An absolutely mental evening still feels like a win the next morning, despite West Ham leaving behind another two Championship points.
On a night when league leaders Middlesborough lost to Wrexham (the same Wrexham who lost 6 – 0 to the Irons just a few weeks ago), West Ham United somehow managed to close the gap by a point after being 3 – 0 down, out and destroyed at half time.
Trying to pick out any performance of merit in that first half is likely to be fruitless, such was the extent of the Hammers’ capitulation.
Whether it was the stinging rebuke of 3000 away fans booing them off at half time, a dressing room dressing-down or inspired substitutions – who knows – but the Hammers suddenly restarted with purpose, pace and directness.
Time, surely, in the international break which lies ahead for Parker to stamp his character on this West Ham side. Compared with such a weak, floundering first half from Morato, Solomon and Castellanos, their replacements Piroe, Autsbø (better late than never) and Mayers looked relative world beaters.
Brutal cull of that trio incoming, surely, along with the inevitable goal keeping switch that is desperately overdue.
Scott Parker, remember, brought Areola to Fulham in 2020 and with Hermansen conceding nine goals in the last three without even laying a glove on any of them, he simply has to go.
Plenty of cause for optimism: The transformation of Maximilian Kilman and Jarrod Bowen from anonymous to game-changers typified the metamorphosis of the whole side – which can only have been due to what went on in the dressing room at half time.
Engels’ excellent goal was his first for West Ham and typified the Irons’ second half performance
Engels and Mukasa both looking like genuine attacking midfielders in the second half, both scoring really well taken goals.
Everything that had been missing from Nuno’s half time responses seemed to unfurl before our very eyes, as a team seemingly on a mission came out in the second half.
After that showing I’m confident of three or four changes on Parker’s team sheet when it is announced on Saturday – whereas you’d feel sure his predecessor would have stuck to his same eleven, with unsurprisingly the same results forthcoming, stubborn to the last.
No more.
Instead I’m looking forward to the team sheet on Saturday finally reflecting what Scott Parker, his coaching team and every fan witnessed in that dreadful first ’45.
Terrible opening half followed by more attacking second half (still with defensive woes a plenty).
Funny how we can see (project?) something so different from the same pattern. I guess that’s the power of hope…
Kilman scores a goal and all is forgiven! His defending was abysmal again … every time the opposition attacks a goal is a distinct possibility. It is not just me…. Read other blogs from experienced ex players and pundits. It is beyond belief that Kilman gets picked . He would struggle to get in a Nationwide squad.
I have to admit i turned it over after the firat half and never wanted parker
Although i understand why they got him i don’t understand why they gave him a further 2 year contract
I can’t help thinking Taty might come good under a different manager Parker might be that guy
For me Killman and Hermansen should never have been in the Prem in the first place both helped in our religation battle to put us where we are now thanks to Potty and Loppi weare stuck with them
Taty needs to go! Attitude is horrendous, doesnt hold up ball or link play well.
Magassa looked rusty but also Kante just looks miles better than him and I would say Orford is a better sub option.
Morato is a CB by trade and Nuno shoehorned him into LB. He needs to be a rotation option with Kilman and Mayers and Scarles our LB options
Taty and Pablo have to go! I was so excited when we signed 2 forwards as it’s something we’ve been missing for such a long time? I’m still not sure if they are lazy or incompetent as it still feels like we need 2 forwards? Tart’s performance last night was shocking and he didn’t deserve to be on the pitch? We need 2 proper goal scorers who actually try and care? Even if we lose lot’s of money let’s get rid of these clowns, seen better players over the park on a Sunday morning? Moaning over the 2nd half was brilliant and I feel genuinely excited! Whatever Scott Parker said at halftime proper worked and we was unlucky not to win! If we play like that every week we will soon be back in the premiership. Massive improvement! COYI ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️ onwards and upwards, happy hammers!
We would have lost that game under Nuno, what would his response be? Replace Taty with Pablo and off we go again
I don’t think it is about booing or tearing into players – there’s a time for it but not now. This is about good subs removing weak links, players told to trust in their ability and go for it. That turn around is encouraging because whatever they said, it made sense to the players – That’s good from Parker & Noble.
Kante was in his proper role – he is really going to benefit from working with Parker and Noble. Guess all the midfielders shall but I am assuming they (P & N) are hands on coaches – they must be they are so involved. I like that.
It is going to be very interesting to see how they select their midfield and how they will play, because we have a lot of quality there. It’s the strongest part of the team I reckon. What with Soucek, Orford, Alvarez, also Magassa who had a tough/bad time of it, but very forgivable given he’ll have been shunned, not coached, made to feel worthless,…
We could easily play 4 in midfield with the players WHU have. That’s an asset.
2nd half ball went very quickly form the back to the front, like the U21s. I hope this continues. That is the way to go – I hope!
Well done to Piroe who makes himself available even when game going against us, good neat passes to players and trying all the time – great to see. when your no 9 does that, the whole team is encouraged forwards.
This is not only an issue of personnel.
Bowen came alive and was able to demonstrate his gulf in class when freed from having his shoelaces tied to the touchline. There are times when his wing play is devastating but also times when doubling up on him restricts his impact. Allowing him to make decisions about finding space to receive the ball is vital.
Midfield players scored two vital goals by breaking through Cardiff’s backline and capitalising on Bowen’s class. Again…freeing them from restrictive inhibitions.
So.. Parker will have learned that the left side of Morato and Soloman is not only ineffective… but highly combustible, and that Castijanos lacks and observable motivation for the battle… but I also hope as a coach, he will have realised the importance of allowing players to make creative decisions…something not seen consistently from our managers for a significant period of time.
COYI!
Apparently there are managers like that, who set up a structure, general guidelines, tell Mayers for example to play as an attacking wingback/2nd winger not hang back, then they let the players improvise, trusting in their ability, making them think for themselves & taking chances. Others put them in straitjackets.
Just as you say I also hope this is what we will see. With Parker being ex-midfielder, maybe it is more likely. Team have some good players out there, capable of this.
I hope for 4-5 changes this weekend….
Areola for Hermansen
Mayers for Morato
Austbo for Solomon
Piroe for Taty
Kante for Magassa
Magassa may have a part to play and is just a bit rusty, so he warrants more opportunities.
But Hermansen, Morato, Taty, Solomon just haven’t been anywhere near good enough!!
You beat me to it 😊.
Maybe they’ll want to take a look at Scarles or Boiro, but I hope Mayers gets a long run as 1st choice LB. I think he is the right bloke.
Same for Piroe, so team get used to his style of play and his link up play is 2nd only to Bowen in attack.
Then want to see Ajala & Orford because think they will impress the way Mayers did. Ajala off the shoulder of a backline with his speed alongside Piroe,… he could be a real threat. Austbo better at creating chances for others though. Great options.