ClaretandHugh’s resident ratings man Niall McDonald gives his view on each Iron after running the rule over the team today.
Randolph: Only had to make one magnificent save today, things are looking up! 7
Reid: Another no frills performance 6
Ogbonna: Seemed to sharpen his focus when we went to a back-four 5
Kouyate: Sponsor’s MOTM. Magnificent 80 yard recovery run prevented an almost certain goal on the counter 7
Cresswell: Most relieved man in Stratford? Two rare mistakes and got away with both of them 4
Noble: Bit of everything! Planted the only decent cross on Carroll’s head, hit his own post, pulled out of a 50:50 putting Hull away and then scored the most vital penalty since, ummm, Wednesday night 6
Obiang: Subbed at the interval. Unless injured it may have been to protect him from a second yellow 5
Lanzini: Also withdrawn at the break having struggled after an early injury 4
Payet: Plenty of set pieces today and it was a case of quantity over quality. Carried the ball upfield well towards the end 6
Antonio: Was only asked to play right-back, right wing-back, centre forward, inside right and left wing-back 6
Carroll: Received his first decent cross on 61 mins. Got through a prodigious amount of defensive work 6
Subs
Ayew: Jury still out. Looking sharper but seems to float between positions 5
Fernandes: Pretty sure he cleared one off the line, can’t be certain as I was looking through my fingers 6
Nordtveidt: His arrival to close the game out seems to be getting later and later No rating
Ayew is the new ‘Invisible Man’ – he’s on the pitch but doesn’t appear to do anything – maybe a bit harsh following his injury but he needs to seriously up his performance!
Niall is ridiculous. Enough said.
Slow-mo’s praise singer
OMG … Noble …total pile of sh-te again
I would not call Niall ridiculous but his rating of Nobes was. His 6 should be a 3. A very poor performance by him.. Why is his first touch invariably back to his own goal. His influence in central mid in the last 3 matches has been non-existent. I would hook him for a game or two and bring Fernandez back for a run – I thought he was impressive when he came on. But the real worry is where a goal will come from in open play? We need to play either Antonio or Ayew up front alongside Carroll. I would also move Kayoute back into midfield where his dynamism might help creat more and, if fit, bring Oxford (if fit) in to replace him in defence because he will give us some more pace there. Just some thoughts from a very worried hammer.
Spot on Kenny👍
In my opinion, Noble is rapidly becoming a liability; his few positive contributions can’t disguise that he tends to distort the overall shape of the team and disrupts any flow. When Obiang’s playing in front of the back four, Noble keeps coming back and getting in the way to pick the ball up off them, at the same time reducing the options to move it out. At one stage early in the second half today he was actually playing alongside the centre backs, dragging the whole side backwards.
We need to overlook the ‘Mr West Ham, one-club man’ thing and start to realise that he’s reaching the twilight of his career and the brave thing to do would be to pull the plug. He has loads to offer, but not at the expense of first team success. Make Reid the captain and set the side up properly. Letting Noble carry on floating about doing that silly bloody turn thing that invites pressure has to become a thing of the past.
I am begining to sense that Noble is yesterdays boy. It has taken a while and I have had lots of abuse but Noble must go .. NOW … he cannot run , pass forwards , pass straight , shoot , head ,take corners / free kicks , tackle and as for leader I wouldn’t let him walk my dog .
He is rubbish .
It is so obvious he is another year older and another year slower both mentally and physically Bubbles. I won’t say a bad thing about the guy Bubbles because he has been a fantastic servant and I think more should appreciate Mark for what he has done for our club. However, like most legends (and I refer to the most recent examples) Lampard, Terry, Rooney etc. They get moved out of the starting XI when it is right for the club. I have no problem with Mark being club captain but he shouldn’t be in the first team and Reid should take the armband on match day. Then when you get towards the end of the season and it is pretty clear Mark isn’t first choice he can decide whether he wants to stay or go in the summer. Perhaps even come out before and say he is leaving before the last home game or something and we can give him a half decent send off. No one is bigger than the club but the board / manager have to have some sense and do the right thing.
Well said Richie. I have never booed a player in a hammer shirt, and I certainly appreciate what Noble has done. Hard times need hard decisions I guess. Lot of Hammer fans hated Nolan, but he was a real leader. Never embarrassed the club ( nor has Noble) and I understand he did a lot off the pitch (also true of Noble I believe). All I can bring myself to say is that there does seem to be a lack of leadership. Can’t help feeling nostalgic for Bonzo- best captain I ever saw. And second best player!