Despite having little of consequence to do, David Martin’s appearance between the sticks this afternoon saw a new confidence sweep through the team.
It was long overdue and it required Manuel Pellegrini to accept that this is one signing that he shouldassign to the dustbin of history.
And frankly, I can’t see anything other than ‘end of career’ after he was forced to sit on the bench while the No 3 keeper took over.
(Photo by Visionhaus)
That this resulted in a victory for the Irons against one of the country’s top teams is on the face of it extraordinary and there can surely be no way back for the Spanish stopper.
It will also be interesting to see whether the manager and his director of football Mario Husills – should they of course still be at the club – decide that they need another No 2 or will stay with Martin in the transfer widow.
Afterwards Pellegini revealed the heart-searching that had gone on ahead of making the decision to switch the keepers.
He said: “It was a very difficult decision. Of course it’s difficult because it’s a position where you must be very careful when you change it.
Lukasz Fabianski was our best player last season and Roberto had the chance to come in for him, but we needed a reaction and that was the reason.
David Martin had never played before in the Premier League, but I think he did very well. He had the personality to play, and I think our defenders helped him a lot to keep that clean sheet.
His Dad is a West Ham legend and I’m happy for him that the first game was so successful. I’m hope this will now be the start of our recovery as a team.”
Finally he drops Roberto, tinkers with the formation and hey presto we win and from what I heard deserved it. Let’s hope this is a turning point but also a lesson for Pelle..if it’s broke fix it!
About bloody time Roberto was dropped. Roberto translated in English is Robert which is also Bob. That’s what he is 2 Bob lets hope he never wears the shirt again.
A difficult decision? Guess that’s why he’s paid the millions to do, make the difficult decisions. Unfortunately he’s been sitting on his hands not making the difficult decision, not that difficult really could see Berto was hopeless in pre-season, which has cost us at least 9 points this season. Still needs to go his best days are long behind him, any manager, or for that matter player, that has such little ambition and drive to test themselves that they opt for the big money in the Chinese retirement pub league has no place in the premier league.
If MP. had the ba.l’s to do it before we well may have had a few more points on the board now..but as he said”I don’t analyse individuals ” ..ball sh.. We could all see that Roberto is no keeper and he couldn’t! !Well played David Martin for keeping his nerve and a CLEAN SHEET and good luck v Wolves COYI
As Alan Curbishley said in the studio … the West Ham fans would say … we told you a long time ago – drop Roberto. So what was so hard about that? Just shows the man’s inability to evaluate his players properly. Nonetheless, well done boys … a good win, at last.
David Martin has finally given the team some confidence and we looked like we knew how to defend today, although we needed to for the fist 30 min! I hope we start with two up front as thought we had much better shape and attacking options when Haller was playing alongside Yarmo. Antonio was awesome today, ran his heart out and he needs to teach Fornals how to hold off players and protect the ball, which is the main thing lacking in his game right now. Looking forward to Wednesday night. COYI!!!
Great win great for Martin but means Pelle will get a stay of execution. The board should have his replacement lined up as he is clearly past his sell buy date.
Should of gone after the oxford debacle
A good result, very happy for Martin, what a debut. Absolutely the right decision to drop Roberto but I hope he takes the time off and rediscovers his best game, he wasn’t helped much by his team and the difference I saw was players fighting for each other and the win, long may it continue COYI !!!
If that was a ‘very difficult decision’ think how much trouble MP must have choosing what to have for breakfast or if he has to get a new carpet …Well done to David Martin – a Hammers legend in the making. The official club site had Declan Rice using the dreaded words ‘a big team’ … stop it right now! More of the same required on Wednesday. COYI.
Best state in UK !!