Vinny's Peterborough Report
Vinny 3:20 Wed Mar 28

Other articles by Vinny ...

Peterborough United 0 West Ham United 2

West Ham secured their eleventh away victory of the season at Peterborough’s London Road to equal the record of away wins in a season set back in the 1922/23 campaign.

Whilst this game was vital for us to get back on track given our recent poor form which has seen us slip out of the automatic promotion places one of the main talking points will be the chants directed at manager Sam Allardyce and his post-match reaction as he labelled any fan who dare criticise him as ‘deluded’.

There were a number of positives not only the three points but that in the second half we got the ball down and played football on the floor causing Peterborough to be chasing shadows for 45 minutes as we simply outplayed them.

The two goals were well worked and like at Burnley they came very close together and really set us on our way.

The gripe from the supporters was that in the first half we were playing a lot of long balls forward to Cole who was not very successful in winning them which saw possession go straight back to the home side.

The chant of ‘We play on the floor, West Ham United, We play on the floor’ was sung loudly by the 5000 strong West Ham support. Allardyce has not reacted well to this although his reaction is to be expected by a man who cannot find any fault in himself.

Now I don’t mean to say that it was the fans that got the team playing passing football in the second half but it does seem odd that after this chant went out we played some good football on the floor.

I am delighted with the victory and this makes sure that promotion is in our own hands with Reading at the Boleyn coming up next. A win in this game will put us back in a automatic promotion spot and give us a real chance to get back to the Premiership.

The Team

Despite us winning I still think Allardyce got it all wrong again and after the second half display against Burnley I firmly expected to see both Sam Baldock and Nicky Maynard start with Cole dropping to the bench but Allardyce is stubborn and continued with the same formation.

In defence Danny Collins was dropped to the bench with Abdoulaye Faye coming back from injury to replace him at centre half.

In midfield, Jack Collison was not in the squad with Ricardo Vaz Te replacing him and taking up a position on the right hand side.

It was Gary O’Neil who went into the centre of midfield with Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble.

Carlton Cole continued up front alone.

Starting for Peterborough was former Hammer Grant McCann who came through the youth system and made a few sub appearances but failed to break into the side under Harry Redknapp or Glenn Roeder.

First Half

Peterborough’s London Road stadium still retains terracing so when the large West Ham following entered the ground it was a throwback to years gone by with everyone attempting to find a spot to stand.

Though I did mention it after the Burnley game I have to bring up how good the West Ham support was yet again. The club is lucky to have fans that make so much noise and travel to games in their numbers.

The first half was very similar to our last few games where we look one dimensional and keep giving the ball away. Peterborough were sharp from the kick off and nearly took the lead inside the first minute as Tomlin saw his bobbling effort saved by Robert Green.

A half-hearted penalty appeal was turned down by the referee early on as a Noble free kick was clipped into the area for Cole to go down under a challenge.

Cole was struggling early on to win any of the high balls presented to him and the centre halves were finding it easy to cope. Cole of course was baring much criticism from the West Ham support and it is difficult to argue as he has only scored one goal this calendar year.

On the ten minute mark Peterborough came very close to taking the lead as Paul Taylor saw his curling effort beat Robert Green but not the cross bar and the rebound was met weakly by Frecklington as Green was able to save comfortably.

Our first half chance came when Vaz Te received the ball and took an early shot which Paul Jones in the Peterborough goal had to clutch at the second attempt.

Most of our play was now being based down the right hand side with O’Brien coming forward and Va Te attempting to make something happen.

The home side were still looking dangerous when going forward and a superb block from James Tomkins prevented a possible effort on goal which would have caused problems.

A cross from Matthew Taylor found Nolan who nodded down for Cole who attempted to bundle the ball over the line but defender Brisley did just enough to prevent this and it was put out for a corner.

Peterborough were certainly comfortable on the ball and were attempting to play passing football and with our high ‘hoofs’ towards Cole the West Ham supporter were becoming increasingly frustrated and that is where the chant of ‘We Play on the floor’ was born.

