Familiar frailties seemed to overwhelm West Ham this afternoon as they looked shell shocked and devoid of fighting spirit as Millwall ran rings around them for 60 minutes at The Den: Indeed the Irons were lucky to be ‘only’ two goals down after a defensive performance that attracted pretty universal condemnation.
Not that it comes as a surprise to any West Ham fan who watched the side’s abject slide down the Premier League under Graham Potter. Expecting a different outcome from the same centre back pairing which caused so many problems all last season until Nuno brought in Axel Disasi is nothing short of incredible naivety or blatant denial of what everyone else could see quite clearly.
Don’t take my word for it. Footballfancast.co.uk did my work for me this afternoon with their article:
“Nuno told West Ham star who Millwall ripped to shreds is now a “big problem
…2-0 down at the break, BBC pundit and former Manchester United defender Paul Parker didn’t hold back, criticising Max Kilman and telling Nuno that he’s got a “big problem” on his hands.
The central defender received plenty of criticism last season and that has continued into the current campaign, as he takes to the Championship. After another disappointing display, it’s hard to argue against those critics, either.”
Please, Nuno, no more Maximilan Kilman. PLEASE?
His stats were awful: Just one tackle and 3/11 successful duels in 90 minutes and any sharp-eyed observer could see his embarrassing mis-timed jump as West Ham conceded their first and his complete failure to even get in the air as the ball sailed over his head on the way to Millwall’s second goal.
For a central defender he seems to be the antithesis of everything which blood and guts centre backs like Craig Dawson or James Collins used to stand for. As the report sums up:
“Taking aim at Kilman, Parker said: “Every time Kilman is one-on-one, he is really struggling, it’s a big problem.”
Nobody can be surprised. Yet West Ham didn’t act in the window to replace Axel Disasi with a competent front line centre back and now, week by week, they are paying the consequences in giving opponents a head start, with the hapless Kilman flunking his duties and more often than not dragging Mavropanos down with him.
Should we be promoted, the board seriuosly need to look at the entire back four. None of them are Premier League quality. Not too sure they are Championship quality. Dinos scores goals, but is only cancelling out his cock ups at the other end, so why big him up ? Kilman is a disaster fullstop. How have we got ourselves into this defensive mess? Answers on a postcard please
As mentioned on one of your other threads, give Magassa a go at CB, or Alvarez
And whilst you’re at it, when Veltman isnt available, try Golambekis as right back. This lad can make long throws feel like corners, and Millwall showed us today how dangerous that can be
i find it staggering that after his 2 games earlier in the season where golaembeckis was outstanding he hasnt been given a 6 match run in the side to build confidence and indeed possibly save us £millions in the transfer market going forwards