There's not been a feeling like it for some time, has there? I mean, remember last season? Moans, groans, the feeling of costant deflation. Wolves being made to look like Brazil, Stoke nicking it from us. They were desperate times and the one thing that would stay in my mind was the atmosphere. Just the sense that something was going to go wrong at any minute led to a kind of self fulfilling prophecy that it inevitably did. Now, imagine an Upton Park where we know something will go right any minute. Changes things huh?
For those who were not there yesterday, I will clear through the emotional fog and tell you clearly we were excellent yesterday. Every player fought for this one and no one had a bad day at the office. More importantly, following the performances at Stoke and Sunderland, you feel this is part of a momentum we are building towards rather than a one off charge at our local rivals.
How good was everyone? Let me do the ratings…
Green – 8 – when was the last time I gave him an 8? We had our number one back yesterday, can we keep him?
Gabbidon – 7 – got done by Lennon once but apart from that kept him quiet
Upson – 6 – didn't notice him much yesterday but didn't put a foot wrong as far as I could tell
Da Costa – 8 – did notice this guy however, he was immense, he out-jumped Crouch!
Jacobsen – 7 – a real gem this player, solid and disciplined, crucial to our stability at the back
Dyer – 6 – shame he went off as was looking lively, will score very soon I feel
Noble – 7 – a really good performance from Noble, he just ran and ran
Parker – 7 – excellent as usual but it's credit to the team that he was finally not solely responsible for everything
Boa-Morte – 7 – made a nuisance of himself and showed good movement
Piquonne – 8 – a top goal finished a top performance
Obinna – 8 – love this guy, strong, quick and not afraid to shoot
Bench – Kovac – 6 – Barrea – 7 – Cole – 6
But my man of the match is Rob Green, for finally putting his Summer demons to rest in front of a baying Spurs crowd. Top man.
Wow, doesn't it make a big difference when you want to watch highlights and read the papers? A great weekend indeed and a big shout to Avram and the team for amking it happen. Proud to be a Hammer again, Ironssssssssss!