As the saying goes, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics—but in West Ham’s case, the latest data reveals exactly what many fans suspected: Julen Lopetegui’s team is far too easy to play against.
The damning evidence comes from Statsbomb, who have cleverly analysed how much space each Premier League side allows opponents in possession. They’ve illustrated their findings with a graphic dividing the pitch into 24 zones, highlighting how quickly teams apply pressure.
Zones range from dark red, indicating aggressive pressing or immediate tackles, to dark blue, which signals a team as relaxed as if they’re enjoying a tea break and a fag before engaging. The results for West Ham? Alarmingly blue.
The Hammers rank worst in the Premier League for pressing or closing down, as evidenced by a graphic that starkly contrasts our lack of intensity with teams like Spurs and Bournemouth, who press aggressively across the pitch. Newcastle United, for example, wait until their half to engage, while Aston Villa and Brighton defend from the front.
West Ham’s tactic, if it can be called that, seems to involve giving opponents a carte blanche after you Claude cunning tactic. The statistics and the eye test align perfectly: the Hammers routinely allow opponents ample time and space to pick out unchallenged passes.
It’s a depressing indictment of the team’s lack of defensive basics. Either the players are ignoring instructions and being bloody lazy, or worse, they are deliberately being told by Lopetegui to avoid contesting possession urgently. Whatever the reason, the data paints a worrying picture of a team in tactical disarray
I am convinced that when the underlying cause of this debacle (Lopetegui) is removed, everything else will settle down, most noticeably player performance. There may still be one or two that turn out to be less than expected after the fanfare that accompanied their arrival, but once they have a coach they trust, we will see a difference. The impact of monumental failure of the leadership in any team scenario should not be underestimated.
JL is a total waste of space he has no idea what he is doing as for tactics I can’t think of any that would say we are trying to play in a certain way there’s nothing at all he has upset the players in the squad he has tried to shift the blame on to others he clearly doesn’t have support from the players or the fans he has had plenty of time to get things moving but we are WORSE now than under moyes in his last season at the club Sullivan is going to put us in the relegation zone if doesn’t get rid of JL now and once that happens we will struggle to get out of it because make no mistake Newcastle and Arsenal are going to thrash us should JL still be in charge
You need everyone in the team to press together relentlessly and the players arent doing it even if they are being instructed to. Early games there were flashes in games especially the front men trying to close down the opposition quickly. But 2 issues undermined these attempts imo
Firstly we started to concede a ton of goals. Players soon became disencharted and lose belief in whats being asked. Secondly, and the critical factor in all this, the players recruited for central midfield ( by Loppy apparently who wanted Rodruiguez and Soler ) along with the existing players for that area meant we could not execute the tactical plan ( high press, advanced / inverted wing backs . Everyone has seen the problem even Andy Townsend. Central midfield needs legs, pace. Tactics have to be adjusted to more of a mid or low block until then.
Basic tactical common sense. Fit the system to the players you have
It demonstrates that the team aren’t behind Floppy, at previous clubs his teams were in the top 3 of the leagues for pressing.
So something has shifted.
Wow!
And he still in the job!
Is Sullivan waiting till we get done by Newcastle and the overrated Arteta team!
Gonzo, I admire your early confidence in this geezer but surely now you will admit you are wrong!
Be careful what you wish for!