West Ham 2-5 Arsenal
I find it difficult to take any comfort from West Ham’s mini-comeback and improved second-half display against Arsenal.
Sure, there were a few bright sparks like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but ultimately, the Hammers lost because we showed too much respect to Mikel Arteta’s team early in the first half.
Of course, it’s great to see Michail Antonio putting in a shift for the team, but on two occasions early on, the team had Emerson, Lucas Paquetá, and Antonio all playing left-back at the same time.
It was indicative of West Ham’s early tactics and intentions in a game that afforded no opportunity to counter-attack or pose any threat to the Gunners’ defence. The knowledge that the Hammers were not going to attack allowed Arsenal to pile forward without any concern that their goal would be under threat.
We’ve heard many times that Julen Lopetegui studied West Ham in detail last season and was the most prepared anyone could be for the Hammers’ top job. I think it’s absolute nonsense.
How can anyone possibly have watched West Ham last season and decided that today’s tactics would work?
To be blunt, we’re lucky Arsenal stopped playing, which at least gave the illusion that the Irons had improved, but in truth, the opening 33 minutes were as bad as anything seen last season.
People will say that Arsenal can score freely against anyone, but I’m quite sure the threat of a counter attack would have helped. West Ham made it easy for the North Londoners today, and whilst many thought we’d lose, the team were not set up to provide a threat at the beginning of the game.
The first thirty minutes were a clueless embarrassment. It is obvious that Lopetegui is not up to it and that he has to go.
What can you say when fans are going home at half time, seriously what can you say.
All the time we have the clown in charge of this club this is keep repeating. You get all those players in and let’s be honest they are and should be good players. It’s red bull having a brilliant f1 car and thinking we’re let mr bean drive it and see what happens
Now we have to wait until Tuesday or maybe even the following Monday, when we again play theoretically inferior opposition and just might pick up a point or two. If that happens, the loony Lopetegui lobbyists will find their voice again and tell us that Lopetegui’s “tactics” are finally beginning to take effect and we should be a little more patient because it takes time, like 6 months is not enough. That man is a fraud and as long as he remains as coach, we are going nowhere, except maybe down. Steidten’s credentials have to come under scrutiny also. What a total mess.
Woke up a bit late this morning, still, I fully intended to watch the game from the start rather than just the second half.
Like an idiot I’d forgotten to turn off spoiler alerts, and too late, the half time score popped up.
Went back to bed.
The only surprise was that the score remained the same.
I think the tell will be after a run of games against the teams around us in the league.
If we end up being just as easily beaten, or if the performances are poor, then the club must act before its too late.
Hopefully they have a replacement or caretaker in mind that could slot in with time to buy in the January window.
As long as it’s not a panic appointment like BFS, who then goes on to win a 3 year contract.
The mind boggles that a stated aim at the end of the last season was to bring down the average age of the squad, yet our recruitment seems to have overlooked that.
A chimpanzee could have watched Westham all last season and not been worse at coaching than JOKEpetegui . He’s sounding more and more like SCAMpetegui , just there to collect the pay off like he did with all his other jobs in the last 5 years . Worstham are playing the crappiest football in the Premier League and will be relegated unless Sullivan sacks SH1Tpetegui now . Sooo embarrassing .
To be honest if the scores had been level at half time arsenal would have pushed on and scored another 3 or 4 so the result could have ended up 8 2q just like a practice run out for them history shows we will be relegated unless we change managers now in my humble opinion graham potter has all the attributes to be the next and show the w ham way w ham fan for 60 years
Just play like we did at Newcastle was the message i am sure but it was all over inside half an hour.consistency needed but someone really needs to get things sorted and fast.A goalkeeper pushing 40,a striker nearing 35 is it really any surprise the legs and concentration did not hold up today.
Lopetegui must have missed last seasons game against Arsenal.
Groundhog day indeed!
Will we ever learn ?? Not in my opinion. Think back to the last manger the club threw money at ?yes he won the league with man city what happend , ? Zilch that is what , how the hell can anyone expect to buy a so called team and expect them to hit the ground running ? Well it proves yet again you can’t buy a new team and expect miracles