West Ham’s Championship squad got a thorough working out ahead of the season proper starting next weekend, with a comfortable home win against Portsmouth having had to come from behind in front of a record-breaking 53,369 fans at London stadium.
It felt that the Hammers were slow off the mark – whether it be a hangover from last season or an expectation that winning at a canter was their natural right as pre-season favourites – but once the footballing brains kicked into gear after going behind, then the Hammers looked to have made the shift from Premier League losers to Championship contenders.
The lack of VAR should not be understated – several times West Ham players were rolling around on the deck, after the game had been waved on, as if still trying to convince an non existent video ref to re-examine a key moment. The pace of the game, consequentially is faster than the former Premier League side are used to, and it showed throughout the first 40 minutes.
Job done: Tougher tests await
Once the penny dropped, the Irons seemed to shift gear once Taty’s excellent equaliser went in and two more goals in under ten minutes either side of half time sealed the win.
Edson Alvarez – as mentioned earlier – continued where he left off as West Ham’s bad boy hatchet man with a challenge that, had it have been scrutinised by a video referee in minute detail, could and probably should have earned a red card on his West Ham return.
Like Kilman, Hermansen and Scarles, perhaps he’s found his niche in the second division. Too early to be certain.
On a positive note, Lewis Orford’s understated, accurate passing and Mohamadou Kanté’s strength in possession gives Nuno choices in midfield even if more creative additions land next week. And make no mistake, those additions are needed – a huge workload and no replacements yet for Disasi, Fernandes, Wilson and Summerville require urgent fixing if the Irons are to be true contenders this season.
MOM: Taty Castellanos / Kyle Walker Peters share.
Duff moment: Pablo still has plenty. Take your pick.
Im sure you were at the game, but Orford was average. One pass of note. Portsmouth and their number 38 were up for roughing it and Taty and Pablo stood their ground. Portsmouth players down more than us.
Player ratings?
Solomon/engle/parott/disazi as minimum signings. Plus extra defender and extra midfielder.
Can you imagine Repka with VAR?
It was great to see Kante and Orford especially play so well.That was certainly a plus side. But desperately need a midfielder with pace to carry the ball and a striker like Parrot(if only) who could find the net. Pablo tries so hard and does a lot of chasing down, but just can not get on the score sheet, which is such a shame.
Just hope defence cans be solid, looked ok
Please let’s get a striker and midfielder in before window closes
Let’s get the Celtic deal over the line and pay what they are asking