Nationwide Division One
Sheffield United 3 West Ham United 3

Saturday, 17th January 2004
by East Stand Martin

Tonight in desperation, I have been onto the National Schizophrenic Fellowship website to see what advice can be given about a split personality football team.



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Player Ratings

Stephen Bywater
The good, the bad and the ugly. The good; the point blank second half save and the fantastic spot kick stop. The bad; letting the ball slip under him for Sheffield United's second goal. The ugly? Getting caught in no-mans-land allowing the Blades to grab a late equaliser.


Christian Dailly
Disappointing again today although the fact that he had a debutant either side of him may not have helped a great deal. Could well be facing a spell on the bench upon Tomas Repka's return next weekend.


Jon Harley
Having had just one session with his team mates Harley would perhaps be forgiven for having a stinker tonight. However, his attacking support was superb and capped by a truly fantastic goal (even he looked surprised) and an assist. Defensively average, at best. Encouraging signs though (unless your name is Wayne Quinn, of course).


Andy Melville
A solid enough debut and encouraging to see a centre-half taking control of the situation around him. He may be 35 but Melville is a wily old campaigner and certainly looked no worse than Ian Pearce has at any stage of this season.


Anton Ferdinand
Alan Pardew stated earlier in the week that Anton needs to play regularly before being seriously considered for the first team. That was plainly obvious tonight as he was caught out too often defensively. The penalty was simply clumsy.


Hayden Mullins
Getting better and better as the weeks go by. Has real fire in his belly this lad, and is beginning to justify all the plaudits that earned him a move to West Ham in the first place. Solid tonight.


Michael Carrick
Just about his best game of the season so far. Michael showed traces of his best form tonight, knocking the ball around with ease. Showed grit and determination for his goal, his first of the season. More please.


Kevin Horlock
Solid in the engine room as always but still fairly anonymous. Has to be considered as nothing more than a squad player these days.


Matthew Etherington
Once again, another good away performance from Etherington - who is clearly one who appears to choke at Upton Park. A great cross for our third goal, although his most memorable contribution was not passing to Brian Deane of David Connolly for a tap in when we were 3-2 ahead. A turning point, if ever there was one.


Marlon Harewood
Another fairly quiet game for Harewood, although it could be argued that he did his job by planting one in the onion bag - and a great finish it was too. Needs to improve on his physical side, big defenders have it too easy against him at present.


David Connolly
Connolly's work rate is often cited as one of the finer points of his game. Tonight he gave another 100% performance full of running and spirit, the kind of which if installed in all 11 players would surely have guaranteed three points here. The only thing missing was a goal. Will leave a huge hole in the squad if, as is strongly rumoured, he does leave for pastures new later this week.



Substitutes

Brian Deane
(Replaced Horlock, 78) Greeted by a chorus of boos, Deano was rarely called into action.


Robbie Stockdale
(Replaced Harewood, 82) Barely touched the ball in his 12 minutes on the pitch.


Neil Mellor
(Replaced Etherington, 89) Thworn on in unfamiliar territory for the final few minutes.


Rabi Shabaan
Did not play.


Chris Cohen
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Stephen Bywater, Christian Dailly, Jon Harley, Andy Melville, Anton Ferdinand, Hayden Mullins, Michael Carrick, Kevin Horlock, Matthew Etherington, Marlon Harewood, David Connolly.

Goals: Michael Carrick 19 Jon Harley 22 Marlon Harewood 37              .

Booked: None booked.           .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Sheffield United: Kenny, Jagielka, Kozluk, Morgan, Page , McCall, Montgomery, Tonge, Lester, Peschisolido, Allison.

Subs not used: Wright, Whitlow, Rankine.

Goals: Peschisolido (5), Shaw (72), Jagielka (90).

Booked: None booked..

Sent off: None.

Referee: P.Durkin.

Attendance: 22,787.

Man of the Match: David Connolly.