The weight has clearly been lifted from one West Ham player’s shoulders. After two years of playing under a cloud, it was evident to all who saw the penalty celebration and mime which followed against Nottingham Forest last month that Lucas Paquetá’s two year anguish was finally a thing of the past.
As his international career resumes, so too the Brazilian media get glimpses of Paquetá being back to his maddening self – moments of brilliance mixed with flashes of mediocrity which Hammers fans get to endure on a weekly basis.
Brazilian outlet GZH summed up his performance in the 3-2 loss to Japan: “6/10: He provided a good pass for Martinelli’s goal, but didn’t contribute much to the match, especially defensively.”
Whilst another critic was altogether more favourable” 7.5/10: He participated in both of Brazil’s goals. In the first, he played a one-two with Bruno Guimarães. In the second, he provided a beautiful assist for Martinelli. He was very involved throughout his time on the field.”
Lucas Paquetá back to his old self again
Whilst surprisingly Brazil lost the encounter, Paq- man shone and strutted and flicked and flunked in equal measure, exactly as Hammers fans could have predicted.
You’d just wish – in what could well be his last season in claret and blue – the West Ham number ten could just knuckle down and give of his best – and leave us all wanting more.
But there’s always the diving, play acting, fouling – the irritations that just stop him from hitting the dizzy heights.
Back to his sometimes brilliant, occasionally mediocre – sometimes just dull, maddening self, then,
If only our Lucas Paqueta could play like his fellow Brazilian, Bruno Guimarães. I don’t see the Newcastle star diving or play acting and he is deservedly a real hero up at St. James Park.
Watching Academy players, they are technically good and they always keep it simple, playing purposeful football, looking for gaps, creating space, playing forwards. So it seems to me anyhow.
With the academy staff joining Espirito, who has also talked of getting basics right (perhaps in a different context though), or playing simple, then perhaps we shall see these ideas integrated into the way we play (including Paqueta, if he is willing😊), under whichever system?
I like Paqueta, glad we have him but watching him play I wish he would simplify his game, he’d be so much more effective and would keep the game flowing forwards too.
When he receives the ball more often than not, he stops, almost inviting players onto him and then he’ll squirm away from them. It’s a real talent but he does indulge in it. With Emerson quite naturally, he played quick 1-2s and when Potts was on it seemed to me they were immediately playing quick short passes off each other.
I was hoping that with a younger, more mobile midfield around him, we would see him at his best. Over to Espirito to persuade him to keep it simple & keep it moving please.
Yes, that sums him up – very promising & , sometimes , delivering; but mostly disappointing – especially so as you know that he is capable of so much more. Summing up his performances for us, I would give him 6.25. But, I have given him as much as 9 on one or two occasions; & as little as 4 on others.