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Oggy: “We showed what kind of men we are”

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Ogbonna at Fulham

By Hughie Southon

Angelo Ogbonna was in fabulous form again at Fulham showing once again how heavily the Hammers can rely on our veteran defender.

David Moyes dropped Nayef Aguerd to recall Oggy and – as he has done so many times in the past – the 34 year old was outstanding showing that he and Zouma truly can work in harness.

Playing in partnership  and in front of a flawless Łukasz Fabiański, Ogbonna was part of an impregnable back line that frustrated the Whites and, one or two moments aside, restricted them to speculative shots and cleared the dozens of crosses and set pieces they delivered into the visitors’ penalty area.

The result was a scrappy but vital away victory – just the second in 14 attempts this season and the first since Aston Villa in August – and jubilant full-time scenes on the pitch and in the packed Putney End Stand at a sun-drenched Craven Cottage.

Speaking to West Ham TV after joking he might receive a call from Italy head coach Roberto Mancini, the 34-year-old was proud to have played a part in such a resilient performance when his Club needed him most of all.

He said: “I think we needed to do something to bounce back and the thing is that I can never say we don’t have character.

For a long time, West Ham, since I joined this Club, it has shown that character is the main thing and the first thing.

The old players always show me some things like that and it comes naturally to us. For me, even for the players and for the Club, it was really important.

The only things I didn’t like was when people were in doubt about our character. I think it’s something in our veins.

We know the importance of the game, of the league, and everything.

Most of the players who played on Saturday have played together for the last two years, so we know each other.

The situation was really important for us and, more than tactics, we showed what kind of men we are and it was really important to do something like that.

My vision is game-by-game.

I don’t like to go too far forwards, as every game is important and everything comes from our performance and our desire.

We showed something on Saturday that we brought to the training ground and then we brought to the game.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

2 comments

  • The Cat says:

    Angelo Ogbonna is a firm favourite of mine, ever since since he arrived from Juventus. Not only is he a wisened defensive head in our back line with plenty of nous, but he is also a man of true pride and integrity which is a rare thing these days.

    What did I learn from this game?
    Loads of shiny and new isn’t always the answer, old and familiar got the job done.

    Well done to the players who stepped up and played for the shirt with pride.

  • Hammeroo says:

    God bless you Oggy! You and Zouma were magnificent, as was Fabianski. I just wish our attackers were as good in their job up front. We can’t keep relying on own goals, VAR decisions, set pieces and good luck to get a result.

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