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We were in the ascendancy at 2-1 and had them on the ropes before Samba's totally needless double yellow. The crowd were lifted and it was just a matter of time before we'd have equalised. What's all the more frustrating is Diakite had been playing so well apart from those two rash challenges. He clearly still has a problem with either his temperament or adapting to the pace of the PL, or both. AFAIK he didnt have a poor disciplinary record at Nancy or with Mali. But it was his red card tonight that gave the momentum back to WHU who used their man advantage to close the game out. Diakite is clearly a highly talented player but he'll be no use to us if he doesn't eradicate this impetuous side to his game. I'm sure Hughes and co will now be very aware of this if they weren't already.
Cesar - Not to blame for either of their goals. Their 2nd took an awful deflection off Mbia, otherwise he'd have saved it. He also kept us in the game near the end with a world class save. Always calm and assured, nothing ever seems to faze him.
Onuoha - Awful, just absolutely awful. He should never play at FB for us again, he's a very different player at CB. Harriman would be better option at RB. I don't think I have once seen him run forward with the ball from a FB position - seems totally lacking in confidence in that position. All he can do is pass it sideways or backwards, occasionally he lumps it forwards but more in hope than to a QPR player but never actually runs with it.
Mbia - our 2nd best player on the pitch tonight, after Adel. Looks a really good prospect. Assured, strong and composed.
Nelson - another very solid performance.
Hill - did his best at LB but its clearly not his best position. Again, he has a tendency to lump it forwards in hope more than to a fellow player. He was also at fault for their first goal where his lack of pace was exposed. Apart from that he was decent tonight though.
Park - another reliable performance but was much more effective when he came inside in the 2nd half.
Faurlin and Granero - overall I felt these two were out-muscled tonight by West Ham's physically stronger midfielders, even in the 2nd half when we added an extra man - this is where I feel the game was lost tonight. Granero was also a little guilty of conceding possession too much for my liking but both him and Ale still showed great class, touches, passing and movement at times.
SWP I thought had one of his better games tonight on the right getting some good crosses in, was always a threat and had a good game overall. He was sacrificed 2nd half but that was more for tactical reasons.
Its clear that Cisse needs a PL goal desperately to kick start his season, he does seem slightly low on confidence and out of sorts.
Zamora once again played his role effectively and its essential we keep him fit.
Adel in the short time he was on was head and shoulders above his team mates and was by far and away our MOM, completely transforming the game with his genius within 80 seconds of him coming on. Had Diakite stayed on the pitch I feel Taarabt would have been instrumental in us scoring again as we were in complete control of the game at that stage.
Hoilett played well too when he came on but needs to release to a team-mate a bit earlier, he got too easily closed down on occasions.
Cesar - Not to blame for either of their goals. Their 2nd took an awful deflection off Mbia, otherwise he'd have saved it. He also kept us in the game near the end with a world class save. Always calm and assured, nothing ever seems to faze him.
Onuoha - Awful, just absolutely awful. He should never play at FB for us again, he's a very different player at CB. Harriman would be better option at RB. I don't think I have once seen him run forward with the ball from a FB position - seems totally lacking in confidence in that position. All he can do is pass it sideways or backwards, occasionally he lumps it forwards but more in hope than to a QPR player but never actually runs with it.
Mbia - our 2nd best player on the pitch tonight, after Adel. Looks a really good prospect. Assured, strong and composed.
Nelson - another very solid performance.
Hill - did his best at LB but its clearly not his best position. Again, he has a tendency to lump it forwards in hope more than to a fellow player. He was also at fault for their first goal where his lack of pace was exposed. Apart from that he was decent tonight though.
Park - another reliable performance but was much more effective when he came inside in the 2nd half.
Faurlin and Granero - overall I felt these two were out-muscled tonight by West Ham's physically stronger midfielders, even in the 2nd half when we added an extra man - this is where I feel the game was lost tonight. Granero was also a little guilty of conceding possession too much for my liking but both him and Ale still showed great class, touches, passing and movement at times.
SWP I thought had one of his better games tonight on the right getting some good crosses in, was always a threat and had a good game overall. He was sacrificed 2nd half but that was more for tactical reasons.
Its clear that Cisse needs a PL goal desperately to kick start his season, he does seem slightly low on confidence and out of sorts.
Zamora once again played his role effectively and its essential we keep him fit.
Adel in the short time he was on was head and shoulders above his team mates and was by far and away our MOM, completely transforming the game with his genius within 80 seconds of him coming on. Had Diakite stayed on the pitch I feel Taarabt would have been instrumental in us scoring again as we were in complete control of the game at that stage.
Hoilett played well too when he came on but needs to release to a team-mate a bit earlier, he got too easily closed down on occasions.
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