A corner was won by Vaz Te and taken by Matthew Taylor but this was cleared back to Vaz Te who worked the ball out to Taylor who got into the area, beat two men before hitting a shot over the top from around 12 yards.

As we went into first half stoppage time we had appeared to be getting on top but in that minute of added on time we were lucky to go in at half time on level terms.

It started from our corner which was poorly taken and saw Peterborough counter attack and it looked as though one of their players was bundled over in the area but the play continued and Barnett got the ball back across for Faye to win the head but the ball fell central to George Boyd who seemed to have an age to pick his spot but his shot was superbly blocked by James Tomkins who saved his team a goal.

From the resulting corner Faye clashed heads with a Peterborough player and went down needing treatment for a number of minutes.

The corner was eventually taken and obviously straight off the training ground as it was put to the edge of the area where two players dummied the ball only for the resulting shot to go well wide.
The half time whistle was blown and it seemed that we would need to up our game if we were to get the three points we so desperately needed.

Second Half

Two changes were made at half time with Abdoulaye Faye failing to recover from the clash of heads at the end of the first half and Joey O’Brien picking up a knock. On in their place was Danny Collins and Julien Faubert.

The second half was to be complete dominance from us and the hosts barely got a kick. Allardyce claims that this was because we wore them down in the first half which may be the case but I look at it as we simply out passed them and kept the ball a lot better than we had done in the first half.

We were not just knocking it long for Cole and were getting down the flanks with McCartney bombing down the left hand side on numerous occasions.

Seven minutes into the second half we took the lead as McCartney got forward and played the ball back for Taylor to cross with his left foot to the back post where Ricardo Vaz Te got up highest and planted his header inside the post to make it 1-0.

The celebrations in the away end were fantastic as everyone leapt about and bundled forward. It was some proper terrace celebrations.

Peterborough came at us straight from kick off with Faubert committing a foul but the free kick into the area was met superbly by Danny Collins who firmly head away from danger.

Robert Green sent Vaz Te racing down the right hand side and his ball into Cole saw the striker turn and hit a left foot shot which went just wide.

But a second goal would come just a minute late when Gary O’Neil picked up a loose pass, drove forward unopposed and curled a shot from 25 yards past Paul Jones to make it 2-0.

If the celebrations for the first goal were manic the second was turned up a notch as the standing West Ham fans fell all over the place. You will be pleased to know that I remained on my feet, and my back is feeling just fine.

The noise from the West Ham fans was superb and as enjoyable an away game as I’ve experienced in quite some time. Robert Green was receiving a number of chants from the support although when chanting “Greeno, What’s the score?” his reaction was one to tell us not to think the game is won just yet. I think he has been here too long.

Green would be called into action just the once in the second half and that was when the ‘Posh’ broke forward with Alcock who had sight on goal but his shot was turned around the post by Green for a corner.

The fans were now chanting for Green to sign a new contract and soon.

A wonderful piece of skill from Kevin Nolan nearly saw us score our third when a low cross into the area saw an outrageous flick which cannoned of the cross bar.

Cole was a little unlucky when O’Neil played him through down the right and he challenged with the defender and was penalised for a foul although he had gone on to finish well.

Tomkins was brought down by a scathing tackle from Sinclair which saw the Peterborough man booked for this poor challenge.

There was some great banter between the West Ham fans standing behind the goal and the fans seated to the right.

We were in complete control of the game and were the shouts of ‘Ole’ could be heard with every pass.

McCartney nearly scored a smart goal as he got forward again and burst into the area only for his low right foot shot to be saved by Jones.

Kevin Nolan saw a header from a Faubert cross loop just over onto the roof of the net as the full time whistle approached.

All the players came over the travelling support to show their appreciation which was good to see and we left London Road with all three points and promotion is firmly in our own hands.

