Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg
Vinny 1:59 Fri May 4

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Championship Play Off Semi Final 1st Leg

Cardiff City 0 West Ham United 2

West Ham took a massive step towards the Play Off final with a 2-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium with Jack Collison scoring the two goals.

This was a fantastic performance, a brilliant result and a wonderful night. We controlled the game from start to finish and looked a class above our opponents.

Coming out of the ground you could feel the buzz amongst the supporters and the long journey abroad had certainly been worth it.

Our 2000 supporters were a credit to the club once again as we made noise from start to finish and enjoyed giving the Cardiff mob a torrid time throughout.

There could be no complaints about our style of play as we put in a near perfect display. We were organised, tidy on the ball, hardworking, and fully deserved to win.

Some of the individual performances were extremely pleasing to see as every player stepped up and put in a shift. The defence was solid and impervious, the midfield controlled the game, and up front Carlton Cole put in superb display.

This was a glorious night and just when you think that West Ham might not be able to give you that great feeling of euphoria anymore they come up with a night like this and I am absolutely ecstatic with this result.

Of course the tie is not over and we do have a second leg to contend with on Monday but whilst I could be tempting fate I cannot see us throwing this away unless we succumb to some extreme circumstance and I believe we should all be confident going into this game.

Cardiff did have their chances and this was expected from the home side chasing the game but we weathered any storm that came our way with everyone fighting till the very end.

The Team

Sam Allardyce made just one change to the side who beat Hull City last Saturday and this change came in midfield with Henri Lansbury being replaced by Jack Collison. Lansbury did not even make the bench in what seemed like a surprising move initially.

Allardyce did name a keeper on the bench as Stephen Henderson was selected. Abdoulaye Faye was also back amongst the substitutes.

First Half

Having been forced to go to Cardiff West Services to pick up the tickets I didn’t arrive at the ground until fifteen minutes before kick-off.

With no seat allocation it was free seating for the travelling West Ham supporters who were already were enjoying taking the piss out of the Cardiff support.

I was nervous before we kicked off as an entire seasons work now came down to this Play Off Semi Final. Having had the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion it was vital we get ourselves together and perform to our best in these games.

Cardiff started the better of the two sides as they looked to get at us early and find a goal to set them on their way.

It was the hosts who had the first chance of the game as a long throw was cleared only as far as Peter Whittingham who took a touch and hit a shot which took a deflection and just cleared the crossbar.

The resulting corner was headed clear by Carlton Cole as we looked to deal with this early Cardiff pressure.

Another chance for Cardiff came just a minute later as a long ball forward was met by Hudson who knocked the ball down for Kenny Miller who saw Robert Green just off his line and hit a good shot which was well saved by Green and put behind for another corner.

We began to settle and were beginning to pass the ball about with Cardiff gifting us possession which would a theme of the first half.

The atmosphere inside the ground was excellent with both sets of supporters really pumped up for this game but it would be the West Ham fans celebrating on the 8th minute as we took the lead.

A ball forward towards Cole saw the striker flick the ball on down the left for Vaz Te to burst forward and collect and the forward put in a good cross for Jack Collison to get in front of his marker and prod towards goal which was well saved by the keeper but as the ball looped in the air Collison got up to head the ball over the line.

It was pandemonium in the West Ham end as we went into sheer delirium. The Cardiff fans were silenced and would be for the rest of the game as their early confidence evaporated.

We took control of the game from this point and had a half chance a few moments later when Gary O’Neil attempted a shot from 25 yards out but it had little power to test the keeper.

Cardiff had a long thrower in Gunnarsson but we were dealing with many of them with ease.

O’Neil played in Cole down the left and he spun and crossed towards Vaz Te who went down under a challenge which the West Ham players claimed was a foul but the referee turned down the penalty appeal.

Some good work down the left with Noble and Taylor saw the latter put the ball into the area for Tomkins to head wide at the back post.

Carlton Cole was penalised for a foul which had not been his first and Cole was very unhappy with the ref and had a lengthy conversation with him.

Cole soon began to get some free kicks in his favour as he seemed to have the better of the Cardiff defenders and was really putting himself about causing all sorts of problems.

He should have done better when Kevin Nolan put a great ball through to Cole who had one defender and the keeper to beat but he was easily dispossessed by the defender Turner who knocked it out for a corner.

41 minutes were on the clock as the corner was put into the area and cleared only as far as Jack Collison who took a touch and hit a powerful effort at goal which took a wicked deflection and flew in to the back of the net make it 2-0.

If the celebrations for the first goal were something to behold this was a different level of madness. The hugs of random people, the sheer hysteria and madness of the celebrations were just fantastic.

We were 2-0 up in the Play Off Semi Final and things were looking bloody good.

