Stamford Bridge Is Falling Down?

Our boys produced a brilliant display today to come away from Stanford Bridge with a well deserved point. The London derby had a great pace and tempo about it right from the off, and our boys dug deep and pulled out quite a heroic display that against less formidable opponents would have seen us pick up all three points.

Chelski deserved the lions share of possession, but the gritty performance from every West Ham player ensured that we only gave up one goal, and only one or two truly good opportunities for the home team...and for the first time in I believe 2 months one of our strikers featured on the score sheet...well done Bellars, the effort has been there but sadly the goals haven't - I hope you put together a run of goals from this point.

A mention must go out to Sky Sports commentary again today, if I have to hear for one more season that Wankard and Cole used to play for us I may have to come to your offices with a gun. Also, you're right, our Cole and Parker used to play for Chelsea. Wow we really must be Chelsea's rejects like you were suggesting. Why do you hate us? I just don't get it. Is Tony Cottee shagging all of your wives over there so you take it out on the team? Anytime you'd like to clear that up would be great.

Anyway...

Oh West ham why did I ever doubt you? As soon as I start slagging us off you come around and make me look like a fool. This team causes schizophrenia.


Player Ratings

Greeny - Great display from Rob, lost the ball in the lights once, and maybe could have come off the line quicker for their goal, but really solid everywhere else. He was brilliant at claiming crosses, and made some superb reaction saves yet again today. - 7.5

Neil - Much better, I mean not 100k a week more better or whatever he wants, but better. Dealt well with everything down the right, and actually looked good going forward as well always looking for the open man. - 7

Upson - We really need a song for him just to show our love. Absolutely solid, I don't remember him losing a single battle. My shout for the armband I have to say. - 8

Davenport - I was surprised to see him start, and I'm still not sure where ginge was today, but he did really well, throwing his body at everything on the floor and in the air. Every time he goes after the ball with his head though I have to wince, with his history he certainly is a brave headerer, and always a threat on corners. Witness him here brilliantly going up against John Terry. - 8

Ilunga - Not as much of a threat up the left today, but did his defencive duties well. One outstanding tackle stoping what surely would have been a goal. - 7

Defence Overall: Very good. In the centre we looked quite formidable, and if we can keep their fitness and form up then we can start improving from the back forward. - 8

Collison - Nowhere to be found in the first half, methinks this may because he's more of a central midfielder, but got tucked in in the second half and showed some nice touches. This kid needs to be a regular, and off of today's showing he may be a threat to Faubert. - 7

Noble - Looked like Noble of old, good passing, gritty, and determined. Picked up the assist for Bellars' goal with some great determination and persistence. we need this Noble to show up every week. 7.5

Parker - Bounds of energy, tireless, gritty, keep going. Brilliant. The heart of our team dictating movement through playing people in, and first one back making all the tackles. Inspiring stuff. 8.5

Behrami - He grows on me more and more every time I see him play, his work rate is second to none. He's constantly biting at peoples ankles and looking to turn defence into attack. Another solid performance today, and put through Cole at the end with a good ball in a move that could have seen us take the spoils. 7.5

Midfield Overall: Shut down the shop, really covered Wankard and Cole very well. Their work rate was very impressive, we were quick in to tackle, and passed the ball out well from deep. 8

Bellamy - Took his chance very well, and it was nice to see his continued effort finally pay off for him. The ref today paid him no favours and he was called on several "fouls" - most notably the so-called foul on Terry when he was dead through on goal, but regardless he continued to work and cause trouble. 8

Cole - Was useless in the first half, couldn't keep possession and seemed to be bumbling about. Another one the ref paid no favours too, he was whistled every two minutes for just being a big guy, and harshly picked up a yellow. Second half was much better for him with him coming out of tackles with the ball more often than not. He still needs to know when to pass the ball however, and my God Gianfranco should give him some shooting practice - he missed a great chance at the end. 7

Forwards Overall: Good work rate and good tempo. Bellars' pace troubled Chelski, and in the second half Cole's strength came good. Both were unfairly treated by the ref. 7.5

Subs

Mullins - Came on for Noble, made some good challenges, and was right up to speed from the go. Good showing. 6

LBM - Not good, not bad, touched the ball a maximum of 4 times. -3

Di Michele - Used to run down the clock Zola knows it takes him about 4 minutes to get from the bench to the byline. - n/a



Very happy then with a point, and a good one too, we battled and created some nice chances for ourselves, and were rarely troubled by a stacked Chelski team. Also, just wanted to mention our fans today were excellent and out sang the Chelski lot all day - i particularly enjoyed the one that went something like "Shall we sing a song for you," genius, and just so they knew why we were singing that we followed it up with "your support is fucking shit" - so true.

Next up is Villa which promises to be an entertaining affair. It's a very winnable game, but we will have to put in the effort to grind it out. I think 4 points from the next two games would be a decent goal to set.