In hopefully a couple of posts I will cover my thoughts on all of the takeover (including Karren Braidie), old saggy chops and his schemes to become the least original wheeler deeler football has ever seen and of course the poor result at Portsmouth last night (including and entirely suitable ref based rant).

An elbow, yes. But we were poor

To describe West Ham as poor last night, may actually be the wrong word. It’s not that we were lucky to get away with a draw, or that there was no desire from the midfield or in fact that the strikers looked off the pace. It was, on that note, great to see a very eager looking Carlton get back in the side.

It was poor to throw away another lead however. And that, in a nutshell, is what we’ve been lacking all year…a clinical edge.

The chances were there to put the game beyond Portsmouth, yet we failed to put any of them away. We were actually fortunate to get away with a goal that could easily have been prevented. What frustrates me is that so many times this year we’ve seen hard graft from all areas of the pitch but left games two or three points short of what we deserved. In other games, however, we’ve not been at our best yet missed chances to take all the spoils. To survive this year we need to start turning off-key performances into results. And, certainly keeping hold of a lead.

Last night could have been a different result – had Nouble put away he chances our confidence would have soared and the game could have been put out of reach with enough time to enjoy our football, with all dues respect to Portsmouth who I feel were, honestly, second best for the most part. However, as it’s been on so many occasions our slender advantage has lead to mistakes, nervousness and ultimately conceding a goal…or two.

Clinical, West Ham.

It really needs to change – I end up feeling deflated after so many games, leaving knowing what could have been.

On the plus side, there were some performances that were more like what we expect to see from said indivuduals. Mark Noble looked strong, well positioned and alert for the whole game. His desire to continue running, challenging and fighting back was evident for all to see – and encouragment considering he has been off the boil during parts of this season. Another, Valon Behrami, showed why he’s being valued in the region of £15m by clubs in this transfer window. Something that stood out from him last night, which I’ve not noticed before, was his pace – perhaps Pompey were just slow, but he was attacking forward balls and for the best part, getting on the end of them ahead of the defender. Indeed, I felt Kovac also put in a very ecouraging shift.

Andre Marriner – you are a shocking ref.

Harsh? Maybe. Actually, no. He is a shocker.

I’m honest enough to say that actually last night he was very poor for both sides – not necissarily throughout the whole game, but certainly missed some glaring key decisions. Pompey fans, you may argue it was a handball in/on the edge of the box.

But it’s West Ham (again) who I feel were hard-done-by.

There is no shadow of a doubt in my mind that the Portsmouth player led with his elbow, it caught Tomkins square in the side of the face and he was not able to get up and continue playing. In fact, he had to go off.

To allow the game to continue was the wrong decision. To play any sort of advantage to West Ham was the wrong decision. Of course any to Pompey was the wrong decision too. In fact, the only thing Marriner did right in this whole situation was get himself in a good enough position to make the right decision – which he failed to do.

It was a foul and a dangerous one at that. Arguably a booking. If I recall correctly, a foul by Carlton Cole was given a bit later in the game for what I can only assume was a small push in the back. Replays suggest it may not have even been that  – a slight touch maybe. Yet Marriner in all his glorious, pompus, egotisitcal wisdom decided that that was a foul.

Yet again, unexplainable inconsitencies from a referee have cost a side points.

It has to stop.

I’m pleased to have got that off my chest…don’t even get my started on Harry “Debroah Meeden” Redknapp.

Anyway, massive game against Blackburn coming up – I’m once again optimistic of all three points…let’s just hope I’m not once again left feeling entirely disappointed

COME ON YOU IRONS!

Sam