Today’s horrific stat is – and it hasn’t escaped the manager’s notice – that the Irons have now conceded 26 goals in 16 games since the turn of the year!
The arrival of Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop was thought by many of us to have solved the ‘loose at the back’ issue but not in a million years it seems.
Ok, Angelo Ogbonna has been involved over the last 20 odd games and although he has played well for many of them he too has to take a share of the responsibility.
It’s known that the manager is going for further defensive reinforcements in the summer but it remains deeply disappointing that on days like this we can’t close down a 2-1 lead until the 90 odd minutes is up.
He said: “We have made a habit of conceding such goals over the last couple of seasons and if we are to become the big team the manager relentlessly tells us we are, then something has to change fast.
Discussing the problem after today’s game, Pellegrini told the post match press conference: “We conceded two easy goals, including one in the last minute of the game.In most part of the second round, we are conceding two goals in each game, which is too much.
“We used space in the wrong way in our defending. We were pressing too high with our centre-backs without any reason and they have good players and put the ball into this space.
“In general, I think the team played well, but you cannot concede so many goals. We can defend better.”
Pellegrini was pleased with Lucas Perez, however, adding: “Lucas came in and did very well. He made good moments and reacted to the rebound to score the second goal, then he scored the third goal, which was ruled out.
“It’s very important, in that position, when you have chances, to score.”
MP says we played well.Playing well essentially means doing enough to win. It then becomes a matter of what you do in the vital areas.Defend with steel and take chances like sharks in a feeding frenzy.
Arnie isn’t scaring them anymore and many individuals are far too inconsistent Felipe Anderson a case in point .At time oozes class at others frustrates with his propensity to give the ball away in vital areas,
We all know this inconsistency is the tradition with our club even in it’s most succesful of times.But just remember who has turned us over this season:Wimbledon,Cardiff,Brighton, Bournemouth (Twice),Burnley, Wolves (Twice). Even include in that Watford and Everton at home.ALL games we must be getting something out of.
That’s when you have a big club mentality MP. That’s when the team can deliver what 60,000 die hards deserve. Maybe next season then. As it’s topical at easter don’t count your chicks eh?
The style of play Pelle prefers , and I believe us Westham fans demand , will mean that we need to buy the best available defenders , sadly that will come at a cost beyond our owners wallets.In a nutshell I can only see the future more or less like this season, par for the course
in the clubs history.
We have the squad to of finished top 7 but injuries aside the manager has failed to adapt the system to the available squad.
Not once has he gone to a back 3, The three centre backs with our very quick forward thinking Fredrick and Arthur as wing backs,
Certain games require rice and Obiang in the middle to give the team legs with the talented Anderson playing what I believe is his natural roll behind a front 2 ( not just wide but everywhere )
Arnie and Antonio up top as a 2 would put fear into any centre half partnership.
Even against Leicester yesterday a game we played well enough to win he made the wrong sub at the end bringing on Wilshere when Diop would of given us that extra legs and strength to maybe see the game out.
A big season next year for Pelle to see if he has what it takes to push us on.
There’s no doubt he is a cut above our previous level of management in attracting players and style of play but the premier league is tougher than ever and if we are going to spend big again next season which I believe we will then our fitness levels and tactics have to be spot on to make an impact or we will have another disappointing season.
I am pleased that Pelle is aware that there is something wrong with our defending – but he must surely take some blame for that
Another stat that was given on the TV commentary yesterday was that our only wins this year have been against Newcastle, Fulham and Huddersfield.
I thought we played well yesterday – the performance was definitely better than against Huddersfield – but there is certainly no room for complacency or we could find ourselves in a relegation battle again next year
As for “we wuz robbed” – VAR might have confirmed Perez third goal and we would have won – but VAR would have ruled out Chicarito’s hand-goal against Fulham and perhaps Arnie’s equaliser against Brighton
My main point is that we shouldnt go into next season assuming that everything will be fine and we will be challenging for a top six place – we still have a long way to go
It is a very bad stat & a lot of those we let in very late which is a big issue for us. That said its seems mad we are 2nd only behind Liverpool (16) for getting points from losing positions (15).
We do need more mobile CBs & better defending FBs tho Oggy has been solid I would still like another left footed CB. I’m a big fan of Mario Hermso & has great passing & can cover LB which would suit us.
Also Enock Kwateng only 22 is a Free we should look at a RB from Nantes is a lot like Wan Bissaka very fast strong & great defender can get fwd but best at defending & can get better at final 3rd. With Zaba aging a Defensive mind RB only 22 who can play CB too be a solid Free.
Also a Box to Box mid who can helps Rice bc Obiang looks off & is gone & Why take Noble off for Wilshere.
A lot of good Creative CMs Joan Jordan, Ibrami Sangare, Tomas Soucek, think we missed our in John McGinn who does is proper box to box been great. Motherwell have a 19yo David Turnbull CM has 10 goals 6 assists wouldn’t break bank looks a real star. Their top scorer & creator. So we can find them even on smaller budget
But think we need a CF who can score regular & link up for our wingers (where I don’t think we need to spend more this summer) that where big money will go. Bc if shipping goals need to score more.
Liverpool use to ship a lot brought in Alisson & VVD now they have best defence record. We can’t afford them but we can find a CB like him & Robertson great LB. Which defensively we struggle there too tho Arthur did well past two