ClaretandHugh’s Niall McDonald has the unenviable job of rating today’s performances by the Irons. All the best with that one buddy!
Randolph: Doesn’t seem to matter who we have in goal these days. Made a couple of sharp saves but still let in 5! 4
Reid: One of the few who seems to care, which says it all 6
Ogbonna: Had to come off cruise control when we went to the back four, never got to grips with Sanchez 4
Masuaku: Some bright moments going forward. Would like to see him commit to the overlap now and then 5
Collins: If ever there was a game for a defender to get injured in the first 3 mins this was it. No rating
Obiang: Another who showed commitment if nothing else 5
Noble: Really struggling to see a role for the skipper in the side these days 3
Lanzini: Always happy to pass to Payet, if not better placed colleagues. He at least tried to get forward 4
Payet: Looked unfit, sloppy and decidedly disinterested 3
Fernandes: Youngster struggled on the right after such an impressive game in the middle on Wednesday 4
Fletcher: Led the line to the best of his growing ability for an hour. Again, our so-called creative players failed to spot his runs 6
Subs:
Arbeloa: Seen Antonio hold position better this season! And to think I’d been calling for his return to the side… 2
Ayew: Will have wished his intensive fitness regime had lasted a few more days and missed this one too 3
Carroll: Sadly Arsenal’s second lessened the impact of the impact-sub’s arrival but AC scored with a sharp reaction header and appeared to survive 20 mins unscathed 5
If the owners hold their collective nerve with Bilic and buy prudently in January there may be a way to avoid the drop?
I don’t blame Bilic but he has had all season to put things right and his comments about lacking intensity in training ring completely true, it is obvious that the players are not responding to his methods this season and although regrettable it is easier to replace him than the whole team. I expect someone like Mancini to take over, someone who can organise the team and will get the respect of the players, in honesty I would prefer Bielsa but that would be a huge gamble even though he is perfectly suited to play the modern game, he also might be the key to motivating Payet who he credits with improving him.
I agree that Mancini and/or Bielsa would be good, but it seems that everyone has forgotten about Michael Laudrup ( a guy who knows a thing or three about ‘total footbal’).
Anybody notice something strange about the game stats? 50/50 possession, even though we were playing Arsenal (how often have we done that) and even though we lost 5-1. Was it because Arsenal knew we would give the ball straight back to them, so didn’t bother about keeping it? Did they take pity on us? I am trying to raise a laugh tonight, but this feels one of the worst nights to be a Hammer for a long time..
West Ham Fan no 32- I think you may have to set your sights a bit lower mate. Sorry to be a grump. Maybe Nigel Pearson?
How about Paul Ince? Ian Holloway? Nigel Farage? Oh stop..
How about Alexie Sayle..
If he knew what was wrong about everything in Stoke Newington, then I’m sure he’d be able to sort out what’s app at West Ham..
Speaking seriously, I like Michael Laudrup, if he is still available..
Maybe a gamble, but that guy knows heaps about good football!
Don’t like this ‘lack of intensity’ stuff from Bilic, surely the training is down to him and the coaches – sounds like he’s not really in charge or has lost a grip of the players.
I’m afraid his days are coming to an end, it’ll probably best for everyone!
Up until the Gooners scored the second goal it was pretty even. But I have to say they were not at their best. To lose 1 – 5 with 50 % possession is indicative of the threat we carry. It is dreadfully obvious there is an internal problem in the club. Fletcher is a great prospect as is Fernandez but there is no solidarity in the side to afford these kids time to bed in. I don’t want to condem but Noble is not an asset, Payet looks disinterested, and Arbeloa….well waiting tables in Spain soon I should imagine. Ogbanna has no pace, and
A yew looks no better than Zara or Feghouli. I don’t think a new manager is the answer. With a fully fit side including Cresswell, Antonio, & Sahko a quality RB and another CH we could still finish mid table.
No, no, no!!
You guys are not giving Ayew a fair go..
He is heaps better than Zaza & Feghouli.
I watched the same game that you guys did, and I thought that when he came on, Ayew looked quite lively, and willing to get stuck in. He had one shot on goal that wasn’t too far of the mark.
Harsh review on Lanzini who seemed the harder working and more creative. For a make shift team they were lucky we didn’t start leaking goals earlier.Not good games for Fernandes and Obiang who seemed lost, as well as Noble again below par. Ogbonna seemed very slow and off the pace.Glad Fletcher got a good run in the game.
Always harsh about lanzini at least he tracks back tries to get things going forward quickly an looks for the one two to create space, same as last season but the players around him are not the same payet has no interest I think he wanted out in the summer, an as I keep banging on about it no pace up front from us at all, how can a team who play hold an counter have no pace up front? Look at how we got picked off today by a team playing same tactics. Our top scorer is a wing back because he has the pace to get up there for the counter attacks. Buy one forward in Jan Shane long an play a 3 5 2 of Randolph Oxford Reid Oggy Antonio kouyate obiang lanzini cressy long an sakho will be up table in no time
Totally disagree with you about giving Ayew a 3!!
Maybe we were watching a different game..
I thought he looked quite sharp and did some nice things on the ball..
C’mon guys; give the mug a decent go!
Think Ayew and Fletcher should start as twin strikers with Payet as a deep-lying attacking midfielder. Use Andy as our super-sub for the present time. He looks totally bored stuck out on the edge of the pitch. needs to get his head sorted out, quick, and big time. Perhaps he has dreams of higher club honors, elsewhere..
If your going to do ratings you have to do it without bitterness which is very hard explain to me what Randolph could have done about any of those goals? ( Inc the 5th that was a miles offside anyway) Noble has become a liability for some reason I think the pitch is to big for him he doesn’t even put in his trade mark tackles, Payet is so over rated it’s untrue he’s good but he’s not great and he is bloody lazy ( shame on him) and Bilic comments after the game seem to suggest that he thinks someone else is to blame for training issues! I’d like to know who he thinks that is!! Shambles embarrassing shambles