West Ham 1-1 Lille: Boyle Sports Cup London Stadium
Areola:7 Didn’t have to make a save until the 31st minute. No chance with the Lille goal but it was possibly offside. Hardly anything to do but did have a late save to make. Crowned himself in a bit of glory as back to back saves in the penalty shootout clinched the win.
Todibo:6 Sometimes his pressing leaves him incredibly high up the pitch forcing Wan Bissaka to cover. Some decent ball skills and passing at times. One good run into midfield was followed by a smart pass to Diouf.
Kilman:6 One sliding block stopped a shot in the first half. Could he have been closer to Giroud who scored after 45 mins? Probably, but Wan Bissaka seemed to kill the Irons offside trap. One dribble and run upfield resulted in a chance for Bowen at the start of the send half.
Aguerd:6 Had to be alert and busy early on as West Ham sat back and invited pressure. Good run down the left flank followed a good interchange with Diouf which almost produced a chance for Fullkrug. West Ham are such a slow team that Aguerd’s pace is evident. Should have done better with Ward Prowse’s corner.
Wan Bissaka:7 Demonstrated his excellent 1-on-1 defending early in the game with a first class sliding tackle. Had to be good with the ball at his feet to resist Lille’s pressing. Good run early in the second half but produced a poor cross. Produced another good cross for Fullkrug who forced the keeper into a save.
Potts:5 Given a tough task against the excellent Hákon Arnar Haraldsson who was at the heart of the oppositions best work. Never really got the chance to play his one touch football in the first half. Won a freekick in a dangerous area as the Hammers finished the half strongly.
Ward Prowse:6 Will be disanointed not to score with a curling shot. Worked his socks off and covered every blade of grass. Stopped an attack on 54 mins with a timely tackle.
Paqueta:4 So good at winning fouls when under pressure and there are no passes on. Sloppy in possession. Booked for a clumsy sliding tackle following a poor touch.
Diouf:7 His crossing was on display after only 10 mins when he found Bowen with a deep ball across Lille’s defence. Produced an incredible first touch at the end of the second half which set up another crossing opportunity. Headed just wide following a cross from AWB. Remained dangerous all game.
West Ham v Lille: Diouf was the Hammers best player in the first half
Bowen:6 Early shot made by the captains intense pressing nearly yielded a goal. Incredible footwork created a shot for Ward Prowse. Hit a fierce shot following an excellent header from Fullkrug.
Fullkrug:7 Won his fair share of headers as he dropped deep to get involved. Found Bowen with an excellent pass which was shot wide. Should have scored from Wan Bissaka’s cross. Scored the equaliser.
Substitutes:
Aguerd crosses from the left wing
Soucek: 74th min sub for Paqueta. Immediate impact as he picked up on Bowen’s pressing and set up the big German for the equaliser.
Walker Peters: On for Todibo with AWB moving to CB. He’s really tricky and think he’ll do well.
Rodriguez: Swapped for Potts.
After 1-1 at full time the game went to penalties which I’ve not factored into my ratings. Bowen, JWP, Soucek, Kilman & Aguerd scored as West Ham won in the shootout.
I think it might be time to move Paqueta on
I think he needs a fresh start
As for Gulhimere I think we should not be to quick to judge, he needs a regular run and he is only young. I think we will regret letting him go
I think it is time for Prowse,Rodriquez,Alcarez,CornetEmerson,Agyred, all to be moved on if we can.
Need a freshen up
Need more hungry players
If todibo and Kilman are played together both ball carriers I do feel it would be bennificial to the team to have a Dawson Billy Bonds type player alongside them Someone to put their life on the line as last line of defence
What I can tell you with certainty, we need a few midfield players with pace .. we’re to slow . I hope we can shift Ward – prose and another midfielder for youn energetic powerful young players.
I saw the first half only and we’ll need to do better than I saw. I still think we need a dynamic midfielder then maybe with Summerville back….
Pretty boring I thought fromWH,French looked crisper. Nothing there for us to shout about, we need youngsters to play if we want some exciting stuff, this looked like the usual fare we got served last year.
Souchek has to play for me. Too many goal scoring involvements to be sat on the bench.
For me Kilman had a really good game, the goal wasn’t a central defenders fault as AWB was sleeping…..rightly or wrongly I think the 3 central defenders are starting to get a better understanding…
Game changed 2nd half when we pressed more
Gonzo I will stick by my guns I really do think Kilman is the weak link in our defence
I’m not going to overly argue with you on that Mick although Todibo does worry me.