Flying Kiwis – September 29
Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)
Fat Sam made no attempt to hide his intentions coming into West Ham’s clash with Man United at Old Trafford on the weekend. He was looking for a win. Other sides have gone to Manchester and come back with just that over the past year, more than ever. Then there was the aftermath of the Leicester City capitulation last week, a week in which West Ham claimed a supreme victory against Liverpool.
It didn’t start well. 5 minutes in and Rafael went streaming down the sideline and crossed it right into Wayne Rooney’s path who flicked it first time into the far side of the goal. A little after the 20 minute mark and it was 2-0 as Robin Van Persie buried a clinical finish. Winston Reid had been left in no-man’s land by his left back for the first goal, while the second saw him marking RVP a little loose, though he seemed to have drawn him away from goal when the shot came. A good bit of defending but that’s the difference with the best players.
At that stage it could have been a riot however West Ham drew themselves back. Their set piece deliveries weren’t good, but the odd one that floated into the middle of the box caused some havoc. That was how they scored, with David De Gea trying to take care of a corner himself only to miss it. Eventually the ball was headed in after a bit of a scramble. That was the way it stayed, though it could have been very different. Wayne Rooney was sent off for kicking at Stewart Downing and West Ham came right back into things. Although to be fair, goal-scorer Diafra Sakho was lucky to escape a red himself after a petulant hack at Rafael while already on a yellow. Winnie gave him an earful for that one.
In the 89th minute it looked like West Ham had their equaliser. United were barely clinging on at that point and Kevin Nolan drifted in towards the far post to put the ball in the net… only for the offside flag to pop up. Both Nolan and Fat Sam were livid afterwards, but it seems fairly clear. Make up your own mind:
Up Next: Home to QPR, 4.15am Sunday (NZT)
Chris Wood – Leicester City (English Premier League)
I mean, this is what we expected when Chris Wood declared he’d stick around in the Premier League and fight for his place. One goal off the bench wasn’t gonna change his manager’s mind in an instant. That was a rare chance for Woody, and the fact that he took it is all the better for him. He might be waiting a while for another one, given he hasn’t featured in the Premier League since the second game. And this weekend for the first time this season Leicester City named a match day squad in which Chris Wood was nowhere to be seen.
He’s not injured, and neither are any other strikers at the club right now, so it’s just a matter of coach’s call. The game itself was a bit of a mess for Leicester City, losing 2-0 at Crystal Palace (Wood actually scored the last time the two teams played). So nothing much on that front. Huddersfield are said to be lurking for Wood as an emergency loan prospect, though LCFC manager Nigel Pearson said a couple weeks back that he’s not planning on loaning Wood or anyone else out.
Up Next: Hosting fellow promotes Burnley next Sunday at 3am (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
It’s been a mixed start to the campaign for Ryan Thomas. He’s been starting most games, though he’s rarely made it to the 90th minute as his performances have been a little short of what he’s capable of, plus there’s that injury knock he took that ruled him out of the All Whites game.
So this was a very promising day for the young winger. For the first time since the opening game of the Dutch league he made it to the final whistle, and he had his best game in over a month. Zwolle hosted Heracles, and despite some nervy moments, they finished strong to take the points. Twice they led and twice they were pegged back. But with 10 to play, Mark Engberink was sent off for the visitors and Zwolle romped home with a pair of goals. 4-2 was the final score.
There wasn’t anything to write home about for Thomas in and around the goal action. But he did manage a couple of shots (one on target), along with some impressive distribution. He found himself on the ball more often in this game and it really made a difference. The win has Zwolle on par with heavyweights Ajax and PSV, all tied on 15 points at the top. Incredible for a team that had never won a trophy in its history until a few months back.
Up Next: One of the toughest games in Holland, Ajax away. Next Monday (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Ipswich Town (English Championship)
We’re starting to see a pattern emerging. For the fourth time in a row, Tommy Smith was on the bench. He was almost ever-present last season, and had actually played really well to start this one. But the results weren’t all there and since Mick McCarthy moved Luke Chambers inside, the Tractor Boys have been perfect. 4 wins from 4.
The fourth was a victory over Rotherham on the weekend. A couple early goals were all it took and they iced things from there. Smith was an unused sub, though he did manage to get on in injury time midweek as they beat Wigan. With results this good, Ipswich have soared up the table into the playoff spots and it’s tough to see Smith getting his spot back in a hurry. McCarthy has said he likes the right footed/left footed combo of centre backs, and Christophe Berra has been one of the form players in the Championship, so he’s going nowhere. He’s also not one for rotation. Smithy will have to earn this one.
Up Next: There’s a midweek clash with Sheffield Wednesday before a daunting trip to Nottingham Forest.
Marco Rojas – Greuther Fürth (German Bundesliga II)
On the bench, but didn’t play. We’ll get back to ya when we see some progress. Just gotta keep battling away at training for now, wait ‘til the chance emerges and then take it with both hands. Not literally.
Up Next: Home to Aue, 5.30am Saturday (NZT)