Having spent most of Sunday moaning and dissecting exactly where West Ham went wrong in the 1-0 defeat to Brentford, I’ve decided to start the week by focusing on a few positives.
Granted, when measured against the tsunami of negatives following that horrendous first half at the London Stadium, there aren’t too many things to be happy about.
However, the sight of a proper centre-forward in Evan Ferguson, who looked bright in the second half, does give some cause for optimism. There’s a long way to go, of course, and we only got a glimpse of what the on-loan striker is capable of, but Mohammed Kudus should have done better with the chance created for him.
As Martin pointed out in his post-match review, Ollie Scarles was a particular bright spark and will surely have West Ham manager Graham Potter considering starting him ahead of Emerson.
Finally, the performance of the returning James Ward-Prowse gave stability to a dysfunctional midfield that had struggled in the first half. It’s worth noting that Brentford did not press JWP as ferociously as they had in the opening 45 minutes. That said, there was a calm assurance to his passing and, like Scarles, he’ll have given his manager food for thought in the next few games.
With Arsenal next up, things could get worse before they get better, but at least Potter is learning about his players – and his three half-time substitutions didn’t do too badly at all
I like that, ‘Ammers66.I know the JWP has his critics but for me he is a steadying influence,and obviously his dead ball kicks are a massive advantage. I rate Solar as a player but Alverez is temperamental and Thom is slow on the ball, we need some energy in midfield for sure.Judge Potter when he has settled in with his chosen squad.
For me it’s as clear as day for Arsenal. We go with a 5 at the back with Cresswell and Todibo coming in and WB and Scarles wing backs. Central midfield is JWP and Alverez with Bowen and Paqueta supporting Ferguson. Arsenal are the for the taking but we have to stop that ball coming straight down the middle as was the first half v Brentford. He’s hopefully learnt that you can’t play Thom, Alverez and Soler together again. Kudus needs to look in the mirror, not good enough
Good points SirAlf, we could do with some workhorses out there to dig in when need be,there are a few out there who seem disinterested.
I feel having a recognised CF and Ferguson starting will have a dramatic affect on the performance against Arsenal. I also think Irving has the intelligence and desire to make a substantial difference in midfield rather than Soler and Alvarez. Graham Potter clearly has an impossible job sorting out this mess and I hope he’s wise enough to bench the serial underachievers and give the academy player’s minutes to see if they can make a difference. Luckily it’s Arsenal who like to make 20 passes when only 5 will do!
Time to try Irving and JWP?
It’s not like any of Alvarez, Rodriguez, Soler or even Soucek should command a starting place.
Time to make some changes I think.
Irving and Scarles should be starters on merit. Ferguson was quick and bright, really keen to play. Hope to see plenty of him.
Soucek + Alvarez + JWP (Brentford 2nd) has never worked in the past. Even on paper it does not work, at least not for me. The midfield seemingly clicked in a couple of games. Stick with that for now and after, players newly available get in on merit.
Kudus gets suckered into a physical mismatch which he is bound to lose, or dribbling into a crowd of players. He is playing to the advantage of defenders plus always shooting off balance from an impossible angle. Easy to criticize, hope we get to see his talent some day. Not sure he has got over what happened with Ghana with him as captain and everything else. Something’s wrong anyhow.
Sorry, Soucek was subbed. So it was n’t Soucek + Alvarez + JWP – my mistake.
He will have learnt that he simply cannot play Soucek as the deep lying midfield partner to Alvarez and that with our squad lacking athletes for central midfield he will always need to set up with 3 in there to handle fast transitions. The use of Paqueta also means him sitting deeper as more of a no 8 not a 10. He cannot play with his back to goal or in the half turn. He needs to much time on the ball.
Kudus needs to be far better out of possession too and to play for the team and get his head up
What was the difference with oil Scarles, James Ward Prowse and Evan Ferguson? They all run. Movement makes a big difference. As Moyes told the players when he took over, if you don’t run you don’t play. I presume Potter will have the same principle.
This is written it off so,we are out of every competition and barring a disaster will avoid relegation so if Potter wishes to experiment to find his best players and tactics then now is the time. I cannot see half of the team being here next season,we have made some awful purchases and I expect to see a newly chosen squad come August. It’s early days and the manager has inherited an unbalanced and aging squad due to the ineptitude of the two previous managers. ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
… ineptitude of the two previous managers and DAVID SULLIVAN!
How could I forget! Apologies.
Freddie. David Moyes can’t be described as inept. His problem in the second half of last season was his undecided contract and future.
He might have had no options other than to go along with the terms of his employment. However, all of his backroom staff had one eye on the future and key personnel could not rely on something suitable turning up as they had their employment terminated. The experienced backroom staff are vital to team performance. Alan Irvine, Paul Nevin, Billy, Stuart and all had to plan their futures for themselves and families long before they were pushed. Kevin Nolan is a bit younger and probably more hopeful of being asked to stay on.
It is no coincidence that David Moyes’ appointment at Everton was followed by acquisition of familiar, trusted figures behind the scenes. Everton will be solid. The atmosphere will be difficult as they move to their new souless stadium. Fans will not be happy with that, but the team will have a foundation on which Wee Davey will build and progress. Not able to be PL champions straight away, but steady progression up the league nonetheless.
West Ham had little chance after Wee Davey was shown the door. All very well bringing in Julen Lopetegui and lots of ‘dream’ players. But we also brought in entirely new backroom staff. All inexperienced in PL and The West Ham Way. All struggling to make themselves understood. Kevin Nolan ignored and kicked out. And so it proved. We were not that awful that we vied with Southampton at the bottom but no signs of ever being together and marching on to lofty heights in the Premier League.
So, hopefully we can look forward to being a better unit with Graham Potter and his mates. At least until he is in the last eight months of his contract.
Ineptitude certainly applied to Julen Lopetegui and his staff. I think it very unkind to apply the same description to David Moyes though.
You’re obviously a fan Fredk and I totally agree with the rest of your comments. Loving the emojies!!
COYI