Last night I wrote a piece about Axel Disasi and asked Claret & Hugh readers to give their opinions on West Ham United’s new central defender.
Lots of you did, and it made for interesting reading. But there was one particular post from Phil Baker that really made me think — and it wasn’t actually about Disasi at all.
Phil wrote: “Pleasantly surprised by Disasi. Ever since Paquetá left the squad it’s as if a curse has been lifted from West Ham. From Paquetá’s failed transfer and every day since, just terrible — and now he’s left and all West Ham’s players seem better and West Ham can win again. Big, big matches coming up, but now there’s belief.”
It’s funny, because I’d already spent some time mulling over the Hammers’ uplift in form and, as you may have seen, wrote about the impact of Paco Jémez. I’m also of the belief that having Taty Castellanos in particular has helped — but Phil definitely makes a valid point about Lucas Paquetá.
Has Paquetá’s Exit Freed West Ham?
Because ever since Paquetá was removed from the squad with his phantom back injury whilst trying to push through a move to Flamengo, it’s felt like a happier camp.
Not just that — the biggest barometer of all is performances and results. Both have improved.
It does make you wonder just how much of a shadow Paquetá was casting over West Ham.
I don’t doubt for a moment that he was a popular figure. But while much has been made of his own mood being lifted by a return to Brazil, it appears to have had exactly the same effect on his former teammates.
There’s a togetherness about this side now. A lightness. A belief. And in a relegation fight, that can sometimes matter just as much as tactics or talent.
It’s always annoyed me that some players have seen West Ham as a stepping stone to bigger clubs (if such a thing exists 😉).
In the case of Paqueta his bigger club was Man City. I’ll be honest and say that back then I mostly listened to games, followed live text, or settled for reading the reports.
Up until the FA charge he seemed to be playing like a man putting himself in the shop window. The FA charge killed that dream and probably the ambition alongside it.
However, I can’t disagree with any of the above comments, whether coincidence or cause, the team is much improved since he’s not been playing.
I haven’t rated him for a long time. Yes he showed moments of brilliance, but only a handful of times and he wasn’t a match winner for a season and a half. Was more likely to lose a game for us. I’m so glad he’s gone and I actually thought we were lucky to get the fee we did. The people that run football have more money than sense!
Seriously what has he contributed since we won the trophy! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING…
I’m DELIGHTED he’s gone.
Awful completed pass numbers, awfully bad goal record…. Absolutely NOT suited to the toughness of the Premier league.
The problem has been that none of our managers would drop him Nuno especially, everyone else knew he was a passenger but still got picked, poor management lm afraid what message was that sending to the other players, not leaving him out might come back to haunt us
I’ve said it all season that we needed to be rid of Paqueta, he was effectively a passenger in the midfield, slowing up our play, giving possession away. He provided few goals cans assists. He had to go.
Wonderfully skilled but by the time all the negatives are added in did he ever make a positive contribution overall ?
Certainly not in recent times, just as likely to give the ball away in a critical position as to make a defence splitting pass.
That it hasn’t really been noticed that he’s gone says it all. A lot more eye candy than effect.
I think the difference is the two new forward signings, they bring so much energy to the side. I agree that with Paqueta leaving, Fernandes has been able to flourish.Also the new assistant coach has made a difference.
It definitely has made us better without Paqueta, Fernandes has also been able to step up more and play more freely.
It was telling what Soucek said after our Forest defeat – that we just need those who don’t want to be here to leave. It feels now that this was very much aimed at Paqueta.
In the same interview he went on to say that what we needed right now was to get 3 wins in a row. And so we did.