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MIDDLESBROUGH v WEST HAM FA CUP SEMI-FINAL- BRIGGSY'S ANALYSIS
Our cup double hopes were dealt a massive hammer blow yesterday, going out of the FA Cup to a single goal.
Steve McClaren surprised the Hammers by opting for a 3-5-2 formation. The team was:- Schwarzer, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue, Taylor, Parnaby, Downing, Boateng, Rochemback, Hasselbaink and Yakubu.
We were the ones who came out of the blocks better and enjoyed lengthy spells of pressure. The first draw of blood was to the Boro. Downing made a surging run down the left before putting in an inch perfect ball for Hasselbaink. But Hasselbaink's goal bound header was blocked and cleared by James Collins. I think that Hasselbaink maybe had time to take the ball down first.
Downing was giving the Hammers plenty to think about with his attacking play. Stuey had two shots which failed to test Hislop. On the half hour mark a Stuey corner picked out Queudrue, but the Frenchman couldn't direct his header on target. That was a great chance and if he had got it on target, it would have tested Hislop.
We were dealt a massive blow just before the break. Ashton challenged Schwarzer for an aerial ball, but the Aussie got caught by the forward and took a tough tumble. After being down for a long time Schwarzer went off with a broken cheekbone. Just how vital will that be to our season?
Just before the break came West Ham's best chance thus far. But Benayoun blasted over from inside the box. This signalled the end of the half. We were by far the better team, but what was worrying is we didn't make it count and in big games like this you have to make it count!
Roles were reversed it seemed after the break. It was the Hammers that came out of the blocks quicker and brighter. Ten minutes into the second half, the Hammers rattled the Boro crossbar. Benayoun crossed from the left, Ashton rose and headed onto the crossbar. That certainly got the pulses of the fans racing but would it spring the players into action?
Five minutes later Ashton had another bite of the cherry. An Etherington corner picked out Ashton, but this time his header was on target but happily it was right at Brad Jones. On the hour mark Downing surged down the left and played a lovely ball for Hasselbaink, but he headed wide.
We seemed to be growing in confidence, Rochemback had a twenty-yard effort on goal but never really tested Hislop.
With little over ten minutes to go West Ham grabbed what proved to be the winning goal. A hopeful ball downfield by Fredinand found Ashton, the target man headed down for his striking partner who fired past Jones. Gutted! What a time to concede!
From here on in it was sustained Boro pressure as we went looking for the equaliser. With ten minutes to go Hasselbaink won a free kick just outside the box. Queudrue took it and took it well, forcing a save from Hislop.
With seconds to go Riggott had the perfect chance to become the unlikely hero. Southgate fed Riggott the ball but the centre back dragged his shot wide across goal. What a chance, how did he miss? You just have to test the keeper from there.
Yakubu was the biggest disappointment. He's clearly low on form and is in need of a goal. It will come but at the moment its like playing with ten men.
It was a game of two halves, they had the first and we had the second. Neither team deserved the win, nor deserved to lose. But as we well know there are always winners and losers. That's why the defeat is so hard to take.
Sadly lady luck was a Hammer yesterday. I hope the Hammers go on to win the cup.
Our season hinges on ninety minutes. Thursday is a massive game. I fully believe we can overturn the narrow deficit. We'll at least have a bit longer to prepare for this game and Viduka will be the key on Thursday. But we need a big game from all eleven players plus Massimo Maccarone.
Roll on Thursday.
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
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