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Tactical Muddle | West Ham Got Exactly What They Asked For

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West Ham 1-1 Southampton

West Ham were their own worst enemies after sitting back and trying to defend a narrow 1-0 lead against Southampton at the London Stadium.

With the Hammers ahead thanks to a Jarrod Bowen goal and seemingly cruising, manager Graham Potter switched tactics—and changed the flow of the game in the process.

After Bowen struck early in the second half, West Ham enjoyed a dominant spell, with Lucas PaquetĂĄ, Bowen, and Niclas Fullkrug all causing the Saints all manner of problems. At one point, Southampton looked rattled, resorting to aimless hoof and clearances just to relieve pressure. A second West Ham goal felt inevitable.

But instead of pushing on, the Hammers retreated. Potter’s tactical shift invited pressure, and Southampton grew in confidence. The equaliser felt more and more likely—and it came in stoppage time.

With West Ham failing to regain control, Lesley Ugochukwu fired home in the third minute of added time, punishing the Irons defence as we parked the bus and abandoned the shape which had given us dominance.

It was no less than Southampton deserved. West Ham effectively sat back and said: “Show us what you’ve got.”

And the Saints did.

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10 comments

  • The Demon says:

    The turning point for me with Moyes was the ‘cowardice’ against Newcastle, when we were 2-0 up and decided to park the bus. We lost.

    It was the same yesterday. Winning, not looking bad, but then dropping back to our own 18-yard line.

    We have always been incapable of defending a lead, so why bother?

  • Trevsheadwonthecup says:

    I couldn’t believe my eyes yesterday at just how lazy our players were . pacqueta and fullkrug being the exceptions . The saints players chased down every ball and deserved their reward at the end . When the clubs ownership has zero ambition it shouldn’t come as a surprise. When the players stop caring . Sullivans going to get this club relegated and surely kretinsky Vanessa gold and Tripp smith must see that .

  • Kevlar says:

    Cundy and O’Hara on talksport stirring the pot as usual !!! Stating potter should be sacked even though he hasn’t had any money to build his own team as promised by Sullivan? And then they go on to state that Bowen should leave as well ? I wish they would just do one and chat shit about their own rubbish clubs that have spent hundreds of millions on players and are no better for it ?

    • Steve1 says:

      Good to hear that you are in the know Kevlar. Share with us, what did Sullivan actually promise?

      As for Cundy and O’Hara, Lopetegui was winning more matches than Potter currently is……. and he got sacked. Perhaps they are not too wide of the mark.

  • Tdc says:

    The problem we have is that most of this team see themselves somewhere else next season.
    Potter is the guy that’s arranged himself a birthday party and nobody really wants to go. So people show up, have a drink and go home.
    That includes Bowen, why would he want to stay.

  • Phil Baker says:

    If Potter’s a tactical genius then Lopetegui is a god . Of course Lopetegui’s defense was the worst , however Potter’s attack is officially the worst . No idea , no creativity , just like at Brighton and Chelsea . Potter claims only minor squad changes needed but with no Paqueta or Kudus Westham have a team that would struggle against EFL Championship teams . These days I have to squint my eyes while watching Aston Villa to enjoy watching claret and blue . Potter needs to be sacked now but Sullivan won’t and so I fear that Westham will be more likely to play in the Championship than Champions League in the 26/27 season .

  • Phil Baker says:

    If Potter’s a tactical genius then Lopetegui is a god . Of course Lopetegui’s defense was the worst , however Potter’s attack is officially the worst . No idea , no creativity , just like at Brighton and Chelsea . Potter claims only minor squad changes needed but with no Paqueta or Kudus Westham have a team that would struggle against EFL Championship teams . These days I have to squint my eyes while watching Aston Villa to enjoy watching claret and blue . Potter needs to be sacked now but Sullivan won’t and so I fear that Westham will be more likely to play in the Championship than Champions League in the 26/27 season .

  • Martin61 says:

    Fulkrug has made it clear that is the players not doing what asked by the coaches.
    The question is why?

  • Ray Martin says:

    Love the Fullkrug interview. If you haven’t seen it it’s worth a look. I didn’t go today and I’m out for the season after surgery. Was disappointed as I thought it would be one game where we played good football and won. As it turns out I had a result not going. My son used my season ticket and he came straight round after the game and gave it back, saying he’d rather go shopping at Lakeside with the Mrs than watch any more of that.

  • Mick Bering says:

    To be honest I was all for POTTER coming in But imn shocked and dissapointed at what’s going on at this moment So poor

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