Following West Ham United’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka found himself at the centre of criticism. Many have pointed fingers at his positioning and general bombing forward, blaming him for the goals conceded. However, I thought he was one of the Hammers’ best performers on a bad day in North London.
Wan-Bissaka was heavily involved in West Ham’s attempt to claw their way back into the game, which meant marauding forward to contribute in attack. However, I don’t think the former Man United man’s attacking runs were tactical indiscipline—I believe he was acting on instruction.
It was clear that there was an attempt by West Ham to fight their way back into a game that slipped away faster than coach Julen Lopetegui could respond, and he has admitted as much.
Despite the focus on Wan-Bissaka, I thought he was one of several players who individually performed reasonably well, hinting at a bigger problem. AWB tackled well, remained fully committed, and definitely offered options in attack. While the team functioned effectively as a unit in the first half, the second 45 minutes saw a capitulation as they looked like a group of strangers.
There was one particular point in the second half where Mohammed Kudus had dribbled his way into an excellent position to release the ball for an attack on goal. With all avenues blocked, the unmarked Wan-Bissaka drifted into a dangerous position, but the pass from Kudus never came. This move was indicative of the Hammers’ team at that time, who had lost composure and were playing as individuals.
Ultimately, it’s too easy to single out Wan-Bissaka for criticism in a game where the team as a whole struggled following Ange Postecoglou’s tactical switch in midfield, which Lopetegui reacted to too slowly.
There were some decent performances hidden within an embarrassing loss to our London rivals, and “Obi-Wan Bissaka” has taken too much of the blame.
I seriously don’t think the manager gives wan bussaker instructions to stay forward and don’t bother tracking back surely? Does he say oh don’t bother defending Obi, I’m sure Jarrod will track back and cover for you.
Wan Bissaka is one of our better players, he is quick and he positions himself well can’t understand the criticism he gives his all. If anything Kudus lost the ball a few tim e and should have passed in the penalty area instead of having a go at goal
It is still early days I am sure it will improve
First Kudus, now Wan-Bissaka, who is next to be criticized for not carrying the rest of the team? There is only one man to blame, and next Sunday will confirm that at least one PL manager does not have a clue.
Have no problem with him bombing forward but at least make an effort to chase back when we lose the ball.
Not the first time that he’s walked back or barely broken into a jog.
Wan-Bassaka was a gift to us for the money, prem pedigree is exceptional, behind this performing midfield we have right now he’s being exposed, and most of the time this midfield is not there. Paqueta is not functioning, our midfield has no pace or forward vision, Kudos is brilliant in flashes, awful in large periods of the game where he has no vision of team players, dribbling down endless dead ends, stumbling over and not winning a free kick, those two and a few other new arrivals should look up to Wan-Bassaka and think on
Yep totally agree it happened against Chelsea where their keeper took a goal kick and AWB was half way into their half! It must have been instructed to do! God knows why as it was a disaster and was rectified against Ipswich. So why revert to that suicide tactic
I agree Gonzo – similar to Chelsea it seems that JLo pushed Wan Bissaka further forward – definitely a bad move – the player seemed to give his all