West Ham’s victory against Newcastle can provide a springboard. The whole team including the replacements arriving later in that game performed well, keeping possession and not allowing the intensity to slip and therefore keeping Newcastle out of the game. Looking ahead to the Arsenal fixture, the midfield situation must be front and centre in the head coaches’ mind. Carlos Soler was a revelation alongside Lucas Paquetá in a sort of creative midfield pivot.
That victory will create a sense of unity and the erratic, yellow card liability which at the moment is Edson Alvarez needs to sit and reboot his attitude from the bench.
Charging in and scything down an opponent, as has been his practise of late lets the team down and has bigger consequences than a ban.
The last few minutes against Newcastle saw Guido Rodriguez and Andrew Irving brought on – Irving looked fully up to speed and combative. He didn’t let the team or his head coach down. Hopefully our ‘IrnBru Iniesta’ has advanced his position in the eyes of his coach and will be seen as a ‘first’ line replacement instead of the Mexican who should be at the back of the queue now after such awful on field antics.
Is Lopetegui brave enough to keep his multi-million pound Mexican sat in the bench? I hope so. The team spirit without him seemed just fine.
Carlos Soler alluded to it – “We are a very good team, with good players, and we showed that tonight…”hopefully this can be the start of a really successful season.”. West Ham fans would all agree with that. Edson Alvarez needs to get to the back of the queue, take one for the team and learn that the consequences of repeated red and yellow cards simply isn’t tolerated at West Ham.
the reason Alverez has comitted so many fouls is because hes had to cover other players who were not performing given him extra pressure anyone who knows there football would see that it’s only a few months ago he was performing superbly for us A VERY GOOD INTERNATIONAL PLAYER dont forget that
bit over the top, i think, about Alvarez. almost to “freezing him out” point.
i remember a 2-footed tackler called Steven Gerrard who i thought was one of the grubbiest players i was seeing at the time. Alvarez is a quality player, imo there’s no doubt about that. once he “irons” out (like it?😁) that overly zealous part of his game, like Gerrard, he’ll be on song
Absolutely agree with the sentiments expressed in this article. Tomas Soucek has been fantastic this season, the only player who has been consistently playing at his level. Well done to him. I’ve been slagging him off so long I’ve had to have the humble pie delivered in a skip! I agree re Alvarez, absolute liability. Hope we start the same XI against Arsenal with Irving the midfield sub.
Yes I guess JL stubborn plus maybe trusting in what he knew with Rodriguez. Really like the fact Andy Irving willingly takes a shot too. Anyway, early days.
We can trust in what we’ve witnessed.
Adios Rodriguez ✈️ 🧳 🇪🇸
Let’s not get carried away it was a good win on the day but Newcastle were not at their best in fact they were quite poor the real test as to wither we have got things sorted out and things are on the way up will be against Arsenal at the weekend if we end up getting trashed then nothing has changed and the Newcastle game was a one off so let’s hope we can get a result against Arsenal
I have been hoping to see Andy Irving play. Every time he has played including in pre-season friendlies, he has always looked good: tackling, tracking, passing (forwards not sideways) and bringing energy into the midfield and keen to take a shot at goal from outside the box. He is part of the Scottish squad. He seems to play as a complete midfielder, shifting from defense to attack – at least that is my impression. Hope he makes it and becomes a regular; also good news for WHU if it happens.
Irving didn’t let us down when he came on to the pitch on Monday. Can pick a pass (forwards) and energetic.
Surprised Rodriguez had started the first eleven league games at the expense of the Scot tbh 🤯
Maybe JLo was equally stubborn as Sully with his preferred choice? 🤔
Please let it be true that Real Betis have agreed a fee, yes a fee for Rodriguez 😮
£2.5m covers the signing on fee so we can walk away from this pedestrian midfielder.