Nuno named an attack minded side with two debuts for the first home fixture of the Championship era, with striker Joel Pirou and Championship record signing Arne Engels on show for the first time. West Ham would have been keen to lay to rest the ghost of that last ten minutes at Turf Moor when they surrendered a two goal lead, especially in front of a sold out London Stadium, again a record for the Championship.
Dreadful defending and a soft, half-hit overhead kick from a Charlton long throw – where the ball bounced between Mavropanos and Kilman and neither put their head in – saw the visitors ahead on six minutes and the crowd stunned. Come back, Axel Disasi, all is forgiven. Very poor, West Ham. I’m sick of watching Kilman and Mavropanos cock-ups already this season, to be honest.
Neither Kilman or Mavropanos got their heads onto the bouncing ball, allowing Charlton to score after just six minutes
Charlton then sat back and defended in two banks, playing counter attacking football as expected, inviting West Ham to try and break them down. Manor Solomon alone seemed to offer threat inside the first 30 minutes, Engels anonymous and the Hammers ponderous – painfully so, looking for just a spark of inspiration as passes went astray and build up play got slower.
One peculiar Nuno set-up quirk was playing Taty as the striker with Joel Piroe deeper, almost in a ’10’ role when you’d surely expect them the other way around.
West Ham’s one chance of the half came and went as Taty headed straight into the ‘keeper’s arms and the merest whiff of a boo drifted up from one section at half time. A ponderous build up against a side in the lead and parking the bus achieved – as expected – exactly nothing.
The only thing for certain is that the second half could not be any worse than that painful first ’45, as Orford replaced Kanté.
Soon realised that was a dumb thing to type as Charlton made it 2-0, Mavropanos hopelessly caught out in possession and the chance buried. I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than watch this all season. Every bit as bad as last year’s terrible start under Potter.
And then Nuno’s response. Veltman and Makassa for Mavropanos and Scarles. More attacking, finally.
West Ham got one back with Piroe knocking in a save from Taty’s shot and the Irons had 15 minutes: Great striker’s goal. Mukasa had one brilliantly saved to deny him a debut on his Hammers return as the Irons suddenly, belatedly, looked a side with a purpose, if only for the last 10 minutes.
Bowen skipped past three and fired just wide as the Hammers had wave after wave of attack, seeking an equaliser. Why do they wait to go two goals down to start playing football, Nuno?
92nd minute drama with West Ham fluking a penalty which Taty stepped up and missed. Sums up the afternoon with two specialist penalty takers and Bowen on the pitch. I have no words. Well, none polite enough for this blog.
Terrible performance scarles was awful first half and he should’ve been replaced at half time time and time again he acres of space in front of him and he passed sideways or backwards he didn’t take the defender on down the line at all ! Mavropanos and Kilman are a poor partnership together better to play mavropanos and Beltran and Mayers and walker-peters at the back we lack a midfield ball winner who can carry the ball forward into opponents box.
The most upsetting thing so far is that we are now in a league where Millwall are showing us how it’s done.
walker peters, Kilman, Scarlet.
it didn’t work last season, we shipped 2to 3 goals a game.
we haven’t changed it and heh presto, we ship 2 goals a game.
it’s not that difficult, it’s been like it for 24 months.
win % with Kilman and Maverpanos is 20% so why are they both still there.
Charlton had a better defence they put together for two bob . Our transfers are a disgrace.
we are building a mid table championship team, or a bit worse.
Just read all the above comments..if anyone’s read all my comments after the first game, which we won…I said all that then…and people were saying, give them a chance, we won…well another two games on and it seems many are now agreeing with me…the writing was on the wall when we started giving players away, and not sacking Nuno before the season started..
Why does Nuno think he can suddenly make players play out of position to make them better eg Scarles at right back, JWP out on the left, a proven Championship poaching goalscorer behind the forward line, the list goes on.
I do not like to criticise managers who have a difficult job but to me the mistakes are obvious before the match starts and it is to late to correct them after kick off
After over 70 years of being a Hammers supporter I have never felt so frustrated
KWP roasted today as he was in the first half last week. Scarles is proving that he is not good enough for West Ham. We’ve got rid of academy players who have played better. Kilman…… I would like to! What a waste of money. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so weak on a football field.
I agree with all of that comment
There was only one player today who is of premier league standard ( Bowen ). Last season the team that played in the second half were doing ok but Nuno has either sold them or given them away. This season is going to be a difficult watch.
Alas there is no one running the club so little chance Nuno will get sacked
West Ham a shower of ponces who are clearly not physically ready for the demands of the championship. It’ll be a long hard season.
(Eddie) How (e) on earth is Nuno still in a job?
