So according to the media, David Moyes is being seriously considered as a candidate to replace Manuel Pellegrini should West Ham keep getting beaten. It's not news to please many of our more excitable fans, but in some ways it might make sense.
Personally I thought Moyes deserved a chance to continue after he stopped West Ham going down and steered the club to 13th place. He was replaced by a 'next level' manager who played the West Ham Way, but it isn't working. We're not going to challenge for the top six any time soon and could head into the Championship. Moyes would know the club and what needs changing (the scouting system for a start) and how to deal with David Sullivan.
Yes, I'd rather have Benitez in terms of stature, or Eddie Howe based on what he's done at Bournemouth, but realistically, particularly after a massive pay-off to Manuel, our owners will go for the cheap option. Moyes would have to be more attack-minded, but if he could deliver a few rollickings (it worked with Marko Arnautovic) and get us anywhere near to his Everton record of several years of top eight (and one fourth-place) finishes it would be progress compared to the current struggles. We have to hope Pellegrini can turn it round, but if he doesn't we need a manager who can sort the team out quickly.
Thursday, November 28
Tuesday, November 26
Are West Ham sleepwalking into the drop zone?
Look at any side that is relegated from the Premier League and you can guarantee that at some stage of the season they have had a seven-game winless run. West Ham have already gone seven games without a win and the worry is that it could soon amount to ten games after playing Chelsea, Wolves and Arsenal.
Alan Shearer was rightly scathing about the side's lack of workrate against Spurs on Match of the Day and the worrying thing is that the team just don't look like they are playing for Pellegrini any more. The other big question is does Pellegrini at 66 still have the hunger to turn this round? The Daily Telegraph reports that the manager has been told results must improve. It also mentions doubts in the boardroom, reporting: "There is a fear that Pellegrini is not accepting the seriousness of the situation."
Meanwhile there are reports of Rafa Benitez, Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Chris Wilder and Sean Dyche all being weighed-up as potential new managers. As Pellegrini is on £8 million a year — and appears to be a decent man with a fine track record — it's obviously better for the stability of the club if he can turn it round; but regardless of the result at Stamford Bridge the players have to look like they are fighting to save his job if Manuel is to survive.
Alan Shearer was rightly scathing about the side's lack of workrate against Spurs on Match of the Day and the worrying thing is that the team just don't look like they are playing for Pellegrini any more. The other big question is does Pellegrini at 66 still have the hunger to turn this round? The Daily Telegraph reports that the manager has been told results must improve. It also mentions doubts in the boardroom, reporting: "There is a fear that Pellegrini is not accepting the seriousness of the situation."
Meanwhile there are reports of Rafa Benitez, Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Chris Wilder and Sean Dyche all being weighed-up as potential new managers. As Pellegrini is on £8 million a year — and appears to be a decent man with a fine track record — it's obviously better for the stability of the club if he can turn it round; but regardless of the result at Stamford Bridge the players have to look like they are fighting to save his job if Manuel is to survive.
Monday, November 25
West Ham Legends at Brentwood Live
Tony Gale was a fine compere for the evening, full of wit, delivering a surprisingly accurate impression of Sir Trevor Brooking and revealing that Trev once said a four-letter word on the golf course. Sir Trev stalked us through his FA Cup winning goal and said that although Ron Greenwood was a great coach John Lyall was a better man manager. Predictably he rather sat on the fence on possible replacements for Pellegrini, but did say that he thought Ajeti wasn't good enough. Dicksy added that the current side just doesn't work hard enough. Mention of Roberto inspired memories of Allen McKnight from Frank McAvennie.
There were lots of tales from the 1980s and 1990s. Frank McAvennie had a story of the players breaking a curfew in Amsterdam and John Lyall asking for £50 to be given to charity from every player who had sneaked out of the fire escape. Lyall was very surprised to find £1200 left on the table when he returned. There was also the story of Mitchell Thomas faking injury so that McAvennie could come on to score a hat-trick in his final West Ham game.
We had plenty of examples of footballers' banter. Tony Gale recalled the time Trevor Morley was in the treatment room after being stabbed by his wife and Julian Dicks had placed a series of knives in the anatomical skeleton on display.
