West Ham United’s familiar set piece frailties came back with a vengeance yesterday as Liverpool knocked in three first half goals initiated from corners. However it is apparent West Ham’s set piece ‘achilles heel’ isn’t all being blamed on Hermansen and his black line. According to one TV pundit, at least one of West Ham’s goals conceded against Liverpool yesterday was being blamed on Taty Castellanos of all people, apparently for not doing his defensive work properly.
Which seemed a little unfair.
Not the tallest nor tasked primarily with defending, ‘Taty’ was singled out by TV pundit Ashley Williams who evidently had a bee in his bonnet about Castellanos’ inability to prioritise his defensive duties. Speaking on Match of the Day, Williams pointed the finger squarely at the Argentine:
“Keep your eye on Castellanos: He’s an attacking player, so naturally he wants to go forward. He’s not realised the danger that this isn’t cleared yet. As he’s on his way out (of the penalty box) Ekitike stands still, and he’s too far off him.”
It seems harsh to to blame the ‘corner frailties’ on a striker who is probably doing his best to get out of defence and transition the ball forward: If anyone needs to look at their performance it is the four West Ham players who had surrounded Van Djyk for the third goal -yet found themselves out-muscled by the Liverpool skipper.
Remember Castellanos wasn’t even at West Ham when the defence was shipping goals every week from set pieces.
Maybe just let ‘Taty’ go add to his goal tally which, in just his second month as a Hammer has already equalled Niclas Fullkrug’s eighteen month total. Three goals and counting for the hardworking Argentine who scored yesterday in a losing cause and by his own admission would rather be working as one of a pair up front -instead of running his socks off as a lone striker.
Perhaps with Pablo looking to come back in the next few weeks, there’s more to come from Castellanos – preferably down at the opposite end of the pitch.
Great spot by Ash. Unfortunately totally wrong. Taty was doing the right thing and moving in the right direction. Too many coaches and pundits are ultra-cautious and predictable in their attitudes and vision.
Summerville was frustrated at having nobody to pass to going forward a couple of games ago. His team mates were criticised for hanging back then. The days of standing back and watching are gone. Getting involved is the name of the game these days.
Get with the beat, Ashley.
As for Van Dijk’s header, the ball swung in at a high angle (so cannot be intercepted) right onto his noggin – 30cm in any direction and the corner was successfully defended against. In my humble opinion you can’t blame anyone for this.
Arsenal just beat Chelsea by 2 set pieces to 1. Not only are they a real weapon used to decide matches but teams are finding it incredibly hard to defend against. Not saying WHU do not need to be better against set pieces as have to keep trying to find the best way to defend these set pieces aside from putting 22 defenders in the box, of course.
On the other hand the team are not scoring from set pieces I think, which is lacking.
On the other hand, our open play is better than quite a few PL teams in my completely biased opinion.
This is when we miss having a big striker like an Andy Carroll type who can clear the balls out of defence.
True enough. Liked Andy Carroll as a a goal scoring no 9 (who would n’t?). Wish he’d stayed away from injury. Always thought he could not help/stop himself.
Watching the games this weekend, thought Rugby was a different game,
Set pieces are now just full on wrestlemania, need a referee or VAR with the minerals to put a stop to the fouling before and during the dead ball plays.
Arsenal started combat at corners, now seems everyone’s at it.
I’m liking this new Martin, a bit of praise and less doom and gloom
I’ll bear that in mind next time I search for another ‘disaster’ synonym from the dictionary..!
with a pinch of sense and a hint of balance.
Ashley Williams an absolute no-mark