with a good finish from a Snodgrass corner. But again it's far too late, though Nigel does quip that we win the second half, though in reality we could easily have lost 4-0. The Humble One hugs his players as Spurs celebrate their first away win of the season.
PANIC ON THE STREETS OF STRATFORD
The home crowd seem resigned rather than angry and there's little sense that Pellegrini appreciates the urgency of the situation in his post-match keep calm and carry on comments. We retreat to the Refreshment Rooms to meet Nigel's mate Andy and stare morbidly into our pints of beer and glass of red wine for Matt who is still eschewing beer (but no alcohol) for November. Meanwhile Fraser produces unprintable conspiracy theories and looks forward to Tony Pulis arriving.
The side is in freefall with two points in seven games. What does David Martin have to do to get a game? How can we stop conceding three goals a game? Should the misfiring Haller be dropped? How can we restore the confidence of Anderson and get Yarmolenko to put in a shift? And is Rafa Benitez the answer? With Chelsea to come it's surely going to get worse before it gets better.
PLAYER RATINGS: Roberto 3; Fredericks 4, Diop 4 (Sanchez 5), Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 5; Anderson 4 (Antonio 7), Rice 6, Noble 5, Snodgrass 5; Yarmolenko 3 (Fornals 5), Haller 4.
2 comments:
Interesting bench yesterday.. If Martin is good enough for the bench he must be ready to come in. Surely an under 23 player like Holland would be worth bringing on?
Anyone who would run around a bit would be an improvement
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