Hammers Bubble Popped by Cherries!

Got any spare Mogadon?

Errr...well it certainly wasn't boring at the Boleyn today!

Seven goals, two penalties and a red card gives some idea how crazy a game was played out. However, amidst all the excitement Hammers fans will be bemused at the sometimes farcical defending from what, at least on paper, should be a decent back line.

Cresswell and Jenkinson have received much praise during their Hammers careers to date, but today they both had nightmares gifting three goals to the triumphant Cherries.

Perhaps more concerning was the fact that our MOTM was stand in keeper Darren Randolph as West ham were totally outplayed during the first half.

The Bubbles brigade summoned a decent fight back at the start of the second half, but just when they looked set for a gutsy win they threw it all away again by conceding a penalty and, once again, going down to ten men.

Another goal followed until Modi Maiga pulled one back, but despite a brave effort from the ten men that was assisted by a passionate crowd, the Cherries held strong for their first Premiership win and a first ever victory over the Hammers.

Maiga did manage a rare goal success but he then got repeatedly caught offside as his poor positional sense again caught up on him. He doesn't move like a striker. The fact that he is still occupying the principal offensive impact sub position speaks volumes as to our lack of strength in depth.

However, having scored six goals in three games, the problems facing Bilic and Dicks are in defence. Rumours that James Collins may be leaving as part of a swap for Robert Green are concerning as newby centre back Ogbonna limped off in the first half during which our porous defence played like a circus troupe. James Tomkins can slip back into central defence but Joey O'Brien's fitness emphasizes the lack of back up at right back in the present squad.

In the press conference afterwards, Bilic urged for calm but the magnitude of achieving a top half position in the Premiership is becoming clearer. One suspects that there will be much focus upon defensive drills in training next week!

Still, at least it wasn't boring!