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No Silva Lining for Hapless Hammers

Marco Silva convincingly won the tactical battle of the managers touted for the West Ham hot-seat in today’s encounter at Vicarage Road. New Hammers boss David Moyes had opted for a very familiar system which  centered around the battering ram approach with Andy Carroll as the target man.

Well I use the term ‘Target Man’ but perhaps hitman would be more apt because our big number nine seemed intent on assassinating as many Watford players as possible and can consider himself very lucky not to have been sent off. The former Everton and Manchester United boss had spent much of the week praising the virtues of new father Carroll but one wonders if he’ll change his mind following this ineffective display.

Although the big fella will get much of the attention and blame for this result it was the deployment of the three midfielders that baffled me most. Usually there is a choice of two from Noble, Kouyate and Obiang but Moyes opted to go for all three with Kouyate joining in attack when possible. The Senegal international is often used as a makeshift defender so it was not entirely surprising that he spurned the two chances that came his way.

Clearly the new manager’s team selection was impacted by late withdrawals but it was still surprising to see us playing with three defensive midfielders when we were 2-0 down. At that point surely there was an opportunity to introduce the more attack minded Fernandez or Quina but we had to rely on Left Back Arthur Masuaku to provide some attacking thrust. . . .  . . .Alas it was not to be and Watford gained a comfortable victory despite their poor recent form.

Despite what I’ve just written I don’t overly blame David Moyes. He’s probably watched West Ham from afar and to a certain extent bought into the hype surrounding Andy Carroll and the club itself but he’ll be fully aware of the task at hand now. During the second half the long suffering away fans were singing “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” at the players and there are a few on that field who aren’t.

Much is made of Bilic and the board and rightly so. I also think that Moyes will come in for his fair share of criticism but there is a common denominator here and it’s the players. Some of the performances this season have been disgraceful and they show no signs of improving regardless of how many new running drills  they’ve been made to do.

There is an inability to pass, run, defend and shoot (apart from that it looks good) which will be a major concern to the newly assembled coaching team. There is very little time to put it right too with Leicester only five days away so I’d expect major changes to the next team-sheet.

 

About Gonzo

Hammers Chat video blogger @Gonzobignose

6 comments on “No Silva Lining for Hapless Hammers

  1. 72pts still to play for Gizmo.Europa place by the end of the season i reckon 😀
    Carroll did tweet he was our 20 goal a season striker last season,i have seen nothing to make me think he isnt right 😂😂

  2. Don’t encourage him gonzo , he’s been on the spirit enough today 😂😂
    Hello rads ! Been on a pilgrimage in Tibet renewing the mantras 😂😂

    • I think the team must have been on the Gin with him.

      • Columbian marching powder would have been much better 😂
        Mind you I get ****t just watching them gonzo ! Don’t cost a penny 😂

      • Suspect that AC may have been on the Bolivian Marching Powder (again)
        :”Not the Messi, but just a very naughty boy”

        Good innings from Gonzo & son-thank you guys!

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