Hodor the Hero but questions remain about UEFA and Dutch security

Thursday evening's clash of West Ham and AZ Alkmaar was a tense and exciting affair eventually settled by Pablo Fornal's injury time stunner.

But the tie was marred by truly remarkable scenes in which over a hundred Alkmaar 'Ultras' dressed in black and hooded attacked the family and friends section of the ground. 

It's hard to see how such embarrassing cowardly behaviour could resonate with any wannabe thug and even more embarrassingly the thugs were beaten off by a 58 year old post- hip operation Hammers fan who bravely blocked the stairwell where the thugs attempted to gain entry. 

You'd have to wonder what's next on the agenda for these terrifyingly dumb hoodlums - maybe lay seige to a creche or a nursing home? 

But as the dust settles it is apparent that the Dutch authorities mismanaged the incident - failing to make any arrests at the stadium and now reversing into watching video footage of the heavily hooded thugs. 

The security was so amateurish that Hammers players felt compelled to do the security's job for them! And now, rumours emerge that UEFA are investigating the West ham players for their role in the incident. How bizarre can thus get?

In reality, UEFA have a duty of care to all teams and their supporters who participate in their events. Perhaps its time for West ham to take a considerably more assertive stance on the matter?

Or do we just let the cowardly thugs walk away and lazily blame the victims. It's farcical. 

Moyes faces massive dilemma against AZ Alkmaar

 

Here we go, the second leg of the Europa Conference semi final awaits David Moyes and his men tonight at the home of the 'Cheeseheads'. AZ Alkmaar will feel they are very much in this tie as they seek to overturn a 1-2 deficit from the first leg. 

AZ played a canny game at the London Stadium last week and as the Dutch media have been keen to point out, West ham have an underwhelming away record this season. However, that has most definitely not been the case in Europe where the Hammers remain unbeaten away from home, with five wins and a draw.

Alkmaar engaged in a fair amount of shithousery during last week's game, aided by a series of unfathomable refereeing decisions that pushed Rice and Co. to the limits of their patience. But the Hammers demonstrated that they had learned from last years dramas with Eintracht Frankfurt and this time around they kept their cool, just.

And so to tonight. Alkmaar proved that they could ping the ball around with ease but the vast majority of that activity was restricted to their own half which merely ate up time without creating any real opportunity. This week Alkmaar will have their left back and left wing regulars returning to duty which should add some bite to their attack. In truth, they were fortunate with their goal last week as Paqueta was fouled in the build up and Areola uncharacteristically lame in goal.

But while last week revealed little of West Ham's vulnerabilities, Alkmaar were clearly shaky at the back as their CBs got away with a lot of heavy treatment of Antonio, who will feel he has their beating tonight. Benrahma tormented their right flank and once the Hammers decided to go for it they repeatedly opened up the Alkmaar defence.

And therein lies the dilemma for Moyes - start offensively and look to outclass the Dutch or play it tight and counter? Tomas Soucek has suggested in the prematch talk that the Hammers are here to attack but we shall see.. 

But tonight's game will almost certainly bring out the conservative tactician in Moyes, with a blanket defence looking for turnover ball and fast counterattack. The first goal will be absolutely crucial but if the Hammers fall behind you'd expect the gloves to come off and (hopefully) a repeat of the final half hour of last week.

Alkmaar are a much younger side, which almost certainly was the driving force behind Moyes decision to omit nine regular starters from his line up against Brentford at the weekend. AZ meanwhile, fielded a strong side in the Eredivisie and delivered a 5-1 thrashing in their hunt to catch Ajax for third place in the league.

The match referee looks like a sensible bloke and it appears Antonio will be fit to start. You've got to feel that this is a big chance for the Hammers - their quality, squad depth and experience will be huge assets tonight. And, of course, there's the issue of Declan Rice's desire to go out by gifting a trophy to the fans.

It's gonna be a massive night!

Job half done: Match review and Player ratings Hammers 2-1Alkmaar

After a dramatic evening at the London stadium, Hammers fans wait with hope but some trepidation for the second leg of their tie with AZ Alkmaar.

