Declan Rice has made it clear the Hammers set the standard for the remainder of the season at the Etihad yesterday declaring: ” That’s the minimum every week now.”
The 18 year old had a terrific debut under David Moyes and said afterwards: “Without a doubt, there were a lot of positives to take from today’s showing
“I think a lot of people thought we were down and out before the game even started. You read silly things and people seemed to believe we were going to come and get beat.”
Speaking to the official website, he added: “I think a lot of people thought we were down and out before the game even started.
“But I thought we were excellent today. We need to be putting in that effort every single week. We were just unlucky today. No one even thought we would score. To go 1-0 up at half-time at the Etihad – they are top of the league. It was a good moment for us.
“We went in from the first half buzzing but we knew there was still 45 minutes to go. Second half, it just wasn’t meant to be.”
“I think we just need to look at the positives. We’ve got to get into training on Monday, watch the game back, look at the positives and take that. That’s the standard that we need to be setting every week. There’s a lot to take from it.”
“I’m loving training under David Moyes and his coaches. To get the start here, I never thought it would happen. Luckily, with the injuries, he’s believed in me and he has put me in, and I was happy with my performance.
“I’m only 18-years-old so to test yourself against the likes of Aguero, De Bruyne, Jesus and Silva, I’m only going to learn and get better from it. Today was a fantastic experience for me.”
Let us hope Moyes now gives a chance to some of the other promising under 23 players we have, then that would gee up the so called first time squad who think their place is assured.
There isn’t anyone who can convince me he isn’t a better option than our current centre backs, he is a proper defender, has the potential to be as good or better than Rio, he may have been marginally out of position when Silva scored an absolute beauty of a goal but I think most defenders would have also in that position, it was a very clever attack executed at pace with precision, he was originally marking Aguero and had to adjust going from front foot to back pedalling, what he did in the rest of the game more than compensated. He would have been my first name on the defensive team sheet from the start of the season at right centre back or defensive midfield. Hopefully he will get his chance to stake a claim, likewise Sakho up top who alongside Antonio caused them problems, maybe I am misreading what I see on the pitch but I have the impression Antonio doesn’t like passing to Sakho, the last couple of times they played Sakho was in better positions and Antonio didn’t release the pass, could be just a coincidence did anyone else think that ?
I noticed he doesn’t see a pass when its on many times 32 ! He’s all power and pace but not much of a brain? His passing is rubbish and crossing is woeful lol . he looks like he’s carrying a few to many pounds as well ! He isn’t playing to his best is he ! Bilicitus may be the problem
But he needs to see the pass which he often doesn’t ! Plus he isn’t a c/f he’s a r/w r/m/f .
Fitness is a problem too and understandable with the time out and lack of game time ! Sakho needs game time as well ! To get firing on all cylinders ! He worked hard last night and should start next game 😉
Yeah he is definitely not match fit Laz, he is mostly power and pace but he does cause opponents problems because of that, in his first season with us his crossing was actually not too bad but defo agree he is not that sharp with the passing, hopefully our new coaches can cure him of the Bilicitus and coach him on when to hold the ball and when to release it, it is costing us clear goal scoring chances thats for sure 🙂
But he will get better that was his first start as CB against one best attacks in Europe. His first half was almost flawless. And I’m sure he got worn out he covered for Zab some & the fact that our other CBs are aging & injury prone I would stick with him & will get better.
Can also play in mid & w our thin squad we will need that.
I know a lil Bilicess but he might be good cover at RB to w his pace power & shown he can cross
Enjoyed of those co..ents we. Spot on mate
Nobody expected West Ham to win ( or draw in fact ) but to go 1 up was a great feeling .
There was a lot to be optimistic about and although we lost we didn’t look like losers .
Well done to all . Won’t single players out ; never have never will . But having said that Rice had a very good game . Let’s get on with it instead of talking . We could do without being in Bottom three over Christmas , so less talk and more action . It was a pleasant surprise to see us playing some half decent football . A lot of teams have been thrashed by City this season ( and last ) but we stood firm . They have that touch of quality we are missing but at least we gave it a good stab for a change . City weren’t at Thier best due to overconfidence and we haven’t been at our best for a few years due to basically , poor football .
Against City we showed some pride and commitment ,,,,, let’s keep it up .
hahaha Kevin “. Won’t single players out ; never have never will . But having said that Rice had a very good game .” classic, pmsl, like the one where I my wife a million times not to exaggerate 😉
The best moments for me were Zaba and Adrian going through movement and positioning with him after each action. There was communication happening for what appears to be the first time.