Pathetic result. I have been a Nuno supporter but he is not getting a tune out of this team. Where is his agent to find us some decent players?! Howe or McKenna if things don’t pick up
Disgraceful performance. Mavrapanos reverted to the dithering muppet of early last season . Why ??? Because he is trying to cover for Kilman again. He doesn’t trust him .Full stop . Scarles is not good enough. Slow , can’t cross the ball and leaves the left hand side wide open . He does not learn from his numerous mistakes . With these two in defence we are bottom half at best . Look at the bench. No hope there of any inspiration. What on earth is going on . Players queuing to leave and not enough recruitment to replace them . It is a shambles. So sad ⚒️🤢
I really don’t like criticising our players but we simply don’t look capable of doing anything of note in this league. Successful Championship teams are usually young, fast, muscular and fearless. We looked like a team thrown together for Soccer Aid. Some of our players look out of their depth even at this level. If Nuno wants to assemble a squad capable of getting back to the PL at the first attempt he needs to act and act quickly.
Eddie Howe please
We are not good enough we didn’t match their energy and we are so slow. We won’t get promoted playing like this it is slow ponderous and painful to watch. The players need more fight and energy . The board and Koppen need a defender and more pace in midfield and attack. They will need to spend some cash as we are not good enough as we are that’s for sure. In summary we are s..t.
I Agree West ham were not what I expected, you can spend thousand but that dose not mean promotion you were well bettern todoy.
Nuno why? got to go, tactics? can;t use the players, don’t normally comment but see this going the same way, window is still open though
I said after last week’s game – which we didn’t manage to lose – that I would wait until after the Millwall match before I made my forecast that we would not be promoted this season. Actually, no need to wait; I will say it now, West Ham will NOT be promoted. More likely, we will be relegated ! When is the Manager going to admit what we all know (& what got us relegated, to prove it) ie we do NOT have any defence (apart from several other lackings in the squad) ? I do not know where they are going to come from but, we MUST find 3 or 4 capable defenders; because we do not have ANY at the moment
Seriously now…I love this club so much …they still get there big bucks …but me yes little old me have to face work Monday….I dread it after this result ….but fair play to Charlton…best team won
Mavropanos and Kilman two giants in a comedy of errors look at the first goal with Scarless not helping either.
Ollie is another disaster we have conceded 4 goals in 2 games .
Not a good omen to return straight up.
Hope I m wrong as it’s still early days,but I m seeing symptoms from last year.
I’m not surprised by this . I’m 52 and this is the worst West Ham team I’ve ever seen, Nuno possibly the worst manager. A wonderful club run into the ground over many years by a disgusting chairman and owner, I see mid table as the maximum we are capable of . I see players who no longer want to play ( Mavropanos, Taty ) , yourh players of limited if not poor quality ( scarles, Kante ) . Bowen way past his best too .
Unable to defend , hopeless keeper , slow and unambitious . Sadly I a no longer feel the gut wrenching feeling I used to have . The club ground it out of me over many years. I wish them well and the fans particularly but I see no way back for them .
Abysmal! The downward slide has not stopped yet. A disgraceful all round performance. One week left to buy 8 players. The only qualification is “Can you look interested?” That would be a start.
As soon as Taty stepped up it spelt trouble. Why did he take it? Am I missing something?
It shows how desperate we need to replace Taty, his heart is not in it.
We need a top defender and a top striker fast
I know it is only 2 games but we have got to stop these early goals
Prior looks good and Makasa, it will come once they start to gel
The defence is still a big worry
Nuno OUT.
Again Nuno’s tactics were found wanting, especially playing Piroe as a 10. He’s clearly never even watched the YouTube videos showing Piroe’s goals. Give Piroe service in the six-yard box and he’ll likely score. Everyone but Nuno can see he’s not a 10.
I never wanted us to keep Nuno. For once Sullivan’s instinct was right. Whomever is running the club right now should see the writing on the wall and get rid of him before promotion becomes a distant dream.
Didnt have a chance to watch the game as im off on holiday. But very much looking forward to the post match interviews from bowen where he says “we need to take a hard look at ourselves” and the one from nuno where he says I couldn’t ask for anymore from the players”.
Hmmmm the one benefit of losing 2 or 3 matches may result in Nuno being relieved of his duties.
I do not understand the constant attempt to walk into the box, we had 2 or 3 players regularly in the box, get crosses in and give the boys a chance of scoring.
…. and why didnt Bowen take the penalty, was that trying to convince Taty to stay ?
We’re way too slow out of the blocks, still putting the team together.
Scarles does nothing for me, I never have rated him, I’d rather see Veltman at right back and switch Walker Peters to the left.
Give Solomon an option other than taking his man on for hells sake, even if he wasn’t to use it.
We’re going nowhere fast, can’t even draw a game where we’re gifted a penalty.
N o idea whats so ever, so many meaningless passes across the back, then end up with keeper kicking up the pitch.
we get within range to cross the ball, and 2 passes later its back with the keeper.
We aint never going to get out this league playing like this
I am so angry at losing this game, and why did Jarrod just not take that ball and get us at least a point?
Very frustrating watching our slow, build up play, everyone seeming to want to take two touches instead of releasing the ball straight away.
Nuno has very little time to sort this out otherwise he will lose the fans quicker than we attack!
Not good enough. Not fit enough and not quick enough.
And a manager that’s nicking a living