If new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui wasn’t aware of the scale of his task in East London before joining the Hammers, he surely is now.
Many of the fundamental flaws and nuances associated with former manager David Moyes’ tenure at West Ham were evident in the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
At times during the game, it felt as though I was watching the same West Ham from last season. Michail Antonio was isolated in attack, the defence was under constant pressure, and the midfield appeared non-functional. With late substitutions, continuous opposition attacks, and an over-reliance on long balls, the game had a very familiar feel.
These are early days for Lopetegui, and he will be as concerned as anyone about the seemingly ingrained characteristics and playing style of West Ham.
If the former Real Madrid coach aims to change the playing style and culture of Moyes’ squad, he faces a significant challenge. The statistics from this Premier League clash at the London Stadium show West Ham had more possession than usual, but it didn’t translate into effective play.
There remains an over-reliance on rescue goals with long balls aimed at Tomas Soucek to create chaos in the penalty area. Many had assumed the Czech midfielder would leave West Ham, but he still seems integral to the squad.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Lopetegui’s experience should help him navigate the rebuild and shift in tactics. With the club’s substantial backing, he has the tools to succeed in his task.
Say goodbye to fast counterattacking football. Say hello to slow passing long ball up to the big man or any man available football. Hope this isn’t what we have to look forward to. Hopefully things will progress.
I take it you never watched us in the previous 2 seasons. We havent been that fast counter attacking side since early on in the 21/22 season.
How can you say goodbye to something you haven’t had? Not for a while anyway.
Too many of last seasons players started. Need to make a step change in personnel, but for some reason Loppy held back.
Summerville, Todibo, Wan Bissaka, Fulkrug should have all started.
Soucek, Ant, Mavro, Coufal should have all been on the bench.
Could not agree more but I think it is still early days for embedding into a new playing system.
I agree except for Mav who I thought played well.
Coufal actually needs to go, he was shockingly bad, souček I think we could possibly use as an emergency striker if we need the 3 points, he’s a very effective header of the ball
My guess is that the Manager said ‘go on then, show me what you have got’ to stake a claim to be a regular. I am aboard so didn’t see the game, but from the reports, it’s what I take from it. Now they have not taken the Bull by the horns, the manager has the ammo to say he gave them a chance and didn’t show a lot.
Agree it was disappointing Gonzo, but wonder how much was down to conceding so early and the scene this set? Antonio was shocking at the corner, (and for the whole time he was on the pitch), as was Areola whose boots were glued to the line. Unfortunately it was the flair players who didn’t show today for me. Bowen was miles off the pace, Paqueta was so slow in possession and Kudos took time to get going. We clearly need different full-backs because Coufal and Emerson were caught out time after time and were as annoying as the ads on this site!. And it was written in the stars that Duran would score. He certainly looked better than Antonio, Fullkrug and Ings. Early days mind!
First game, new players not yet integrated, it may take a while but I saw positives and I saw options from the bench. Villa are far more along the road than we are too.
This. At time we looked reasonable. The PL is never easy, but Villa are a challenge these days. Sort of team you’d want to meet at the weekend after they had had a long trip across Europe. To me we looked better than we did at the end of last season. That, if I am correct is progress, but more is needed.
I think JLo was being too respectful to the old gaffer/team, which shows a good side to his character. But there needs to be a radical reshift. The sooner that happens the better. This was the message from today. He’s paid his respects, now let’s get going.
Ok not the result we all wanted but I am very confident things will improve. Some observations, obi wan needs to start against palace to enable Bowen to get up the pitch I thought he spent most of today back tracking to cover for vlad. We need Alverez back,I love Tommy but he seems to have forgotten how to tackle and gives the ball away to often. Not sure how we shoehorn Paq,Kudus,Bowen and Summerville into the side but would suggest playing Paq deeper alongside one of the more defensive midfielders. Hard to make a call on Falk Hogan but after seeing Antonio today he has to start against palace.. keep the faith hammers things will get better
Agree with you.
