Hammers ran out 'unconvincing' 2-1 victors over Brentford FC at the London Stadium this afternoon, there was much to appreciate but also reasons to be concerned, essentially in the defensive areas, especially in both right and left back positions. Neither Aaron Cresswell, nor particularly Ryan Fredericks, covered themselves in glory in a performance that David Moyes had mixed thoughts about as can be noted during his post match interviews.
"I wasn’t feeling so good at half-time because I didn’t think we played very well [in the first half], so I was a bit disappointed with our performance, but look, we’re in pre-season, we knew how it was going to be and we chopped and changed the team today. We gave most of the players 45 minutes so it was always going to be a little up and down. Ultimately, it was a good exercise for us. Brentford are a good team as people know. It was never going to be an easy game wherever you play them."
Moyes continued, "I think you saw the difference in terms of the quality of the opposition. Quite easily Brentford could have been a Premier League team this season as we’re all aware. There were bits of the game we were happy with and bits that we weren’t. I thought we improved and were much better in the second half. We controlled the game a bit more in the second half.I think we look a threat and we look like we can score and because of that it’s always going to give us a chance. I thought they did really well. Ben is a young player but obviously he’s more used to being in the first team, but the likes of Josh Cullen and Connor Coventry were given time as well. We’ve tried to give them opportunities, but we’ve got a strong squad of senior players with the best part of two teams today. We wanted to give as many of them 45 minutes as we could and we’re just a little short at centre back which meant we couldn’t change them around."
Well, the attacking part of the game was industrious from both teams, but ultimately rewarding for West Ham, so that was the GOOD, however it was clear to see that the midfield, that featured Jack Wilshere in the first half, was rather light weight and repeatedly let the opposition forwards through the centre of the pitch, they were the BAD. And finally the full backs, they were the UGLY, and even though funds are extremely limited, David Moyes must somehow get the co-owners to cough up for at least ONE additional full back, preferably two!
Michail Antonio's withdrawal, following two 'unpleasant' tackles that impacted on his upper thigh area, was a warning for the future and showed how he is only one bad tackle away from the 'sick room'. On the plus side, Sebastien Haller ran like he had a rocket up his backside, probably courtesy of a certain Mr 'Pearce and Love', in fact on more than one occasion he had to track back the entire length of the pitch in order to cover for one of Frederick's numerous errors.
The youngsters who featured looked fine, Yarmolenko looked fit, despite receiving an unpleasant knock on his knee early doors, and both he and Soucek took their goals well. Attack GOOD, Midfield occasionally BAD, full backs UGLY....cue Morricone soundtrack as Moyes and Pearce look towards Sergio Leone for direction. - Ed
Comments
Surprised.
No. VERY surprised with your verdict on our attack. Looked clueless especially when Antonio went off. I suppose that we can be thankful that Brentford didn't have two of their most prolific strike force playing for whatever reason as that would have made things acutely embarrassing