Dicksy remembered himself and Frank hitching a lift on a milk float during a cross country run under Billy Bonds; and also the time Billy Bonds wanted to fight him at half-time during a game at Coventry. Despite their differences though, Julian considered Bonds to be the best player he played alongside.
Everyone had massive respect for Bonzo and when asked by an audience member "Did Harry Redknapp stab Billy Bonds in the back?" Tony Gale replied that all he could say was that Billy was as honest as they come.
Tony Gale also revealed that the epic 1985-1986 season charge to third place was inspired by a pre-season defeat at Orient when a fan who looked like a member of the ICF broke into the dressing room and lambasted each player in turn. If that fan is still around then perhaps he could break into the dressing room again and deliver a few more ripostes to our underachieving side.
Overall a fine night of nostalgia from four players who still seem to enjoy each other's company. And what wouldn't we give to see these four back in the side today?
Sunday, November 24
West Ham make it easy for Mourinho
It's an early trek along the Overground to Hackney Wick, then through security and time to purchase a match programme for the tardy Nigel, who has left home believing it to be a 12.45pm kick-off. He is also definitely going to be voting on December 13. Inside the ground are daughter Lola, Fraser, Matt, Lisa and just making the kick-off Nigel. Meanwhile it seems that the absent Michael, Alison and Scott are all stepping down from loyal supporting duties. Though to be fair Alison seems to have been more effective in goal for Liverpool than Roberto is for us.
Spurs have some new bloke on the touchline and start with renewed intensity. There's an early warning as an offside Kane sneaks behind West Ham's defence to fire home. But at least Rice plays more like his old self and we keep it goalless for half an hour, but only have a blocked header as a chance. Anderson and Yarmolenko pull out of tackles and we're playing with nothing like the intensity you need in a local derby. Roberto is all panic-inducing arms and legs, flying from his goal and punching one of his own defenders at one point.
On 36 minutes Spurs score the goal they have threatened on the break, Son turning past Diop with ease and firing through the hapless Roberto. Two minutes before the interval Dele Alli manages to produce a back heel while prone on the touchline to send Son away behind Fredericks. His low cross finds Moura ahead of Cresswell and the Spurs man bags the second. Only a fine tip over from Roberto prevents a third goal before the break.
HOW S••T MUST WE BE, THEY'RE WINNING AWAY?
At half-time Nigel introduces me to the journalist who tracked down the 1966 World Cup Final match ball to Germany. Pellegrini acts by taking off Anderson for the returning Antonio. Lucas Moura misses a great chance as Spurs break straight from a West Ham free kick, but it's three soon after as Snodgrass doesn't get tight to Aurier, who crosses for Kane to beat Diop too easily and head home.
"How shit must you be, we're we're winning away?" and "West Ham United you'll always be shit!" chant the away fans, which is less a series of jibes and more of a match report. I apologise to Lola for introducing her to West Ham, as her Spurs-supporting boss sends malicious texts.
At least Antonio runs at players and appears to be one of the few players left with any confidence. Fornals comes on and Pellegrini is booed for bringing off Diop for Sanchez and putting Rice in defence, though actually it's because Diop is suspended at Chelsea and he wants to give Rice some game time at centre back.
We actually look better with Rice in defence and Sanchez at least performs simple passes well in front of the defence. As against Newcastle the Hammers start to put some effort in when it's too late. Noble does well to find Antonio who shoots instantly to pull one back with a fine finish. Rice has the ball in the net after poking home Haller's header only to be ruled offside.
With the last kick of the game Ogbonna pulls a second back with a good finish from a Snodgrass corner. But again it's far too late, though Nigel does quip that we win the second half, though in reality we could easily have lost 4-0. The Humble One hugs his players as Spurs celebrate their first away win of the season.
PANIC ON THE STREETS OF STRATFORD
The home crowd seem resigned rather than angry and there's little sense that Pellegrini appreciates the urgency of the situation in his post-match keep calm and carry on comments. We retreat to the Refreshment Rooms to meet Nigel's mate Andy and stare morbidly into our pints of beer and glass of red wine for Matt who is still eschewing beer (but no alcohol) for November. Meanwhile Fraser produces unprintable conspiracy theories and looks forward to Tony Pulis arriving.
