By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
Monday’s result against Chelsea was a huge disappointment!
But the eventual 3-0 scoreline in no way reflects a game in which we were in the ascendancy and controlled things for long periods.
I remember seeing the on screen possession stats for a particular period of the match showing West Ham with 83% – and that against a team who spent around £220m in the last transfer window, and many feel can be genuine title contenders this season.
But possession on its own doesn’t win games – goals do that – and for the first time since the opening day of the season we failed to hit the back of the net.
We shouldn’t let events at Stamford Bridge detract from what David Moyes and the team have achieved so far this season.
Sometimes I feel some of our fan base are too eager to criticise – in some cases all too ready to seize upon a setback and use it as a stick to bash the club with.
Right now we sit in 10th place in the Premier League – just four points off a top six spot. And remember we did briefly occupy an even loftier fifth place just a few games ago – while other fixtures were still to be played.
When you look at a fixture list that has already seen us play the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, the Spuds, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, all teams that finished in the top seven places in the Premier League last season, then we should be delighted and proud of our performances so far this term.
We have 21 points from 14 games – an average points-per-game ratio of 1.5. Apply that over a 38 game season and we would be looking at finishing up on 57 points. Last season that would have given us a final league position of eighth.
David Moyes has worked wonders on what is a shoe-string budget compared to some of the league’s big spenders. As the manager said at his recent presser: “We’ve had a really good year and we’ll continue trying to make progress.
Hopefully we can keep being positive and playing well. We’ve made progress in lots of ways and the players have done well. There’s a real team spirit and togetherness around the club and we’re just looking to pull that together now and build on that.”
So it’s going to be more of the same hard work, dedication, commitment and application that the players have shown so far to carry us forward from here.
The visit of Brighton and Hove Albion on December 27th will provide us with the opportunity to finish 2020 on a high note – why shouldn’t we be looking forward to seeing out this horrible year in style.
Can anybody tell me why 3 at the back died with Arthurs’ injury? Haven’t we got anyone capable of playing wing back until Arthur is fit again? Can’t Fornals play there? Johnson, Benrahma, even Snods? How about Diop at CB and Cresswell at wing back? I cannot believe that nobody in the club is capable of taking Arthurs’ place. Are we doomed to a flat back 4 (which exposes our lack of defensive pace) for months to come? With a 3 we look so much more comfortable and confident. We also keep more possession and are much more creative. Someone, please explain it to me.
I totally agree with this, Mooro. If we are to play 4 at the back than why don’t we play 2 up top, at least being weaker at the back would be slightly counter balanced by being slightly stronger at the top. This 4-4-1-1 does nothing for the team. Clearly, as you say, 3-4-3 is our best formation, surely Diop in the middle with Creswell as wing back is better than the last 2 games.
THIS is why there is criticism, Alan and blind optimism is just as damaging in my opinion. After all, last year we were a win off of the top 3 at one stage with Pellegrini and look how that ended.
I understand criticisim can be justified – no-one is perfect. It’s just that the minute we have a set-back the floodgates seem to open. Usually from the same sources that remain quiet when we are doing well. I just don’t get it.
I also get that impression; sometimes it seems some fans are waiting for us to fail, like those last season saying they hope we get relegated so as to speed up the possibility of the owners selling. Madness.
My point (likely not espoused with much clarity I’m afraid) was that Monday’s performance wasn’t an anomaly. We’ve not been great for a few weeks and I see the same tactic, week-in, week-out, which is long balls up to a striker not adept enough to use it well. At some stage the manager deserves criticism for game plans that rely on set-piece goals to win games when we have a lot of talented, ball-playing players
Allen, I hope you aren’t referring to me in your “same sources” comment. I was asking a genuine question, to which nobody seems to have an answer. Why aren’t we playing a system that suits our personnel so much better?How well have we done since going back to a back 4? Why would anyone criticise when we’re doing well anyway? Of course fans voice their dissatisfaction when things aren’t going well for a period of time. When else would you complain? But this was not a complaint, it was an enquiry.
PS, I still haven’t got an answer to my questions.
I certainly wasn’t refering to you Mooro. My comment was aimed at those on social media who are straight on their keypads at every opportunity, often raking over the past to hammer the club. Of course fans are entitled to be dis-satisfied, it’s part of football, but I feel some of our fans are only ever dis-satisfield! Like you I believe we should revert to the system that had been serving us so well. Hopefully Antonio’s return will see that happen.
Totally with you Mooro we went from vulnerable and slow to recover to resilient and winning with the change to a 3/5. One problem with the 4 is we expect our full backs to get up and support, then in transition we are stretched and struggling. Why do it? Diop or Young Ben are capable lads, and I too have posted about Fornals. Coyi
Mooro, I can’t give you an answer because I’ve been asking the same question on here since Arthur’s injury. I know from following your posts over time that you are a supportive fan and not a ‘knocker’. I actually would prefer Diop, Ogbonna and Balbuena as a back 3 with Cresswell or Johnson at LWB (Johnson needs some game time if either Coufal or Cresswell need a rest). Masuaku is good at LWB but this is not a new discovery and he’s not the only option we have. 3-4-3 suits the strengths and weaknesses of our current squad. If David Moyes can find a LB of the same quality and value for us as Coufal then that would give us more options, but until then a 3-4-3 looks best to me. Happy Christmas … COYI.