Lanzini off the mark but Irons need a tonic
West Ham 2 Fulham 1
Apart from that not much else happened!
Ok, I know all about the fitness issues – which is what it’s supposed to be all about – and that two entirely different teams took the pitch over 90 minutes but a few things became clear.
Whilst our fitness levels are probably up on last year at the same time there are some ominous signs that we still prefer to play sideways and backwards over long periods.
When we do get forward with purpose as we did for the first goal we look good but for too long we sink into a self induced shell seemingly unwilling or unable to carry the game to the opposition at pace.
Lanzini capitalised on a great move down the left and a fine lay off from Fletcher but much more of the same was needed.
Yes, I understand there’s no Antonio or Kouyate available plus the usual suspects Carroll and Sakho but when Lanzini left the pitch after 45 minutes absolutely nothing happened.
The second half line up which included Burke, Ayew, Snodgrass saw Martinez used as a loan striker and with no pace coming out of midfield it would be highly unfair to pass judgement on him at this stage.
Youngsters Nathan Holland, Josh Cullen and Declan Rice had looked totally comfortable on the ball and must have impressed the manager during the first half.
And skipper Mark Noble, who played throughout, has clearly recovered well from his summer surgery whilst Obiang looked stronger on his second pre-season appearance.
Zabaleta is a class act but there may be an issue with Darren Randolph who is apparently booked for a move to Middlesbrough but left the action at half time holding his groin.
A win is a win at the end of the day but we need to step up the tempo and call a halt to all this sideways and backward motion – it totally is of no consequence whatsoever.