Unlike some of the hysteria which is still rumbling on after the weekend, with ‘sources’ suggesting Lopetegui in crisis meetings with Sullivan ( I’ll bet the two meet most weeks) – picking apart some of the weekend’s media output revealed some more level comment, suggesting something far more simple was responsible for the Hammers’ woeful performance.
It means that the finger of blame points again squarely at the coach, but from the set – up clearly the defence and midfield had massive holes for Chelsea to exploit. A lasting memory of Alvarez chasing forlornly in Jackson’s wake and Mavropanos jogging back for the first goal will take some time to be erased: Hopefully Lopetegui can start to put things right today.
BBC’s Match of the Day at the week end offered some measured, sane criticism which hasn’t been the case from some outlets! Former International and Premier League defender Ashley Williams made a shrewd, simple and straightforward critique of The Irons’ performance. As reported also on insidefutbol.com – so it wasn’t just me that picked up on it- the former Wales and Everton Centre Back observed:
“Julen Lopetegui has just assigned the wrong players to the wrong jobs”- Rather than wholesale criticism of application or effort on the players’ part, Williams suggests that deciding to allocate the roles as he did actually played into Chelsea’s strengths: Of Lopetegui: “This is his tactics – that man has got to take a little bit of responsibility for this result.”
Hooked in the first half – Rodriguez clearly the wrong player for that role
If it is that simple, that the personnel allocated weren’t in the right positions, I’d be amazed but there are merits to this suggestion. Making substitutions and pulling off a world-cup winning International after just 30 minutes is a pretty big admission that something in the coaches’ set up is awry!
Players don’t go from seasoned internationals to ‘bang average’ overnight. let’s see what Wednesday brings: It’s not so much the result, to me, it is that we show up and compete without looking like a kids’ under 11 team all chasing around without a clue.
Need players that are willing to run and put more effort into the game, jogging after attacking player is just .embarrassing .Put a shift in or leave .
J- lo’s out of his depth. Walked from wolves cos he didn’t get the backing he wanted. Got the backing here and the players he wanted. Pre season and 6 games in he’s clueless. Get rid of him
Bring back Bilić!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s very simple what was wrong, we were caught too advanced left defenders exposed. Either the tactic was wrong or what is more likely the players didn’t play the tactic correctly. We need to master walking before we try running.
After the high profile signings we got this season, expectations run high. And when the team display on the pitch that they haven’t got a clue, it generates instant frustration. As the match gets underway is the game plan clear in each players head? Do players share the understanding of what that master plan means? Do they communicate among each other during the game? Until we don’t see them perform as a team rather than a bunch of individuals, there will be no great hope for better results (except for the occasional stroke of individual genius). A more humble approach and a more committed approach to support each other along the game develpment, might be a more fruitful path to follow.
Let’s face it loopy day glow is not the right manager for us he needs to go , we’ve swapped Moyes ball for loopy ball ,
“He needs to go” after 4 games – REALLY!!