The late defeat at Anfield doesn’t get easier when considered the next morning: It is all very well accepting that this was an improved second half performance with more shots on target, better passing and much more telling possession. “Nul points” is still “nul points”.
Jean Clair Todibo’s fitness issues seem to remain, with the defender being the chosen one again to be hailed off as West Ham finally decided to go on the offensive. Is it just co-incidence that again West Ham conceded after Todibo had been substituted?
He’s now played 21 games in Claret and Blue but I’ll struggle to remember when he last completed a full ninety minutes: In fact just once this year has Todibo made it through a whole match without being replaced.
No wonder West Ham are linked with a sale of Todibo onto Manchester United: There’s still around £30 million due to be paid to Nice for his signature at the end of his season-long loan.
If Todibo does have underlying fitness issues it places extra pressure on Max Kilman who’s been an ever present in the Hammers defence this year – and with Potter’s preference to play three centre backs it cannot help the team if one of those three is constantly struggling with his fitness: Especially since there isn’t a fourth centre back in the squad.
Mavropanos managed a game without an error yesterday so it could well be that he steps back into the starting eleven against less taxing opponents Southampton next weekend. The Saints have only managed 23 goals all season – a statistic which makes West Ham’s paltry 35 look good by comparison.
We will see what we can find out regarding Todibo’s fitness issues – watch this space.
The bottom line is that we’re one off the relegation places with no guarantee that next season the promoted teams will be as dire as this seasons.
Sullivan blew this season before it started with frankly deranged decisions. Nobody but nobody but nobody thought Lopetegui was the right appointment but Sullivan did.
Don’t pay the bit extra for Duran go and get Fullkrug instead who although he looks decent had been injured for most of the season. He actually tries to blame Steidten for that one.
Totally barmy stuff, he even takes us for fools putting in bids that we absolutely know are bogus. We cannot afford more of the like this coming window because we’ve been lucky to get away with it this season.
Our biggest problem is and will continue to be our Chairman. He thinks he knows best all the time but fails regularly appointing managers and signing players.
Sullivan was asked to put a DofF in charge by Kretinsky so appointed Steidten. Yet Lopetegui and Sullivan reportedly signed their choices in the great spend that followed.
Steidten was tasked with finding a new manager but Sullivan ended up rejecting Steidten’s choice of Amorim and chose Lopetegui. Months later languishing in 13th or 14th place Sullivan fired Lopetegui. Then Sullivan sacked Steidten for wasting money on Guilherme and Fullkrugg, both of whom look useful apart from injury. For me Steidten was not a problem as Guilherme will probably be a future star and Fullkrug was always a replacement for Sullivan not agreeing Villa’s price for Duran.
Then to ice the cake, Sullivan chose Potter with the result that we are languishing in 17th place. We hope for better but I wonder how many fans gave up over the endless bad decisions at board level?
Less taxing opponents…..that’s exactly what Southampton will be thinking.
lol ! 🤣🤣