The side is in freefall with two points in seven games. What does David Martin have to do to get a game? How can we stop conceding three goals a game? Should the misfiring Haller be dropped? How can we restore the confidence of Anderson and get Yarmolenko to put in a shift? And is Rafa Benitez the answer? With Chelsea to come it's surely going to get worse before it gets better.
PLAYER RATINGS: Roberto 3; Fredericks 4, Diop 4 (Sanchez 5), Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 5; Anderson 4 (Antonio 7), Rice 6, Noble 5, Snodgrass 5; Yarmolenko 3 (Fornals 5), Haller 4.
Friday, November 22
West Ham Legends hit Essex
Off to see West Ham Legends Trevor Brooking, Julian Dicks, Tony Gale and Frank McAvennie at Brentwood Live tonight and it will be interesting to hear what they have to say about the club's current plight. I'm sure Frank will put it all down to not visiting enough nightclubs and Trevor will (possibly) say something massively controversial. A full report will be forthcoming.
Wednesday, November 20
Crisis club Spurs appoint some Portugeezer
So Spurs have sacked Pochettino and appointed Jose Mourinho. This is going to make Saturday's crunch game against Spurs much harder as there will inevitably be a new manager bounce as the underperforming Tottenham stars try to impress their new boss. And you can bet that Jose will ruthlessly target WHU's dodgy keeper and defence. Perhaps our best defence is to get Danny Dyer to take the piss out of Jose, as he did with his "Allright Sunshine?" comment when Mourinho was sent off at the Boleyn Ground in 2015.
On the other hand Mourinho's return will certainly fire up the London Stadium crowd and there should be plenty of chants of "You're not special anymore!" The furore around Mourinho might even take some of the pressure off our own struggling players. No-one expects us to win this now. So let's make it a special atmosphere and ensure Jose gets off to a poor start.
On the other hand Mourinho's return will certainly fire up the London Stadium crowd and there should be plenty of chants of "You're not special anymore!" The furore around Mourinho might even take some of the pressure off our own struggling players. No-one expects us to win this now. So let's make it a special atmosphere and ensure Jose gets off to a poor start.
Saturday, November 16
Martin deserves a chance and there's a case for recalling Diangana and Cullen
Looking at the fixtures the worrying thing is that there are eight league fixtures between now and New Year's Day when West Ham play Bournemouth and no guarantee that Fabianski will be fit by then. We really can't keep Roberto in goal for that long and David Martin surely can't be any worse, so let's give him a chance. Roberto's confidence is shot and teams will now put extra pressure on him if he plays.
Meanwhile there's a strong case for recalling Grady Diangana and Josh Cullen when the window opens. Yes, a season at WBA would be better for Diangana's long-term development, but we're desperate. He's had half a season of regular football and scored a few goals in the Championship already and will get games with West Ham now Lanzini is out and Fornals, Anderson and Yarmolenko are struggling.
Similarly Josh Cullen is the sort of midfield workhorse we need, a player who has picked up experience at Charlton, wants to play for us and would be an option to replace Mark Noble in games. With only Sanchez in reserve we need cover in central midfield. Burnley beat us because they had triers like Bardsley and Westwood. We need more players who put in a shift.
Meanwhile there's a strong case for recalling Grady Diangana and Josh Cullen when the window opens. Yes, a season at WBA would be better for Diangana's long-term development, but we're desperate. He's had half a season of regular football and scored a few goals in the Championship already and will get games with West Ham now Lanzini is out and Fornals, Anderson and Yarmolenko are struggling.
Similarly Josh Cullen is the sort of midfield workhorse we need, a player who has picked up experience at Charlton, wants to play for us and would be an option to replace Mark Noble in games. With only Sanchez in reserve we need cover in central midfield. Burnley beat us because they had triers like Bardsley and Westwood. We need more players who put in a shift.
Tuesday, November 12
Shots against mounting up...
Good piece on West Ham's slump in the Daily Telegraph this week by Richard Jolly. He had this to point out about the Hammers' defensive frailties:
"West Ham compound the problem of having a poor goalkeeper by failing to protect him. They have conceded 35 shots on target in their last four games, a record made all the worse by the fact that those opponents - Everton, Sheffield United, Newcastle, and Burnley - rarely pose that kind of threat. As Ryan Fredericks, Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop were all poor at Turf Moor, Burnley, who average 4.1 shots on target per game this season, had 12 against West Ham. Newcastle, who average 3.4, had nine at the London Stadium last week. Everton’s average, meanwhile, is 4.5 but they had 10 against West Ham last month."
