(Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite spending over 50 years on the dark side – which is the fate of those who are drawn to support the Hammers – I am usually the eternal optimist!
Sadly after yesterday’s late late defeat I’m finding it hard to be optimistic about a top six finish this morning.
That was seriously not a game we should have lost and I still hold the view that despite Jarrod Bowen losing the ball which led to the United goal scoring attack, Ryan Fredericks was much too far forward and defended appallingly.
His presence on the pitch was down to the manager and thus he takes as much responsibility as a poor player.
We move on with Watford (h), Leicester (a), Newcastle (h) and Wolves (h) in front of us followed by Liverpool (a), Villa (h) and Spurs (a) in March when we return to the Europa League.
I’m not into points predictions at this stage but that looks a tough run of games apart from maybe Watford and Newcastle
With every club beneath us having four games or less in hand on us the top six is a huge call and the reality is that the Europa League should now perhaps become the main focus.
Win that and we are in the Champions League which gives us a real chance of holding onto Declan who was once again the stand out player.
Beyond that if David Moyes really believes we can go on without reinforcements it’s time to despair.
Like you im starting to despair of it all now. Top 4 teams DO NOT lose at home to -with all due respect-the likes of Brentford-southampton-leeds etc and scrape draws with crystal palace. And give away a goal at a club in decline in the last 10 seconds. No new players no top 4. will have thrown away best chance for years.
Top 4 was always an outside chance.
We’re a top 8 side at best because of the lack of squad depth.
Agree entirely that Fredericks position wide towards the halfway line in the last minute was inept, not good enough. TBH I am despairing with DM,s nativity on subs – too often brings on gamblers who are poor defenders. Fredericks yesterday – Masuaku regularly. Injury time, two unused subs, he could have shut the clock with another sub – nope. Good defenders, Ashby, Johnson wasted again. Good young players not contributing and not gaining experience – not satisfactory for me.
I thought it was Fredericks thought for being out of position at the time but in hindsight what was Bowen doing. Bowen gave the ball away which led to the Man U counter attack. Don’t see how you can blame the manager for individual errors by players either.
He could’ve given Okoflex 10 or 15 mins too- Antonio found it difficult against Maquire in the 1st half then he moved left over to Varane’s side and had the same result. Oko might have won at least a few headers against tall defenders and who knows might have surprised us all.