Peterborough United 1-2 West Ham United.

West Ham United came out on top in a competitive friendly match at London Road. Carlton Cole gave the visitors the lead with a delicate chip before Dave Hibbert equalised for Peterborough from a George Boyd free kick. In the end though the Premier League opposition showed their class when Anthony Edgar, a product of ‘The Hammer’s’ youth academy, rounded Kelvin Langmead and finished well from the edge of the area past Joe Lewis.

First Half Analysis

Gary Johnson started this friendly with the team shown in the picture above. Defensively Kelvin Langmead was given the job of winning the aerial battles with Ryan Bennett expected to cover the former Shrewsbury player. Langmead was also expected to marshal the defensive line; he could regularly be heard shouting “stay up” to the rest of the defence. Early signs are that Johnson wishes to play a high defensive line, expecting the pace of both full-backs, Mark Little and Seth Nana, to be good enough cover for the slower, although not sluggish, centre back pairing. This obviously gives the team more of an attacking threat with more players in the opposition half however, if not played correctly, it can be a dangerous tactic to play as it allows opposition strikers more space to expose, especially on the counter attack. West Ham’s first goal came about as there was too big a gap between both centre backs and a simple pass into the space left was enough to allow Carlton Cole his goal-scoring opportunity.

Johnson wanted both full-backs to support the players on the wings – George Boyd and Mendez-Liang – (as shown by the forward arrows on the picture). Mark Little was very good throughout in this role and did a lot of running to support his former Wolves team-mate Liang, although he was caught out of position twice, both times Lewis made good saves to bail him out however. Nana on the other side looked comfortable going forward, his role in this department is perhaps more crucial than Little’s as Boyd has clearly been given license to go more central when an attack is formed, meaning he has to provide width for the team on the left hand side of the pitch.

In the centre of midfield Grant McCann and Charlie Lee formed an impressive partnership. McCann, generally, was expected to play a deeper role than Lee and dictate play – he did so very well, rarely giving the ball away – whilst Lee was pushed further forward to support McLean and Mackail-Smith. Mendez-Liang was obviously told to stay very wide by Johnson and rarely cut inside, he showed flashes of quality taking on his full-back and putting in some dangerous crosses in his first appearance in front of the home crowd since joining on loan from Wolves. His ability to stay in the typical winger’s position, out wide, compensates for George Boyd’s movement, which tends to be towards the centre of the pitch, as it stops the centre of the pitch becoming too congested with players.

The familiar front-two played in familiar roles. Aaron McLean tended to drop deeper with Mackail-Smith playing ‘on the shoulder’. This allows Mackail-Smith’s pace to be utilised to full-effect with McLean becoming more of a link-up player between the midfield and the attack. Both strikers have regularly played these roles since their arrival at Peterborough and they should be effective again this season, in a division they have both been so potent before.

Posh played some very nice football in the first half and created arguably the better chances out of the two teams. McCann’s role in this can’t be over-looked; his distribution was superb and, more surprisingly, he was very tenacious in the tackle. Boyd looked spritely as did Mendez-Liang on both wings and Little was excellent throughout, offensively and defensively. On a more negative note Bennett and Langmead were exposed a few times and didn’t seem to naturally form a partnership together. Langmead especially looked off the pace.

Second Half Analysis

Tactically Posh started the second half-much the same as the first, although with many different personal being on show, including trialist Frank Quedrue. Up-front Hibbert and Davies played more defined roles than the ‘Mac-attack’ with Aaron Davies happy to come deep and move out to either wing to collect the ball. Hibbert was expected to hold the ball up for support from his strike-partner, Boyd, who stayed out wider due to the addition of Davies, and Whelpdale. Wesolowski played as the more attacking centre midfielder whilst Charlie Lee dropped into a deeper position than the one he was playing in the first half. Later in the half Johnson reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Passing wise the football that Peterborough were playing was arguably more pleasing on the eye than in the first half, where it was also very good, with Davies looking particularly impressive, linking up very well with the midfield and showing that he is very comfortable in possession. Hibbert’s equaliser, from a Boyd free-kick, was fully deserved and it was a very good finish from the front-man. Hibbert was causing West Ham’s defence problems and should have had a penalty moments later but his appeals were turned down by the referee. Quedrue looked very comfortable at centre-back and, wages permitting, would be a tremendous addition to the Posh side.

West Ham United’s winner was a very well taken goal but highlighted Kelvin Langmead’s lack of agility. He was very static as Edgar passed him and finished well, having said this he looked more accomplished in the second half alongside Quedrue than he did playing with Bennett. Nana grow into the game in the second half and received more of the ball than he had in the first with Little continuing to impress on the other side of the defence.

Player Ratings

Lewis, 6 – Didn’t have much to do but produced a few decent saves. Neither goal could be blamed on him.

Little, 8 – Very accomplished and encouraging performance from the right back. Made some very good attacking runs but was also excellent defensively.

Langmead, 4 – Off the pace and looked sluggish at times. Could be partly blamed for both goals. Was strong and good in the air throughout though.

Bennett, 5 – Did very little of note. Caught out for West Ham’s first however.

Quedrue, 7 – Looked comfortable in a new defence and seems to of settled well. Made some excellent challenges and positionally was very astute. Would be a superb addition.

Nana, 6 – Made some good attacking runs and was solid defensively. Grew into the game. Looks a little lightweight at times.

Lee, 6 – Made some good runs and passes and, as always, was committed. Solid rather than spectacular.

McCann, 8 – Very comfortable in possession and barely gave the ball away. Looked the most naturally able football on the pitch. An impressive 45 minutes from the Northern Irish international.

Wesolowski, 6 – Showed glimpses of quality but was fairly quiet overall.

Boyd, 7 – Some very good moments, as expected with a player of his class. An excellent assist for Hibbert’s goal.  

Whelpdale, 5 – Quiet before going off injured.

Mendez-Laing, 6 – Pacey and able to put in a very good cross, something lacking in previous seasons. Looks like a handful for any full-back.

Davies, 7 – Excellent whilst on the ball. The most impressive attacking performance of the night from a Peterborough United point of view.  

Hibbert, 7 – Well taken goal and was a real nuisance to the West Ham United back-line. Looks strong and powerful in the air but seems to be perfectly able with the ball at his feet as well.

McLean, 5 – Nothing spectacular, put in the effort though and he has obvious ability.

Mackail-Smith, 5 – Very similar to McLean, wasn’t spectacular but tried hard, as per normal, and is obviously a threat at this level.