Just two games into the new season we need to be wary of jumping from hyper-critical after the Villa game to over-positive after the victory against a below-par Crystal Palace. There are some interesting trends, though, that have been noted since pre-season which are developing nicely in this Hammers’ team, making us much more of an attacking threat than in previous campaigns.
Instead of being the one dimensional, ‘soak up pressure for 70 minutes then sneak a goal on the break’ West Ham of 23/24, the plans being developed offer much more hope to supporters of an entertainment spectacle whilst at the same time providing plenty of headaches for opponents.
Right from Lopetegui’s first game, we have seen West Ham use the long diagonal ball out from defence mostly from Kilman and Aguerd aiming to hit Bowen or Kudus running in behind defenders. Instead of the slow ‘side – side- back’ of yore, it is, if not revolutionary in concept, effective in advancing down the pitch and keeping defenders on their toes against our adventurous pacy wingers.
In addition we’ve now seen Max Kilman carrying the ball out of defence in a way which offers another dimension to attack: He’d threatened before but against Crystal Palace combined the carry into an opponents’ half with a killer ball to Bowen: More akin to a Paqueta- like through pass, it gives another combination for midfield opposition to have to bear in mind.
Indeed, a couple of times at Selhurst Park Mavropanos carried the ball in similar style, without the end result but certainly working on something instilled during training.
Added to which is the polished wing display from Aaron Wan Bissaka in a little 20 minute cameo which offers another dimension to Hammers’ goal threat. Beating players, running with the ball and passing to develop an attack which led to a goal showed the class which we have bought – whilst Wan Bissaka is known more for his stunning tackling, his impact going forward was immediate. Now teams who set up against us will have far more to think about than the old ‘long ball to Antonio’ Hammers.
More entertaining? Oh yes. And more successful? Lets say the signs are good.
Yep here too ⚒️
Yep 😊