Small margins may yet determine this season’s fight to remain in the Premier League. One point currently separates West Ham from their nearest rivals Spurs and the first round of games after the FA Cup quarter final could prove pivotal to the whole season.
“It’s not about skill, its not about style” claimed BBC’s Danny Murphy on MOTD2, amidst the discussion over which of Tottenham or West Ham would survive “Its about fight- who’s up for the fight”.
Clearly, yesterdays West Ham Man of the Match Dinos Mavropanos was, and is, and most likely will be ‘up’ for it. Four or five goal line clearances in the first half, ‘that’ tackle that was inch perfect despite referee Paul Tierney awarding Aston Villa a penalty before being corrected by VAR, and an all-round solid defensive performance on the losing side.
Fast becoming a week in, week out standout performer for Nuno – Dinos Mavropanos
Resolute on the pitch and pretty resilient off it, by the sound of things:
“We don’t really look at the others because it’s up to us.” Said the Greek defender.
We closed the gap in this last couple of games, so it’s up to us what we do on the pitch, and after that, we will see where we are going to be at the end.
“Of course, there are many games to play, and we showed character in the last couple of games. We just have to go on, keep positive faith, and we will do it.” (whufc.com)
His solidity alongside Disasi may yet see the Hammers through – a clean sheet against Wolves must surely be the demand Nuno makes of his defensive unit when battle recommences in three weeks time.
The game against Villa exposed our threadbare squad very badly. No Summerville and Todibo and we looked lost. Spuds may lack spirit but their squad is full of talent and if it gets switched on then we’re done.
I’d back us with a fully fit squad but that just doesn’t happen. Without Summerville we don’t look like scoring much either. Fingers crossed!
I agree and the rest of the squad need to follow his lead. Players need to know if they don’t give 100% the fans will see it and let them know!
Final league positions based on actual form over the passed twelve games…
15. West Ham
16. Nottingham Forest
17. Leeds
18. Tottenham
19. Wolves
20. Burnley
Actual forms over the passed twelve games need to change in order for that not to be so.
That’s all very well, John. However it’s the first 19 games that did the damage. I just pray that the next 7 games can save us from the dreaded drop. As the saying doesn’t go, One Summerville does not a season make!.
My concern is a possible drop in form of WHU and that will change a form chart.
WHU had everyone cheering them when playing 4-2-4, pressing high and scoring goals.
Now NES played 5 at the back against AV which has been a disaster every time bar once, against MC when it was the correct choice against a top, top team who keep possession at will.
Also, the fall in assists, attempts on goal & goals scored is dramatic.
Thanks for the form chart, very interesting and in fact just wanted to say, perhaps that change in form you mention is happening and it is happening to WHU!
I hope not & I am not going to suddenly become a pessimist, but I am waiting to see how the team play against Wolves and from then on, because also need to consistently challenge to win, not invite pressure in a 5 at the back setup.
That looks to be very optimistic.
Would rather look at last four games and predict
15. Leeds 16. Whu 17. Forest 18. Spurs 19. Burnley 20. Wolves
Either way whu avoid relegation.
Looks like Leeds have easiest last 4 games then whu not much to choose between Forest/Spurs.
Hopefully points will dictate whu don’t need win against Leeds (last match).
Nuno needs to start playing academy lads for goals and get Killman off bench.
A few goals for us would be nice too! Don’t forget that we’re not just a point behind Spurs and three points behind Forest. We are way behind on goal difference, which means you can add an extra point to get us ahead of all of the teams above us. We need goals, goals, goals! Not sure what’s really wrong with Bowen but it seems we can’t rely on him for an assist anymore, let alone score. I notice he still helps out admirably in defence though!
I’ve been saying it for a few weeks now, but Bowen needs to try and supply Taty and Pablo opportunities more. There’s been moments where they’re in good positions and Bowen tries and fails to score himself.
There have also been times when he has tried to find them instead of going alone and they haven’t done anything with the pass or the pass wasn’t on and they haven’t received it. Bowen is our best player by a country mile, he should do whatever he thinks he should do rather than feel pressured to pass, now that we have forwards (if that’s what we can call them)
All this excitement about WHU originates from when 4-2-4 1st used, team pressed higher and effectively (less so now) and started scoring goals all of a sudden – now, it’s drying up and attempts at goal and assists are in a nosedive.
Hope they concentrate on midfield + attack, getting a lot more movement and combinations. The team had it before and were a handful, but against AV, no initiative, no creativity and hardly any attempts at goal, again. No movement, no Bowen coming in from the wing and playing centrally besides Taty with Pablo falling back. A player with Bowen’s abilities can switch positions in a match and get the other team guessing.
Very obviously, coaches know more about this than me, just hope they get a chance to figure out how to get the team being dangerous again. In the days of Potter and the likes, already “I’d have packed my bags and made my getaway”, now though, these players + coaches, I know, can pull it off – but there is a lot to do