“Universal dismay” would sum up mine and readers comments and initial reactions when the team was announced this afternoon. To me it smacked of “Lopetegui’s losers” – I even went so far as to change my own pre-match prediction to one of abject Claret and Blue surrender. Just shows how little we all know about this sport as ‘Graham Potter’s tactical masterclass’ had its first airing of the season.
Potter used Guido Rodriguez- another who has been universally criticised as not good enough for the Premier League – instead of Lucas Paquetá today as the Brazilian’s FA inquiry takes its toll.
Rodriguez, after many months of inactivity, stepped up and did a decent job of blocking off the middle along with James Ward Prowse. Job done. Both players have received huge criticism this season. Both did ‘ok’. And against this disinterested side in red, ‘ok’ was enough.
Wan Bissaka on the left and Coufal, the old warhorse on the right red faced and sweating profusely for every minute, coped well enough with Man U’s lethargic build up play: It was like watching West Ham play West Ham. No wonder Potter knew exactly how to blunt Amorim’s attacking potential.
Manchester United’s lack of pace was to prove their undoing. Many faster and more talented teams have overcome and overrun West Ham’s midfield this season but Potter’s strategy worked today. By the time Guido Rodriguez was swopped for the returning Edson Alvarez, the game was almost won. West Ham were stroking the ball around in little pretty pointless triangles – much to the delight of the away fans who ‘ole’d’ everything in sight – with a two goal cushion.
Well said……
With knowledge and an understanding, Real West Ham supporters can see through much of this, but it is a shame that the wrong voices become the loudest alongside irresponsible “Loudhailer” sites.
I will never go along on any of these idiotic roller coaster rides!
Those Pointless triangles at the end of the game was how you win a game of football by killing the game. Controlling the ball and stopping the opposition from getting the ball and getting back into the game. Top teams do it all the time. Not Not pointless at all.
Out of context if Westham beat both Man United and Arsenal away that’s exceptional , however against a backdrop of only 4 wins in 16 that’s relegation form . Beat Forest and Ipswich and there’s real hope for next season which ultimately what everyone’s worrying about .
The main point about that game was how poor Man U were, everything else is relative to that.
Someone else has said worst Man U they’ve seen, I remember them being pretty bad in about 1974 puts it into context.
The rumours suggest West Ham wanted Amorin as their manager this season.
How about now?
“It was like West Ham playing West Ham” lol!
Some commentators describe it as “patient build up play” but that’s reserved for when it’s Manure.
Surprising but pleasing result and we should have expected a tricky 20 mins regardless of how bad Manure are this season. Plenty of weird results lately so pleased we’ve finally got a good one.
To be fair that is the worst Man Utd team we’ve played in my lifetime.
And Potter was desperate to throw the game in the last 20 mins. Had Man Utd not been so poor, and scored one of their chances, I feared they’d go on to win.
I’m happy we got the win, and a win is a win. And I want Potter to succeed. But fek me Potter has a long way to go to convince me he knows what hes doing and that he’s the man for the job!!
Martin after using “Credit where credit is due” as your headline it’s almost grudging acknowledgment that whatever we might think of Potter and his approach, he at least deserves some recognition for today’s win. We have been through one of the worst seasons I can remember so today was one of the few bright spots and a chance to celebrate our first double win against Man U since 2006/07. Our supporters were amazing and completely out sung the opposition throughout the game and at last giving them reasons to celebrate a good win. Yes it wasn’t perfect but let’s at least enjoy the next few days being above Spuds and the Mancs in the table instead of the usual negativity this season.
Hear, hear!
Martin even when we win you still find it easier to be more negative than positive, why??Yes MU were poor, but earlier this season we would still have shipped a couple of goals. Today we looked solid.
Can’t you at least try and be positive, that win ends a poor run, it will build confidence and demonstrates that we have made progress, I fully agree there is still some way to go but this is a step in the right direction. Surely you can see that!
I agree, there seems to be an underlying desire to be negative about West Ham, even when they win!
Comfortably the better side today, controlled the game and won, historic victory.
Cheer up fellas!
If that’s a credit, I wouldn’t want to be in your debit, sad review of a decent performance