Player Reviews

Robert Green
When he was needed he came through for us yet again with a great stop in the second half. Will have been pleased to have kept his first clean sheet since the trip to Cardiff.

Joey O’Brien
Was having a decent game although does lack quality in forward positions which was a little bit of a hindrance in the first half but was by no means a poor display from the Irish full back.

James Tomkins
A wonderful performance from Tomkins whose block at the end of the first half prevented us from going in at half time 1-0 down. I believe if we had conceded then we would have lost the game so this was vital. Was dominant in the air and solid throughout.

Abdoulaye Faye
A solid first half from the strong centre half. He rarely misses any of his defensive headers and hopefully his injury is not in fact a fractured skull which may keep him out for some time.

George McCartney
Very impressed with McCartney again who since the Cardiff game and goal has become very confident when bursting forward and is playing like an attacking left winger. Very good.

Ricardo Vaz Te
Played most of the game on the right hand side which I do believe he would be better down the middle. The fact is Vaz Te is our creative player. He might lose the ball on occasion but he makes things happen and you need one of these players in your side. He scored, he created, he was the player who drove the team forward.

Mark Noble
With O’Neil in the midfield this seemed to free up space for Noble to put his foot on the ball and calm things down. He was efficient, tidy and always involved.

Kevin Nolan
A really good display from Nolan who like at Burnley seemed to be everywhere and wasn’t hiding like he has been doing for a lot of the season. Was very unlucky not to have scored with a cheeky flick in the second half.

Gary O’Neil
Step forward Mr Gary O’Neil. We have had much debate on whether to play Collison or Lansbury in the centre of midfield that Gary O’Neil plays there and shows us how to actually be a centre midfielder. The work rate was excellent, but his passing and willingness to pass the ball forward is what impressed me. Of course his goal was fantastic and he will surely be keeping his place.

Matthew Taylor
In and out of the game and I was surprised to see him start given how bad he was at Burnley. But this was a better outing and his cross for our first goal is what we have been missing from him since his return from injury.

Carlton Cole
I couldn’t quite believe that we had started with him again as he is completely out of form and seemingly out of confidence. This was a better performance than that at Burnley but I still am not convinced he should be starting at the moment.

Subs Used

Danny Collins (on for Faye 45 mins)
A good half from Collins who looked mobile and was good in the air.

Julien Faubert (on for O’Brien 45 mins)
Rarely troubled defensively and got forward well but his crossing was more miss than hit.

Nicky Maynard (on for O’Neil 88 mins)
Not on for long but showed plenty of enthusiasm.

Subs Not Used: Baldock, Carew

Bookings: None

Peterborough United: Jones, Zakuani, Tomlin, Boyd, McCann, Rowe, Bennett, Brisley, Frecklington, Taylor, Alcock
Subs: Lewis, Little, Ball, Sinclair, Kearns

Attendance: 13,517

Overall

Sam Allardyce should not be calling West Ham fans deluded. This is not what the manager should be saying in response to some very valid comments.

If anyone is deluded it is Mr Allardyce who claims that it is a myth that he plays a long ball style.

The reason we think he plays this way is because when a defender gets the ball they more often than not knock it long to the lone striker. Simple as that. A spade is a spade Mr Allardyce.

I find his comments galling and makes me dislike him even more. How can he honestly be this arrogant? I only want what is best for West Ham but having such a horrible individual as your manager is very off putting.

He states that we outplayed everyone that we have drawn with recently. There is no truth behind this at all. We were not better than Doncaster, Crystal Palace or Watford over 90 minutes and it is insulting to those clubs that he would just make up these so called facts.

He harped on early in the season about results being the only important thing and now he is talking about ‘outplaying’ teams and this being a ‘fact’.

When asked about the fans not being harmonious at home games he just has another dig and states that "I think we've lost three at home all season so I don't know why they are not harmonious - you'll have to ask the fans that,"

Ok Sam, you did ask.

