This was indeed a disappointing performance, in truth.
Before the game we were looking forward to the prospect of playing with the same kind of flare, the same kind of drive and endeavour that we had displayed against Millwall, Southampton and Blackpool. Only this time, we’d have 11 men on the pitch just like the opposition. This would allow Vaz Te and Faubert to do even greater damage to their opponents and either Maynard, Cole or Baldock would profit.
Well, so much for theories and expectation.

During the first half we actually played as though we did have only 10 men. We were half a yard slower to everything than our eager, fired up and hungry opposition. Palace had come to play. They should have taken the lead as early as the first minute in truth and but for two or three excellent saves from the outstanding Green they would certainly have headed in at the break with the advantage. Indeed, Speroni had little to do during the first period. We couldn’t really get our passing game going and were being harried very effectively by Freedman’s charges. Vaz Te was muted, Faubert was running around a lot as usual but rarely offered any width and, when he did, failed to deliver anything into the danger zone. On one occasion, Julien did beat the left back and looked up to see no one making a run across the 6 yard line to greet the intended delivery. Vaz Te was lingering at the back stick, with 3 Palace defenders inbetween himself and Faubert. The ball eventually went out for a corner and it was very clear that Faubert was remonstrating with the forward informing him that he should have made the dart into the near post space. Maynard didn’t seem to be at the races either although received nothing of any quality to run onto. In midfield, Noble was having little success, particularly in terms of the final ball. Yes, there was a lot of possession but invariably the passes were hit sideways. Tomkins looked out of position and out of sorts, in fact he looked lost. I applaud his efforts whilst Nolan has been suspended although I do not side with those who think he has been excellent in the midfield role. Yesterday he was caught short. We’ve gotten away with it but what we really need is Nolan to come back in and show us what he is capable of. Collison continues to struggle on his return from injury. I lost count of the times he gave the ball away yesterday. I repeat my suggestion that he may never fulfil the promise he showed early on in his career.

Things did improve after the break. Cole replaced Faubert at half time and gave us a little more presence in the final third. He showed his lack of confidence at home when opting to pass to Vaz Te instead of firing in a shot when well placed but generally, his link up play and physicality gave us something we’d been missing in the first half. Vaz Te was replaced, not before time. His replacement was O’Neill, which seemed odd to most of the Hammers faithful in truth. O’Neill tends to be the sort of player you want coming on with 20 minutes to go when you are protecting a lead, not chasing a game against a mid-table side on your own turf. I’d hoped that Lansbury would be given a run-out to be honest but alas it wasn’t to be. Gary tried hard enough but his lack of pace when getting himself into promising situations was clear for all to see. Last throw of the dice – Maynard off, Baldock on. With Palace now retreating and clearly settling for a point, the bus was parked and our task was to go for the jugular. We pressed hard and with no little conviction in this period and might, just might, have nicked it. Baldock spurned the game’s two outstanding opportunities, with Speroni blocking on both occasions with his legs and when the final whistle did sound, it was honours even and just about the right result.

A few pillocks booed. My own take on it would be that if you’d offered me 4 points from Blackpool away and Palace at home before Tuesday evening, I’d have taken it. Ok, so the order of the 3 and 1 point returns might have been different but, at the end of the day, we didn’t lose this game and we surely would have done 12 months ago.
A couple of other noteworthy points; firstly the crowd. No great atmosphere again yesterday, despite a 34,900 sellout. The much heralded 6 minutes from 6 minutes of ‘Bobby Moore and his claret ‘n’ blue army’ never really took off, as I predicted it wouldn’t. The STB lower and the BML did their best but in the end it was something of a damp squib. The away fans were pretty vocal but fortress Upton Park didn’t really live up to expectations yesterday, giving the impression that the majority expected to be lifted by the team, not the other way around. Shame.
Secondly, the man of the match award. The clueless sponsors nominated Noble for the accolade when it was clear to everyone that either Green or the outstanding Faye were really the only two hammers who covered themselves in any glory on the day. Reid was half asleep for the first 45 minutes, improving after the break. O’Brien and Linda did ok, no more no less. But for the performances of Green and Faye this is a game we’d have lost by some distance.

A not so great day at the office; move on.