Although Nottingham Forest’s point against Arsenal took the gloss off the end of the day, West Ham’s three point grab against Spurs shows there is still a long way to go in this relegation drama in the months ahead. The ‘unassailable’ gap is now down to five points -which is frustrating because West Ham fans can all think back to recent games which ‘should’ have been won – the ‘Forest fixture itself a classic example where VAR intervened to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Hammers fans no doubt feared the worst at Tottenham’s stadium yesterday afternoon: The apparently innocent Ollie Scarles ‘hand ball’ which VAR took it upon themselves to ‘investigate’ in the last few minutes clearly an attempt to find a reason to intervene when none existed.
Callum Wilson’s goal was also investigated thoroughly as the men in the shed again sought to intervene and look for a reason to interfere with the on-field decision.
However much fans want to believe in the integrity of the game, there is a creeping shift from ‘backing up’ the referee as an assistant towards ‘intervention’ whenever there’s a chance to influence an outcome.
Common sense prevailed yesterday and the Hammers three points were secured. VAR needs to be relabelled as VIR – be it ‘intervention’ or ‘interference’ – but what we see each week is clearly not passively ‘assisting’ the referee as was it’s original intention. And it is ruining the game as a spectacle.
In this instance, West Ham ‘escaped’ and can now prepare for the next chapter of this season’s attempt to reimagine the ‘great escape’ which, with a couple of new front men able to hold up play, link up with the wingers and give the defence a break, doesn’t look as impossible a task as this time last week.
Castellanos – great link up and forward play
‘Taty’ and ‘Pablo’ might not have the PL assists or the goals – yet – but their contribution was every bit as important as Summerville and Wilson’s strikes.
Just don’t let another VAR ‘episode’ spoil the upcoming Sunderland game.
VAR had ready ruined the game we all love . It is “clear and obvious “ that it is just a Band Aid covering up the real problem which is the appalling standard of the refs and the people who are making mistakes in every game in the VAR cabin. Game after game is held up while they try and find reasons to disallow perfectly good goals or correct decisions made by the man in charge . It was a treat last weekend watching FA cup games with no VAR.
As for the Hammers this game demonstrated how badly Kilman ‘s inaptitude has affected the team . Without him Tolibo and the Greek look more confident and trust each other without the uncertainty and baby sitting duties brought in by Kilman . Without him this squad would be in mid table . 18 months of awful defending can and should be firmly placed at his feet.
And the managers for continually picking him?
Last comment: with Pablo and Taty, it shows what is possible when recruiting players with the right attributes. They are not big names, but really enhance the play of the team. To be fair, Wilson also brought something new to the team in being a clinical finisher.
It will be fascinating to see if can keep this standard of recruitment going.
Good point about VAR, it’s a gradual shift and had not noticed, but it changes the whole nature of its use. It needs to be kept at arm’s length. I could not believe it when VAR intervened to double-check Scarles’ handball when in the mayhem of a penalty area a ball brushes a hand ever so slightly. That level of detail is absurd, the ball never being deflected/affected by that action. Who will raise this alarm though?
I like Paqueta, but without him on the pitch the team seemingly find it easier to press forward (for reasons we all know). I have only watched one game where he played it quick and simple, no hanging onto the ball, no halting the momentum of the team. That was after a shameful sending off when he wanted to keep a low profile, be a team player – but it lasted 1 game.
With this setup, WHU play is flowing, quicker and effective is how it seemed to me. I do not know another team in the PL who have this flow and movement up front. Maybe I’m exaggerating or getting carried away, but as a style of play I definitely like it.
Sorry disagree on Pablo and Taty. I was at the game and it’s obvious Nuno needs to switch them round.
Taty is a no10 and dropping Pablo needs to be played upfront as his second touch is a tackle.
That aside yesterday gives us some hope. And tbh beating Spurs away in the last min is about as good as it gets.
Poor decision if Nuno has talked Wilson out of the club. Fans were calling for him from 60 mins and we were struggling for an outlet.