In short, we're making mediocre teams seem like Barcelona! Click on the link to read the complete article.
"West Ham compound the problem of having a poor goalkeeper by failing to protect him. They have conceded 35 shots on target in their last four games, a record made all the worse by the fact that those opponents - Everton, Sheffield United, Newcastle, and Burnley - rarely pose that kind of threat. As Ryan Fredericks, Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop were all poor at Turf Moor, Burnley, who average 4.1 shots on target per game this season, had 12 against West Ham. Newcastle, who average 3.4, had nine at the London Stadium last week. Everton’s average, meanwhile, is 4.5 but they had 10 against West Ham last month."
In short, we're making mediocre teams seem like Barcelona! Click on the link to read the complete article.
Monday, November 11
Turned over at Turf Moor
Burnley 3 West Ham 0
Rather appropriately we're walking down The Shambles in York while the news if another dire defeat comes through. Sadly it's all entirely predictable. The Hammers proved unable to defend a simple corner for Barnes' early opener. Roberto's poor throw put Balbuena under pressure and resulted in the second, which also went through the hapless keeper.
The third goal brought back memories of Allen McKnightmare as Burnley's corner was punched into his own net by Roberto. The goalkeeper produced a few great saves when the game was lost but you can't afford a goalkeeper who is a mix of terrible blunders and good saves in the Premier League. David Martin can't be any worse and as he is Alvin's son he would get the support of the fans. Or perhaps we could recall Ludek Miklosko, who comes from near Moscow?
But it's not just Roberto's fault, the form of Fabianski masked the fact that West Ham under Pellegrini have always looked suspect defensively. It worked when we were out-scoring teams, but now Anderson has lost all confidence, Lanzini is out for two months, Fornals hasn't produced and Haller looks completely frustrated. For difficult away games there is no midfielder to counter determined teams. An honest Declan Rice said the Irons were "bullied" and Sean Dyche was right when he said that, "You have to be mentally right for every minute of Premier League football. If you're not you get hurt. Our body language, intent and belief were there." In short, everything West Ham lacked.
This is a big fortnight for the increasingly under pressure Pellegrini during the international break. He deserves time, but if he can't turn this around by Christmas then he might be gone.
Rather appropriately we're walking down The Shambles in York while the news if another dire defeat comes through. Sadly it's all entirely predictable. The Hammers proved unable to defend a simple corner for Barnes' early opener. Roberto's poor throw put Balbuena under pressure and resulted in the second, which also went through the hapless keeper.
The third goal brought back memories of Allen McKnightmare as Burnley's corner was punched into his own net by Roberto. The goalkeeper produced a few great saves when the game was lost but you can't afford a goalkeeper who is a mix of terrible blunders and good saves in the Premier League. David Martin can't be any worse and as he is Alvin's son he would get the support of the fans. Or perhaps we could recall Ludek Miklosko, who comes from near Moscow?
But it's not just Roberto's fault, the form of Fabianski masked the fact that West Ham under Pellegrini have always looked suspect defensively. It worked when we were out-scoring teams, but now Anderson has lost all confidence, Lanzini is out for two months, Fornals hasn't produced and Haller looks completely frustrated. For difficult away games there is no midfielder to counter determined teams. An honest Declan Rice said the Irons were "bullied" and Sean Dyche was right when he said that, "You have to be mentally right for every minute of Premier League football. If you're not you get hurt. Our body language, intent and belief were there." In short, everything West Ham lacked.
This is a big fortnight for the increasingly under pressure Pellegrini during the international break. He deserves time, but if he can't turn this around by Christmas then he might be gone.
Saturday, November 9
Can Pellegrini deliver a rollicking?
It's a big test of Manuel Pellegrini's managership this weekend. Staying calm is all very well, but the first half against Newcastle was as he later said, "unacceptable". There was no pressing, no desire, a lack of leadership and players seemed to be pulling out of challenges. We're not going to win games simply because we have lots of creative number tens. Manuel needs to stop being this charming man and deliver a few boots up the backside. Burnley are just the sort of team to trouble West Ham — if we don't stand up to the physical challenge of long balls aimed at Wood and Barnes the season could well become a struggle.
