West Ham VS Southhampton

West Ham VS Southampton

What a beautiful night it was. Little bit cold so you could snuggle up with your true love. See a bit of red as you settle in. Produce a cracking performance and finish feeling satisfied with it as well.

I am of course talking about West Ham and their top of the table clash with Southampton. For me, a single guy, going up to see the Hammers on Valentine’s Day was a foregone conclusion. And it seemed for over 30,000 others, their missus lost the battle and they got to be there with their one true love. With the team selection, I was pleased that Vaz Te was given a start as he can provide pace and threaten the defence. I do not think I was the only one surprised when Cole was left up front by himself again but I suppose Big Sam knew more than I did.

Even from the opening whistle, the referee had it in for us. As soon as a player went for the ball, he was called up on it but the Southampton defenders could man handle Cole and get away with it. In my opinion, the penalty decision could have gone either way, but one thing I do not agree with is Taylor’s red card.

He was pushed first and so pushed him back on the shoulder but the big Southampton cry baby went down holding his face and the ref produced the red card. A shambles. Even when Noble converted the penalty, I was still nervous about the result. However, I felt the sub Sam made worked and we made a great game of it with only ten men.

Green was in England form and was outstanding and was unlucky to concede their equaliser. How he lost the man of the match award was beyond not only me but everyone sitting around me.

Leaving the stadium, I was satisfied as we were still top of the league by a point and we could have the confidence to keep it going till the end of the season.

What annoyed me was listening to BBC Radio 5 Live on the way home, and hearing Nigel Adkins saying how they dominated the game. What game was he watching?! We stuffed them and were unlucky not to score again. Plus they did have 12 men on the pitch and we still beat and outplayed them with 10 men.

Going into the Palace game, hopefully we got a good result away at Blackpool and returned to the top of the table. If not then we need to produce a good performance against Palace and show Southampton that we will fight till the very end.

From Bradley Freelove