West Ham under Alladyce have avoided the criticism that Stoke have had to put up with but now Hughes seems to have changed their style of play that leaves West Ham standing alone in the bullying hoof ball style. How long will it be before even the London biased press start to spot that they are going backwards into the 70's and look completely out of place in the EPL. I really feel sorry for the older Hammers fans who were brought up on a lovely brand of pass and move football played by young players brought up through their legendary academy and not this array of mediocre thugs.
Were we the better side today? Yes, in my opinion. Was our second half performance actually pretty decent? Yes, in my opinion. Is it exceptionally frustrating that we're taken a grand total of two points, and scored a grand total of one goal, against two pretty poor teams at St Mary's so far? Yes, very, very much so, in my opinion. Is it exceptionally frustrating that we have very little width or pace options in the squad? Yes, very, very much so, in my opinion. Unfortunately there isn't anything we can do about the last point now - at least not until January any way - so we're just going to have to live with it (which is even harder to do when Shaw isn't on the pitch due to injury or cramp). But even so, something just isn't working with the front four at the moment. As totally illogical as it might seem, Gaston in place of Rickie could be worth a go at some point soon (not in either of our next two games though).
Osvaldo showed he will only be an asset to the team and on another day we will be lauding him. No one was outstanding in what was a pretty dogged encounter and there were certainly no scapegoats.
I agree. Having Gaston playing centrally with Lallana/Rodriguez wide should link up play better, and if we cannot find tempo with that group, there's no hope for us.
Bit drastic thinking dropping Rickie will solve our home form woes. Gaston has flattered to deceive, not convinced this is the answer.
He has flattered to deceive at times. He has also changed games at times. But he does two things rather reliably when playing centrally: he serves as the link from midfield to attack, and he attacks at a high tempo. I'm not calling for Rickie to be turned into a permanent substitute, but I would like to see how we perform with a grouping that all favour the same style, and a return to a more coherent version of the 4-2-3-1.
Rickie was one of our better players today, and I thought Rodriguez was decent too apart from a couple of bad touches at crucial moments.
I thought Rickie looked tired today, should have started with Osvaldo and Gaston/Davis. Oh well a point is a point, the way West Ham played just shows they have taken over the reigns from Stoke as playing the worst style of football in the Prem. Pathetic really, but as long as it brings success and mid-table mediocrity to Fat Sam they won't change.
Ramirez and Osvaldo clicked vs Sunderland. I would drop Rickie: Cork-Schneiderlin Rodriguez Ramirez Lallana Osvaldo Which leaves out JWP and Wanyama, when they could both easily be starting. Our CMs are fine, it's the four in front.
I think the problem is that we so often try and play through the middle. It's great and attractive when it comes off but it's just very difficult to do it especially against a well organised defensive team such as WHU. At the moment that is our tactic and were not really trying anything else I think that's why the tempo is slow as you need to be patient to find the right pass. I don't think scrapping this aproach is the answer, we have the players for it to work and they're starting to gel. Osvaldo looked very promising today. I think we just need to mix it up a bit and sometimes look to attack quicker, also getting shaw and clyne to overlap is really important.
I don't think we can play Lambert, Osvaldo and Rodriguez together unless we play 4-3-3, in a 4-2-3-1 there is very little link between defence and attack when both wide men are playing so attacking.
I wouldn't mind us playing 4-3-3 at Anfield next up. At the very least, a formation that involves three CMs. Going to Anfield with Cork in there alongside Morgan and Wanyama would please me no end. At the very least, if not Cork, then Davis. But ideally Cork.
First half was terrible which put some of us in a bad mood. We played better in the second half. We weren't super, but neither were we terrible after half time.
I`d have Cork in for Wanyama - he`s a better footballer. Spider doesn`t know whether to stick or twist at the moment.
I'm far from Ramirez' biggest fan but I thought that it's the first time in a while that he hasn't been wasteful in possession and played at a high tempo. Osvaldo looked energetic and played some nice passes and did more than Lambert did.
Got in a few minutes ago and read through this. I'll try and be brief in my view. Maybe because I was expecting a dire game, but I am remarkably calm. I was pissed off with the shammers style at the game, and thought we were poor in the first half. Second half we were better but not marvelous. Big Fat Sam just makes things so difficult; I'm glad I am a Saints fan and not a West Ham fan. I wonder if we should switch Morgan and Victor. I think Morgan keeps our flow quicker and better. Victor seems to be the central point when we are passing the ball out from the back in the role Morgan had last year. I think it would be better with Morgan doing that as his passing is quicker and better. Those saying the FBs didn't get forward enough are spot on, but that's been the case for weeks. I don't understand why we are panicking at the moment though. It's not disastrous at all. Like several teams at the moment we have not quite got it right but have shown glimpses of it coming good. I prefer glass half full and after 4 games will take 5 points. Could have been more, but could also have been less. Cold light of day, we hit the woodwork and their keeper made three good saves. They missed a sitter at the end. If I supported a team that should be top 6, then I'd be more disappointed, but I support Saints. We are progressing, but it's a bit like my golf game: I spend years slicing everything, but having an excellent short game and as soon as I hit it straight of the tee, I can't chip for toffee. Saints seem to have sorted the defense but now struggle to score. It'll change a few more times during the season, but unlike my golf, I have confidence in Saints.