Friday, November 8
Apprentice gets Hammered
"I've heard enough…" Watched The Apprentice this week, which now includes West Ham fan Thomas Skinner, a massive West Ham fan who is a former market trader from Romford. If you went to central casting and asked for a West Ham fan he's pretty much what they'd come up with. It's also noticeable how Thomas was patronised by his team leader in the fun fair task. He grasped the fact that you needed a picture of the ride on the poster and was proved right — you don't get to work in Romford Market without learning a bit about marketing. Seems like Lord Sugar quite likes Thomas and it can surely only be a matter of time before he announces, "Thomas, I can see a bit of myself in you…"
Thursday, November 7
Husillos under pressure
Interesting piece in the Guardian by Jacob Steinberg — who knows his West Ham stuff — saying that the board are taking a critical look at the summer dealings of director of football Mario Husillas. Most pointedly signing Fornals, another number ten, when the money could have been better spent on a box-to-box midfielder and also signing the underwhelming Roberto. Steinberg points out that Roberto had been in the reserves all season at Espanyol and had played in a relegated Malaga team before that, so it's not surprising if he looks rusty.
Presumably Husillos also recommended Haller, who may well come good, but losing Obiang, Adrian and Hernandez without adequate replacements seems poor, particularly as Ajeti has done little to impress so far. Although if Husillos is identifying all the targets then he deserves some credit for last season signing Fabianski, Diop, Balbuena, Fredericks and Anderson and possibly Yarmolenko even if Jack Wilshere was a very poor call.
Pellegrini surely deserves criticism too, as it's hard to believe he doesn't have the final say on signings and he has picked some strange teams recently. How will Manuel react if his man Husillos is ditched? I expect we'll be hearing more about this. Click on the link to read the whole piece.
Presumably Husillos also recommended Haller, who may well come good, but losing Obiang, Adrian and Hernandez without adequate replacements seems poor, particularly as Ajeti has done little to impress so far. Although if Husillos is identifying all the targets then he deserves some credit for last season signing Fabianski, Diop, Balbuena, Fredericks and Anderson and possibly Yarmolenko even if Jack Wilshere was a very poor call.
Pellegrini surely deserves criticism too, as it's hard to believe he doesn't have the final say on signings and he has picked some strange teams recently. How will Manuel react if his man Husillos is ditched? I expect we'll be hearing more about this. Click on the link to read the whole piece.
Wednesday, November 6
In pod we trust
Interestingly James Collins was on the podcast a few weeks ago and said that he and Mark Noble used to have pretend fights on the team coach in order to gee up the other players. As Phil Whelans pointed out, we have a lot of mild-mannered number tens who look like they need some firing up. Maybe we should employ the Ginger Pele as a motivational coach?
Monday, November 4
Giving Roberto stick won't help his confidence
Roberto might have been at fault for two of Newcastle's goals, but it was still disappointing to hear some of the home crowd give him ironic cheers when he caught the ball. It's not going to improve his confidence to give him stick. In Roberto's defence he also made four good stops against Newcastle, which prevented a thrashing. But there is also no denying that he has been at fault for four goals recently, against Everton, Sheffield United and now Newcastle. If this continues then Pellegrini might have to consider bringing in David Martin.
But for the moment we are stuck with Roberto until the New Year. He is certainly no Fabianski, who is starting to look better with every game he misses. But we also have to remember that Fabianski's excellent form covered up a lot of flaws in the West Ham defence. It can't be easy for a goalkeeper to come in to a side that has a creaking defence and a midfield that is often overrun. Roberto played several seasons for Olympiacos, the Greek side who tend to have a lot of easy game where he won't have been unduly stretched. But he's also turned out for the likes of Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Zaragoza and Espanyol, so can't be that bad.
The best short-term prospect is surely to try and boost Roberto's confidence and get him playing behind a reasonably solid defence. Fredericks has to return, and there is possibly a case for a five man defence with Diop, Ogbonna and Balbuena playing in the middle with Masuaku as a wing back, to try and take the pressure off the keeper. Though knowing Pellegrini I suspect he'll stick to the currently wide-open 4-4-2.