As the 45 minute mark hit we were so very close to scoring a third in a well worked move as a cross into the area saw Carlton Cole meet it with a diving header which Marshall in the Cardiff goal saved superbly. It would have been the least Cole deserved for towering first half display.

Half time, 2-0 up an in control.

It had been near domination.

Second Half

Like in the first half Cardiff came out and looked to peg us back quickly. We looked organised and solid with our formation aiding in our defensive strategy.

A Cardiff counter attack saw Miller look as though he was clear but his touch was poor and although he did retrieve the ball and get into the area, James Tomkins was in the right place at the right time to intercept the pass.

The home side were close to getting a goal back when a corner played into the area found Hudson at the back post whose looping header was about to drop into the goal but Carlton Cole was there to head off the line.

The West Ham players were unhappy that the ref had not given a foul on Green who did appear to have been held and James Tomkins received a booking for his dissent.

On the hour mark Allardyce made his first change of the game as Vaz Te came off and was replaced by George McCartney. This saw Matthew Taylor move from left back to left midfield.

With 25 minutes remaining a header from Tomkins bounced through two Cardiff defenders and Nolan challenged for the ball, appeared to get there first and was taken out by the keeper Marshall.

As the West Ham fans cried ‘penalty’ the referee gave a free kick to Cardiff for a foul on the keeper and booked Kevin Nolan. I haven’t seen a replay but was convinced he got there before the keeper.

Tomkins again was on hand to make an inch perfect tackle as Mason burst into the area. Tomkins had been excellent all throughout the game and his challenges were perfect.

With 15 minutes remaining Allardyce made his second change as he took off Guy Demel and replaced him with Julien Faubert.

McCartney found Matthew Taylor who got down the left and whipped in an excellent cross which just eluded Cole. The ball was retrieved by Collison who gave the ball to Faubert but his cross was an easy catch for the keeper.

Most of the Cardiff efforts at this time were dismal and were put well wide with Miller and substitute Earnshaw all firing well wide much to the amusement of the West Ham fans.

We were still playing some good football as a cross from McCartney found Cole in the area who superbly took it down on his chest and laid it off to Noble who hit a shot which took a deflection and went out for a corner.

A rare piece of miscommunication at the back saw Cardiff win a cheap corner. It was nearly costly as the ball dropped in the area for Blake who fired his volley over the bar when he should have hit the target which would have surely been a goal.

Maynard was our third and final sub of the evening as he replaced the goal scorer Jack Collison.
An amazing FIVE minutes of injury time were awarded by the referee.

There had been no goals and the physio had not been on the pitch once in the second half. Where he got this from I do not know and this was a disgraceful decision from the referee which has been overlooked because we have won the game but that was a blatant favour for the home side if ever I have seen one.

The five minutes were seen out in excellent fashion by West Ham as we kept the ball and decided to keep the score as it was and not take any risks. This may not have been everyone’s cup of tea but it was important that we stay professional and take a really good lead back to Upton Park on Monday.

All the fans stayed as the final whistle went as we applauded the players off. Carlton Cole was the first to come over to the supporters and show the appreciation for the support given.

It was a truly brilliant night and one I will hold long in the memory.

Player Reviews

Robert Green
He looked a little uncertain from crosses which is usually one of his strong points as he fumbled a couple and didn’t get good connection on a few punches. But he did make a few good saves especially the one from Miller in the first half.

Guy Demel
Looked very strong and when he went forward he did this mainly with sheer power. He was left a little exposed at times and there were a few occasions when long balls towards him saw two Cardiff players challenge him for the ball. Overall this was a solid display from a man who has made the right back slot his own.

James Tomkins
What is there left to say about James Tomkins? He was just stupendous at the back and I cannot rate his display highly enough. Strong in the tackle, read the game, brilliant in the air and you could see how much he wanted to win.

Winston Reid
A remarkable performance from Reid who like Tomkins was magnificent. He won everything, was beaten rarely, knew when to head clear, knew when to bring the ball down. His distribution was good, he never played us into trouble and this was a near perfect showing from Reid.

Matthew Taylor
He was better in the tackle than he has been recently and wasn’t as rash with some of his challenges. He has the tendency to sell himself in the tackle when playing at left back but he was a lot more solid. When he moved forward into midfield he put in a couple of superb crosses which were close to being converted.

Jack Collison
Step forward Mr Collison. After an average season in which he has struggled to find form he was excellent on the right hand side of midfield. He was given a lot of room in the first half and he took full advantage scoring two goals. He was unlucky to have scored a third in the first half as he was close to getting on the end of cross and missed the ball when he cut inside and went for a shot. He was always involved and this was a top display

Mark Noble
Sat in the middle of the park and dictated the game. It is easy to dismiss what Noble does but he is like the control centre of the team. He is the one who controls the tempo and he is the one who finds space with his passing. Noble ran this game.

