Think Alese is a big reason why the high press has completely gone. Go look at the first 3 games of the season, we pressed so high up the pitch. His recovery speed allows the defensive line to be a lot higher so that if the opposition beat the press he was able to cover the space. O'Nien, Mepham and Ballard just don't have that.
The form is awful and obviously a problem for me. I think our chances in the playoffs look slim but I also keep coming back to the fact that the playoffs are a lottery and we’ve got as much chance as any. What I think people need to differentiate between is the fans remaining optimistic, belittling them for remaining so. There’s a difference between remaining optimistic and supporting the club through a bad run of form, and being fine with it. Some “say it how it is” but ignore any alternative point of view and belittle anybody offering an alternative perspective on what’s going on. There’s a lot of pre-emptive point scoring and readying a “I was right and you were wrong” narrative when the reality is that nobody is wrong for backing the club. In a nutshell - I’m not happy with our form and I’d have approached the last month differently. But I can think that whilst still supporting the lads and trusting it may come off. That doesn’t make me naive or mean I don’t understand football. Nor does it mean I’m happy.
I remember reading the West Ham forums when we signed Alese because obviously we had no knowledge on him. I didnt read one post from any fan that wasn't fuming theyd let him leave. Most said he should be in their first team squad
That's what I keep saying we're missing. If O'Nien doesn't start attacks our defence are virtual spectators, only Hume is ever advanced enough to cause problems. People seem to really rate Mepham but he's very limited in my opinion. He was weak yesterday, stupidly booked then never made another serious challenge. He's a good defender, against a team like Luton, but fallible if people run at him.
I get the concern about the last half dozen games but it’s all about the play offs and what happens on the day. It’s a totally different dynamic in my opinion. To have the best chance to get through to Wembley and win that is having the best players available. RLB has done that. Let’s put criticism, doubts, negativity till the job is completed one way or another. Let’s back off RLB as he can’t seem to do right for doing wrong. Give him a break. Game time coming up soon. HTL!!!
Yeah Mepham had a stinker yesterday. Still think he's been one of our best players this season and i'd 100% sign him if we don't go up, but you can definitely see why he hasn't stuck in the PL.
He’d be one id look to sign July 1st think he’s superb, at risk of backlash here but regardless of league I’d be looking to replace onien in the starting 11 too, I love him and would absolutely keep him in the match day squad but think we can do better especially if we want to target autos should we not go up
3 games, 3 clean sheets. Can't get much better than that. Coincidently, Alese has started 8 league games. Won 6 drawn 2. Only conceded 4 in them games also.
I hope someone shows the lads, the 3 goals the girls scored @Bristol this afternoon. It will hopefully remind them of how we has a club play.
Regardless of league I wouldn't greatly want Mepham. He's good but i think there is better you could buy for the same price tag (assuming the rumour that he would cost £5-6m are true). We need a CB who can either replace O'nien's progressive passes or cover his weaknesses in pace and aerial duels and I don't think Mepham does either well.
Think you're being overly critical there, maybe influenced by recent results. Mepham has been excellent for us this season
Sorry, but that’s not his fault. (That he’s been probably the most prolific shooter! Not that he’s not good at it) surely others should be taking shots? The amount of times Neil has the ball 20-25 yards from goal either space and passes sideways, Annoys hell out of me!! He’s not alone in that
I know it's not his fault, should be a directive from the coaching staff. But at the same time surely you've got to be more self aware? Continuing to do something you clearly can't do when you could keep the attack going and create a better opportunity. He also shouldn't be in the position to take shots because he shouldn't be playing.
