The prophetic alarm which greeted Nuno’s eleven turned out to be entirely justified as West Ham were overrun in the first fifteen minutes to find themselves two goals down in a game they had to win: Masters of their own downfall it seems, with Nuno realising the error of his ways and replacing Todibo with Taty after 25 minutes to restore West Ham’s goal threat and redress the balance of the game.
Why on earth Nuno selected a defensive set up to invite pressure, nobody knows except the West Ham coach himself: Especially when the Hammers had enjoyed their best run of the season with two attackers, two wingers and two midfielders all defending from the front.
Wilson looked hopelessly isolated before Taty’s arrival and at 40 minutes, 2-0 down, West Ham looked down and out, and ‘down’.
One of the worst halves of football we’ve been forced to watch this season. “Shambolic” it was called.
And that was down to Nuno.
Changes early in the second half with Pablo and Kanté introduced smacked of desperation: Five minutes later Pablo’s loss of possession from a throw in meant Newcastle had a third, two gifted by West Ham and the Hammers properly ‘down and out’.
West Ham looked as if anther cave – in was possible as the Irons rocked, up against the ropes: Over run, out classed and tactically undone.
Taty’s stunning goal in a losing cause act least gave the fans something to cheer
And yet.. out of the blue Taty Castellanos, bless him, banged in an absolute world class volley from full on 30 yards and the away fans had a smidgeon of hope. Waves of attacking football followed as the Hammers rallied late on.
Why hadn’t we started like this, Nuno? That three at the back selection looking truly woeful now as Castellanos did his best to turn the game all on his own: And he wasn’t even in the starting eleven.
If only, Nuno, you hadn’t abandoned the ‘two up front’ starting line up. If only Todibo hadn’t fluffed his lines for that first goal: If only West Ham hadn’t gifted two goals to their opponents. If only Taty hadn’t seen his shot crashed into the bar on 77 minutes. There’ll be a whole season in the Championship to reflect on that lot.
The only thing that really worked with NES was a back 4 with Disasi and Mavropanos and Taty with Pablo up front to compete high up the pitch.
To change that for a game we had to win was just too ridiculous for words.
A new confusing back line and a slow ponderous Wilson up front. Wilson scores occasionally if the ball drops to him in the box that’s it, very little threat or contribution. He even failed to do that with his best chance.
The lack of Taty and Pablo challenging possession instantly allowed Newcastle total freedom to build play through midfield expose the confused defence.
Says a lot that the club (Sullivan) has chosen 3 managers in a row that fans can’t understand what they are doing. He got so lucky with Moyes we should of known he could never do it again.
If he continues this in the Championship who knows where we end up.
An astute assessment Paul. That is exactly how it happened.
So the Championship beckons once again. I’m trying not to be too despondent, because nobody actually died, and I have been here a few times before!!
It almost goes without saying that Nuno seems like a nice enough bloke. But there are times when some of his team selections have left me scratching my head in bemusement, taking me back to the worst decisions made during the Moyes, Loppy and Potter eras. Now that our fate has been pretty much been decided, which was inevitable after the first dozen games or so IMHO. The ball is now firmly in the boardroom’s court, and they will have to man up and do something right for a change. Don’t laugh, it’s got to happen some time. But whatever happens next, they must get the right man in to get us back up with the big boys, or we could very easily end up going in the other direction.
Surely the assistant manager and coaches question Nuno’s stupid decisions?
Who has the worst record out of Loopy, Potter & Nuno?
I have not been a fan of Nuno at all. Some of the decisions he has made, especially early in the year, have in my humble opinion got us to this stage, and he showed it again in this game.
Nuno = Avram =!Down to Dave.
I am done. Life is miserable enough without this clown show.
I stated previously that if nuno reverted to type we would lose! He’s way too defensive as a coach and I want a new manager! We want west ham to play attacking football ok we will lose a few games but at least we will have some good moments! I wanted taty and Wilson upfront from the start! And I wanted Kante in midfield as well we always look light in midfield Fernandes is our only decent midfielder!
How can you blame Todibo for that first goal? It was a dreadful pass from Mads which left Todibo 2 on 1. Diouf and Jimmy were up the pitch
The championship is all about scoring goals, so it’s best Nuno goes
Too many poor tactical decisions by Numo this season !
More upsetting for me was the lack of emotion , lack of fight out their todsy .
I don’t want Numo as our manager next season .
We have ended the season as we started it !
A manager making poor selections!
Time for a rebuild and get in a manager who wants to play on the front foot .
The players didnt seem bothered in the slightest at the final whistle. Half of them are mentally elsewhere next season already..it has shown in the last 3 or 4 games. Its been made clear that the best players will be sold regardless of survival since the poor accounts were announced.
What chance did that give us as a team unit to see the seaaon out?
All very true. Altough Taty has really helped give us a chance of staying up he must hold some kind of record for hitting the woodwork? Misses so many chances albeit not by much. Only outdone by goalless Pablo – is he really a striker?
Can I first say that I have never left a comment (on any format before). And I am 74 years old and have been a season ticket holder and Claret Member for many years. I first attended the Boylen Ground in the late 1950’s so I have definitely seen the ups and downs over the years. But this ownership is the worst that I have seen in my time. The appointment of successive defensive managers (against the West Ham ethos) has been depressing and ultimately proved to be wrong.
I know that you won’t post this ( too long, too controversial) but I at least got it off of my chest COYI ❤️
We won’t post it eh? And ‘controversial” – I think not. You make absolute sense.
And not necessarily one season in the Championship Martin
It’s not over yet fellows. The Spuds are perfectly capable of losing two games in a row against Chelsea and Everton fighting for a European spot.
What a disaster-class in management and tactics shambolic. Hang your head in shame Nuno. A totally winnable game and you think defence is the best form of attack. I don’t think I will bother turning up to the game next week
We had to go out and attack to try and win both remaining games what does Nuno do still sets up defencifly and leaves our best striker on the bench , l don’t want Nuno in charge next season, he has made to many poor decisions, bring in a fresh manager to get us out of the championship
Oh! What a calamity of a team selection. It has not worked before. Why should it work now? Surely we learned a lesson at Brentford. Maybe not.
Sir Alan or Sir Sam need to be consulted if not appointed to get us playing competitive football to ensure our return to the PL.
We’re down Martin.
yes indeed
Oh well, we’ll both be here in the championship as will others, we’re made of tougher stuff than that.