To come back from that awful start and take a point, away at Brentford where West Ham United have a hitherto abysmal record, should be seen as a ‘satisfactory’ result for this team despite some very strange substitutions- more on those later.
‘Fessing up straight away, I missed the last 15 minutes thanks to the Wifi failing so like the rest of you I had to follow on the ‘app’ and radio.
But I’d already noted some positive signs from that first three quarters of the game, and you’ll be surprised to hear that from what I saw, Irons’ latest ‘utility’ player – Konstantinos Mavropanos no less- on at right back, looked very suited to his role!
Mavropanos- looked well suited to a new role!
He has apparently played there often in his earlier career. Credit where it is due, I think ‘Mav’ was a great call from Lopetegui instead of Coufal.
He looked quite comfortable filling in, taking like a duck to water to this required role at right back and allowing Wan-Bissaka to play on the other side: For the second or third time this season, Aaron Wan-Bissaka himself looked a commensurate left back, driving for the line and crossing with his ‘weaker’ foot.
All of this came about following a weird reshuffle at half time which took Kudus and Emerson off and brought Soler on as a.. left winger ?
This one was just strange. Somebody please ask Lopetegui why, when Summerville was on the bench and would have been the natural choice as a winger to replace Kudus. I hope it wasn’t an injury – enforced change. Summerville did come on later but by then I was watching a blank screen.
I spent much of the first half Todibo-watching. I’d seen him flinch away from a shot at Liverpool so was apprehensive every time he got involved but I should say he looked composed, fit and after the first 30 seconds when Brentford scored- the pairing with Kilman looked quite solid.
He also seems to be playing with a big smile every time the camera cut to him, which implies level of calmness and is good to see after a frustrating start to his Hammers’ career. I’d hope he will start the next half dozen games and cement a good relationship with Kilman.
Quite how our head coach decides on his substitutions – and with what aim in mind – I’ll never know but thanks to an Antonio air shot and a typical, magnificent Soucek lunge in for the resultant bobbling ball, West Ham got a point, Lopetegui must feel better about his team and for the first 70 plus minutes at least, West Ham put together some attractive triangles and touches. Something to build on. Big improvement in the effort and ‘desire’ over recent weeks, J’Lo is getting something through to them, after all..
I’m off to stick a pound in the meter and hope I get my internet back on in time for some of the Wolves Liverpool game.
Great to see Mavro can play RB with confidence and skill. He can be deplyed there when needed and will be a positive contributor. Wonderful surprise!
To answer your question, Lopetegui’s modus operandi is more popularly referred to as Panic, and I think it would be more accurate say that they are finally getting something through to him. Certainly some positives but nothing to suggest a coaching breakthrough.
Not quite perfect yet, but much better. The spirit and effort not to accept a defeat was there, and in the end it paid off. Some passing and triangles were encouraging signs, but some key players (e.g. Paqueta) still can up their level of play. Got no closer to europe places, but not closer to the relegation zone either. Plus Lopetegui is trying hard.
Mavros looked like a premier league player today.
The team overall looked more comfortable as the game went on, sitting the defensive line lower, and not trying to play out from the back.
Overall, not what some refer to as the West Ham way, but a point away to Brentford is a good result.
I think it will come together and it can click quickly when it does. We have good players but not a good team yet.
We need to see Fullkrug, Antonio is no longer up to this level. Maybe as an impact sub but not as a starter any more.