West Ham produced the performance we’ve all been waiting for in the 2-0 Premier League victory against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
Yes, the result was welcome and much needed given the Hammers’ precarious position in the table, and let’s not forget that St James’ Park is an incredibly difficult away fixture.
But result aside, I think that might be the first time West Ham have properly controlled a game this season. Julen Lopetegui’s team excelled in defence, midfield, and attack, and as a result, the Irons looked incredible at times. So much so, in fact, that Łukasz Fabiański didn’t have too much to do aside from a few Superman punches and footwork one might expect to see on Strictly Come Dancing.
There was much to admire, and I’m sure we’ll discuss Max Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s performances elsewhere. However, I think the real difference was Lopetegui’s decision to play two ball players in central midfield rather than two blockers (I believe the modern term is a double pivot).
Carlos Soler and Lucas Paquetá looked like they’d played together all their lives, as technical footballers tend to do. Their pass-and-move games allowed West Ham to find stability in midfield, and the team as a whole benefited.
The change in the team was so transformative that Lopetegui must use his stay of execution to persist with a more technical midfield and resist any temptation to break up the passing partnership.
So, well done to all concerned, because for the first time this season, West Ham looked like a team.
I’ve been saying since the outset of the season that we need to ballers in the middle, soucek behind the striker the back four speaks for itself with summerville left and bowen right, now I hate to have to say this but I was right all along and had they chosen me as manager we would be in the top 5 by now.
lmao ! … one swallow doesn’t make a summer Pongo! .. you still might be leading us the premier league title at some point …
The lads were all terrific last night made my old bones dance.now we have to repeat the performance against the arse
Finally JLo operated with players in their’ favoured positions and we delivered an impressive performance at last.
Paqueta and Soler showed why they need to be in the middle of the park. No frustration or arms up in the air to show disappointment in the tactics.
Newcastle didn’t bring their’ A game and should’ve had a penalty. Thanks VAR 🤣
Our away support was legendary as always. Respect to the boys in Claret & Blue both on the pitch and up in the stands!
i thought solar was magnificent in the middle
Absolutely spot on and if he does not play either of these, due to injury etc he could play Kudos in a similar role, or one of the youth players who never get a first team outing.
It’s definitely the way forward if we want to see exciting football👍
As good as West Ham were, Newcastle were very poor. If Isak had scored as he should have, we wouldn’t have looked so composed and confident. Totally agree that Soler and Paqueta worked well, Wan Bissaka was great and Bowen tireless.
I fear against Arsenal if they score, some players will go hiding again, but for now performance of the season.
A good night up in Newcastle was a bit worried going up that we may struggle against them but we were magnificent looks like our season could be back on track looking forward to the arsenal game with hope of another win now rather than worrying about us getting a trashed by the gunners COYI
Respect BennyB going up with the lads ✊
Amazing support and loud & proud as always ⚒️
No defending deep and no kamikaze stuff either…see what happens when you put players in there proper positions and have a gameplan…..we deservedly won last night and now the hard work starts to repeat the performance at the weekend and get more consitency
We looked like a team against Newcastle but let’s not get carried away were we really outstanding yes we were but Newcastle made us look that way because they were poor but a win is what mattered however I will not go along with that performance says all is well now the real test will be when we play arsenal if we do well against them then I will start to think we have turned the corner and things are on the up but for now let’s just enjoy a win and one in style at that 🤩👍⚒️
What is all this Newcastle were poor. No they weren’t we shut them down and stopped them playing. Huge difference
Tbf – Geordies were not poor but at same time not great either.
Isak & Gordon should’ve scored from open play and Mav was lucky to get away with the penalty decision.
Starting to like VAR after last night and the home game vs Man Utd 🤣
I don’t get the Newcastle were poor crap , perhaps they didn’t look good because we didn’t let them and because of that we outplayed them , because we were better than they were
This was the first time I really noticed the managers constant eye twitch’s and pale tired appearance, he looks close to a nervous breakdown! Has he always been like this?
You wanna come and look at me!!😀😀
All part and parcel of watching West Ham
His team talk was probably ‘ if I get sacked lads , Moyes is coming back ‘ 🤣