The knives are out for some West Ham United’s poorer performing players following the Liverpool defeat in last night’s Carling Cup match. The Hammers went down 5-1 after leading 1-0 initially, thanks largely to a capitulation following Edson Alvarez’ dismissal for two yellow cards. Some of the criticism has raised eye brows, and split opinion amongst fans as well as critics.
Jean Clair Todibo was always a high profile starter and it was clear that there were many looking for the slightest sign that his coach Lopetegui’s assessment of him as ‘not tough enough’ was proved correct. Sadly Todibo obliged, ducking away from a deflected shot for Liverpool’s fifth goal instead of putting his body, head, whatever in the line of fire which is a prerequisite of successful defending.
This has not gone un-noticed. World Football Analysis site thetrivelaeffect.com pulled no punches in their article entitled:
“Three players who cost West Ham the most“, they pick apart Todibo’s performance in a manner which makes me feel meek and mild in my own assessments: “Todibo was putrid against Liverpool. He looked completely lost defensively and nothing like the player we have seen blossom into a top-class center back for Nice. He was wasteful in possession and overrun defensively in a completely uncharacteristic performance. The 24-year-old will have better days, and, hopefully for West Ham, those better days come very soon.”
Harsh description or reality check-Todibo’s performance attracted criticism
And of course, Edson Alvarez comes in for criticism – but I wonder whether their third culprit deserves the mud they throw at him: “Lukasz Fabianski  surrendered five goals for the Hammers and genuinely looked past it as a professional footballer. [He] has been one of the better Premier League goalkeepers over the past decade-Now, Fabianski .. hit a new low on Wednesday night against Liverpool, moving around like exactly you’d picture a washed-up, 39-year-old goalkeeper would. “
“For anyone out there who still tried to argue that Fabianski (main pic) is better or anywhere near as good as Alphonse Areola, this display in the League Cup had to have been the final nail in the coffin.”
And I thought ‘Fab’ actually produced a string of decent saves. Difficult to be too positive about a ‘keeper who has just picked the ball out of his own net five times though. Perhaps Alphonse Areola will fair better at Brentford.
Todibo… Not used to English football. Alvarez… Just criticism, he gets booked too often. Fabianski… He saved a good few, could have been worse if he hadn’t.
The worst player by a country mile was coufal he gave gakpo the freedom of Anfield to do anything he wanted and showing him inside for shot after shot on our goal was school boy defending I could believe the amount of space he let gakpo have it was absolutely shocking
Total rubbish ! At least as far as Fabianski is concerned. He made one or two errors but, overall, he made several great saves & was one of only 3 West Ham players who played well – the others being Bowen & Summerville.
If you are going to throw blame around, look no further than one Julen Lopetegui!
His display during the second half was abject! No Leadership, just constant whinging and looking for the referee to give them something they didn’t deserve! He was rightly booked and the club should also fine him based on that putrid display from a manager and supposed leader!
you may consider yourself meek and mild but your not slow in reporting aggressive criticisms verbatim ?