Cheltenham Town 0 West Ham 2
Birthday boy James Collins was named man of the match which probably wasn’t a true reflection of a game which which finally saw the Irons get a much needed win under their belts.
It was never THAT easy but late first half goals from Diafra Sakho – slowly coming back to his best – and Andre Ayew were enough to give us a place in the draw for the third round which unbelievably will be held at 4 am on Thursday morning.
Fair play to the League Two side they pushed and pressed particurly in a first half when teenager Declan Rice was superb and looks the finest defender this club has produced since Rio Ferdinand.
He’s all class, control and composure and started the move for the first goal which saw a through ball from Noble found Sakho who slotted calmly.
Two minutes later Sak turned provider to supply Ayew with the ball which he passed into the net – a goal which appeared to calm him as he grew into the game during the second half.
Rice was CandH’s man of the match and Byram too was very effective down the right side plus it was great to see Kouyate return for 20 minutes substituting Noble.
Adrian looked in decent nick without being truly tested and Ginge did more than enough to establish his claim to take over from Fonte at Newcastle this weekend.
A decent win and our first clean sheet which, given we have shipped seven far, was just as importnt . Lets hope the season starts here.
Pretty much a cruise apart from a couple of scares.Happy with the way we played.
Ginge too start Saturday pls.
Shame we’ve not backup down the flanks. Good to see Sakho tuck one away and didn’t he set up Ayew too. Great to see Kouyate get on the pitch too. Ginge should def be ahead of Fonte at the mo.
Surely Ginge on Saturday instead of Fonte and most of our influencial, injured players back. Nice to see Sakho score and look sharp.Get Carvalho onboard and things are looking up.
That was ok. Still seem to find it difficult to play our way up the pitch, even against League 2 (although Rice made it look easier than anybody else). Sakho looks slower than he was (although it’s hard to remember!) but I guess that’s to be expected. A run in this comp would be good.
Ging, Sakho and Rice did very well . Noble still awful but at this level his numerous mistakes and bad passes are not fatal . Happy with Adrian …do we need Hart ?? …Kouyate for Noble and Collins for Fonte are a must for the weekend ….. Forgot to say …think Byram might be on verge of break through .
I am very happy to see this fan favourite get mom.
It’s just a shame he grew a beard denying us the pleasure of singing “you’re not ginger anymore”.
Where was Vic !!! Quinna was the worst player on the park and bang out of form according to
The marks given for dev team but put him on last night ? Still not sure about Fernandez warranting a start or bench just yet?☺ perfect opportunity to see how vic can play in real terms? This was Chelmsford not Barcelona ! He has played against much better opposition
than plucky Chelmsford !!
Barcodes next up , lost all 3 so far and playing us next ???let’s hope we have lanzini back because it was evident again last night we lack creativity and worked hard to create throughout the game we deserved to win and rightly so , fonte and noble on bench for me , bilic maybe not ? ☺
Fernades isn’t used to RW is a CM by trade. I thought Byram looked good at points last season especially in wingback same as Maskuaku.
Collins is our Rock always reliable and he should start @ Newcastle . like to see Adrian too but even if Bilic wants him there I think his wages make it hard to bench him. Ready to see of he makes England squad be surprised def won’t start btwn Buland and Pickford Heaton think would get go ahead of Hart or Foster.
Love to see back 3,w Collins Rice Ogbonna
kouyate and Obiang in mid and Byram and Masuaku or Cressie as Wingbacks.
Antontio Chicarito Ayew (no Marko)
A nice 3-4-3 I would.like to see was nice to see Bilic use a 4-3-3 think work well if get Carvalho and get good CB partnership with Lanzini on left and Kouyate on right allowing Lanzini to get I’m behind front 3 and add support to Chica w front 3