Kevin Nolan
The work he put in cannot be overlooked. Even in the latter stages of the second half he was still running about. This was a captain’s performance. He was everywhere. He wound their supporters up, he was in the ref’s face, he appealed for everything, he was kicking at the Cardiff player’s heels and letting them know he was there. He drove the team on and kept us going and this was a brilliant shift from Nolan.

Gary O’Neil
The best of both Nolan and Noble could be seen in O’Neil during this game. He worked hard but was also calm on the ball. When there was a loose ball in the midfield it was O’Neil who more often than not would pick the ball up and get his foot in.

Ricardo Vaz Te
Playing so far wide on the left wing does hinder him a little as he isn’t able to get the ball in dangerous central areas to cause damage. But his telling contribution was his assist for the first goal which was a pretty good contribution.

Carlton Cole
Cardiff could not get to grips with Cole throughout the entire game. He was on mission it seemed to cause as many problems for them as he could. He won countless headers, he held the ball up well, he was strong and he used his frame to his advantage. Came close to scoring a couple of times, wound the Cardiff fans up with a few gestures and looked like a man who really wanted it. Outstanding.

Subs Used

George McCartney (on for Vaz Te 60 mins)
I thought he played really well when he came on and Cardiff offered nothing down his side in that last half hour. He got forward well when he needed to and was always persistent. His fitness level in also clearly very high despite his injury and this was a good use of a substitution.

Julien Faubert(on for Demel 75 mins)
I’m always a little concerned when he is on the pitch in a defensive area but he did well enough in his short time on the pitch. Linked up well with whoever was down the right hand side and offered an option for a pass.

Nicky Maynard (on for Collison 86 mins)
Took his place on the right wing and did find a bit of space to move into but it was clear his job was to keep the ball and play it safe.

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Faye

Bookings: Tomkins, Noble, Nolan, Faubert

Man of the Match: Carlton Cole

Cardiff City: Marshall, Blake, Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Lawrence, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Cowie, Mason, Miller
Subs: Heaton, Gerrard, Kiss, McPhail, Earnshaw

Attendance: 23, 029

Overall

It was another one of those nights where you are proud to be West Ham and certainly my favourite away game of the season. It was a result we had hoped for but like any West Ham fan I go into most games fearing the worst.

The job is not done and I know this but we are in a very strong position now and I firmly believe we are going to beat them on Monday and book our play at Wembley.

Allardyce got his tactics spot on in this game and although Cardiff had a few chances they tested Robert Green just once which is testament to our defending and all round effort.

Next Game – Cardiff City (h) Monday 7th May 4.30pm KO, Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg

Cardiff will come and try and get a early goal to have us all concerned but I believe this team to be a lot better than them and we will prevail.

If we do somehow manage to mess this up then the inquest will of course begin but as I sit here now I see nothing but a good day on this coming Bank Holiday Monday.

Upton Park will be packed, and hopefully we will generate an atmosphere worthy of the occasion.


Sam's View

We came here a few weeks ago and gave a good performance then but today was an outstanding performance and if you look at it overall we could've had more goals then we score. But 2-0 is a fantastic score line away from home in a playoff first leg.

But it's far from over. Nerves and tension will play a part in the home game. But we have got a nice result and we scored some fantastic goals.

Not conceding was very important to because that would have lifted them and give them some momentum going into Monday's game. we got that all important clean sheet.

I said to the lads before the game if we get a clean sheet, when was the alst time we failed to score away from home?

In the second half we sat in and took the pressure Cardiff put on us which we knew they would. We countered brilliantly and created more chances particularly Kevin Nolan's header.Right at the end Nicky Maynard crossed too if only someone had been there.

Everybody, indcluding the subs played their part tonight. We are halfway their and we can enjoy tonight. Tomorrow we have to start focusing on doing the job on Monday.

We are going to win the game and not sit back and protect out lead. We need to delvier the type of performance we gave at home against Brighton and Hull City, if we can deliver that then hopefully we can deliver another win.

We will get the lads ready for Monday and try and get the right level of performance for Monday.



Season 2011/12 Scorers and Red Cards

Carlton Cole - 14 (14 League)
Kevin Nolan - 12 (12 League)
Ricardo Vaz Te - 10 (10 League)
Mark Noble - 8 (8 League)
Jack Collison - 6 (6 League)
Sam Baldock - 5 (5 League)
Own Goal - 4 (4 League)
Winston Reid - 3 (3 League)
James Tomkins - 3 (3 League)
Gary O'Neil - 2 (2 League)
Nicky Maynard - 2 (2 League)
John Carew - 2 (2 League)
Frederique Piquionne - 2 (2 League)
Henri Lansbury - 1 (1 League)
Papa Bouba Diop - 1 (1 League)
Joey O'Brien - 1 (1 League)
Matthew Taylor - 1 (1 League)
Julien Faubert - 1 (1 League)
Frank Nouble - 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

KLM 12:00 Sun May 6
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

the player that worries me is demel. He is a classic ball watcher and cardiff crossed deep to where he didn't man mark.