But for the moment we are stuck with Roberto until the New Year. He is certainly no Fabianski, who is starting to look better with every game he misses. But we also have to remember that Fabianski's excellent form covered up a lot of flaws in the West Ham defence. It can't be easy for a goalkeeper to come in to a side that has a creaking defence and a midfield that is often overrun. Roberto played several seasons for Olympiacos, the Greek side who tend to have a lot of easy game where he won't have been unduly stretched. But he's also turned out for the likes of Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Zaragoza and Espanyol, so can't be that bad.
The best short-term prospect is surely to try and boost Roberto's confidence and get him playing behind a reasonably solid defence. Fredericks has to return, and there is possibly a case for a five man defence with Diop, Ogbonna and Balbuena playing in the middle with Masuaku as a wing back, to try and take the pressure off the keeper. Though knowing Pellegrini I suspect he'll stick to the currently wide-open 4-4-2.
Saturday, November 2
Terrible Hammers torn apart by Toon
West Ham 2 Newcastle 3
After watching England lose to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Final it's time to come to Stratford for another glorious defeat. In the Best Cafe Matt informs NIgel, Michael and myself that Noel Whelan is the only Premier League footballer whose name contains all the letters of the word Halloween. Not a lot of people know that.
Then it's on to the London Stadium where we're joined by Fraser, Alison and Scott. Also with us is Michael, who is at his first game at the London Stadium as a birthday present from my daughter Lola. A lot of people ask if she really doesn't like him...
The first-half is numbingly bad. Zabaleta is horribly outpaced by the lively Saint-Maximin and his white bandana. Toon go ahead when Joelinton heads across the box and Clark outjumps the Hammers defence to head home after a disputed free kick given away by Diop. They go two up when a simple ball into the box finds Roberto rushing into no-man's land and Fernandez heading home. Roberto then has to make a good stop from a one-on-one with Saint-Maximin.The ball fizzes around our goal-line in another attack as Saint-Maximin and Almiron have efforts stopped by Roberto. Newcastle also hit the bar through Shelvey and a long-range effort from Satin-Maximin is turned round the post.
WE'RE SO BAD IT'S UNBELIEVABLE
West Ham haven't turned up for the first half. Yarmolenko has a terrible half and when he pulls out of a challenge rightly earns the ire of the crowd. Haller has a late flick saved by the keeper, and Balbuena's header from a corner sees another good stop from Dubravka. But it could be 5-0 at half-time in Newcastle had taken their chances. Nigel predicts that we're going down.
The appearance of Lanzini and Ajeti for Yarmolenko and Noble improves the Hammers very slightly in the second half, though not before Shelvey has scored with a free kick that Roberto should have saved. "We're bringing on a Yeti," quips Michael the Whovian, "But with West Ham there's no Great Intelligence." At 0-3 Fraser contemplates ordering another Burnley-style pitch invasion.
Bizarrely, the Hammers almost come back for an undeserved point as Balbuena pokes home from a flicked-on corner by Haller and then Snodgrass pulls back a second after a Lanzini cross and a fine shot from the edge of the area on 90 minutes. There's even a late cameo from Andy Carroll. But it's a very flattering scoreline. Anderson is at least brave enough to still want the ball, but continually tries to thread through passes that aren't on. When desperate we need to lump it long occasionally just to mix things up.
A FLATTERING SCORELINE
It's easily West Ham's worst performance of the season and questions have to be asked of Pellegrini, who was hired to get WHU into the top six. If this was Moyes or Allardyce the fans would already be giving the manager huge stick.
We retreat to the Refreshment Rooms where at least Nigel and Matt win games of table tennis and Nigel, in his best Robin Trower tee-shirt, has a Y & T gig at the Islington Academy to look forward to. The ageing Zabaleta has eventually been subbed by Fredericks and has been a great pro, but has been so outpaced that you fear it's his last game for the club. Cresswell has looked way off the pace. Diop and Balbuena have been beaten by simple balls over the top and Roberto doesn't look good enough. The defence was clearly suspect last season, but Pellegrini has done nothing to address the problem.
