Admiral Lard 10:32 Tue Feb 21
Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Tonight’s game Vs Blackpool encapsulates the very essence of sport and the need for an “at all costs” winning mentality when a goal such as automatic promotion is in sight.
West Ham, through bad luck with the weather (Peterborough) and a moment’s naivety/stupidity from 2 important midfielders have lost points and position leaving them short of 2 starting 1st teamers.
Blackpool are on something of a charge, with their tails up. A win will put them in touch with the top 2, all the motivation they could wish for. Add to that Ian Holloway breathing fire and brimstone for 3 hours and you have a heady mix at Bloomfield Road.
Just 10 days ago West Ham were preparing to travel to Peterborough on the back of a stirring if not petty 2-1 win over deadly rivals Millwall. A win made all the sweeter because it was achieved with 10 men and the loss of their captain.
I have no doubt West Ham would have beaten Peterborough and beaten them well, leaving them 7 points clear of 3rd place and 4 ahead of Southampton in 2nd. That, as we know, is not how it turned out. We find ourselves in 2nd place facing a team in the North West (West Ham’s worst hunting ground by a margin) that covet our position.
Enter Big Sam. Enter the man who introduced our beloved club to a winning mentality at the expense of flowing “West Ham way” football. Tonight the pressure is on. A win puts West Ham firmly back on track for a return to the Premiership at the first attempt. A defeat gives the chasing pack more than a glimmer of hope.
Confidence will be key tonight, Big Sam trusts his players though 2 have let him down recently. I doubt the BS team talk will be the blistering tirade of Mr Holloway, I would expect it to be calm and assured.
Smashed tea cups and hairdryers at half time if the plan is not executed, calmness if it is. Games like this can be pivotal to the entire campaign. A win and you wonder what all the fuss is about, a loss and the trap door looms.
I saw some very good football last Tuesday against Southampton, particularly in the first 15 minutes. For the first time this season we looked Premiership quality and showed extraordinary spirit to hold on with 10 men nearly all game.
Big Sam’s forte is and has always been the ability to handle pressure and engender confidence in those around him. Substance over style every time and I would take that this evening if it gets us 3 very vital points.
Come On You IRONS!!!!!
Lard
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Josh
11:04 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Josh 11:59 Tue Feb 21
I might go for a Vaz Te when I next get my barnet cut.
I'm definitely having a Vaz Te trim up!!
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franksfat&slow&wank
11:00 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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these boys have bollocks and a special well done to gary oneil....bad injury and a crucial goal
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Sir Alf
10:58 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I've been watching us for over 50 years and the last 3 games have produced the best sequence of "gutsy" wins I have ever witnessed.
Sure, I've seen us play far more exciting football in spells but it was always undermined by our "soft belly" in the end.
Organisation and good preparation from the Fat Man are really paying dividends. Also, the recent foray into the transfer market seems, at this early stage, to have been a good thing :-) Eventually, we will all want to see a little more adventure but for now I don't see how anyone cannot be impressed at what Fatty has achieved in such a short time ? :-)
Well done to Big Fat Sam's C & B Army on and off teh pitch tonight.
I am stuck in the USA for another few months on this pesky project but back for the weekend for me old Mum's 80th birthday. So I might finally be able to get back to my Upper East bath chair for one game. Expensive season ticket for me this season - 100 quid a game it will work out at but well worth it if I get to see us back in the Prem next season.
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Admiral Lard
10:35 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Well that was the greatest example of dealing with pressure through courage and confidence
Well done the team and well done Big Sam
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Admiral Lard
10:35 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Well that was the greatest example of dealing with pressure through courage and confidence
Well done the team and well done Big Sam
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Admiral Lard
12:36 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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My guess is Big Sam will go for an "On the Break" formation tonight though not 100% sure who is available for selection
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Grumpster
12:04 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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After seeing Maynard for a few mins last week, I'd absolutely love to see him start up front alongside Cole in a positive team selection.
He looked lively with cracking movement and I think we would flourish with 2 up front more often.
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Mr Kenzo
12:00 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I hope you're right, i'm not conviced myself, Vaz Te and Faubert appear to be the preferred choice behind Cole at the moment. Would just like to see him use the firepower we have at times which in turns makes the opposing team rethink the way they have to set-up
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Josh
11:59 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I might go for a Vaz Te when I next get my barnet cut.
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stewie griffin
11:57 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I think Vaz Te and Maynard can flourish in the current system, K-MAN? As for Ravel, we'll see I guess.
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Mr Kenzo
11:56 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I was really pleased with the signings in the january window, not sure how much an impact they will have in the run-in under the current system employed, gutted for Baldock too, can't see him featuring much unless we pick up some injuries.
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One McAvennieeeeee
11:54 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I'm sure we all hope we will get a penalty or two tonight, HPFL?
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HammerPassionForLife
11:52 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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One McAvennieeeeee 11:45 Tue Feb 21
Let's hope we get a penalty or two tonight then.
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Mr Polite
11:50 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Grumpster.
I know we have a good record and league position is pretty good.
My opinion however is that any number of managers could have achieved at least that with the resources we have in what is a pretty poor league.
It's one of those things that we'll never know and can't be proven either way. Sam of course deserves some credit for getting us where we are, I do think it gets a bit OTT as like i said I think a number of managers could have done at least as well and some of them playing better football en route.
I'm pleased with league position though and am utterly convinced we will go up as champions at least 10 points clear of 2nd place.
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Moncurs Putting Iron
11:48 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Mr Polite 11:34 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
That makes sense, they are all contributory factors to the current 'feel good, cautiously optimistic vibe' being given off by most around here (including me).
Whilst I agree that there were quite a few managers who could POTENTIALLY have got us to this position using the same budget and timescales you can never tell. Lets be honest after the SHAMBLES of Zolas all round management. and the sheer ineptitude of Grants. Allardyce is a safe pair of hands, both in this league and the Premier League.
And more than anything after the turmoil of financial worries, inconsistant results, not being able to play 90 minutes buying in ABSOLUTE TOILET a safe pair of hands has and will offer welcome respite.
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One McAvennieeeeee
11:45 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I have a feeling our best midfielder, Captain and top goalscoring midfielder could add to his tally this evening too, Josh son.
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Grumpster
11:44 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Sort of disagree a little with that Polite, as not many managers could have sorted us out away from home where there's always been a problem.
8 away wins in a season is unheard of for us with still 7 games to go and so even every chance of us equalling or beating the most ever of 11, which were gained in the 20's and 50's.
As someone who goes to 90% of the away games, I'll fucking take that thanks, as beats getting spanked all the time.
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mattyb
11:43 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Good job you are not going then HPFL
Get behind the team and keep your negativity to yourself.
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HammerPassionForLife
11:42 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I have a bad feeling about tonight. 1 away win from the last 5 against a resurgent Blackpool team looking to avenge a 4-0 hammering we gave them earlier this season only spells trouble.
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mattyb
11:38 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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Josh 11:30 Tue Feb 21
Now you are being silly :-)
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Mr Polite
11:34 Tue Feb 21
Re: Pressure Vs Confidence - The Maker and Breaker of Champions
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I think dropping down a division introduced us to a winning mentality rather than the manager. What i mean by that is that I believe any number of managers would have us at least where we are now and many of them in a more entertaining way.
Can understand why people are happy though especially with what we have had to put up with in recent years.
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