Coufal knows full well what went wrong against Burnley
Defender Vladimír Coufal has urged his West Ham United teammates to draw positives from the second half of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley as they prepare for the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg against SC Freiburg.
West Ham struggled immensely in the first half against Burnley but managed to rally back into the game after David Moyes introduced all of his attackers.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Coufal remarked. “The first half was absolutely dreadful for us. Sometimes the opponent can outplay you, but we didn’t handle Burnley well enough before halftime.
“The second half was more reflective of our style of play, and I believe we can learn a lot from that display moving forward.
“We displayed courage and positivity in our approach. Mistakes happen, but we supported each other, which ultimately helped us equalise.
“We have an important game ahead on Thursday, and if we maintain that attitude, along with the full support of our fans, I’m confident we can achieve our goal.”
What went wrong against Burnley? Coufal say’s West Ham players need to be brave against Freiburg but that bravery starts with team selection.
Whilst Coufal’s remarks are encouraging, it’s intriguing to note his use of the word ‘brave.’ I can’t help but wonder if it’s a subtle message to the manager. While team courage is crucial, I still contend that boldness in selection is vital.
West Ham didn’t stage a comeback against Burnley solely because of bravery; rather, it was due to Lucas Paqueta’s central role and the attacking quartet of Mohammed Kudus, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, and Danny Ings.
For this reason, I believe offensive intent, rather than just bravery, will be essential against Freiburg.
Where did Coufal mention ‘brave’ Gonzo? Love the videos btw…
“For this reason, I believe offensive intent, rather than just bravery, will be essential against Freiburg.”
Sorry, Gonzo, but with respect, that’s kind of stating the bleeding obvious! If we park the bus again and don’t attack their goal then we are stuffed. COYI – attack, attack, attack! Oh, and make sure to be awake from the start of the game, not just the second half.