West Ham Player Ratings: WHU 1-3 WBA, No Confidence, No Cohesion And No Answers

West Ham 1-3 West Bromwich Albion 

West Ham suffered another thoroughly miserable afternoon at the London Stadium as West Bromwich Albion exposed the defensive frailties and midfield problems which have become all too familiar under Nuno Espírito Santo. Jarrod Bowen’s excellent first-half equaliser briefly offered some hope, but the Hammers were second best for much of the opening 45 minutes.

What concerns me most is that there’s something inherently wrong with this team which goes far beyond individual players. There’s no confidence, no cohesion and precious little understanding between teammates. We can’t defend properly, we struggle to pass the ball through midfield and we’re painfully slow when opponents attack us.

West Ham did enjoy plenty of attacking possession in the second half, particularly down the wings, but there was very little cutting edge. Meanwhile, West Brom were able to score three avoidable goals. As I’ve said before, this is not bums on seats football that West Ham are playing.

West Ham Player Ratings v West Bromwich Albion

Mads Hermansen – 3/10

Came out to punch West Brom’s first corner clear, but his handling of another set piece in the second half was dreadful. Completely lost the flight of the ball and West Ham were fortunate not to concede. Another unconvincing afternoon for a goalkeeper whose performances continue to concern me.

Kyle Walker-Peters – 5/10

Looked sharp going forward and produced some excellent attacking moments, including a lovely pass to release Bowen. Unfortunately, he was repeatedly caught out of position defensively, leaving enormous spaces down West Ham’s right. Kilman and Golambeckis were constantly having to cover for him. Picked up a yellow card and appeared to suffer an injury before being replaced by Veltman.

Airidas Golambeckis – 5/10

I was really impressed with the youngster during the opening stages. His reading of the game was excellent, he anticipated danger, won important tackles and showed remarkable composure when turning out of trouble under pressure.

Unfortunately, Jed Morgan got the better of him for West Brom’s second goal, although Austbø’s dreadful pass had created the problem in the first place. Golambeckis recovered to make an excellent block when Isaac Price threatened on the break. A mixed afternoon, but I still think there’s a very promising footballer here.

Max Kilman – 5/10

Probably West Ham’s busiest defender, making several important blocks and interceptions. He repeatedly had to cover the space left by Walker-Peters and produced an excellent intervention to prevent Ousmane Diakité from scoring.

However, he was also involved in the defensive confusion for West Brom’s opening goal and received a deserved yellow card for a rash challenge after stepping into midfield. Almost scored with a header from Bowen’s corner. Did plenty of good things, but was part of a defence that conceded three poor goals.

Morato – 4/10

His involvement in the opening goal wasn’t particularly impressive, with West Brom finding it far too easy to get behind the defence.

But his worst moment came for the third goal. From a West Brom corner, Morato made a complete hash of his clearance, barely flicking his foot at the ball and failing even to get it out of the penalty area. Callum Styles subsequently scored with a half-volley which bounced through a crowd of players. Really poor defending.

Arne Engels – 3/10

An absolutely dreadful performance. Made a mess of two attempted clearances early on, completely missed the ball on one occasion and was repeatedly dispossessed in dangerous areas.

Diakité seemed to have his number, and Engels was beaten far too easily in midfield. His corner delivery was also poor, with one dreadful low effort failing to beat the first man. Picked up West Ham’s third yellow card late on.

Mohamadou Kanté – 4/10

Certainly couldn’t fault his effort. Had an early half-volley which went over the bar and another goal-bound attempt deflected behind after excellent work from Austbø.

There were moments when he looked relatively dangerous, and I still think there’s a potentially effective footballer there. However, his partnership with Pablo was thoroughly uninspiring, and West Ham never looked particularly threatening through the middle. Replaced by Souček.

Divine Mukasa – 4/10

A technically gifted footballer who I think West Ham are wasting in his current role. Far too often, Mukasa was having to drop deep to collect the ball from the centre-backs because there was absolutely no fluidity in midfield.

He should be operating much further forward, where he can influence attacks rather than trying to compensate for everyone else’s inability to move the ball. Had an early moment when he might have conceded a penalty on another day. Replaced by Solomon.

Jarrod Bowen – 5/10

Scored West Ham’s equaliser with a brilliant right-footed finish after driving into the penalty area. It was a desperately needed goal at a time when the Hammers were massively under the cosh.

Looked lively at times, producing some excellent dribbling and a lovely sidestep down the right, although one promising cross was badly overhit. Delivered the corner from which Kilman nearly scored. One of the few players capable of creating something, but even Bowen couldn’t rescue this performance.

Edvin Austbø – 5/10

Produced some absolutely excellent runs down the left, including a dazzling early slalom into the penalty area which created a shooting opportunity for Kanté.

Indeed, much of West Ham’s attacking threat came from Austbø’s willingness to run at defenders. Unfortunately, his dreadful misplaced pass shortly after half-time gifted West Brom possession and contributed directly to their second goal.

Tried to make amends with further dangerous runs, but that mistake was extremely costly. A real mixture of exciting attacking play and careless possession.

Pablo – 3/10

Another thoroughly disappointing performance. Got himself into a promising position after nine minutes but shot wide, and his first touch repeatedly let him down.

Lost possession in dangerous areas, including an incident which led to West Brom threatening to score again. I can’t fault his willingness to work, but there’s simply no pace, fluency or threat in West Ham’s attacking partnership. Replaced by Piroe before the hour.

West Ham Substitute Ratings

Joël Piroe – 4/10

Replaced Pablo in the 59th minute. Managed to find a gap through a brick wall of West Brom legs to get a shot away in the 76th minute. There was an appeal for handball, although I didn’t think it was one. Offered little else to suggest West Ham were going to find a way back.

Manor Solomon – 4/10

Came on for Mukasa and quickly played the ball to Walker-Peters, whose powerful effort forced a good save. However, he couldn’t provide the attacking spark West Ham desperately needed.

Joël Veltman – 5/10

Immediately made an important defensive tackle after replacing the injured Walker-Peters, conceding a corner in the process. Brought some defensive awareness, although by that stage West Ham were chasing the game and the tactical changes were doing little to trouble West Brom.

Tomáš Souček – 4/10

Barely noticed him after he replaced Kanté. West Ham appeared to have almost completely surrendered midfield by this stage, and Souček did very little to change that.

Taty Castellanos – 3/10

Replaced Golambeckis as Nuno changed the formation, but was almost completely anonymous.

His first notable contribution was an awful, hopeful shot from distance in the 82nd minute. Two minutes later he produced another effort so high that it had a chance of travelling across London and sailing between the posts at Twickenham. A proper Jonny Wilkinson-style hoof.