The sales of Adrian and Hernandez now look counter-productive. Haller has done very little again, Yarmolenko has been poor, Noble has looked his age and the most damning thing has been the attitude, the lack of desire from the kick-off. When did a West Ham team last look solid? If the flair players aren't doing it then the side is horribly brittle. If we continue to play like this then West Ham are in for a relegation struggle.
PLAYER RATINGS: Roberto 4; Zabaleta 3 (Fredericks 5), Diop 4, Balbuena 5, Cresswell 3; Anderson 4, Rice 5, Noble 4 (Lanzini 5), Snodgrass 6; Yarmolenko 3 (Ajeti 4), Haller 4.
After watching England lose to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Final it's time to come to Stratford for another glorious defeat. In the Best Cafe Matt informs NIgel, Michael and myself that Noel Whelan is the only Premier League footballer whose name contains all the letters of the word Halloween. Not a lot of people know that.
Then it's on to the London Stadium where we're joined by Fraser, Alison and Scott. Also with us is Michael, who is at his first game at the London Stadium as a birthday present from my daughter Lola. A lot of people ask if she really doesn't like him...
The first-half is numbingly bad. Zabaleta is horribly outpaced by the lively Saint-Maximin and his white bandana. Toon go ahead when Joelinton heads across the box and Clark outjumps the Hammers defence to head home after a disputed free kick given away by Diop. They go two up when a simple ball into the box finds Roberto rushing into no-man's land and Fernandez heading home. Roberto then has to make a good stop from a one-on-one with Saint-Maximin.The ball fizzes around our goal-line in another attack as Saint-Maximin and Almiron have efforts stopped by Roberto. Newcastle also hit the bar through Shelvey and a long-range effort from Satin-Maximin is turned round the post.
WE'RE SO BAD IT'S UNBELIEVABLE
West Ham haven't turned up for the first half. Yarmolenko has a terrible half and when he pulls out of a challenge rightly earns the ire of the crowd. Haller has a late flick saved by the keeper, and Balbuena's header from a corner sees another good stop from Dubravka. But it could be 5-0 at half-time in Newcastle had taken their chances. Nigel predicts that we're going down.
The appearance of Lanzini and Ajeti for Yarmolenko and Noble improves the Hammers very slightly in the second half, though not before Shelvey has scored with a free kick that Roberto should have saved. "We're bringing on a Yeti," quips Michael the Whovian, "But with West Ham there's no Great Intelligence." At 0-3 Fraser contemplates ordering another Burnley-style pitch invasion.
Bizarrely, the Hammers almost come back for an undeserved point as Balbuena pokes home from a flicked-on corner by Haller and then Snodgrass pulls back a second after a Lanzini cross and a fine shot from the edge of the area on 90 minutes. There's even a late cameo from Andy Carroll. But it's a very flattering scoreline. Anderson is at least brave enough to still want the ball, but continually tries to thread through passes that aren't on. When desperate we need to lump it long occasionally just to mix things up.
A FLATTERING SCORELINE
It's easily West Ham's worst performance of the season and questions have to be asked of Pellegrini, who was hired to get WHU into the top six. If this was Moyes or Allardyce the fans would already be giving the manager huge stick.
We retreat to the Refreshment Rooms where at least Nigel and Matt win games of table tennis and Nigel, in his best Robin Trower tee-shirt, has a Y & T gig at the Islington Academy to look forward to. The ageing Zabaleta has eventually been subbed by Fredericks and has been a great pro, but has been so outpaced that you fear it's his last game for the club. Cresswell has looked way off the pace. Diop and Balbuena have been beaten by simple balls over the top and Roberto doesn't look good enough. The defence was clearly suspect last season, but Pellegrini has done nothing to address the problem.
The sales of Adrian and Hernandez now look counter-productive. Haller has done very little again, Yarmolenko has been poor, Noble has looked his age and the most damning thing has been the attitude, the lack of desire from the kick-off. When did a West Ham team last look solid? If the flair players aren't doing it then the side is horribly brittle. If we continue to play like this then West Ham are in for a relegation struggle.
PLAYER RATINGS: Roberto 4; Zabaleta 3 (Fredericks 5), Diop 4, Balbuena 5, Cresswell 3; Anderson 4, Rice 5, Noble 4 (Lanzini 5), Snodgrass 6; Yarmolenko 3 (Ajeti 4), Haller 4.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)