- 5-6 games the new signings will be match fit and will be much better. - Hernandez did very little tonight but when he did he looked exciting, game changing and I can't wait to see more. - Diame looks exactly like what we needed. Cool/clam/breaks up play/willing to get stuck in and can score a goal. - Huddlestone hasn't looked too great this season or as good as he did last season.This season he hasn't earned the right to be anywhere near the England squad (so far). He needs a long string of games to regain that form again and his style of play requires a lot of game time. - We at times look incredibly frail in defence and minus their great goal we made them look better than they where because our positioning was so off. - Davies so far this season doesn't look half the player he was last season. - Livermore's progression seems to have continued on from last season. Hasn't has an easy start to the season but was impressed with him today. - It was a fair result in the end. Especially considering how many new player each team blooded. - Well done DAWSON. Stoic - We are trying to accommodate too many players at the sacrifice of real defence. We miss Rosenior in the team.
We need to go back to 3 at the back in my opinion. Or else play Brady and Ben Arfa on the left and right, and Rosenior at RB.
I thought Livermore had his best game this season tonight - although perhaps that doesn't say a lot! I think back 4 suits Dawson more than back 3, but listening to SB it sounds like he is willing to adapt the formation to the opposition we are facing. 3-5-2 has its flaws (as we sometimes saw last season) as does 4-4-2 but hopefully once we get everyone match fit any teething problems will be ironed out.
I wouldn't judge Diame on last night or any other new players for that matter. Anyone can have a good game especially on a debut when they are really up for it. Diame will have been playing at full commitment as he wanted to prove to West Ham what they are missing, I hope I'm wrong but I don't think he will always be that good.
Robertson was targeted and got skinned by Demel on numerous occasions. Partly to do with the diamond formation we played in the 1st half. Full backs can be exposed. During 2nd half we reverted to a flat 4 in midfield and we seemed to cope better.
Hmm. I thought he looked a lot better last night. Agree he's looked crap at times this season -- particularly Trencin home and Lokeren away -- but last night thought he did ok.
I thought he did terribly for a few minutes but improved later on. There were flickers of the old Brady towards the end.
-----------------McG----------------- Rosie--Chester--Daws--Robertson -----------Thudd---Diame----------- Ben Arfa--------------------Ramirez -----------Jelly---Hernandez--------- Harsh on Livermore, mind.