Andy Munro reports from Blues’ visit to their old mates in the East End.
Was it a point gained or two points lost? I guess it was the former for us and the latter for the Un’appy ‘Ammers.
After a great win against Palace, I did have a concern that when a team is long overdue a home win they tend to get it against the Blues. If I’m honest I’ve never taken to West Ham with their media love in crowd and, as far as I’m concerned it’s the Unholy Trinity of Sullivan, the Golds and Miserable Sam. The fact that they also wear claret and blue and have a group of fans who are, to say the least, uncharitable just compounds matters.
Either way, it was still a vital match because to lose momentum after three great three-goal wins could have sent the wheels spinning off our Promotion Play Off Bandwagon especially if we got really ‘ammered by the ‘Ammers. Early on it looked a bit ominous with Blues notoriously slow start putting us under pressure. In fact it was a surprise when Jordan (is he the new Craig Gardner?) Mutch showed some sublime skill to wrong foot the Hammers defence before rifling home. It got even better when Marlon King timed his run perfectly to make it two nil. West Ham continued to press, however, with their multi-million pound strike force and finally reduced the arrears in injury time. Blues were not done though, and restored their two goal advantage before the half time whistle.
As expected the second half saw Blues under increasing pressure as the Hammers rained balls into the box in a way which must have gladdened big Sam’s heart even if it must have made Sir Bobby turn in his grave. If West Ham used to be known as the Academy of Football, under big Sam’s guidance, it must now be the Borstal.
Mind you, his tactics paid off with Cole reducing the arrears and then a somewhat fortunate penalty appeal led to Vaz Te netting the equaliser from the spot. It was unfortunate but not fatal and this now means that we have scored 12 goals in four games and picked up a valuable ten points. A record that would have been a mere dream under the Ginger one. I’ve started to get that Wemblee feeling again
