West Ham’s starting line-up for the bottom-of-the-table clash against Manchester United looked more like a knock-off box of mis-shape biscuits than a genuine attempt to win a football match.
I have to confess, I was far from impressed when I saw Graham Potter’s team selection to face a weakened and unmotivated United side at Old Trafford.
With the average age of the team pushing 29+ and featuring at least five players unlikely to be at the club next season, it felt as if Potter had thrown in the towel with a suicidal selection.
But as it turned out, I couldn’t have been more wrong. West Ham controlled the game against United in a way they had failed to do against Tottenham a week earlier. Yes, Manchester United were distracted by bigger prizes, but the Hammers’ tactics were perfectly executed to capitalise.
The 2-0 win has not only bought Potter some valuable time but, dare I say it, a bit of confidence from those like me who were seriously questioning his judgment after what looked like a car-crash line-up.
The Hammers now sit 15th in the Premier League, which feels a lot more comfortable. And if nothing else, the next opponents — Nottingham Forest and Ipswich — will no longer see West Ham as easy pickings as the season draws to a close.
The recent results have been dire, but we have capitulated badly after 85 minutes and given up 12 points that would have made us look respectable in the final table…much of this is poor substitutions, but also lack of character in certain areas.
Potter certainly has us playing better, another huge summer ahead with a second successive influx of new players looming pre season.
Deserves a full pre season and season.
Wan b, kudus and Bowen has brilliant games today , and the whole side defended well.
Did not agree with subbing kudus and Bowen at the same time as it severely blunted our ability to counter attack st pace, and increased pressure. This time however potters shut up shop tactics worked.
Thank you Gonzo for giving credit where credit is due. Good win today. Well done Potter. Great to see the whole squad involved in the win. A great send off for the players retiring when the season ends and as for those who might be leaving well they might well have increased their transfer value today.
I suspected that this was the reason for an improved performance from said players .
You are going , so better show other clubs why you deserve a contract next season
Hoping for a Danny Ings hat trick in the last two games. Skippered by Aaron Cresswell with Lukasz Fabianski in goals and Vladimir Coufal at the heart of our attacking play down the right.
Perfect and six points keeping us above Tottenham and Manchester.
COYI
Bring on big target man and take of his supply leaving back pass ward prowse on clueless
That was a great result today, I’m very happy with the win and potter should take a lot of credit. But we need to go some way to excuse the crap that we have been served up with over the last 5 months. I don’t think after one result there can be any acknowledgment of being wrong we should win our next two which will be great only then will he have equalled Loppy’s record, 6 wins. What has happened in the past has happened. Dross football by someone who seemed clueless. If we start to win and play good football with his players, then I will quite happy acknowledge I may have been hasty and he may have turned the corner
Gonzo I have similar views to yourself. I don’t understand some of the nasty comments, surely everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I still believe Potter is going to be a disaster. His approach is to defend rather than attack. I for one am not looking forward to next season.
Perhaps the critics will give Graham Potter the benefit of doubt now. He inherited a poisoned chalice and deserves the time and space to sort us out. I am also amused that Amorin was allegedly first choice to replace Moyes!
It takes something to acknowledge when you’re ‘wrong’, and I appreciate it.
I’m not sure Gonzo was “wrong” to doubt the team selection as 5 of the starting 11 are likely to be leaving the club so this is a one off lineup not a solution. Man U have only won 2 PL games since 26 January against 2 relegated teams Ipswich and Leicester and this was their 17th league defeat this season. Delighted to get the 3 points today, but let’s not forget this is only Potter’s 4th win in 16 games and he had gone 8 league games without a win so he has alot more to do to convince that he is the right choice.
Agree, I not yet convinced by Potter, although I prefer him to Loopy!
My comment relates to Gonzo’s statement in Paragraph 4:
“I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Thanks B appreciate your comment. I too prefer Potter to Loopy and genuinely hope he is able to rebuild in the Summer as well as bring through talented players from the Academy and those returning from loans. Still lots to prove and one win does not prove anything, but hoping that he uses the last 2 games to give Guilherme, Fullkrug and Scarles starts.