All season there have been criticisms of West Ham‘s lightweight midfield: Cardboard cutouts I called them, owing to the lack of mobility, low energy and zero speed of recovery. Against Newcastle United last night there were changes in personnel and systems plus a singular mood change: A high energy, combative performance from Tomas Soucek, Lucas Paquetá and Carlos Soler transformed the lethargic centre of West Ham’s team into an altogether different proposition.
Nobody its saying it is perfect or that one game changes everything. But the work rates were far better, Carlos Soler zipping into challenges and Lucas Paqueta winning the ball back in a way that was unrecognisable from the Hammers’ woeful performances of early season.
Remember that awful Chelsea performance? The midfield on that day made for sorry watching. At the time, we wrote:” The trio of Rodriguez, Alvarez, and Paqueta lost the ball a total of 29 times, often allowing Chelsea to turn defence to attack quickly, splitting them open and creating big chances, some even ending in goals. That 29 times was in the first thirty five minutes”
Last night against Newcastle, combining Soler and Paqueta as passing, creative midfielders combined with the workhorse tackling of Tomas Soucek– suddenly clicked. It was as if the three had new Duracell batteries and a new lease of life, popping up to make tackles and then glory be, passing the ball and keeping possession!
The four at the back suddenly look secure because there is a proper three man midfield screening them. West Ham looked for ninety six minutes as if they were well drilled and working to the same plan.
I was, like many armchair viewers, not quite open mouthed, but enjoying rather than enduring. Finally. It’s been a while.
Now to build on this. Keeping the liability of Alvarez and the lethargy of Rodriguez away from the starting XI is Lopetegui’s next task. And keep changing those Duracells every game.
its all so simple and all we were asking for as fans.do the miles on the pitch ,look like you care and are trying your best and look at the difference.Yes its only one game but this has to be the standard from now on as we have all seen you can do it.also keep Rodriguez away from the starting 11.
It’s a no brainer , play an unchanged team against Arsenal . There’s hope now .
Agree midfield excellence made us flow and control the game. Soucek will not be denied as a goal threat, Soler and Paqueta were stylish. I also liked Irving when he came on. Not so Rodriguez a Nd I don’t like Alvarez – and those two together will relegated us. Like Summerville although would like to see him go down the line a bit, and Wan Bisaka was my man of the match. COYI
Happily see Rodriguez leave in January on a free as obviously suits La Liga but too slow for Prem football.
If we see another solid performance against Arsenal, irrespective of the outcome, then Lopetegui may go some way to exonerating himself for the first 11 games. We may be able to accept that it took a few months for the new systems and personnel to gel.
If we put in a performance like we did against Chelsea, however, and get smashed by Arsenal, Lopetegui’s head will be back on the chopping block. Let’s just hope he recognises that he has formalised an effective system now and perseveres with it.
That way we can be positive about the games that follow Arsenal where we can pick up some points and start to climb the table. It’s still early, and still plenty to play for.
And it’s great to feel somewhat positive again.
Still not convinced yet by JLo as Maresca proved good coaches don’t need time to establish an ID.
Some of his decisions were farcical so a lot still depends on how the next few games go 🤷♂️
Leicester away and Wolves at home will tell us if we should hold or fold IMO
Sorry, but this is a really dumb comparison. Maresca took over a team that were already playing similar football under Poch and were flying in 2024 (top four based on 2nd half of the season results).
Whereby, Lopetegui took over a team who had barely won a game in 2024, were conceding ****loads and needed to completely change the philosophy of playing without the ball.
One game doesn’t make Lopetegui a world beater but to compare these two examples is incredibly stupid!
Indeed playing players in the correct position, who’d have thought!?
What now for Alvarez? On last night’s showing Soler/ Pacqueta worked as on paper it should. Does he come in for Soucek…..which would be unfair as he’s consistently looked one of our better players.
Nobody’s mentioning Todibo. He exited after being pictured on the ground appearing to be quite possibly injured.
Having hit upon a winning working formula, tinkering again may not be wise…..and then there’s Kudus…..
OPTIONS…..but which are the correct ones?
Todibo was one of the two players mentioned by Lopetegui who were ‘doubts’ before the game, he has a stomach problem and played in spite of feeling bad.
Let’s be honest JLo had been consistently setting us up with players out of position until last night!
The Chelsea game Alvarez was actually in a back three in defense ffs 🤦♂️
Let’s just hope our inconsistent team selections and tactics have stopped after the twelfth attempt at getting it right.
We have a chance of improving and progressing up the league if we keep the same shape as last night. Kudus, Alvarez can still fit in to the same formation if used correctly. Rodriguez still not a Prem player for me though.
We ran the second highest distance in the premier league this season last night probably had more than a bit to do with it. We couldn’t be faulted for graft…
Helps when the team runs 🤣🤣