It was predictable that everyone would start moaning the moment we didn’t get a flying start despite having to integrate 5 or 6 signings into the starting 11 and of them at different stages of their pre season training. Even Paqueta took virtually a whole season to get going. Getting oven ready players is Man City’s game – get someone else to break them in and they buy them at a modest premium.
If I were to make one critique it is that Bowen shouldn’t be captain. He is an ever present and a great example pro but he is not the on the pitch leader we need and not vocal enough. You need someone in the middle of the pitch – either CB or CM in a team lacking leadership. Perhaps it was just too early to install Kilman but I think they probably should have done.
Why would we play Paq deeper? – defense is not his forte. We need two sold CDM’s
Bloody hell one game in and some of you are at it already.
Gonzo I thought you might know something about football obviously not
The manager has said that Fulkrug has not up to speed yet.Todibo has only been with us a few days likewise Wan Bissaka get Alvarez back we will be ok.i do think we need a better left back Emerson does not defend well
It was awful. There was zero connection between players and this has NOTHING to do with new arrivals.
OMG can someone explain this full press style because it wasn’t there.
It was the same, swing it wide and try to stretch the defense what’s NEW about that? I was coaching that to college kids.
We need a fast center forward like Duran to compliment the wingers, Antonio is finished and so now we just have an old fashioned center forward who’s going to be isolated upfront.
10 games and the new managers gone!!
Perhaps you’d better apply for the job after 10 games then because you obviously know a lot.
Hey Ted Lasso. Its “centre” and who gives a Donald what you taught to yank soccer kids.
Agree we need a speedy striker and we ain’t got one (yet). Otherwise Reg has said it all Coach.
It’s going to take time, there were glimpses of them trying to play through each third
Bang on Jeff, forget it was first game ! Where was the energy, closing down and fighting for second ball – some of the attempted tackles would have embarrassed women’s team.
If Villa had been 3-0 up at the break no one could have complained ! we just stood off them. Let’s give J Lo a chance but we still need two or three more in, especially some steel and energy in midfield.
I think the old squad players let us down today, Antonio Not sure how he gets in the team his control is terrible, Soucek cant seem to pass the ball, Paq and Bowen seemed a bit off it today. Thought most of the new guys looked decent with some good touches.
We didn’t sit back inviting pressure it seemed they were genuinely trying to play the ball forward, much better than last season, Rome wasn’t built in a day!
That’s what i thought as well.
I still cannot believe Soucek is still a first team choice.
Just watched Downes battling display in central midfield for Southampton. Wow.
I just watched Rodriguez’s slow motion stroll in central midfield for us. Still on La Liga time.
Downes doesn’t impress me. He’ll be sent off this season. Against Newcastle his challenges were borderline thuggery!! Downes’ career disciplinary record is appalling – we’re well rid.
Paqueta has as much if not more chance of being sent off this season! He’s not learnt lessons from last season.
Couldn’t see any difference. From last season ,
Aston Villa were excellent, well drilled and progressive, everything our players aren’t yet. The defence will improve with Todibo and AWB, Summerville and Kudus had decent performances as did Rodríguez and Kilman though the latter inexplicably seemed not to be aware of Duran for his goal.
I’m sure that as the new players start more often and adapt to the Premier League we’ll see more attacking football.I think Soucek plays Moye’s style by default, so we need more of Summerville in the midfield to back Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta.
First time we’ve ever been beaten by Aston Villa at the London stadium. So disappointing. Paqueta and Bowen were poor today as was Antonio. Coufal was caught out time and time again by the Villa wingers he was so narrow. Not quite sure what type of football we were trying to play. Is it a passing game? A pressing game? A long ball direct game? Souchek always the scapegoat to many it seems but always wears his heart in his sleeve. Won us a penalty. Nearly scored at the end but for an amazing block by Villa player. How many times has Souchek won us a game with his efforts. Quite a few times last season I remember.
Would have preferred Downes to the Latino Rodrigues, Todibo to an accident prone Mav, plus someone without square boots for Antonio. So many questions, very few answers, except Kudus is a class act. Bowen and Pacs on different frequencies when it counts, so twisted, bitter and going to bed. Cmon J Lo, complete the puzzle !!
