Generated by IJG JPEG Library
Manuel Lanzini suffered heavy bruising following a first half challenge against Southampton.
The playmaker was subbed at half time to the surprise of many with Sofiane Feghouli taking his place.
There were suggestions the Argentinian had been removed from the action because he wasn’t at his best but a club insider denied that to ClaretandHugh explaining that he had been forced off.
He said that the 22 year old had taken a heavy knock under a Southampton challenge and was playing in great pain for the remainder of the half.
However, he added that that there appeared to be only heavy bruising and that Lanzini would be available for the game at the weekend against Middlesborough.
happy that he wasn’t dragged off for his performance. He was one of the better ones ( though still not at his best ). At least he put some effort in to lift the others, but they just watched him rather then respond to him.
Wasnt at his best? Interesting… we went to sleep when he came off. Is it just me or is Payet bang average without Lanzini on the pitch?
Payet did not look interested at all, hasn’t done in all the games he has played in. As I said Lanzini was one of the better ones, but he can’t be at his best without some co-operation from the others.
Maybe some of the other players could do with some heavy bruising from Slav’s boot up their backsides.
‘to the surprise of many’ – really? They obviously aren’t watching then. I love him, but that was his worst performance for us.
That was the disappointing thing yesterday, even ‘the good ones’ didn’t seem interested – Lanzini, Payet and even Antonio included…
It may have been heresy a while ago to mention, but it is a shame that Lanzini had to go off, because it really should have been Payet who was hooked. Is Slaven /crowd brave enough?.He is not at the races since coming back from the Euros. Yes he scored a fantastic free kick against Stanley, but none of his corners are finding our players and apart from a few tricks, nothing is coming off.
In addition to that Antonio cannot be relied upon in defensive situations, in two of the goals he lost his man way too easily. Trouble is if a player sees someone in position they leave them to it to concentrate on what they need to do, but he is not a defender and shouldn’t get caught up there.
When we are playing with Payet, Lanzini and Antonio we are carrying people who do not have any defending skills. Antonio does have the desire but not the skill, whereas Payet has neither really.
Time for a major rethink in strategy and balance in the team. All are worth a place but at the moment not necessarily at the same time.
Perhaps think the unthinkable but we need to give the other guys a go
I think maybe that we are suffering 2nd season syndrome with some of our players.The other teams in the league have sussed West Ham out.However,having said that,theplayers I’m talking about have the skill to deal with being close marked.Their time will come again.