West Ham Stat Attack: Orford Impresses But One Number Is Horrible

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

The statistics from West Ham’s 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham tell an interesting story – but certainly not the whole story.

Fulham deserved to win. They had 58% possession, outshot West Ham 12-9 and produced 2.44 xG compared with our 1.94.

But there were some very encouraging individual numbers buried within the defeat – and one absolutely horrible one.

The Good

Lewis Orford quietly produced an impressive performance against Premier League opposition. The midfielder completed 49 of his 53 passes, made nine recoveries and completed three of his four progressive passes.

Those numbers need context, though. West Ham were overrun in midfield at times as Fulham poured players forward, meaning Orford had to recover possession and then be sensible with it. I thought he handled that responsibility well.

It was particularly encouraging given that Orford had disappeared completely from Nuno’s squad against Wolves only a couple of weeks ago. He’s clearly still very much in the manager’s plans.

Manor Solomon’s numbers after coming on were excellent too: four successful dribbles from four, three successful progressive passes from three and three passes into the final third from three attempts.

Morato’s evening perhaps demonstrated why statistics should never be viewed in isolation. He lost possession 16 times – the most of any West Ham player – yet scored, won four of his six defensive duels and I thought he handled the dangerous Kevin pretty well.

Having also registered an assist in his previous appearance, he’s certainly making attacking contributions.

The Bad

West Ham’s pressing numbers were striking. Our PPDA was 40.7 compared with Fulham’s 15.8. In simple terms, West Ham allowed Fulham considerably more passes before attempting a defensive action.

That matched what I watched.

At one stage Pablo Felipe ran almost single-handedly across Fulham’s entire back line trying to press. It was individual endeavour rather than a coordinated team press, and there was a lethargy about West Ham at times that statistics can’t measure.

Nuno Espírito Santo also used Divine Mukasa and Mohamadou Kanté in wide midfield positions, which suggested to me that solidity and shape were prioritised over attacking intensity. It was certainly a very different approach from the one which saw West Ham tear Wrexham apart 6-0 only a few days earlier.

The Ugly

Unfortunately, this one picks itself.

Taty Castellanos’ 87th-minute opportunity carried an xG of 0.43 – comfortably West Ham’s biggest chance of the second half. Bowen’s delivery presented him with so much of the goal to aim at that it was almost impressive he managed to find the defender’s foot.

It was the sort of opportunity strikers dream about and should have been dispatched with purpose. The irony was that Pablo had earlier converted a considerably more difficult chance.

As noted in our player ratings after the final whistle, West Ham still gave a decent account of themselves against Premier League opposition and showed plenty of character.

Statistics only ever paint half the picture. On this occasion, though, they support what most of us watched: some encouraging individual performances, some tactical caution – and one enormous opportunity to make it 3-3.