West Ham United 0-1 Stoke City

 

Played at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 9^th December 2003

 

A paltry crowd of 24,365, our lowest league gate of the season, saw a disappointing spectacle. West Ham United were despicably appalling, lacking in commitment.

 

West Ham struggled from the start, the visitors packed the midfield, meaning that the defence, Tomas Repka, Christian Dailly and Ian Pearce, had to kick long balls for Marlon Harewood and Brian Deane.

 

The Hammers conceded on 33 minutes, Ade Akinbiyi and the referee ignored the “handball” shouts before Frazer Richardson hit home a rebound just inside the near post underneath David James. They do say that it is not just the quality of football that is poor in this division, it is the quality of the refereeing too.

 

Those who booed West Ham at half time clearly do not realise that booing will not help the promotion cause. Last season there were boos, look where that got us. Wayne Quinn (admittedly a poor player) and Hayden Mullins lost all confidence in the second half because of the unfair slating they received. A few hundred in the corner of the Bobby Moore Lower, next to the Chicken Run, should be applauded for their efforts. “Alan Pardew’s claret and blue army” reminds idiots just how loyal some fans are.

 

Pearce hit the crossbar in the first half, David Connolly stabbed wide in the second. The visitors’ only other chance was when John Eustace’s shot hit the woodwork.

 

Ian Pearce had a committed first half, Don Hutchison came on and played well, he worked his socks off, and was by far our best player. He must start on Saturday, along with a few youngsters.

 

The epitome of the referee’s performance was when Pearce was booked in the second half (deservedly so) for dissent. But Pearce had a right to complain – he had just been kicked in the face right in front of the referee!

 

All in all, it was a disappointing night for anybody unlucky enough to witness the match. Chairman Terence Brown cannot be blamed entirely, he has made money available in recent weeks, and Pardew has wasted it on wages for imbeciles like Robbie Stockdale.

 

By Phil Crook (p.crook@lycos.com)