David Moyes would have preferred to put greater distance between the sides as essentially his strongest starting XI struggled to get to grips with the slippery eel that Alkmaar presented.

The Dutch side were slick on the floor and passing out from defence and frustrated Moyes' men through a frustrating first half punctuated by almost endless time wasting by Aussie Matthew Ryan in the Alkmaar goal.

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Dutch went ahead with a hopeful strike from outside the box which bobbled up over Areola's flailling arms. Suddenly the Hammers were in trouble.

Infairness, the match referee seemed allergic to giving anything to Michail Sntonio who, despite having the clear beating of the Alkmaar CBs was subjected to serious foul play which the ref decided to perceive as play acting!

Moreover, Paqueta was clearly fouled in the dis-possession leading up to the Alkmaar goal. The Irons were hot! Worryibgly,Moyes' men lost their composure for a bit and half time was a mercy.

Things continued in that vein for the opening ten minutes of the second half and then the Hammers clicked into gear. Alkmaar looked rattled as a series of decent chances fell the Hammers way as the Alkmaar right flank wilted.

Then the panto villain, Alkmaar keeper Ryan, clattered into Jarrod Bowen and despite over three minutes of Dutch shithousery, Benrahma buried the penalty. Game well and truly on! Hilariously, in the lead up to the cross in to Bowen, the referee impeded an Alkmaar midfielder from getting across to block the cross - perhaps justice for the series of bizarre decisions prior to that!

Suddenly the Hammers could smell blood and bombarded the Dutch goal.....and it came as some cool-headed play from Rice nicked the ball into the six yard box and in the ensuing melee Antonio forced home a crucial winner.

Moyes was left with a conundrum - settle for the one goal advantage or go for the jugular. He chose the former. Despite that, the Hammers reslly shoukd have converted any of three good chances before the end that they may yet regret.

Alkmaar have at least two key returnees for next week. This tie is far from  settled!

Here’s how we rated David Moyes’ men: 

Alphonse Areola 5

Not asked to do much - coped well with everyting apart from the Alkmaar goal which had shades of De Gea.

Thilo Kehrer 7

Decent performance as he was strong and aggressive both with and without the ball throughout. Cut back nicely for a decent shot half way through the second half but blasted it over the bar.

Kurt Zouma 8

Usual calm self. Can be a little clunky moving out of defence but does the important things well. No sign of any recurrence of his injury - a relief as we will need his defensive prowess next week!

Nayef Aguerd 8

Once again great decision making and excellent in possession. Enjoyed joining Benny, Paqueta and Cressy for a full scale assault down the left flank for the final 20 minutes.

Aaron Cresswell 8

No real problems defensively and linked well with Benrahma all night.

Tomas Soucek 7

Moyes has realised that Tomas is not really a 'baller' and is using him better as a real nuisance for the opposition. He could be criticised for not getting out quickly enough to block the Alkmaar goal but he is back to decent form.

Declan Rice 9

Stayed just the right side of the line with a really annoying referee. Ultimately, brushed aside a gamey Alkmaar midfield for that sustained assault of the final 20-25 minutes.

Lucas Paqueta 8.5

The sorcerer took a while to get going but almost ran riot in the end. Due warning was served to the Alkmaar defence that he can create great openings in the tightest of space. One flick towards the end of the second half was worth the admission price alone!

Jarrod Bowen 7.5

We had hoped that he would figure more as Alkmaar were missing their usual LB but Jarrod had to be patient. Alkmaar made sure to keep pushing him outside to prevent his trademark cut back inside. Made the most of Ryan's 'punch' for the penalty but the Aussie had it coming!

Said Benrahma 9

Wow, he was at times almost unmarkable! Created chance after chance and unlucky not to open the scoring mid-way through the first halk with an exquisite curling shot that Ryan just about pushed past the post. Mr Cool for the pressure penalty. Alkmaar have lots to ponder if they are to contain him for the return leg.

Michail Antonio 9

Victim of a series of harsh refereeing calls but kept at it as he knew the Alkmaar CBs couldn't handle him. Hopefully recovers from his post match limp and with a more rational referee next week can look forward to terrorising the Alkmaar defence again. Oh, and he scored the winner!