‘It’s only Ipswich’ I hear you thinking: 4-1 against one of the candidates for relegation isn’t such a big deal. This is the same Ipswich Town whose last games in the Premier League have ended 2-2 against Aston Villa,1-1 against Southampton, 0-0 against Brighton and 1-1 against Fulham. So West Ham United deserve big credit for picking themselves up after recent criticism and sticking to Lopetegui’s game plan, which started to be a bit more in evidence this week. With the international break looming there is ample opportunity to pull this game apart with forensic level analysis.
But there were some stand-out first impressions that could be highlighted for those who weren’t at the ground.
After so much criticism and writing-off, it was good to see Mikhail Antonio back to – himself. Still irritatingly lacking touch sometimes, but much more energetic, winning the ball from Kalvin Phillips that stared the move from which he deftly shot in for the first goal. Knowing his propensity to mis-hit, the chances were only 50/50 that he’d actually actually connect. Fortunately the fates decided that this time his touch would be spot – on and you could sense the relief. Simple, elegant finish from Jarrod Bowen’s pass infield.
Another Antonio power header later crashed against the bar before Kudus sprang, Ronaldo like, about 11 feet in the air to head in the rebound. Antonio did keep the energy level high right up until his 7oth minute substitution. Good to see the old beast back. Involved in the third goal too if I remember right. Must have been three Shredded Wheat for breakfast.
Similarly Jarrod Bowen returned to form with a very fine man of the match performance. great goal, real marauding performance down the right hand side.
Jean-Clair Todibo creates calm now, looking serene and in control and wit a couple of crucial tackles and interceptions, kept Delta quiet for virtually the whole game (it was Paqueta who didn’t close him down for Ipswich’s goal). The relationship between Kilman and JCT grows stronger, as does our resilience.
First thoughts – some great short passing at times, lots to work on but lots to celebrate. Finally we looked ‘up for it’.Lopetegui almost smiled at the end.
A huge relief to see the Hammers finally get a result we would expect from them and a massive “well done” to the players. Hopefully this will give them a sorely needed confidence boost and have them eager to get back at it after the two week break. On the down side, I still can’t give Lopetegui credit because his choices don’t make sense or show any understanding of what has gone before. If we don’t have a points total of 19 or more by the end of November, he still hasn’t figured it out.
Antonio is far from finished in the Premier League. Big difference today was the offensive play. We have all the attributes to go at opposing sides but all too often we play sideways and backwards, losing the ball as we go and just watching, open mouthed, when not directly involved. Much better today. Great to see Luis Ghuilherme getting involved, too.
COYI
He had a good game yesterday but let’s be honest the fact that 35 year old Antonio is still our first choice centre forward is shocking and shows how poor our recruitment has been in that area of the pitch.
We just need to get to the end of the season and hope we can sign someone decent when him and Ings are gone. Although we are abysmal at signing centre forwards.
Although knowing us we’ll offer Antonio another one year deal after the first sign of a small purple patch.
Good performance today. I thought Ant definitely played his part should really have been 4.0 because of Areola’s howler. But in fairness he did pull off a worldly second half. I thought the defence was pretty good especially JCT
I’ve been reasonably positive about the players but much less so in regards to Lopetegui. Nice win today though, in anything you can only play what’s in front of you although Ipswich have been decent. Big games coming up so some consistency needs to be built or this will be “it was only Ipswich when looking back.
Well done West Ham COYI ⚒️
We are becoming more of a team and players new to the league are settling in. It is amazing how in line with the quality of the opposition our results have been bodes well for when things are even more settled.
Ipswich were not good though, they made mistakes and were fortunate not to concede more. The Kudus header off the post and save from Soucek highlight that. McKenna is saying we gave away poor goals is true but misses that we still had to score them.
To bring on subs like Alvarez, Soler and Summerville is a different reality to the only recent times of nothing on the bench. Wasn’t really needed today but there will be days when it makes all the difference.
If Antonio isn’t playing and Fullkrug isn’t fit and Lopetegui doesn’t seem to like Bowen playing centre forward – what about Kudus? May suit his game more than Bowen?