Spector starts--and without Ferdinand in the starting lineup, will JS be used centrally? Konchesky, Collins and McCartney are the other defenders...
For what's it worth, Collins and McCartney have played in the middle together this year (about 1 1/2 games) whereas Spector has not yet to the best of my knowledge.
Spector makes one decent play on Anelka in Bolton's half, then gets beaten badly on a header by Speed, who knocks it across the GK box and Diouf eventually hammers it home.
Correction : Diouf touched it back to Davies, who scored. Spector was beaten again on a header later and then by Anelka on a dribble .. but Bolton missed a great chance.
Was that Spector's bad giveaway with left-foot around midfield (42'). He's had a weak half. There seems to be a lack of aggression or confidence in his ability to act vs. react. Anelka, Diouf and Speed seem all quicker, and if Spector (and this goes for entire defense) and try to react to everything they do- they will give up more goals. Unless they raise their standard. West Ham looking thoroughly unimpressive so far. No rhythm. Poor passes out of the back (not just Spector). Pretty bad possession, and after 10 minutes- too much by passing of midfield and hack it upfront. Still 1-0 though. Still a game.
um...no...he had to make a standing jump for the ball. and if you were paying attention you could see that he was clearly pushed to ground by Speed.
That would be good It is wet, but West Ham simply can't play on the backfoot (as they are doing) vs. Bolton's front runners. Anelka, etc. have too much class, and I think West Ham needs to be more aggressive (meeting ball). However, that doesn't solve their other problems of basically no team chemistry, and poor off-ball running + poor balls in. At least Watford's guys work hard up front. Seems like a taylor-made game for Sheringham to bring some late inspiration, wisdom and hopefully a classy touch or 2 that can lead to something. Is he on the bench today?
Another bad example of what I'm talking about. Bolton 2-0. Then Harwood blows a very good chance to quickly equalize by not shooting and not really crossing in a deep, free position just wide of goal. West Ham simply has to do better there- looks like a relegation side the way they play.
Agreed on the header. Horrible may be a tad harsh. Not very good? The whole team sucks today. Here comes Shearingham, trying for a miracle. I wouldn't be suprised to see Pardew swap out 7-8 starters next week if this game stays like this. West Ham have lost all momentum from last month, and look poor again. Spector's starting spot for next week looks shaky.
Bolton just scored two goals in quick succession and both of them seemed to come from the area where Spector had been playing. Not saying Spector wouldn't have been burned, too. But, it's not like the defense - or the team, for that matter - are playing better in his stead.
Agreed. The team is totally imploding. Paintsil didn't exactly cover himself in glory on that 3rd goal. Hammerette is going to be pretty depressed. This is a bad team right now in every phase of the game.
Painstil, who often played as a fifth mid, didn't cover Anelka on the last and no one could stop Diouf on his run. Bye-bye, Pardew.
youre completely wrong...he has not been horrible...he has played no worse than the rest of the defense. and yes it is a foul when you come into the back of someone going for a header and push them down.
They look like relegation material right now. I'd been figuring they would hit good form and stay clear - you know, that Sheffield would bite the dust instead - but maybe not.
The right fullback looks like he has his pants down - not a good move by the manager to make Spector a scapegoat. Ye reap as ye sow.
I'm pretty surprised by all of this. I always figured that of the two promoted sides that stayed up last year Wigan would be the one to go through a sophomore slump trying to stave off relegation. West Ham is just horrible. After having 2 or 3 good games earlier in the season Spector hasn't done anything to merit a starting spot in the last few games. That being said, it's really difficult to judge an individual player's performance when the entire team collapses. So I don't think he's anymore responsible for the team's poor form than any of the other players. And if Charlton dumped their manager already I don't see what is keeping Pardew in the job.
And I'm glad about the timing of the Spector substitution. It's as if he hit the eject button just before the plane exploded.
Deja vu all over again. Looks like I picked a great time to go visit the sister in Raleigh and see the new niece.
We are all rooting for John, but your post reeks of homerism. That's rarely a foul in the Premiership- just a good, hard play by the attacker. West Ham was bad today. Spector was bad day. Pretty remarkably, his substitute has managed to look worse I think. Pardew could not be blamed for starting Mears next week (earlier in the year, Pantsil/Mears and Spector all started at RB)- that is, if he is healthy. Of course we all hope this is a temporary blip for Jonathon, but it's pretty hard to sugar coat it, and it won't make him a better professional. He's got to do better.