Well, this is more like it, the Hammers putting a smile on our faces for a change. Following the sparkling performance against Liverpool last weekend, we follow it up by comprehensivley outclassing Stoke and pulling ourselves just 3 points away from them.
The reasons for the revoltion are clear – Demba Ba has come in and scored crucial goals and taken the burden off Carlton Cole, who in turn is looking stronger and better. Likewise in the middle, Thomas Hitzlsperger has takenb the weight of Scott Parker's shoulders and also given Noble a new lease of life, he was excellent yesterday. At the back, having two proper full backs (though astutuely changed by Grant yesterday) has given us real balance.
Here are how the players stacked up for me…
Green – 7 – safe hands thoughout and seems a bit less grumpy these days
Bridge – 6 – is really good going forward, just needs a bit more confidence in the decision making at the back, would love to keep him next season
Upson – 7 – put in a great performance against Liverpool last week and did well again tbis week
Da Costa – 7 – popped up with a goal and rarely beaten
Tomkins – 6 – adapted to right back well
Hitzlsperger – 8 – just a class act isn't he?
Scott Parker – 8 – see above!
Noble – 7 – ran ragged and kept things ticking
Ba – 8 – a top quality signing and top player
Cole – 8 – a happier chappy and worked hard throughout
Piquoinne – 6 – possibly the weakest performance of the eleven but still made a contribution.
Next up, the anti football club play us at home, I'd like to give a couple of the lads a rest for this one. Much as I'd like a cup run, our Premier League survival is tantatmount. But right now, we are building great momentum and the lads are doing us prooud. Keep it up Hammers!