Nuno Espírito Santo has started on his self-confessed mission to win the fans over. Whilst picking up the remains of a Potter team with just two home wins in nine months and expecting an immediate turnaround was always going to be a huge ask, the Portugese manager succeeded in starting to shape West Ham fans opinions, if not re-shaping the outcome of todays London derby in which Arsenal were runaway favourites.
From looking at the side Nuno selected, clearly he’s done his homework and realised the importance of West Ham’s youth contingent. A starting eleven in a 4-1-4-1 formation with young Soungoutou Magassa and Fernandes in midfield. Potts, Marshall, Scarles and Guilherme on the bench.
One of the biggest criticisms of Graham Potter was the disconnect between manager and young players. Nuno brought on Freddie Potts and – on debut – gave Callum Marshall a thirty minute run out as a second half substitute.
No complaints from the Hammers fans there then.
As for the game – West Ham competed and ran themselves ragged for the full ninety seven minutes. No complaints on that front either. Well organised, sitting back in a ‘mid-block’, chasing for everything. 100% effort from all.
West Ham beaten but not embarrassed
For the first 40 minutes Arsenal didn’t really compete until Odegaard went off injured, the resulting substitution changing Arsenal’s shape and tempo. Rice pushed forwards and snaffled the first goal after Areola’s save rebounded back towards the penalty spot, Rice on hand to half-volley into the roof of the net.
No changes at half time and Diouf’s clumsy challenge as Timber ran between the left back and Summerville cost West Ham a penalty which was dispatched with aplomb by Saka.
From that point onward it was damage limitation: West Ham fighting to keep the score respectable and, it should be noted, the team produced a better performance from set pieces, corners included.
Positives – I’ll refer to them later, there are some good signs. This was Nuno’s free hit anyway: No heads dropping or ‘double teapots’, a team performance with decent energy in a lost cause right to the last minute. Not at any stage did it feel as if the flood gates were going to open. Which is something to build on.
Can’t get on board with the Nuno love in unfortunately. Same people forced Moyes out are saying Nuno is the man yet football is more defensive than Moyes if anything. Not inspired by what I saw today against Arsenal. Diouf proved once again that he can’t defend for toffee. Fernandes and Mangassa offered little creativity or anything else in midfield. Think we were actually better with Souchek and JWP. Feels like we’re going backwards.
Better towards the end after he bought Potts and Marshall on but before that it was one of the most boring defensive games I can remember. We had very little possession and very little to offer altogether.
Day started watching Kudus win a game for Spurs and moved on to watching Rice win a game for Arsenal. Couldn’t get much worse. Thanks Sullivan for selling two of our best players to two of our most hated rivals.
Even though I was often irritated with Kudus for slowing down the play in midfield with his dribbling, his transfer has weakened West Ham. There’s no denying that he was very fast and physical. His dribbling is among the best I’ve ever seen. In some way, the balance at West Ham has been disrupted since his departure. I also felt that he always gave his best.
Your point?
Potters previous results against Arsenal are irrelevant however his current record of defeats and non inspired football is relevant and Arteta? Do you care what Arteta thinks? I’m sure most Hammers don’t.
There were definitely defensive improvements, with the exception of Diouf’s challenge that gave away the penalty obviously. I wish Bowen and Paqueta could’ve shown more attacking threat and backed Summerville more, but I think things will get better in the coming games, Muno can’t fix all areas at once.
Bowen must be demoralised playing in that team.
I get you have to defend well, but if you’re not coming out then you might as well not play Summerville, and play a defensive midfield to help diouf out.
Pacqueta was non existent and just kept falling over.
All this take the positives, to play 90 mins and not have a shot on goal, what’s the point…..
Graham Potter hasn’t lost in 8 games against Moyes’ teams and is one of the Premier League managers with the best record against Arsenal. Yet many fans seemed to think it was a brilliant idea to let Nuno lead the team against Everton and Arsenal with minimal preparation. Arteta didn’t seem too impressed by the way Graham Potter has been treated by West Ham’s owners and fans.
No sympathy for Potter, remember he was happy to be interviewed whilst Lopetegui was still in the job. If you live by the sword……..
I’m never satisfied with a defeat but that was one of the more difficult games of the season. We look as if we will pick up points in other games.