Still shaking my head over that game. The incomprehensible strategy of announcing four departures on a Friday – and then playing two of those rendered ‘surplus to requirements’ as starters away at Old Trafford is baffling.
The conclusion can only be that the duo of Aaron Cresswell and Vlad Coufal are not deemed up to scratch to compete going forward in the Premier League but were selected as ‘suitable’ for Manchester United’s pace-less two-dimensional attack. And so it proved to be.
Graham Potter would have been absolutely slated if West Ham had failed to contain United but as it turned out, his selection proved adequate – along with poor Manchester United finishing, one or two very good Areola saves – in keeping the ball out of West Ham’s net.
Truth be told, West Ham should have had their third when James Ward Prowse found himself through one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the dying minutes. Had the same chance have fallen to Bowen, it would surely have finished three – zero but JWP hit it straight at United’s goalkeeper Bayindir.
A nice final ‘hurrah’ for Vlad and Cress. A great afternoon out for the Hammers’ faithful who could be heard all afternoon. And a respite from the endless criticism for Graham Potter and his team. And for change this Monday morning, a smile to start the week as a West Ham fan.
Surprised that you are baffled, Martin. These players are not surplus to requirements. Rather they will not be working for us after June. In the meantime, they do work for us and are definitely required to do their job which includes starting at Old Trafford.
These guys continue to be valued members of our squad and will be until we have added others. If we were only ever going to select players suitable for the opposition, we would have been unable to fulfill many fixtures in the past due to lack of numbers.
Joy turned into depression yet again.
I’m in the same boat mate, I have a quick skim every now and then to see if there’s any actual ITK reports and get reminded why I’ve not been here in a month. To be fair, it’s been a bang average season to say the least but it’s like there’s nothing to write about if someone’s not being criticised and it gets bloody old. Must just fuel the clicks from that embarrassing section of our fan base who would still whinge if we won the league for the traffic and ad revenue.
Totally agree, announcing players are going before season end so close to the game and then playing two of them? Unbelievably amateur.
Playing Rodriguez is bad enough but with Soucek and JWP – how slow and non defensive or creative is that midfield?
Then taking off Kudus and Bowen to neuter any attacking play and invite them on in exact the same style as we recently threw games away.
If that wasn’t enough to get ManU back in the same on comes Mavropanos.
Again just lucky ManU are so bad.
The season is over we aren’t getting relegated why is he playing Cresswell and Soucek who are leaving and Rodriguez, Soler and Mavropanos who probably are and JWP who should be?
Give academy players some experience and Guilherme? I like Potter but he needs to start making sense in his decisions. What did we gain from this game apart from a lucky 3 points – we learnt nothing about the team for next season.
“What did we gain from this game apart from a lucky 3 points”
I’m not sure it was lucky, West Ham controlled the game, scored 2 and conceded zero.
Although I agree, baffled by the Friday announcement,
However, the “celebration” feeling has been confused with the same ridiculous team selection and subs.
The only difference is that our opponents this time failed to score because of their own instabilities + great goal keeping by Areola.
As I said last week, how ridiculous to announce the release of players before a season is completed. And what happens if you need to play them before the end of the season? My words ain’t even cold.
Potter and WH ownership sadly still the ridiculous same, that ain’t pleasing at all.
So yes then “celebrating” dont even feel right?
Come on West Ham. Time to do right, just for your good supports + faithful players who grinded thru tuff times.
Have to agree with gayside to much American coming into our language. I have a holiday every year but have never had a vacation, I use a lift and have never got in a elevator. I could go on but this has to stop. It might upset some of our American friends but we were here first!!! Up the ‘hammers!!!
My view the morning after is the same as my view immediately post match. This is the worst Man U team since probably 1974.
The team selection was good enough for that but not for most games. Taking off both Bowen and Kudus resulted in the same offensive collapse as it always does resulted in us defending deep as always happens that better opponents exploit.
We absolutely need to get recruitment right in the Summer as any repeat of the appalling decisions of the recent past could sink us we’re at such a low ebb.
“Three – zero”
I didn’t realise you used yanks now to write things. It’s three – nil in this country.
On another note, it shows what can happen if Potter lets the players attack in their strengths. And actually attack
Yeah buts it’s a global game so get used it, I’ve followed the hammers for over 30 years and I’m Aussie.
If don’t want the international money, Westham would be in the conference now
@Mr Gayside. I guess you don’t watch any American movies or TV shows, definitely not celebrate Halloween or like Donald Trump (I don’t for the last two!). But to be so trivial as to object to calling nil as zero, well, how pedantic can you be? Get a life!