I was getting sick of Sky, Talk Sport and the usual suspects and their ‘Be careful what you wish for’ cliché-ridden sneers, whilst of course they were enjoying West Ham’s poor form and hapless style of play. Very few of those ‘media commentators’ probably even watched a full game of ‘Moyes ball’ but felt qualified to criticise anyone in claret and blue for daring to aspire to better than we were served up in Moyes’ last 18 months when his was the defensive team that couldn’t defend.
So it came as something of a surprise when ex Spurs boss Tim Sherwood delivered a perfect, eloquent and accurate summary of the position at the club right now, without a cliché in sight and certainly showing exactly that he understands what we as fans have been looking for:
Speaking on Soccer Saturday, Sherwood delivered a scathing critique that hit the nail on the head:
“West Ham fans wanted a change – they didn’t necessarily want Lopetegui to come in,”
“I think what’s disappointing, this the biggest game of the season for West Ham fans (v Tottenham). The capitulation was so bad after going one up. They just downed tools. He [Lopetegui] realises now he’s in the biggest league in the world and he’s under pressure. Because he’s at a huge football club which is so well supported…
“They’ve got good players at West Ham but they seem to not have any idea – in or out of possession – what the manager wants at the moment.
“Lopetegui has gone in there and showed us nothing. .. ..They’ve got Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta, Antonio on the pitch. They’ve got enough offensive players but if you’re going to throw those offensive players on the pitch you’ve got to be able to keep a clean sheet at the back or show some defensive organisation.
They have none of that at the moment. He is massively underachieving at that football club and he needs to find a result as quickly as possible.
“When you make a change everyone looks for progression. You’re not seeing progression there, though, at the moment. I would have suggested anyone who went in there it would be difficult to see a progression.
“But what the fans cry out for is a different style, get them excited like the team they’ve just played, who is their biggest rival (in the Premier League) – Tottenham: They’re seeing something. It might not be the results of winning every week but they’re further up the division than they are and their[Spurs] fans go to the ground and get entertained. West Ham fans are getting bored.”
Exactly. Couldn’t believe what I was hearing, someone – especially a Spurs ex-manager – one who ‘gets’ the West Ham fans and our expectation for more, having moved ground and doubled our size – with each game now costing us hundreds each just to attend: It is not unrealistic, it is not unreasonable and it is perfectly fine to expect something back from ‘our’ team- to be entertained.
Excellent!
Do you agree then Martin that Sully messed up by appointing JL as Manager?
I’m willing to give him a chance but the longer this disarray in midfield and poor selection, strategy goes on.. the less he seems upto the task. Review at next international break. Needs to have some sort of progress. or else.
I read about this on Hammers News yesterday so it’s strange that you write about it a day later and nearly word for word……..Just saying!
As the majority of the piece was a direct quote from Tim Sherwood it is hardly surprising that it was “nearly word for word” 😂.
yep. Well spotted.
a day later? try, a week later. he said it in matchday. also, Martim nay have missed the many times Sherwood himself has said “be careful what you etc, etc” on many occasions when talking about Moyes and our desire for a change
Oh I’m sorry, so – in your world, anybody else who sees soccer Saturday is forbidden from commenting? word for word is repeating Sherwood. Maybe I should stop writing anything that doesn’t pass your own ‘anonymous’ personal litmus test? Richard, if you don’t want to read it, don’t. I’ll offer you a full 100% refund.
Fair point Martin although 100% refund?
my obtuse way of referring to the fact that this web site is 100% free and you as users do actually get all of this for £ zero.- Just ignore me it was a long day yesterday!
100% – Tm absolutely nailed it!
A great summary of our situation. Not sure if JL is the man for the job, he has made some odd decisions with his set up and why is Alvarez not starting.
I think we have a good squad, but we badly needed to get our striker right and we haven’t done that over the past few seasons. Let’s hope we get 3 points today and that JL goes for it.
Absolutely correct