The Hammers hold out for a drab goalless draw against fellow strugglers Everton at London Stadium
Hope everyone is safe and well.
Recently our two boys both went to an open karate fighting competition in Harlow Essex as part of the process of achieving their second stripe brown belts. At this stage of their martial art journey, they have to attend both kata and fighting competitions.
It was the first open competition they had both attended and its nothing like competing at inter club events, kids who attend these open meetings are there because they want to win, and in our boys age groups, there were many competitors who had more experience of these events, and were probably black belts already.
In each of their class they came out with a bronze medal and we are so proud of them both. The boys took it in their stride, which is so impressive as I know what it is like to take part in these fighting competitions because when I was younger I attended a few myself on my way to achieving a purple belt. It’s a tough watch as a parent though and I felt the adrenaline pumping through me as they battled on the mat with their opponents.
Our eldest boy got punched in the face and I was about to rush onto the mat but was stopped by the ref. I checked he was ok to continue and with just a few seconds left with the score tied at 1-1, he produced a stunning ushiro mawashi geri (reverse roundhouse kick) for 3 points to seal his first heat 4-1. We later learned that his opponent for that fight competes at national level and is a 2nd Dan. Impressive win.
However proud I was of them both, it’s difficult as a parent to be there on the sidelines as your boys are fighting, but I will do it again, and hopefully they can come second or even win their next competitions in the future.
The boys just didn’t turn up, they gave their best shot in all the fights and deserved their 3rd place. Sadly, when it comes to the Hammers, we deserve no more than 14th place in the Premier League given the dire performances we are being served up at the moment. What a difficult watch the match against Everton was, who seem to huff and puff with no real end product. At least they were huffing and puffing, unlike our players who often strolled around the pitch with no clear ideas about what they were meant to be doing.
I managed to arrive a little early for the match and was able to get a few different photos of the stadium and alternative views of fans arriving for the game. I walked along the Greenway towards the ViewTube and from there you can see the stadium framed by the lights of the community football pitch below. I also got to have an overhead view of fans arriving from Pudding Mill Lane station.
The weather was beginning to bite as the temperature dropped and the sky clouded over. With leaves finally falling off the trees I managed to capture this great shot of fans walking up to the security checks framed by some stubborn leaves on the branches and those fallen on the floor. I still get anxious about going through security, this time they checked by camera, asking me to get it out of the bag, my zoom lens still inside the bag cleverly covered in my gloves. I was told to make sure I don’t get it out during the game as I may be asked to leave the stadium, then I walked through towards the steps that take me up to the stadium itself.
I love how this shot frames the fans with the metal barriers and is a great view as you walk up the steps towards the stadium. It felt quiet but very busy as I walked to the top of the stairs and then around the stadium, past the shop and towards the food and drink stalls.
This is one of those accidental photos that I sometimes get by holding my camera close to my chest as I walk around the stadium and just snap away hoping to get a decent shot. It’s not always easy to get the angle right, but I thought it was quite interesting view of a fan taking a photo with his phone as he walked amongst the crowd.
My brother was running a little late so I grabbed coffees for both of us and made my way to my seat and waited for the teams to come out onto the pitch.
One thing I must say is that the club’s events team do a great job putting on the pre match remembrance of those who have fallen in conflict and it is always tastefully done. But I was stood there thinking who sad it is that far too many, often young people, are being killed around the world in senseless wars and conflicts that increasingly impacts innocent people’s lives and communities that are destroyed along with their homes, schools and hospitals. I always pray for peace across the world and for those who live in fear and realise how blessed some of us are to live in places where we do not have that fear.
It is haunting listening to the verse from ‘For the Fallen’ written by Laurence Binyon that was first published in The Times in September 1914, which is still so poignant today as then.
I was talking to my brother before the game that we need to be the 12th man for the team, urging the players on and singing and chanting to give them the support that could inspire them to play. But it was so tough to do that throughout this match. As fans, we also need something from the team, something to cheer about and to get us behind the team, the players have that responsibility and when you arrive at the game, you expect some commitment and effort and desire to win. It’s a two way relationship between the fans and the players.
