There was a moment when the umpteenth cross or corner from West Ham thudded straight into the gloves of Black Cats keeper Robin Roefs yesterday afternoon when I wondered whether the Hammers had actually done the research which shows Roefs to have the best goal keeping stats last season for claiming crosses and corners. Continually the ball was pumped in high for the opposition ‘keeper to catch or simply punch away.
Contrast that with Sunderland’s highly effective active targeting of Hammers weaknesses, as reported by the sunderlandecho.com who quoted scorer Dan Ballard straight after the 3 – 0 trouncing :
‘We worked on it’ – Dan Ballard admits Sunderland targeted West Ham weakness under Graham Potter” : Referring to the Hammers’ vulnerability against set pieces: “The Northern Ireland international said Sunderland had been working hard to unlock West Ham’s defence under Graham Potter from set-pieces”.
So, the unpleasant truth would seem to be evident to opponents as well as supporters that after rebuilding the West Ham back line to the tune of over £100 million, a ‘well known defensive weakness’ exists for opponents to exploit.
Urgent memo to the defensive coach needed perhaps?
And the midfield doesn’t escape either. Black Cats head coach Regis Le Bris:
“They were hard to beat in a mid to low block. The first half was a bit more difficult but during the second half we felt we could get opportunities through regains in the middle and that we could score through counter attacks.”
And how right he was. Trouble is, if Sunderland can do it, every other premier League side will be rubbing their hands and looking to exploit well documented West Ham deficiencies. Its gonna be a long season.
Frankly we never looked like being able to turn Sunderland over the lack of pace and vision was clear to see potter has to take some of the blame but the problem we have and it’s been happening for some time is Sullivan how does he expect potter to turn things around when Sullivan refuses to back him in the transfer window even though he was assured that he would be backed by the owners to bring in the players he wanted and needed so another lie from the board personally I can see potter walking away from the club unless there is a massive change in the owners attitude towards recruitment yes I know things didn’t work out for potter at Chelsea but he hasn’t a hope in hell of being successful at our club while Sullivan controls recruitment and has the final say on making funds available he and his cronies need to go
Ironic that under Moyes tenure we were rock solid defending set plays and a real threat in the opposition box. Anybody know if Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson still have their boots ready?
martin we have 3 centre backs who cant head a ball or man mark No working creative midfield and 2 old crocked men as c forwards Why are we surprised what’s ahread of us this coming season
SULLIVAN OUT The fans are getting their club back
Potter furious ?, I’m just relieved I surrendered my season ticket, albeit, with a move to an unbroken small town life in Spain ahead of me. Not sure I have heard a positive note re WHU or the UK for some months, apart from Adiós Amigos !
Sullivan out brady out
Perhaps Westham can beat that low points record . It’s clear to see that Potter has no creative talent as a coach whatsoever . Westham only ever look like scoring the odd lucky goal and their defense is porous . The next three league games are nailed on defeats under Potter . Westham could be good as relegated after a dozen matches . Sack him now because he’s worse than useless .
We will not survive as is Martin, I hope that is blatantly clear to Sullivan.Question is does he care enough to do sth about it?
You don’t have to be a FIFA qualified coach to find west ham deficiencies.
58000 supporters have been talking about and watching it for the last two years….
We just have a board and manager who have their heads in the sand.