Robert Green had “England’s No 6” stitched on to his gloves, self-mocking his position in the country’s goalkeeping pecking order, but Fabio Capello’s early impressions about the shortcomings of the outfield players would only have been crystallised on the evidence of this encounter.
The warm welcome afforded to the England manager soon plummeted into a cold chill as he left Upton Park on Saturday evening. Capello was able to scrub out nine players from the starting line-ups not at his disposal as he took his seat. Only Green and Matthew Upson, the brightest of the West Ham United players, could have been circled for further interest.
Had Capello woken from his slumber, he would have been fidgeting uneasily as first touches hoofed the ball upfield, control became a one-two with an opponent and possession was surrendered like a hot potato. No wonder Japan are not keen to stage competitive Premier League matches, as was proposed last week.
The afternoon seemed complete when, with the scores level, Alan Curbishley hauled off Carlton Cole, the forward, to be replaced by Julien Faubert, a midfield player who barely touched the ball. The West Ham manager’s decision was greeted by boos, which grew louder when Dean Ashton, Cole’s strike partner, was taken off and louder still at the final whistle.
The fans who marvelled at Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Paolo Di Canio and, last season, Carlos T?vez expect their football to be played with panache and adventure — and this team, apart from a few moves in the first half, entrust their creation of chances to set-plays. Their goal came when Cole flicked on a throw-in and Fredrik Ljungberg poked the ball in.
Advertisement
Curbishley pointed to his medical room crammed with the more talented players. However, recent victories against Manchester United and Liverpool are worth little if West Ham take a point from each of Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City. “The fans have been impatient,” Curbishley said. “I would say, ‘You have to be patient.’ ”
The anxiety is mirrored on the pitch, where Ashton, in his desperation to score, shoots too early, and his assets are not complemented by Cole. The pair are to use the two-week break, because of the FA Cup next weekend, to forge a better understanding. “Sometimes we find ourselves in the same position and communication is not up to scratch,” Cole said.
Birmingham grew confident after quickly drawing level. James McFadden converted from the penalty spot after his shirt was tugged by Lucas Neill, to earn a point that lifts Birmingham out of the relegation zone. Lee Bowyer, of West Ham, was sent off for a two-footed over-the-top challenge on Damien Johnson, but both player and manager disputed the decision.
West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 5 – L Neill 5, A Ferdi-nand 6, M Upson 7, G McCartney 5 – F Ljungberg 5, L Bowyer 5, H Mullins 5, M Etherington 5 (sub: H Camara 84min) – C Cole 6 (sub: J Faubert, 63 5), D Ashton 5 (sub: J Spector, 90). Substitutes not used: R Wright, M Noble. Sent off: Bowyer. Next: Fulham (a).
Birmingham City (4-4-2): Maik Taylor 7 – S Kelly 5, Martin Taylor 5, L Ridgewell 6, D Murphy 5 – S Larsson 5, F Muamba 5, D Johnson 6, G McSheffrey 5 – J McFadden 6 (sub: S Parnaby, 87), M Forssell 6 (sub: C Jerome, 76). Substitutes not used: C Doyle, M Nafti, M Zarate. Booked: Johnson, McSheffrey, Muamba, Maik Taylor, Jerome. Next: Arsenal (h).