West Ham’s immobile midfield is the subject of many comments on the Claret and Hugh readers’ comments section. Guido Rodriguez Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek don’t set the world on fire and are probably the slowest trio in the country. No wonder the ‘goals against’ column keeps growing .
Somebody seriously needs to start a campaign to ‘bring back the loaned-out three three’ of Potts, Earthy and Ward-Prowse. It is impossible to pretend that the midfield’s lack of creativity and immobility that was on show again against Crystal Palace would not be bolstered by that trio, sent out on loan by Lopetegui, being available for selection.
Consider also that Edson Alvarez is about to be called to centre-back duty whilst Mavropanos sits out his one – game ban. The Mexican has failed to offer anything except yellow card gathering in the middle of the pitch, perhaps he can do better as a central defender option. He’s already made over 70 career appearances as a defender.
That would leave a massive ‘situation vacant’ sign over the midfield. Potts has been getting rave reviews at championship side Portsmouth and I’m sure would give West Ham more than Rodriguez on yesterdays showing.
Earthy- at Bristol City and Ward-Prowse, not even wanted at Nottingham Forest – do at least give West Ham options as attacking midfielders – something we just do not have at the moment. And of course the added bonus with Ward-Prowse is that West Ham could start scoring again from corners- pretty much they only way goals are going in, if yesterday’s performance becomes the norm.
Alvarez at centre back?
He’s vulnerable in centre of park put him in back line and another red card could be outcome.
Needs strict instructions to stat out of trouble.
Moving kilman into midfield could be an idea. Seems to go on runs similar to rice on the odd occasion.
JWP offered nothing last season apart from set pieces and that’s been proved on his loan deal
Yes would like the kids to get a shot, but JWP isn’t the answer IMO
What about Irving??? A Scottish international sat warming the bench, who can tackle, is comfortable on the ball and can score goals.
I would sooner have him than JWP any day of the week.
I too would like to see him have a run.
Interesting comment by Ivor Soreanus.
I hope you’re sitting comfortably
We can argue all night and all day but opinions will always be devided the only opinion that matters is potters and I’m sure he has things planned out in his head so we will just have to wait and see what happens kilman is a top defender I.would like to see jwp back we now have some quality youngsters coming through whic I believe will flourish with potter in charge we just need to get through this season and then we can look forward to a brighter future
We signed Mohamadou Kante in the Summer window an 18 year old midfielder who immediately went on loan to Paris FC. I’m not sure if he’s recallable, or what level he’s at but he’s there and he’s ours.
Been saying this for weeks – Potts, Earthy and JWP need to come back in. Tie in the potential of Orford and Scarles and inject some much needed desire, pace and passion into the team.
Fact is, our season is over and we just need to stay up, which I’m sure we’ll do with an early 40s points tally. Leave the boys to gain experience and reshape in the Summer by which time they’ll be better placed to step up.
Pitts can’t be recalled unless oraiugh agree
Ward m-prowse was poor for last 6 months last season and can’t get in the first side
Earthy can’t get in a championship side
At least their footballing abilities are better than your spelling. Do you know what a ‘spell checker’ is for?
Do we know whether Potts or Earthy have return clauses in their respective loan arrangements?
Ward -Prowse is a liability . Slower than Alvarez and cant tackle . He offers absolutely nothing apart from keeping the bench warm ! Bring back the kids and Aguard because he is far better than Kilman who is the worse defender in the league.
JWP had I think.someone said 17 or 18 goals and assists last year. 9 would be handy this half year I reckon
I don’t think we can recall aguerd, season long loan. Not sure about the lads in the championship
Recall them all if we can ! With a fully fit squad, we’re still short everywhere and a bench that would shame Swansea ! Mavropanos and Cresswell shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team. Still need in this window, irrespective of loan recalls, a striker and a centre back
at the least.
Then, hopefully, in the Summer Potter will be allowed to shape his squad – Sullivan, stay out of it and do we know if Steidten is staying or going ?
Leave Potts where he is at the moment with Pompey,he’s a young man learning his trade and doing really well too.By bringing him back into a struggling team where he’s not going to be a regular week in week out will only harm his development,let him come back in the Summer get a good Pre-season in with Potter and I’m sure he’ll be ready to go for next season.
As much as we could do with him now we don’t want to stifle his development, at least with Potter in charge now you know the Academy boys will get proper game time in the future unlike under Dithering Dave and Lopetegui
Love this comment. I wish everyone could offer up such a balanced and well considered opinion, rather than bashing their keyboard in a desperate attempt to be relevant with stupid comments like “Kilman is the worst defender in the league”… Well done, Ivor – you can come again. 🙂
Agree.
Lewis Orford, anyone? Why would we recall Potts and Earthy and put them ahead of Orford? Sometimes we miss the obvious. A screen of Orford (or JWP) and Soucek, with Pacqueta at the top of midfield triangle looks pretty good to me.
Because Potts and earthy and Marshall are from previous years and have played men’s football. Orford is only 18. Potts is 21 I think.
Potts is playing at the bottom of the championship. Big step up from there to Prem. And Orford has been identified for years as the standout Academy player. Time to back him, IMO. Age is irrelevant – does not matter to Arsenal or Liverpool, eg.
And Potts has a 65% passing accuracy stat at Pompey.
Mikey; I agree, but based on yesterday’s very timid performance, I’m not sure he’s ready. As much as we all want to see our Academy boys out there, when they’re given the chance, they MUST take it and show something special. Simple, backwards passing at a crucial time of the game just wasn’t it. I hope he gets another chance and next time shows us what he’s all about with some endeavour, vision and guile.
That’s a fair comment on Orford. So that leaves a recall for JWP.
Our current loans make a mockery of West Ham.
Chelsea recalled Chalobah due to injuries.
West Ham should be recalling Augerd, Potts & Marshall given the current injuries. The fact we haven’t either means
A) we can’t (loan contracts won’t allow = poor decisions on the loan terms) or
B) we don’t see it as boosting our squad (loans allow, but club have decided not to recall them = poor decisions on the players we already have at our disposal)
We can’t recall Augerd, that’s been confirmed
That’s a decent shout. As everyone knows and sees our midfield lack of pace, mobility, and creativity is a concern. Until this midfield problem is sorted out West Ham will keep conceding 2 goals + in games. We can’t rely on Sullivan to do the right thing and get the players we need to help Potter. We’re more than likely end up with some useless prick Salthouse will chuck at our useless prick of a chairman.