West Ham 2-2 Celta Vigo (Hammers win on pens)
What was immediately noticeable for this friendly was the amount of movement taking place when West Ham were in possession. The positioning of Lucas Paquetá centrally meant from the off he was involved in many of the moves, with deft touches, flicks and slick one touch play often making for an enjoyable spectacle for the modest crowd.
Just what we’ve all been wishing for – instead of being stuck out wide on the left. Excellent.
Paquetá was involved in a couple of chipped passes over the Celta Vigo defence, first time Antonio was blocked but he repeated it shortly after to Jarrod Bowen who’s first touch was sublime and his right footed finish nutmegged the ‘keeper to put West Ham ahead. Lovely move, Hammers. Celta’s equaliser was not long in coming, defensive shortcomings with Emerson failing to cut out from the right and Coufal failing to clear. One-One.
The highlight was to come. Paqueta being central has transformed this side and his forward run with delicate interplay to left and right using Antonio and Bowen put the Brazilian through on goal and a polished chip over the on-coming keeper completed a move just worth celebrating: It looked like a training ground move. Superb.
Incidentally, a good, workmanlike first half for Rodriguez, too. Looked like he’d been a Hammer for years.
Second half brought Aguerd for Mavropanos and you could almost sense Max Kilman relaxing more and defending with more confidence: Which was ironic as it was a poor second goal for Celta to equalise after a first shot hit Kilman’s legs and cannoned into the path of another attacker who rolled the ball in. Disappointing but hey, let’s not get too carried away with negatives at this stage. Todibo to come, Aguerd getting match time and better to come as they get used to each other.
Bowen scores the opener following an excellent pass from Paqueta
Substitutes demonstrate strength in depth
Substitutions introduced Summerville and Fullkrug along with Earthy- what was still noticeable deep into the second half was the movement and energy level on display from the Hammers. Fabianski who’d come on for Areola was kept busy and Celta Vigo kept pressing.
Lots to be positive about, Coufal looked fit and still full of running right to the end. Kudus looks good playing on either flank and. a handful for any defence. This was a home team only put together in the last few days as players joined, signed and came back from holidays:But, importantly the movement throughout and possessional play remain from earlier friendlies. Give the team a few weeks to work out who is supposed to be doing what and I think we will be a real handful.
And remarkable, too, is the strength in depth West Ham have on the bench: Some pretty expensive senior players won’t even be making the squad next week.
The crowd were entertained by a penalty shootout at the end, nice to see Fullkrug taking one. Shame the keeper saved it. Bang average penalty to be honest. Would have completed a pretty excellent afternoon. For the record, West Ham won the shootout 6-5 and the Betway Cup.
First trophy of the Loputegui era… ⚒️😄
Lucky westham
Summerville wow he glides across the pitch has a nice touch good passing Aguerd ugghh farting about with the ball at the back and bam it is 2-2 when will players and coaches learn…..but all in all a good workout
Thought it was hilarious how we just lifted the cup then off down the tunnel. F**k you Betway 😂
For some reason for me personally I actually found it quite funny that our 2 English men scored their penalties and our new German striker missed his. Oh well, always nice to get some silverware whatever the occasion. Here’s to a faaantastic season ahead.
First penalty Fullkrug has missed since 2017, he had only missed 2 in his career before today so maybe that’s a great sign he won’t miss for another 7 years 😃
Team looked quite disjointed second half with all the substitutions. Nevertheless positive signs with the pressing.
It showed JWP. Mavropanos, Aguerd, Fabianski probably aren’t good enough hopefully we can sign some alternatives and we need left back cover.
Guillherme and Crysencio looked decent as did Füllkrug definitely feeling more positive that when the team get to know each other we could do alright this season, if we can get Duran from Villa that could help us.
West ham is a strikers graveyard currently. Our best strikers in the last 10 years or since Carlton Cole have all been midfielders.. Antonio, Bowen…
A very promising display.
It’s clear there needs to be better communication between the CBs, but it’s been constant change and swapping sides. Kilman looks very comfortable with the ball at his feet, even when pressed.
All the new boys added something. It was sloppiness by a couple of old boys (Coufal and Aguerd) that handed Celta Vigo their goals.
Whilst like many, I’m a huge fan of Bowen, if he had tracked their LB they wouldn’t have got their opener. Coufals header wasn’t great and he misplaced a pass into touch ending a promising attack, but he was positive today. Don’t expect AWB to be operating that high or delivering crosses like the one Füllkrug should have done better with. A lot of positives and will only get better as they all gel. A lot of negativity around the old guard, both JWP and Soucek managed to smother a couple of breaks in their infancy, winning back possession high up the pitch maybe they don’t start, however if they show tjat hunger off the bench what’s not to like. Both scored their penalties as did Aguerd.
Just imagine how good we will be once they have gelled completely and with todibo and awb to come i to the fold we will be far more solid, incidentally I saw Romano has posted awb is a done deal.
I love coufal. But he makes my bum wobble when in the box clearing a cross, I feel he’s a Wing back not a full back or a right in a 3. AWB fills me with more confidence. But similar profile just better at clearing and tackling, and faster in my amateur opionion. AWB can and learn from coufal whilst clearly piping him to a starting spot
With all the rumors of Soucek moving on I was surprised to see him starting and not being substituted. I am as interested in who will be leaving as much as any further transfers in. I still don’t understand renewing Creswell’s contract for another year. I was excited to see a flavor of the new high press even if it was just a friendly. COYI