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Angry? No, bloody livid would describe my state of mind as we mooched off out of the stadium with the cries of Arse derision ringing in our shell-likes.
Gooners scrape a point
Angry? No, bloody livid would describe my state of mind as we mooched off out of the stadium with the cries of Arse derision ringing in our shell-likes.
It had all started so well meeting up down the pub, sharing our hopes and dreams for the season, and reliving the highlights of previous campaigns. Well alright the first two pints was spent slagging off the Newcastle debacle, but we soon mellowed out. Then it was off on the tube to the Academy.
I happily parted with £7 for a programme & two dodgy fanzines on Green Street (I must have been pissed), and we made our way into the stadium where we barged through the thronging masses to the beer counter. Well it’s a long walk from Upton Park station aint it.
I happily parted with £7 for a programme & two dodgy fanzines on Green Street (I must have been pissed), and we made our way into the stadium where we barged through the thronging masses to the beer counter. Well it’s a long walk from Upton Park station aint it.
We took our pews just in time for the minutes silence for the two poor little chavvies, which was spoiled somewhat by the continuous ringing of poxy mobile phones.
What unfolded before our eyes in the first forty five minutes was joyful. All the pace, skill, and passion that had been missing Monday night was there for all to see, as West Ham matched then overcame the vaunted Arse midfield. Cole was bristling with aggression and ideas, Carrick was assured and unhurried faced with Vierra, Edu and Parlour. If Kanoute had not blazed over from a great position, and Sinclair’s volley not struck the post we would have deservedly entered the break more than one up.
As it was we had to settle for a Joe Cole special right before the stroke of half-time. Kanoute appeared to be going nowhere on the left flank, and his speculative pass across the front of the 18 yard box seemed to take an age to reach Joe who superbly curled it left footed across Seamen into the far bottom corner. Have our prayers been answered? Has Joe finally learnt how to kick the bloody ball? I await further evidence that he’s cracked it, but at that moment it was pandemonium inside the Boleyn.
If anything the first fifteen minutes of the second half was even better entertainment. We went for them in waves, and it was no surprise when we scored the second goal, after Defoe had barely kept the ball in play before unleashing a near post cross which Kanoute thumped into the net. If only they could have stopped the game then. Kanoute went close on two further occasions shortly after, but inevitably we retreated into our shells, and allowed the Gooners back into the game.
We paid the price in the 65th minute when Henry scored one of the luckiest goals you are ever likely to see at Upton Park. Turning like a rusty U-boat onto a ball that bounced kindly for him, he mishit a shot off his stockings & suspender belt that wobbled gently into the net to bring Arse back into the game. That’s what I saw anyway.
Minutes later came the turning point of the game when Joe Cole was upended in the Arse penalty area by his namesake Ashley, who had the bareface cheek to argue about the resulting penalty decision. A collective groan went through the Doc Martins stand when Freddie picked up the ball, and placed it on the spot. Surely not him? I think I’d rather see Joe take it than Kanoute. The inevitable happened, and a match winning situation was thrown away.
It was all downhill from there, and when they brought the Mad Monc on it was curtains. I was screaming at the daft pillock to foul them in their own half if he really had too, but no he clatters into one of their players not ten yards from me, gets booked, cedes possession, and from that stemmed the dreaded equalizer.
Yes it was a great game, and there are some positives to take from it. Cole, Carrick, and Sinclair look the business, and Cisse put in a good performance against the best the Premiership has to offer. He was caught dawdling on the ball on a couple of occasions and is not quite at the pace of the game yet, but he looks strong and skillful. Kanoute, apart from the penalty and the glaring first half miss, caused Keown and Campbell all sorts of problems, and Defoe was very lively. Schemmel did everything you would expect of him.
The downside is still our defence, and the lack of quality substitutes. Dailly was left for dead by Henry for his goal, Breen was crap when he came on, and someone should have been able to get a foot in when Wiltord scored the Gooners second, no blame can be attached to David James for either goal. Moncur is a parody of himself these days, a liability when he is brought on, and he should be put out to grass or made to smoke it.
Now, you’re saying it can’t be too bad to draw with the champions, and credit must be due for stopping their record winning run, aren’t you? Well what I see is 1 point from 2 games, a goal difference of -4 (already), a 2 goal lead thrown away, a game with Fulham postponed which means we are playing catch up with the rest, and the prospect of early season crisis if we fail to beat Charlton next Saturday.
It all seems remarkably familiar doesn’t it? Never mind, see you all next week.
As it was we had to settle for a Joe Cole special right before the stroke of half-time. Kanoute appeared to be going nowhere on the left flank, and his speculative pass across the front of the 18 yard box seemed to take an age to reach Joe who superbly curled it left footed across Seamen into the far bottom corner. Have our prayers been answered? Has Joe finally learnt how to kick the bloody ball? I await further evidence that he’s cracked it, but at that moment it was pandemonium inside the Boleyn.
If anything the first fifteen minutes of the second half was even better entertainment. We went for them in waves, and it was no surprise when we scored the second goal, after Defoe had barely kept the ball in play before unleashing a near post cross which Kanoute thumped into the net. If only they could have stopped the game then. Kanoute went close on two further occasions shortly after, but inevitably we retreated into our shells, and allowed the Gooners back into the game.
We paid the price in the 65th minute when Henry scored one of the luckiest goals you are ever likely to see at Upton Park. Turning like a rusty U-boat onto a ball that bounced kindly for him, he mishit a shot off his stockings & suspender belt that wobbled gently into the net to bring Arse back into the game. That’s what I saw anyway.
Minutes later came the turning point of the game when Joe Cole was upended in the Arse penalty area by his namesake Ashley, who had the bareface cheek to argue about the resulting penalty decision. A collective groan went through the Doc Martins stand when Freddie picked up the ball, and placed it on the spot. Surely not him? I think I’d rather see Joe take it than Kanoute. The inevitable happened, and a match winning situation was thrown away.
It was all downhill from there, and when they brought the Mad Monc on it was curtains. I was screaming at the daft pillock to foul them in their own half if he really had too, but no he clatters into one of their players not ten yards from me, gets booked, cedes possession, and from that stemmed the dreaded equalizer.
Yes it was a great game, and there are some positives to take from it. Cole, Carrick, and Sinclair look the business, and Cisse put in a good performance against the best the Premiership has to offer. He was caught dawdling on the ball on a couple of occasions and is not quite at the pace of the game yet, but he looks strong and skillful. Kanoute, apart from the penalty and the glaring first half miss, caused Keown and Campbell all sorts of problems, and Defoe was very lively. Schemmel did everything you would expect of him.
The downside is still our defence, and the lack of quality substitutes. Dailly was left for dead by Henry for his goal, Breen was crap when he came on, and someone should have been able to get a foot in when Wiltord scored the Gooners second, no blame can be attached to David James for either goal. Moncur is a parody of himself these days, a liability when he is brought on, and he should be put out to grass or made to smoke it.
Now, you’re saying it can’t be too bad to draw with the champions, and credit must be due for stopping their record winning run, aren’t you? Well what I see is 1 point from 2 games, a goal difference of -4 (already), a 2 goal lead thrown away, a game with Fulham postponed which means we are playing catch up with the rest, and the prospect of early season crisis if we fail to beat Charlton next Saturday.
It all seems remarkably familiar doesn’t it? Never mind, see you all next week.