But there was some light from the performance of Summerville, who is clearly becoming a fans favourite, with his desire to drive forward with the ball and make things happen, causing all sorts of problems to the opponents defence. A wonderful reverse flick for Emerson to run onto but like many of our forward plays, it ended nowhere.
Summerville wants to be involved and is there to pick up a ball or make a run to carve out a rare opportunity for the Hammers. We did not even have a shot on goal until the last minute of normal time! We could have continued played for hours without scoring.
But when a forward play breaks down, opponents are quick to counter attack and put us under pressure. The midfield is lacking pace and there are no leaders in that part of the team who have the strength to put in a tackle and break the play up. One of the many issues we gave as a team is how easily opposition players can run through our midfield at times, and with Paqueta losing the ball so often in these areas, we are our own worst enemy.
Bowen is not the player he was last season, and seems to struggle to get the ball in those areas that suit him and misfires more often than not. Is he struggling with the responsibility of the captaincy? He is a young player and has been a fans favourite for some time, his commitment to the cause has been there for all to see in previous seasons, but something is not right.
The half time whistle couldn’t have come any sooner quite honestly and you couldn’t decide which team deserved a win. It had ‘draw’ written all over this game unless an individual piece of magic could unlock either team’s defence, and ‘magic’ was not written into the story of this dreadful match.
As the players walked off the pitch we were reflecting that at least we hadn’t conceded a goal! But we reminded ourselves who we were playing against – a team that has struggled to score themselves with only 10 goals after 11 games.
I quite like the shot of a fan holding up a Hammers scarf to welcome the teams returning to the pitch for the second half, but despite the crowd singing bubbles as the players walked onto the turf, there was a sense that things weren’t going to get any better for the second 45minutes of the game.
The Toffies were still finding it easy to put us under pressure and Fabianski was the busier keeper, making some excellent saves to keep out the opponents attempts to score.
It wasn’t working with Wan-Bissaka on the right and I was glad to see Coufal replace him on 67mins. I am a fan of Coufal, who I feel always gives his all to the cause and he seemed to be more effective and offered a bit more going forward.
Ings coming on for Antonio, who was clearly tiring, offered us even more with some close efforts on goal, but like so many opportunities to take all three points, we just lacked any real composure in front of the visitors goal. Although Pickford had to save a thumping shot from Ings, if only we he had been able to put either one of these chances away!
It wasn’t long before fans started to get out of their seats and make a move towards the exits and it was no surprise to hear a ring of boos from those in the stands who had stayed until the end. I don’t agree with booing, but given the cost of seats and food and travel to the match, devoting time to supporting the team and the club, especially as a family, you can understand fans frustration after watching a team that apart from a few individual players, showed no desire to win what was surely a very winnable game given Everton’s current form.
We definitely need thanking for our support, and the club could at least reinstate the concession rates and reduce the increase in ticket price – although there is an argument for a refund after this particular match!
Soucek, another player I like very much, thanks the few fans who remained in the stands, before leaving the pitch with the other players.
It was wonderful to see Summerville go up to some fans after the game with his shirt and to have his photo taken. He seems like a really nice person and deserves the respect he gets from the supporters. I wasn’t able to get a better shot than this though, which is a shame. I need to learn to climb over the seats a bit quicker!
This shot sums up how we felt after the match, just speechless over such a poor performance, in a game we could – or should – have won that would have lifted us further away from the relegation zone. It really does feel as if we are destined for a long, tough season this year.
The music was pumping out, but many fans had left already, taking the chance no doubt to get through Stratford station as quickly as they could on their journeys home. Not much happening after the game, I wandered around and analysed the match with my brother, trying to work out what we need to do to get ourselves on a run of form that will see us win some matches, although the next game against Newcastle Utd and the a home match against Arsenal could show us what we are about and see 6 points in the bag.
You never know, we may get an early Christmas present!
Thank you for reading, and apologies for the delay in posting this up. It’s been a busy week in the Marsh household.
Take care everyone
Dawud
From the Stands 