Graham Potter

A Second Opinion: West Ham Fightback Against Villa

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Graham Potter inspires fightback.

Always nice to get a second opinion on player ratings, particularly as my own are written during the game and submitted on the final whistle. So I’ve taken the cheeky liberty of pinching Waseem’s offering from Hammers Chat Patreon player rating series to give a second perspective.

Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham

It was a tale of two cities—or more importantly, two halves. Let’s be honest, the line-up didn’t fill us with confidence, especially that backline. Going 1-0 down early on, we all feared the worst. We got lucky with the offside call for Watkins’ goal, but then, like magic, Potter waved his wand on the sidelines. We grew into the game and not only matched them but took the upper hand. That second-half performance was full of guts and effort—a great team display. We deservedly got our goal and were unlucky not to bag a few more at the end.

This is the type of performance we want and expect from our players, full of bravery and leadership.

Player Ratings:

  • Areola 6
    Couldn’t do anything about their goal and was at sixes and sevens for Watkins’ disallowed effort. However, he grew into the game, gave confidence to his defence, and had little to do at the end.
  • Coufal 6
    Skinned by Ramsey for their goal and looked a liability early on, but like the rest, grew into the game. Showed strength and bravery at the end.
  • Kilman 8
    Commanding performance, rolled up his sleeves, and led the backline well. This will boost his confidence.
  • Grandad Cressie 6
    Struggled early on with his lack of pace evident, but with Kilman beside him, he showed grit and determination.
  • AWB 8
    Unbelievable performance. This guy is superhuman at times—the way he makes up ground and tackles is a sight to see. He was great going forward too.
  • Emerson 7
    A solid performance. Instructed to attack more in the second half and got his goal, ghosting in at the back post.
  • El Machin 8
    A gladiator in midfield. Tenacious in the tackle and showed skill with a sublime cross for the goal. Lucky to stay on the pitch after a late challenge.
  • Soucek 7
    Ghosted by Ramsey for their goal, but became a man possessed in the second half. Like a wily Viking warrior, he terrorised Villa’s makeshift backline and was unlucky not to score.
  • Soler 6
    Quiet in the first half but improved in the second, like the others.
  • Kudus 7
    Showed improvement, often surrounded by 2-3 players. His close ball control was brilliant, wriggling free to start attacks.
  • Paq-man 8 (MOTM)
    A magician, full of tricks and flicks, and even a master of the dark arts. Villa couldn’t handle him, and everything good flowed through him—a brilliant performance.

    Paqueta-Emerson

    Man of the match for the ever improving Lucas Paqueta

Subs:

  • Scarles 7: Bright and another good showing from the youngster.
  • Ings 6: Lively and could’ve scored.
  • Irving 6: Neat and tidy.
  • G-Rod 5: Just okay.

Referee: 2
This guy completely lost the plot. What are the people at PGMOL smoking these days?

Graham Potter: 8
Had his hands full with so many players out. Brave to go with a back three despite conceding early. He organised the team well, giving belief and confidence during the break. His style screams for a proper striker. Unlucky not to take all three points against the master tactician Emery.

Opposition (Villa): 7
I have a soft spot for Emery and his side, but it wasn’t their night. After their early goal, they sat back and handed us the initiative. Lucky to escape with a point.

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4 comments

  • Mr Chris Mitchell says:

    Really surprised by some of the evaluations of the performances. Areola omg any back pass and fans are worried.. Coufals and Cresswel gave a lot wanbasaka tries so hard and the best signing .kilman so solid .Emerson can’t not like , gives it for Wet Ham . Alvarez massive performance… A slight liability because he wants to win everything, but let’s say the boy done good .. Soucek always the same … Soler very good .. Paqueta improving and being the player we look now that he is …. Kudus …. Half hearted for most of the game doesn’t seem to want yo be at West Ham…subs all excellent effort

  • Mr Chris Mitchell says:

    Really surprised by some of the evaluations of the performances. Areola omg any back pass and fans are worried.. Coufals and Cresswel gave a lot wanbasaka tries so hard and the best signing .kilman so solid .. Alvarez massive performance… A slight liability because he wants to win everything, but let’s say the boy done good .. Soucek always the same … Soler very good .. Paqueta improving and being the player we look now that he is …. Kudus …. Half hearted for most of the game doesn’t seem to want yo be at West Ham…subs all excellent effort

  • Mr Buddy Lurve says:

    As most who frequent these columns know, I’m not a big fan of Soucek, and was laying into him 10 minutes in, having initially forgotten that he was even playing until he stood by and watched Villa cruise past him to score.

    But fair play to the man – in the 2nd half, he was spraying the ball around for fun, with some sublime passing and his trademark runs into the box were great. It’s clear that, when given time and space, he can pick a pass. He just isn’t a proponent of the tight, quick one-touch stuff, but it was great seeing him look forward more with this passing and he earned his 7/10 yesterday.

  • kcockayne says:

    These marks, & your’s, correspond largely to mine – give or take a solitary point here & there. The best players on the pitch were, for me, Paqueta, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman & Kudus – who all got 8s from me. I suspect that if Scarles had been on the pitch for a little bit longer, he would have got an 8, too. This boy is showing all the signs of becoming a great West Ham player. Keep it up !

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