I'd prefer O'Brien.

Fantastic performance.

Nolan MOTM

Sloppy Giuseppe 12:06 Sat May 5
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Cheers Vinny. Pretty much as i saw it and being the sad man that I am I re watched it tonight and the stand out performances were difficult to call as everyone played well. Cole, Tomkins, Noble would have been my order if pressed.

Bring on Monday. I'm expecting the best atmosphere for years... I'm up for it!

Sir Alf 11:55 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

GingerHammer 9:57 Fri May 4

Wise words Ginge.

I need to bring some negativity and a "downer" to this thread. It's far too optimistic and presumptuous.

In the words of my hero Eeyore "To the uneducated an A is just three sticks."

paradox 11:16 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

wow i dont think i have ever seen a review with someting positive to say about every single player on the pitch.

fantastic news

GingerHammer 9:57 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Yes, a good result. Two scrappy goals, but on balance of play we deserved a two goal win. But Cardiff could easily have scored a couple themselves. We look so much better on the offensive, so I was worried to see us try and cement the result with 75 minutes gone. 3 - 0 would have been so much safer than 2 - 0. Faubert really worries me, but he was steady enough. Just one aimless random attempted cross to nobody but no defensive mistakes.

At 2 - 0 we are far from through. If Cardiff score early, they will be a real threat - and we are always likley to self-destruct. Our best bet it go for the win again. I just hope BFS realises this.

Jasnik 9:44 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

the bit of commentary I like was when he said , it has gone quiet here, because the WHU fans have just stopped singing.

Dunstable Hammer 8:21 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

I can only assume that the ref was adding on time for Cardiff drying the ball with a towel for each throw in......which seems very odd!
There was a blatant dive in the first half....and a slight dive in the second half where even their player didn't make a meal out of it!

sparkie 5:42 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Good read that Vinny, Thanks


The 2 thousand that went came across so loud especially national anthem, well done all that went.

LondonE3 5:22 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Good stuff Vin

charleyfarley 5:07 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Vinny you are a star thanks

Fifth Column 4:29 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

chim

I don't think their player dived, he just lost his feet, he didn't throw his arms out or appeal. In "real time" I did think he dived! But when they showed the replay it looked to me like the opposite, like he could have tried to dive but didn't.

It's either that or he started to dive and thought that our player was so far from the ball that it would be embarressing to sort of follow through with the full dying swan act.

chim chim cha boo 4:17 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Nice one Vinny, onwards and upwards.

From my unusual vantage point watching it on telly the replay clearly showed that in Nolan's altercation with their 'keeper that you said looked like a penalty, Nolan smashed the 'keeper who then flapped like fuck at everything for the next ten minutes. Excellent, committed performance by our captain.

There was also the most blatant dive imaginable from one of their players in our box. It was cheating at its worst.

Now we need to bully the taffs at home too. And I think we will.

Steve P 4:03 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Ouch!

One Raducioiu! 4:01 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

As always, your assessment of the game is pretty much spot on.

I just always end up noticing how your opinion of players only ever seems to take into account the last couple of games, and how you expect no one to notice.

Do you accept that you were wrong and premature to label a not-yet-100%-fit Gary O'Neil as a 'nothing player'?

kylay 3:53 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Great report Vin. Agree with everything, and Nolan did get to the ball first, as did Noble, and Faubert. Thought they were all very soft yellows.

One other thing I would add was our fitness. Don't know if it was the 10 extra cup games they played, but we beat them to everything and bossed the midfield.

LAD 3:45 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Yesterday was one of the most pleasing results, not just because it being the play off semi finals, because the all round performance from everyone was excellent.

Defended well, attacked and looked dangerous, played some very good football and won the game.

Would have liked 1 more goal to make it a bit more comfortable at home.

hacko 3:43 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Yes, yes and yes. Probably the best all-round performance I've seen us give this season, focussed, committed, strong, every player giving their all. Very pleasing to watch.

Ant L 3:21 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Thanks Vinny, appreciated as always.

5minutes injury was a bit of surprise!

JustAFatKevinDavies 3:14 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

cheers vincenzo

goldstar 3:13 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Expanding on your comment about Rob Green, I agree he looked uncharacteristically shaky coming out for crosses - and a couple of times he didn't come for them when he surely should have done. Hopefully the clean sheet will see him back to his usual commanding self next week.

Kenkwondo 2:27 Fri May 4
Re: Vinny's Cardiff Report - 1st Leg

Nice one, Vinny, cheers.

Just wanted to mention the ref` flapping his yellow card about, second half. Really pissed me off. Also, like you said, where did he dream up 5 minutes extra time?

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