Southampton have won 15 games at home this season. We have won 9. This is a fact.

Reading have won 12 games at home. We have won 9. This is a fact.

Southampton, Reading, Brighton, Birmingham Blackpool, Cardiff, Leeds, Leicester, Watford, Ipswich, Burnley, Barnsley, and Peterborough have all scored more goals at home than us this season.

Southampton, Reading, Brighton, Birmingham, Crystal Palace, Hull, and Portsmouth have all conceded less with Middlesbrough having conceded the same amount. Third from bottom Coventry have only conceded three more.

Are our expectations high? Damn fucking right they are, with the shit this club has been through and the money invested in the side in the summer and since, yes we have the right to expect to win this league. On paper our squad was the strongest in the league and still is, Southampton meanwhile have only been promoted from League One.

No Allardyce you have some respect for the West Ham fans because you won’t last long without us and this is the beginning of a slippery slope if you continue to make comments like this.

Next Game – Reading (home), Saturday 31st March 3pm Kick Off

Biggest game of the season, and whoever wins it will be in pole position to take second place and get that automatic promotion.



Sam's View

"It was a full house with 14,000 fans, 5,000 of whom were our fans and it created a fantastic atmosphere,"

"When you move the ball and when you have the space to move the ball it's great. In the first-half when we had the ball, the whole of the Peterborough team were sprinting at us and we knew at half-time they wouldn't be able to keep it up.

"The second-half was the perfect performance once we got in the lead. We controlled the game, created more chances and didn't let the opposition have a sniff of a goal and they ran out of legs and got tired for the last 30 minutes.

"We also got the all-important clean sheet. We got it right at both ends, with two goals scored and a clean sheet."

"It was a pity Kevin Nolan's didn't go in as it would have been one of the goals of the season for us. It was an outstanding piece of individual ability off a fizzing cross from Matt Taylor,"

"As soon as we came out in the second half they'd lost that momentum and we took real control of the game and thoroughly deserved to win it. Once you wear them down, which we did, you can play as you want to.

"When you see the confidence flood back into the players like it did when we got the goal, it is great. We have to carry that confidence into Saturday's game with Reading."

"We had thirty minutes when Peterborough were - like most teams we play- right up for it and were causing us a few problems with the high tempo they created.

"At half-time we said we just need to be a bit more composed on the ball and get our full-backs in the game a bit more and that was the key to the victory. George McCartney in the second half, Joey O'Brien in the first and then Julien in the second, all created the chances that we had today and in the end I was disappointed we didn't score a few more.

"We had two severe blows at half time. Abdy Faye had to go to hospital with a severe head injury, which we hope is only a severe bruise and not a fractured skull. Joey also pulled a thigh muscle so it shows how important it is that we have the players fit and available. "

"We have a score to settle with Reading. We had two sent off and lost 3-0 so we want to make sure we turn it into a big victory on Saturday but we look forward to it,"

"The only problems we have are the injuries and the fact that we played on Tuesday and they didn't. Energy levels are going to have to be recharged as quickly as possible. Reading are going to come and fight for their lives against us and make it very difficult.

"We've got to be up for it like we were against Peterborough in the second half. Then hopefully we'll start winning at home as well as away."

[On the Chants]

"The perception of some people is deluded as the facts about my teams clearly speak for themselves.
"It is a tag that has followed me around for a long time and one I'm never going to be able to shift. I can't do anything about that but I can win football matches.

"We have had to overcome home teams playing with a lot of energy in front of full houses throughout this season. We did it again here and once we got the goals, we out-passed and outplayed Peterborough.

"It was a good performance, although not as good as at Burnley on Saturday. We only drew that game though so everyone was miserable whereas they will be happy tonight."

[On Home Form]

"I think we've lost three at home all season so I don't know why they are not harmonious - you'll have to ask the fans that,"

"Perhaps their expectations are too much and they're getting a bit carried away, I don't know."
"The pressure is on us like it is every week. We have more pressure on us than anyone else, but we have to live with that and deliver, and today we did. Let's hope we do on Saturday."

