Our final Summer Series game kicked off, and Graham Potter decided to put out a lineup which seemed as if it would be similar to the starting squad we'd have in the Premier League.
The first 20 minutes of the fixture saw the Hammers come under severe pressure. Bournemouth would clash with the post whilst also having two more clear-cut chances elsewhere, and it could've very easily been three down for Potters men, but the scoreline remained 0-0.
Bore-draw? Not for long, Malick Diouf picked up the ball out wide, played a beautiful cross into the box and Jarrod Bowen, with finesse and composure, slotted the ball to Fuller, who made it 1-0 and wheeled away in Brazilian style, celebrating with Lucas Paqueta.
A few more chances closed the half out, Bournemouth hitting the woodwork again but this time the crossbar from a header by Zabarnyi.
The star of the half had to go to Freddie Potts, from Potter's side being on the back foot, Potts cut through the passing lanes and provided opportunities to Bowen, Diouf, Paqueta and others, which ended up with us taking the lead come the whistle, concluding the first half.
Malick Diouf would also be the other standout, as in the second half, he played a wonderful cross into the box, which Bowen converted into the bottom left corner, slicing it past Petrovic, making it 2-0 to the Hammers, and that would end up being the final score come the final whistle.
Potter's side defended well, and perhaps the exclusion of Mavropanos and Guidslow Rodriguez from the starting squad resulted in Potter's side keeping a clean sheet.
Malick Diouf and Freddie Potts both were the standouts from the fixture, Potts seems like a new signing considering the impact he's had upon the squad and Diouf seems that he's intergrated into the squad well with the wand of his boots that provide crosses to a level in which we haven't seen since prime Cresswell.
It's almost as if Potter & Macaulay's targets are talented and thought out rather than just panic buying...
Comments
Let's not forget that the
Let's not forget that the crossbar also came to Areola's rescue when he attempted that delayed clearance and that interception from the Bournemouth player ricocheted onto the goal post to save the keeper's blushes!!
But believe it or not I'm far
But believe it or not I'm far more positive about West Ham's Season than I was about two weeks ago. Fulkrug is putting in more of a shift. Potts' energy and shift that he puts in the midfield is bound to be a more attacking flair along with Diouf and Wan-Bissaka's full back skills really means that West Ham can make for some interesting displays. Yes, Areola needs to gain some more self confidence in his displays and put behind him all the huge mistakes that resulted in West Ham's loss to Man United and conceding that early goal to Everton. Well if Callum Wilson can stay fit and somehow find that form where he always scored against West Ham, then I can say that it was a positive signing for a player for "Free"!!
still worried about the formation
when the wingbacks drop and become a back five we look very vulnerable and we had the luck today..i am still not sure about Todibo but Kilman and Aguered had good games...Diouf was the standout and both those crosses which led to our goals were top draw.
There have been a number of pluses on this tour and a lot of things learned that still needs to be worked on but i am hopeful that we will not be involved in a dogfight at the bottom.COYI
Thought we fluked that result
And the Laurel and Hardy moments in our defence and midfield have not been erased. They hit the woodwork three times and Areolas flapping at the ball as if swatting a fly on more than one occasion does not bode well for the coming season, I saw nothing in any of the three line ups during the tour to give me any clue as to our starting line up for Sunderland, and if I'm honest, I'm not sure Potter does either.
Nope. Nothings changed. I STILL think we're in for a miserable year.
Yep... agree DH
Defense looked Shakey and we will NEVER play a team in the Prem that will miss such sitters.
I like the look of Diouf and The Big F***ing German looks very positive.
Concerned about the lack of pace in midfield, Ward Mouse passing stats look great and he still doesn't make a forward pass, preferring sideways and back... all very safe.
Potter ball is all about possession but without a creative pass you can be p***ing in the wind!!!
Areola definitely needs
Areola definitely needs outing. A Keeper has to be priority.
yes agree
yes a goal keeper that can catch crosses would be welcome now that we have the striker problem solved with callum wilson joining us onward and upwards Ha bloody Ha