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Hammers relief but there’s surely more to come

Match verdict by Hughie Southon

In Pictures: West Ham United v Fulham

Relief rather than excitement has to be the verdict of a match which whilst not seeing the Hammers at their best certainly showed them at their most determined.

They managed to survive three or four missed Scamacca efforts to come from behind and win a game which hadn’t started at all well.

Frankly it is hard to understand how Moyes sets up the team to allow the opposition so much early ball and we almost paid a very heavy price,

Instead, Daws made the absolute most of the ref’s determination to stop so much holding at the back, finally giving a spot kick as the offences grew worse and worse after an early foul on our No 15.

When that was followed by a beautiful Scamacca chipped effort and a late strike from Antonio things turned out as they should have done but this was never a cruise.

There were plenty worthy of honourable mentions and with Paqueta starting to show why we played a club record fee for him this summer the future is looking bright.

Goodness knows where this team may go when he hits his form and Kehrer is another who looks business along with the rapidly advancing Bowen and Declan.

We may not be entirely convincing but things are starting to look a lot more as they should be.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

5 comments on “Hammers relief but there’s surely more to come

  1. I agree performance was just average (completely on Moyes playing 2 defensive midfielders against a promoted team !!! and we will continue to struggle performance wise unless he changes, he has to change and play an attacking midfielder in with either Rice or Soucek to get the best out of this team). I thought Kehrer, Bowen and Rice were our worse performers in the first half so I am surprised to see your view on them. Bowen has got too much game time based on his performance levels. His best game was first half against Anderlect apart from that he has disappointed for the most part.

  2. Not the first time I’ve heard the opinion that our recent slow starts to games are by design, that Moyes sets us up to play that way. I mean why would he? Just another case of unconscious, or maybe even conscious bias against the manager. Surely the slow start is down to the players. Underestimating the opposition? hangover from European travel? The other team high pressing and playing very well, who knows but I’m pretty sure Moyes doesn’t ask the West Ham boys to go out there and wait until the twenty minute mark before they start playing.

    • It is not unconscious bias or any bias at all -= just a question for God’s sake amd if they start slowly in every game then that is a matter for him as well/ Ypu seem unable top see any fault in him at all and maybe that is bias too

  3. Did anyone watch everton v united last night. First half united were superb, they played front foot football and should have been out of sight at ht. I really enjoyed watching them play. But I realised one of the key reasons they played so well was their midfield was made up of Cassemero (defensive), Ericsson ( play maker playing cm) and Fernandez just in front. If Moyes had any clue or he wants to get the best performances out of our team he wud realise we have 3 equally good players Rice, Fornals and Paqueta just in front. Moyes’s defensive tactics and his loyalty to players like Soucek is holding us back in terms of performances and will ultimately cost us results. Again people will come on her and criticise me but I believe what I am saying is a very honest opinion and all I want is him to try it instead of these painful performances we fave to continually watch.

  4. The slow start is painful and too frequent at home. The issue is slow transition so when we get it wide it is stuck inside our half and we struggle to get it forward from there and lose it. Personally I query why two DCM to move it steadily not briskly – surely Rice could be DCM and bring in an additional quick attacking midfielder at home? We need to move it and ourselves quicker, not settle into the slow build every time – we are inviting the high press and falling for it. Fast down the flanks please and do not lump it to one heavily marked striker to fight for in the air – poor option. Attack one flank at a time and get the full back up early then develop the play, that allows Dec his sweeping play when we recycle – it must all be up the pitch!!!!

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