You haven’t a clue
Wow! So many dissatisfied customers/fans on here. It’s one game for God’s sake! Give it a rest. For me it’s the first game that I have seen and enjoyed in a long while. Yes, Villa overrun us at times, but we battled and hung in there and almost got something in the dying secs. I seem to remember Villa and a few others giving us a right old pasting last season, so for me today was an improvement! I have faith in the management team that they will get it right. Remember Villa are a top 4 side assembled over the last 18 months Justi tthink where we could be in 18 months time! COYI’s
Yes, that’s what I thought. It is a big transition with so many new players and new playing style.. To nearly get a point is a big deal in this league against such a good team. If I were to over analyse , i think Antonio needs to improve defending corners, Soucek his passing and Rodriguez his fitness.. Kilman is almost always playing backwards which means he didn’t have enough options, so we do need to pick players for the system we’re trying to play & give the players we have time to learn it!
They all knew when the season started so no excuse for not being ready. Villa seemed to be ready and they were the away side. How many games shall we give them, 5, 10, 15, 20? I hope things do get better, I just don’t see why we should be so ready with excuses for failure, short term or otherwise.
Overall, massive improvements from Moyes. We actually had the ball and when it wasn’t with Soucek we used it!!! Playing a high line is always risky but when we’ve never done it before you can expect to give a goal a game away. Take Soucek, Antonio and Coufal out, play Kudos in his correct position and we’ll be steaming through teams
It appears that quite a few people have read ‘The Joy of Moaning: A guide to the exquisite art of moaning’ by author Dick Stroud.
What a load of sh***. The first half hour wasn’t great, we were open, seemed to let them have too much of the ball. Over the course of the game, it was still better than what we’d been watching. We actually try to move the ball, not sure where you’re getting long ball from. You always were a bit of a wet wipe.
First off, Villa looked very good to me and will definitely be in for another good season.
We were flat, underwhelming and Kudus aside, looked very, very slow and sluggish.
Nobody was surprised (surely) that Duran got the winner, played out of his skin when he come on and looked a very pacey forward that we have been crying out for and still are.
Lastly, I’ve never seen Aerola as a number 1 goalkeeper and yesterday rammed home that view to me.
Hopefully, that on the to sort list sooner rather than later.
The next starting 11 is going to be interesting but think this is going to be no quick fix.
Some west ham fans are like women moan moan moan we have to give the man a chance and th3 players time to learn a completely different way of playing football.
We had one game and already the moan moan gang are out we haven’t even seen what will be his first 11 yet and I doubt we will for many games yet.
The thin line between observations and “moaning”.
Evolution must be Loppys approach not revolution based on yesterday.
Lots of the same problems remain but perhaps a reflection of his selections with just 2 new players starting?
In terms of priorities of things to fix, central midfield number 1. No pace or intensity. May need this Soler or a proper playmaker but also a Kante style “presser”. Rodriguez alongside Alvarez or Paqueta ( deeper ) as Rodriguez not quick enough as lone defensive CM IMO
Soucek, Coufal, Antonio, JWP, Ings. Not starting 11 material. Soucek is the barometre. Until hes on the subs bench, the manager Aint Turning the Ship
Early days tho.
This is going to be tough on the coach. Players that need to be de – Moyesed, new signings, some that are not ready to play, some not bought yet, some heading out the door and some injured. We need to coach the mistakes out of the defence, choose the right blend of midfield players that can dominate and a prolific young striker like Duran. Once the squad is finalised, and the window is shut, only then can we really start to build a winning team that plays on the front foot. It was painful to watch and at times seemed like I watching Moyesball. Coufal can’t play this system, Soucek and JWP can’t play together in midfield. Play Summerville LWB, Paqueta in the number 8, Kudus as number 10, Bowen RWB, and a striker. Alternatively you could play Paqueta as LWB but not Kudus please. Anyway,, we have to be patient with the coach,, as long as he’s making progress. No pain, no gain.