"I looked at the facts, and the facts are that at Burnley we've out-played them, out-passed them, away from home, and all the other six teams recently we've done exactly the same, that we've drawn against.

"The only team we didn't outplay was Southampton with 10 men recently, and that's probably eight games ago."

"It didn't start off from there though [the media] - it started off from other managers many years ago, because they got jealous because I kept beating them.

"It's there and I just have to carry on, I don't let it affect me personally, I just know what's good for the players at West Ham, I know what's good for West Ham as a football club, and I know how to win football matches."



Season 2011/12 Scorers and Red Cards

Kevin Nolan - 10 (10 League)
Carlton Cole - 9 (9 League)
Mark Noble - 7 (7 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Ricardo Vaz Te - 3 (3 League)
Jack Collison - 3 (3 League)
James Tomkins - 3 (3 League)
Own Goal - 3 (3 League)
Gary O'Neil - 2 (2 League)
Winston Reid - 2 (2 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Frank Nouble - 1 (1 League)
Nicky Maynard - 1 (1 League)
George McCartney - 1 (1 League)
Danny Collins - 1 (1 League)
Scott Parker - 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas - 1 (1 Cup)


Red Cards

Callum McNaughton - 1 (vs Aldershot home)
Frederique Piquionne - 1 (vs Portsmouth home)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (vs Reading away)
Jack Collison - 1 (vs Reading away)
Kevin Nolan - 1 (vs Millwall home)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (vs Southampton home)
Robert Green - 1 (vs Blackpool away)*

*rescinded by FA on appeal





Email: vinnywhufc@hotmail.com

ted fenton 9:54 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Danish Hammer 7:23 Wed Mar 28

;-(

franksfat&slow&wank 8:17 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

personally i never joined in with the chants, i found the play on the floor ones quite amusing, the di canio one was over the top but hey ho fair play the boys pay their dollar so let em get on with it

personally i think fat man should take a step back and count to ten before he speaks, by all means give us both barrels at the end of next month when we've secured automatic promotion but those comments might bite him on his FAT arse

norwaytips 8:11 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Thanks Vinny. I thought the 'Play on the floor' chants were quite good, but the PdC ones were over the top and insulting; especially as we are in our longest ever undefeated run and our best ever number of away wins.

Sundance Kid 8:07 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

good report as per, but you come across as a bit of a tart with the sniping and bitching at BFS and his 'deluded' comment.
In fact, many on here have taken it oh so personal.

Chill

franksfat&slow&wank 8:03 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

I enjoy vins reports, having been present last night I've enjoyed even more as this report is spot on

BMU 7:44 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

OR

Compared with all other squads in our division, West Ham's is Premiership standard. The analogy with Man City is a poor one because firstly they lead the way in living chronically beyond their
means in pursuit of the Champions League and secondly, because their owners do expect regular CL qualification as a minimum for Mancini. The title is a bonus this season though given how poor Man Ure have been, this may be revised

As I see it, West Ham this season are not fulfilling their potential because Allardyce is in favour of turgid and congestive tactics when, without exception, we have performed at our most effective when passing and moving. It is because we haven't done enough of this that we fell away from an inferior Southampton side and have been overhauled by an equally inferior Reading team.

Sir Alf 7:34 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

We're all a bit "precious" us West Ham fans :)

Vinny great report as always and you like many always had an agenda with Allardyce. No problem with that and I think you may have even said as much :-) but as I thought and posted back in Sept / Oct, he will be hounded out of the club for emotional reasons more than anything else. Yeah he's arrogant and suffers from a touch of narcissm but so what I aint the sensitive type. He's right for the club and where we are nowadays, one that is in the financial doldrums. Its all about results at this point.

