West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui was clearly delighted with the defensive performance of his Hammers team against Ipswich, but things could have been very different.
It would be fair to assume that this West Ham side’s confidence is currently paper-thin. At best, the start to the season has been one step forward and one step back, and even though the campaign is in its infancy, the side has produced some pretty shoddy defensive displays.
Therefore, it would have been completely understandable if heads had dropped and shoulders slumped following Ipswich Town’s early equaliser at the London Stadium. The Irons went into an unexpected early lead within the first minute, but the Tractor Boys drew level almost immediately.
The West Ham players would surely have been forgiven for thinking, “Oh no, not again,” because I know I certainly did. It would have been easy at that point to reflect on some of the bad performances and worse results this season, but this team appears to be made of tougher stuff.
Ipswich responded quickly to Antonio’s opener
West Ham’s resilience
Rather than feel sorry for themselves about Liam Delap’s completely avoidable equaliser, Lopetegui’s boys puffed out their chests and went about winning the game. There was a determination to carry out the game plan and treat the opposition’s raid on Alphonse Areola’s goal as nothing more than an inconvenience.
Lopetegui himself appeared to concur by saying, “We started very well but suffered a very early equalising goal. I think after that we had a very good mentality, we kept strong, and we deserved to score before we did get the second. In the last chance of the half, we did score, and we kept going in the second half. We kept looking for goals, and in the end, we achieved a good victory.”
The Hammers’ gaffer was completely bang-on in his appraisal. The whole display was as much about mentality as it was about footballing ability. It was clear that the team as a whole believed in the tactics and the system and was determined to deploy them irrespective of any bumps in the road.
I saw a vast improvement yesterday they seemed to be understanding the system much better. The problem I saw was they seemed decent at keeping possession in defence although made a few risky passes and runs across our box. It seems something or someone is missing transitioning from defence to attack without the use of a long ball.
Getting our second when we did was key, but a great second half performance. The two centre backs seem to have a good partnership and JCT seems class.
We have nothing to fear at spurs unless they try to use the same tactics as they did against Chelsea. Spurs will attack us in numbers but that will give us plenty of chances to counter
Also, let’s not forget that since their unexpected promotion from the Championship last season, Ipswich has so far proven to be a tough opponent for any team in the Prem.
Although they are yet to secure a win, they have managed four draws in seven matches, notably against teams like Aston Villa, Brighton, Southampton and Fulham.
Was it that good a performance? yes we won and yes we deserved to but lets not get carried away here i mean two seasons ago Ipswich were in league one and we were in Europe so it should not of been a contest.
Ipswichs naivety at playing out from the back made the game easy for us and that lets see how good our defence is next time out against the Spuds shall we when a much more thorough examination will be made and i think Emerson will prove a very big weak link in that game.
Paqueta for me was not great and laying on the floor as usual as the game goes on around him is bloody frustrating Kudus persevering on the left did ok and a salmon like leap for his goal was remarkable but when he came off and yes it was for five minutes or so only but Summerville being out there gave the side a far better balance but i doubt the Lad barring an injury in the squad will be starting any time soon.
Still much to be worked on but winning at home for the first time is a monkey off the managers back.
I keep saying back the team through thick and thin we have a great manager and squad a little more time and we will light up the league stop the backbiting and stay united coyi