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How we rated the Irons against Brighton

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Fabiamski: Blinding first half save, got rid of ball quickly. No chance with the goal 7

Coufal: As though he had never been away -superb performance at both ends of the pitch. Pressure back on young Ben 8

Dawson: Did little wrong all night – confident performance 7

Zouma: Some sloppy stuff early on but then played his usual solid game after that 7

Johnson: Did little wrong covering for the injured Cresswell 7

Soucek: His goal brought a huge smile to his face and he looked a better player as he got forward more following that 7

Rice: Brilliant all action performance 9

Bowen: Might have had a couple of goals and great high energy stuff 8

Benrahma: Oh dear – another one of those indifferent displays – poor for me 5

Fornals: Great corner for the goal, hit the bar and looked a menace whenever on the ball 7+

Antonio: Bitterly disappointing – showed no sign of finding some real form 4

Subs:

Lanzini: Outstanding for the 20 minutes he was on the pitch setting up two chances and making some great runs 8

Masuaku: Misread Manu’s fine ball to him in front of goal – might have scored. Worked hard and set up a couple of half chances 7

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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

0 comments

  • johnham1 says:

    We have so missed Coufal at RB, if things are right there is no chance of Johnson getting back in ahead of him, it is so obvious how much better Coufal is, Johnson had no real impact on the game. I also cannot figure out the decision to keep playing Dawson, the defense not the same and it is now time to give Diop a run. Antonio and Benrahma were very poor and Lanzini has to start now, possibly ahead of Antonio with Benramha playing a a floating 9 but we need a top striker in January for sure to give Antonio a break .

  • master says:

    Are you feeling alright?

    Block the cross Arthur.
    Block it. Block the player, block the ball. One job.

    Abysmal player. 2 cockups in 2 games. Should never play for us again.

  • BoleynIrons says:

    I don’t think you could of watcched the same game as me.
    We were pretty awful, we sat back and allowed Brighton to much possesion. You’re not going to score without the ball.
    From reading your ratings and didn’t know the score one of would of thought it would 3 or 4 nil.
    Bowen 6, missed a couple of chances again. Benrhama lost the ball and can’t hit the target.
    Fornals was average apart from his corner.
    Dawson and Zouma were average and should of stopped the goal by Maupay.
    The worst of your ratings though was Masuaku.
    The worst player i have seen at WH in a long time.
    Couldn’t cross and couldn’t read Lanzini’s game. Got in the way and lost the ball several times. Worst of all he let Lamptey cross for their goal. Time and time again this joke of a footballer fails us. You have to question Moyes for being so defensive and ironically putting on our worst defender (worst player )

  • winchester hammer says:

    Which game were you watching Hugh? This was the worst performance of the season by far. Slow and sloppy in possession, and 34% possession at home against a very average side is unacceptable. This wasn’t Man City we were playing. We made a mediocre team look good. If Brighton hadn’t been so bad in front of goal we could have lost by some distance. Agree with you though on Benrahma and Antonio, who had been found out as the lazy, appalling first touch player he has always been. If you’re going to close down the central defender, you’ve got to look as if you mean it, not amble in the general direction and hope that’s enough.

  • joethewindsurfer says:

    Agree with your ratings Hugh – except thought you were generous to Benrahma who I’d have given 2. And instead of “indifferent” I’d say “abysmal”. Lanzini has to start in his place against Chelsea.

  • blimeylimey says:

    IMHO – Those ratings are a bit generous, Rice was the best player on Claret & Blue, no more than 7.
    Benrahma and Masuaku just don’t appear to have much football IQ…. They both have ball skills and can step-over and jink all night, but what about some end product??
    OK so Vlasic hasn’t really got it going yet, but surely he needs game time??
    Antonios decision to fly 12,000 miles to play a bit of non-league football last week is starting to look…. ummm, unwise? Unwise, like the decision NOT to bring in another striker after selling Haller on the cheap…..

    • WaterBottle says:

      I absolutely agree with your Antonio comment. I can’t help but feel that his late career international appearance is, at heart, a vanity project. At a age where wise international players who have been / are injury prone withdraw from representing their country in order to concentrate on ensuring that their club career is maximised, Antonio does the opposite. I am sure that his intentions are sincere, but I think it’s a case of heart ruling head.

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