Interesting. The position suits him physically better than outside back. His lack of quickness isn't exposed by pacey wingers. His strength and height is better used winning headers and dealing with the typically larger CM's. Oh and dribbling through the entire United defense!
Not that it helps our national team very much, but I have to applaud Grant here. I'm sure most of us had assumed that Spector was out of sight, out of mind for West Ham -- that Grant had simply discarded him and moved on until Spector was sold or improved on his own. But if all of this time they've actually been working with him in training on this position change and it's suddenly paid off in a huge way, then all the credit to them.
And for 3-5-2. I thought he looked his best when playing in midfield for Curbs. But, darn it, I missed the game. More like the decade. I mean, this wasn't ManU's top lineup but it was still ManU.
Dammit. SKY should have held on for a few more seconds. I wanted to see Specs pop the bubbly, take a huge drink, and stare right at the camera and say "It's Specstacular baby!"
If I recall correctly, Spector was a striker until he went to Manchester United. He played his entire youth in attack.
Good stuff. Also at the 1:00 mark of the Avram Grant interview he is asked about Spector. edit: I see you posted the quotes above.
Changed his position to midfield? Interesting. So he's been training for the better part of a month as a midfielder? Well today he certainly made his presence known!
Spector's 50 yard run with the ball prior to the disallowed goal may have been the single greatest YA play of the century. And then his run on West Ham's 2nd goal (Spector's 3rd) may have been even better.
Nah that's too cliche. That's too Mathis. Clint is the only Yank bashful and arrogant enough to A) even think about it and B) even try it. But as I type, I maybe me mistaken, the other Clint could pull that off, too.
Funnily enough, there was some sorta injury situation in a youth match and he's been a defender since... 'till now Early in the KUMB thread someone noted that this is the sorta story we yanks eat up... FACT!
EPIC day for Spector and EPIC win for West Ham. This is one of those types of matches that can turn a season and a career. If spector can hold form and play behind Parker, this team could can end up mid table. Sure, they beat up a make shift ManU side, but Fletcher, Anderson, Gibbs, et al are pretty good quality. Well done Hammers.
The phrase "Spector" was trending worldwide this evening on Twitter, still trending in the UK. Lots of fun reading here: http://www.kumb.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=2f03fb9aa1d047cbae9e2be643555c2e Spector's goals with BBC commentary (hope the links work for everybody): http://rutube.ru/player.swf?buffer_...tube.ru/092ef8a5a859b222f1e376d0b75c76a4.iflv http://rutube.ru/player.swf?buffer_...tube.ru/8ef697c30bb3f4169dafc18bfb96d987.iflv
Fox Soccer Plus is showing the game again on replay at, I believe, 8pm est, tonight. I've already set my dvr. and that West Ham United thread is some of the funniest stuff I've ever read.
Great game for Spector! And he played c-mid. The outside positions fit him better, in my opinion. He seems to be the player that can adapt to any position on the field. I hope this game gets him on a upper trend.
You know, prior to this I think the best game I've ever seen Spector play for West Ham (and I won't see this one until I get home) was a few years ago, against, Man U.
I pass by here when West Ham and Americans cross paths, but spend most of my days in the KUMB forums. There have been a fair few who have seen this coming -- maybe not the goals -- but that Spector, especially after the loss of pace after the hip injury, is more acclimated for the center of the park. He's always had great instincts but has often lacked when having to mark pacey or tricky players. I couldn't be more happy for Specs. He's been a regular target for the boo boys at the Boleyn and was regularly referred to as the American Christian Dailly. He has been nothing but professional since coming to the club and amazingly is the second longest serving Hammer in the side. Today was a victory that will long be remembered by supporters, and now Specs for better or worse from here on out will be cemented in our colorful history. For anyone who wants to say this was a Manc B side...outside of Upson and Obinna, none of the other players would be considered in our first XI before today's match.