By CandH blogger Allen Cummings
If anyone is expecting pretty and even sexy football over the next few months then they should, as they frequently say on the TV sportscasts – “look away now”!
It’s no good people stamping their feet, shaking their fists and marching up and down protesting it’s not the West Ham Way. The fact it is it’s ‘exactly’ the way it has to be right now, as David Moyes plots a path to get us out of the mess into which we have descended.
Saturday was, for me, the rest of our season in a nutshell. We looked, and have looked in Moyes first four games in charge, more solid at the back, more organised as a team and more focused as a group of players.
Of course ‘solid’ and ‘organised’ wont win you games on their own, and we saw that for yourself against Everton. You need players who have that bit of ‘extra’ to offer, players who can take a game by the scruff of the neck and win it for you.
On Saturday we lacked that kind of player. Manuel Lanzini had that special talent, but sadly this season he has consistently failed to show anything like the form we once saw from him.
That’s why we need to see the return of Felipe Anderson and Michael Antonio as soon as possible to provide that much needed match-winning quality.
Had either been available on Saturday I believe we would have collected all three points. Snodgrass and Fornals will always provide effort and commitment but they are not match winners.
Haller can score goals, but as proved once again against Everton, he needs support. With Antonio alongside him against Southampton he looked a different player.
With Anderson playing in and around him against Bournemouth he looked so much more effective. With both of them back in the side, I firmly believe it will only be a matter of time before we begin to breathe a little more easily.
I couldn’t agree more with all that has been said. Moyes is doing a great job already stopped us leaking goals and we now have something to build on which will obviously take some time. People are very impatient
Impatient???? I well leave that comment alone..
IF Anderson was fit we would have won ??? IF Richardilson played we would have lost…
What’s your point?
The boards mouth piece must accept that we have just signed a manager the board got rid off and a player the club got rid off…. we are saved
Agree with it all baring the part about Haller…. He had chances on Saturday but failed to take them. I looks as though we paid over the top for him. I’m not doubting he’s a good player but he lacks effort and his hold up play for a big lad is poor. Hopefully Antonio is back soon as this season he is by far our most dangerous player and who would have thought that at the start!
Lanzini may as well have not been there on Saturday as I can’t really recall him doing anything of any value and he should have been the player replaced, if not at half time at least early in the 2nd half, and not Fornals!!
As for Haller, I just think he’s lazy and I put most of the blame for Everton’s goal on him as if you watch the replay he just stood there and watched it happen, if he had have attacked the ball as it came towards him he may well have either headed it away or at least blocked the header that resulted in the goal!!
Sorry but we should have beaten a weakened Everton without needing Anderson or Antonio. We created enough chances didn’t we?
I agree Martyn – but as the article says we lacked a ‘match winner’. Someone capable of snatching the points. Everton had Calvert- Lewin who is on fire atm. Antonio certainly would have made a difference – and Anderson has the ability to ‘create’. We need them both – and pdq!
I’ll be patient when we are 10 points clear of the drop zone. I’ve been patient for 55 years. However, I’ve always been optimistic that we can improve, and team’s like Sheffield United are proof that confidence, self belief and hard work, plus good management, can make it happen.
Despite our failure to reach “The Next Level” (whatever that is) we still manage to fill our stadium and the visitors area at away games every week. To me, that shows amazing dedication and support from a fan base that had experienced all form of emotions over the years, but always look forward.
spot on alan i think moyes was a great appointment a very brave man that took a job that no one wanted and with the foresight of knowing the owners probably wont back him with cash
the owners knew him too that he can do great things with nothing so he was a good bet for them also he has know how tactics and ambition to do well if he gets back up
after all you cant make a silk purse from a pigs ear
when all our players are fit and firing we have great potential but i agree with you we rely on individuals to win us games no depth in squad and need more firepower because goals win you games
Spot on Paulp66. Despite all the negativity – almost 60,000 flock to home games – and away games are supported to the full. That has always been the case with West Ham. As long-time supporters both you and I know it’s what real Hammers do.