If ever there was a metaphor for West Ham United’s position right now, this was it. Our over-animated head coach was clearly living every decision, kicking every ball from the touchline and he got himself injured in the process.
According to the Mail on Line The Spaniard leaped around so violently after a near – miss from Crysencio Summerville that he injured his own calf muscle and had to spend the last few minutes seated.
In fact following treatment he left the ground on crutches. “I have on little injury in my calf” he admitted as he limped, physically and metaphorically, into the press room for the post-match interview. (Always looking for something positive, I suppose he could have sent someone else to face the media).
Maybe it was a visit from the ghosts of Managers Past, deciding that they – like us – had seen enough of him leaping around on the touchline with every facial contortion looking less like a Messiah and more like a Naughty Boy.
Hopefully if he did get a kick in the calf from the spirit of Ron Greenwood or John Lyall to calm him down, we can ask for a return visit on the next couple of nights to sort out some transference of tactics and strategic thinking too.
Our Head Coach needs a bit of head space calm. This emotion transfers onto the players, this roaring and fuming at every decision shows passion but not control. One without the other is useless.
I don’t see the point of you ridiculing his
mishap, it only adds to the snipers in the media , waiting to pick over his bones as soon as they can . please do as many readers have suggested and you give him some slack, so that he can focus on his priorities, and not get deflected by babble.
Mikel Arteta Premier League record with Arsenal:
2019-2020: P 20, W 9, D 6, L 5. Finished 8th.
2020-2021: P 38, W 18, D 7, 13. Finished 8th.
2021-2022: P 38, W 22, D 3, L 13. Finished 5th.
2022-2023: P 38, W 26, D 6, L 6. Finished 2nd.
2023-2024: P 38, W 28, D 5, L 5. Finished 2nd.
I know results have been crap, I know some of the play and team selections have had us scratching our heads
But remember, Arsenal fans were screaming for Artetas head at the end of the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons.
They seem quite content now.
Sometimes things take time.
Alex Ferguson.
Became Man United manager 1986.
First success, FA Cup 1990.
First League title 1992/93.
Yes I know this doesn’t mean Loppy is going to go on and become a Premier League giant. But we have to have a little patience, keep getting behind the team. There’s talent, and unlike under Moyse, finally some depth in the squad.
Definitely, good point made here.
I was thinking of Arteta yesterday too when watching Hammers Chat and reading all of this negativity surrounding our Head Coach.
I understand content drives clicks and debate and i understand sites like this needing that but the message could be one of unity and support rather than constantly questioning the new boss. I also get that positivity rarely breeds clicks and debate but isn’t it often better to stand out from the norm and strike a positive tone? Plenty of examples of managers being given time. Klopp is another example (granted there aren’t a huge amount) of a manager being given time to stamp a style on a team as is Iraola.
JLo still has Antonio, Cresswell, Ings, Soucek, Coufal, and Paqueta from the old guard who are still playing but maybe not good enough for HIS way of playing, to have to contend with. Great servants (maybe aside from Ings) but their goose is cooked. He needs time AND support, not barracking at every wrong turn or mistake.