West Ham v Aston Villa Match Thread

[MonsXI]

If the linesman flags for offside, is it not possible that the keeper and defenders stop reacting?

play to the whistle!

[Risso]

It's weird with N'Zogbia. Today he looks like he's actually trying, and is working quite hard chasing back and that, but what still surprises me is that when he gets the ball played to him, he doesn't seem to have any real skill! He is usually tackled quite easily, or he hits a poor pass. I was really quite excited when we signed him, too. Still, early days yet.

The thing is with N'zogbia, he's genuinely rubbish, and we were absolutely robbed by Wigan and Whelan.

[Lizz]

Robbie Savage spouting his opinions on BBC. I'd be annoyed if I was an out of work journalist.

[pauliewalnuts]

If the linesman flags for offside, is it not possible that the keeper and defenders stop reacting?

Play to the whistle is the answer to that.

[tarzansbrother]

It's weird with N'Zogbia. Today he looks like he's actually trying, and is working quite hard chasing back and that, but what still surprises me is that when he gets the ball played to him, he doesn't seem to have any real skill! He is usually tackled quite easily, or he hits a poor pass. I was really quite excited when we signed him, too. Still, early days yet.

Exactly, early days. We were a fukin shambles last season. Lambert will need 6 competitive games to judge the players. He has already judged the over paid wankers.

[ktvillan]

The linesman flagged for offside on the goal  then put his flag down and said it was a goal.  How does that work then? If he's not offside, why put your flag up you idiot?  For what it's worth it was marginal and I think Vlaar possibly played him on.   

I'd imagine the referee overruled him.

Then why did the ref even consult him?  If he's overruled him,  no need for consultation.  If he hasn't, then the lino has obviously changed his mind.

[Mister E]

We're keeping the ball much better. It's gonna take a while to get into the swing of things playing this way. It reminds me a little of Houllier at the minute. We keep the ball pretty well without any sort of penetration in the final third.
We've a problem with Holman and N'Zogbia right now. Holman probably isn't fit, and N'Zogbia just doesn't look confident at all. We could do with some pace out wide so we do really miss Gabby at the moment. He could be giving us an option in the channels.
I'd be more inclined to play a 4-3-3 than 4-2-3-1. I'd sacrifice one of Holman or N'Zog, and bring on Bannan to play CM. Then go three up top with Ireland floating from either wing. Bent needs support.

For me, right now we definitely look like we're missing a big man option up front, a decent wide player, a barnstorming CM player- the sort who'll burst from box to box and drive the team forward. And a decent left back obviously.
Still, in terms of keeping the ball, signs are promising. We just need 2-3 signings in the right places to help us be more penetrative. Also the options to give us a more direct option if plan A isn't working.

I do quite like the balance of Delph and El Ahmadi. An extra man in there with them would help at the minute.

Good post, Tom. We've just watched only 45 minutes, after all; and against a team that will frustrate the hell out of a few teams this season.
I think we'll see an away goal ... whether we withstand the onslaught on our goal is another thing. Vlaar needs to calm down abit and concentrate on defending rather than simply winning his personal battle with Cole.

[Mortimer's Bear]

If the linesman flags for offside, is it not possible that the keeper and defenders stop reacting?

I'd like to think they'd wait for the refs whistle before doing that.

[bertlambshank]

If the linesman flags for offside, is it not possible that the keeper and defenders stop reacting?

Play to the whistle.

[pauliewalnuts]

It's true, N'Zogbia has put in a shift and done some work, but as someone else said, when he finds himself in a position to do something dangerous, he just doesn't seem to know what to do.

[MonsXI]

I'm not a big fan of one up front i think it's a lot easier to defend against especially as Bent isn't the greatest with the ball at his feet.

[mattjpa]

If the linesman flags for offside, is it not possible that the keeper and defenders stop reacting?

of course it is, and it almost looked that way but i remember having the saying "play to the whistle" drummed into me from a very young age

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

A little more composure needed in both final thirds... no need to rush when in possession, but more care need not to go flying in and giving silly free kicks away.

I still think we'll be ok today and get at least a point

[pauliewalnuts]

I too have been impressed with Delph and KEA in the middle, Ireland as well has been pretty impressive in spells.

[Steve R]

The annoying thing is that we are behind to a team that has carried very little threat.

We do at least look like we have something to work with.