I do not necessarily want this kind of football, should it continue as is, for the next 10 years but am willing to see us trade that off for Premiership football and staying there for 2 , 3 or evn 4 seasons. Ok, he might not get promotion this year and then he has failed but its still a tad early to write him off and for all his faults he is one of the few managers who is a good bet to achieve it over 2 years ,which is what we contracted him to do, promotion goal and even more likely to keep us in the Premiership.

I suspect we will rue the day and we shoudl be careful what we wish for IMO. Although, on second thoughts, perhaps not if the Curbs experience is anything to go by. Within 2 seasons of him departing we got relegated and no one seemed to care.

"We know the enemy, they is us" :)

13 Brentford Rd 7:32 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

I've only been to 2, going on Saturday though. I've watched us on the box or streams tbough & we have tried to play. The only real gripe & where I do agree is with CFC playng at the mo & playing up there on his own, this is where our problems lie imho, him upfront on his own we are forced to play that way, no movement so no other option, as soon as Bakdock & Maynard play we have movement and options.
If people were banging on about this I'd agree, but Sam has taken a lot of stick, unfairly imho & people are ove..also overlooking our best away record for 90 years!

13 Brentford Rd 7:30 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

I've only been to 2, going on Saturday though. I've watched us on the box or streams tbough & we have tried to play. The only real gripe & where I do agree is with CFC playng at the mo & playing up there on his own, this is where our problems lie imho, him upfront on his own we are forced to play that way, no movement so no other option, as soon as Bakdock & Maynard play we have movement and options.
If people were banging on about this I'd agree, but Sam has taken a lot of stick, unfairly imho & people are ove..alsowrlooking

Danish Hammer 7:23 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Good report, Vinny. Not so sure Nolan came over after the game. Did he?

Glad you didn't hurt your back, Vinny. :-) My glasses fell off when the second goal went in, and Fenton step danced on them. Not sure I will be able to watch the game on Saturday now. :-)

Pseudonym 7:22 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Regardless of whether it is up in the air or on the floor our play under Allardyce can hardly be called expansive this season.

If we play like we did second half last night, which Allardyce has largely dismissed as a result of 'boro' tiredness, then he may win people back round especially as auto-promotion should follow.

Formation is not necessarily the problem, how he gets the players to execute it is.

BRANDED 7:20 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

My grandad was at that final. Climbed the wall with the best of them.

Vinny 7:16 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Oh and we also got the FA Cup Final that season.

Vinny 7:14 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Interesting to see that in the 1922/23 season that we won 9 home games all season which is what we are on now.

If you want to take a look at our results from that season go to:

http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=4&ham=1923&united=2nd_Division_1922-23

New Jersey 7:03 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Thanks Vinny - Had to give my ticket away because of work commitments due to it being rearranged so appreciative of the report.

Got to within 12 yards of Allardyce at half-time on Saturday to tell him what I thought about Cole on his own up front etc, he obviousley took it to heart!

gph 6:54 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Thanks, Vinny

Vinny 6:54 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

I don't think Southampton or Reading are better than us on paper. Not now, or at any point this season.

Most of the players on our bench last night would walk into most sides in the league.

One Raducioiu! 6:52 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

BMU 5:35 Wed Mar 28

Of course every other manager in the league is going to say that we've got the strongest squad in the league. It's so easy to do and it puts us under pressure.

We've certainly got the deepest squad in the league, but week in week out there are plenty of other clubs who can put out a team every bit as good as ours, if not better.

Manchester City have had the best squad in the Prem for the last few seasons. It doesn't mean that they should expect to win the league, or that there's any shame in dropping points against teams lower down the league.

Vinny 6:48 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Agreed that it is not just long ball.

But it is negative and this is what Sam Allardyce is all about.

One McAvennieeeeee 6:47 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Brentford - how many games have you seen live this season?

13 Brentford Rd 6:45 Wed Mar 28
Re: Vinny's Peterborough Report

Fed up with the bollocks on this site!
We don't just play long ball, when will people get it?

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