Collins Vs West Ham - 0-3

Well this was always going to be a tough game, against the league leaders, with the leagues top scorer for the previous 4 seasons, but we still went into the game with confidence as the previous 2 performances were good enough to merit something from the game. The problems started when 5 minutes before the start of the game we found that Adam, Javi, and Gary weren't going to be there and the teamsheet and tactics had to change completely. We did however welcome back Jerry who has been missed on the right wing, and Carlos appeared helping to add a much needed sub.

Carlos's job was to shadow Kike the striker, thankless task for anyone, this meant that Ian was up front on his own, and the wingers were there to support him. A defensive midfield of Zugi and Tom was used to shore up the middle of the park, and Lucho, Mike, Dom, and Chris started at the back.

The first 20 minutes were as usual pretty even, with the Collins getting a few chances but looking a little light up front. Ian worked hard but wasn't seeing much of the ball, and Lluis and Jerry gamely tried to support. Carlos drifted a few times but in all the forward line of West Ham was contained well. On about the 40th minute disaster struck, the wonderful defending lapsed for a heartbeat and an exquisite piece of skill from West Hams midfielder as he spun on the spot and rifled a postage stamp shot past the despairing hand of jordi. 1-0 West Ham. Half time came and we didn't have much to change. the strikers were havinga tough time of it, and Carlos was starting to tire but without the expected replacements there wasn't much we could do.

We started the second half on the back foot and 10 minutes in, a scrambled goalmouth goal slipped past everyone, and it was time for a change. Hugo, who had come on for an injured Lucho at left back in the first half was injured himself but Carlos was on his last legs, so Richard came on for Carlos, and Hugo had to suffer on. Dom was pushed up front and started to cause damage immediately. Within seconds though, Kike left a stranded Richard and fired past jordi for 3-0, always a danger when changing centre backs mid game. From there on in though, it was very even, the last 25 minutes were very positive. Dom was winning everything in the air up front and giving Ian and Lluis something to work with. Jerry went off injured and James came on up the right. We started pushing them on the back foot but unfortunately no goal was forthcoming and the whistle came too soon for us. We can't complain about the scoreline really, they were a better attacking force than us, but the last minute change of plans didn't help. Maybe we showed them too much respect and limited our firepower, but it was a strong performence by most of our players and something to build on. Carlos had a great game, as did Hugo, but Dom was the most influential player in the game, and won the MOM award. Zugi got sent off for a stupid argument at the end with the Narcissitic referee and will miss next weeks match.