Whispers

Irons so disappointing in defeat

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The Hammers fell to such a disappointing defeat on Sunday night against Manchester United.

We played the first half at half speed, really, and barely laid a glove on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

The absent Jesse Lingard and Pablo Fornals were so obvious, particularly the former, who regularly takes the game by the scruff of the neck.

His ability to collect the ball on the half turn and drive at the opposition was absent, and it hurt the Hammers dearly.

And in the second half, an unfortunate Craig Dawson own goal gave the home side all three points.

In a bizarre first half that saw the Irons barely cross the half way line, United had a number of big chances.

Marcus Rashford spurned a huge opening on 25 minutes, as Mason Greenwood wriggled free on the right flank and whipped a brilliant ball into the box, but Marcus Rashford missed his free header.

Lukasz Fabianski then made a big save from Greenwood as he shot for the bottom corner but saw his effort tipped onto the post.

The Irons were punished for their passivity on 52 minutes, as Scott McTominay rose highest at a corner and flicked the ball onto Dawson’s head; it went beyond Fabianski.

Bruno Fernandes had a great effort from the edge of the box saved by Fabianski but the Hammers, despite changes that saw Said Benrahma and Manuel Lanzini introduced, did not really trouble the United goal.

It could have been 2-0 on 76 minutes as Greenwood again got free and burst into the box, but his effort slammed against the post.

A hugely disappointing night.

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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

10 comments

  • WestOzHammer says:

    The moaners are out in force today!
    “See, we told you Moyes was no good, now he’s proved it!!!!”

    Yeah, that rubbish gaffer only took us from near relegation to top 5 in 12 months… total waste of oxygen. Couldn’t even stay in the top 4…

    Yes I was disappointed too, frustrated even.. so what? I’m not being paid to play, or manage. I’m over it now and looking forward to the next game. COYI!!!

    I

    • Russell Burke says:

      I agree WOH the initial anger has passed. I would so love to take all 3 points off the A*se on Saturday and with Lingard and Benrahma from the start we have a chance. I still remember how Arteta and co. celebrated the win at the end knowing they had robbed us.

  • Mark says:

    Well done moyes clueless against so the big clubs no actually scared bowen 1 season wonder why noble was on the pitch ill never know Johnson rubbish embarrassing performance no Europe for us this season but on the bright side no relegation battle

  • cockneyreeper says:

    Im sorry…Im starting to think David Moyes has taken us as far as he can take us…already.
    I think his poor tactics choices against the so called bigger clubs is in danger of spoiling the incredible work that he has done this season…

    Liverpool game…they were there for taking….we defended…We lost….
    They were then beaten at home by brighton..
    The Fa cup game against Man utd….All or nothing game….We defended…WHY?
    and now tonight.. We defended….Why?….
    We needed the points to push for Europe…

    Heres a little tip Dave…You want to go all out to win trophies or qualify for Europe….
    heres the tip……………You need to win football matches…..and you dont do that by defending for 90 mins

  • Aykay says:

    Bowen frustrates me. He has absolutely zero awareness, his passing is terrible and he seems to be cutting a more more frustrated player out on the pitch , waving his hands at every opportunity. He cant play with his back to the goal at all and all he seems to do is play the ball back to the defence. He has regressed badly from the form he was showing at the beginning of the season. Lingard aside Benhrama is the only other player we have that has any creativity and composure on the ball. He really makes us tick in the attacking third but moyes doesnt like him , doesnt want him and rarely has a good word to say about him. He seems to be another player that doesnt fit into the style we play like Haller , which is a shame because he is easily one of the most talented players in the squad and is one of the only players we have that can receive the ball in tight situations and take the pressure off… i think we were playing better when yhe games were coming thick and fast.

  • Trevor says:

    Gutless performance set up by a scared manager that for the least 20 years has lost before he turns up at the big teams.

  • Dave says:

    Another game against a top 4 side where the manager has lined them up so negative.
    Noble- no not any more, the difference when Lanzini and Benrahma was like night and day.
    Come on Moyes let’s go for it and at least give it a go in the big games.
    We just don’t have a squad when we get a few injuries.
    Fabianski absolutely outstanding.

  • Chunk says:

    I hope now that Moyes will see that the 3.5.2 formation doesn’t work as well as what it did in the first part of the season. For me, we looked a hell of a lot better when Benrahma and Lanzini came on and had a go at them. Them 2 should had started from the start in my opinion over Noble and Johnson and stuck to the 4.2.3.1. I wish Moyes would stop this defensive line up’s against teams such as Man U. Man C, Liverpool, etc and just get at them straight away and really unsettle them from the off.

    • Graham Watts says:

      Shows the squad needs strengthening in the summer as without Fornels and Lingard we did not have the guile needed against top opposition.

    • Phil Kay says:

      Spot on in everything you said Chunk….everyone can see that Moyes was to blame for the defeat by being so negative !! I worry about the negative effect it has on team moral by allowing teams to come at us like that !! Far better to give it a go from the start !! Benrahma should start for me. Noble just chased the ball !!

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