Now that the raw emotions from a tough night have settled, reviewing the QPR match is easier, but still not pleasant to digest.
Whilst there’s a lot of discussion many people can have, one thing that can be spoken about is the formation. Firstly, whilst Nuno can certainly take some blame, which will be discussed, it has to be mentioned how shocking the attitude and ability were that the players put on for the fans, it was a disgrace, however, the first spell you could almost dumb down to a simple formation error.
It would be unanimous for a large proportion of the fanbase to agree that the 4-4-2 formation in the Championship does work very well for the Hammers. Three out of the four wins West Ham have achieved in the Championship this year have come from the simple 4-4-2 and the other formation that works? The 3-4-3. Where the Hammers have recently been down and out, the 3-4-3 has clawed back a draw against Millwall and a draw against QPR.
What is not mentioned here… 4-3-3. This formation simply cannot be played anymore. A QPR side that didn’t play particularly well dominated the Hammers in the first half completely; it’s a torrid formation and not one that should be used again.
When the Hammers played Burnley, it was a learning curve. If you eager-eyed fans have noticed, anytime West Ham are in the lead since that Burnley game we have not replicated that same performance, sitting deep, allowing them to press and just hoping to hold on. That was an incredibly valuable lesson and we have learned from it since, we can only hope that QPR is another one of those turning points which will benefit West Ham for the bigger picture of the season.
Former Ipswich manager, Kieran McKenna, who got Ipswich promoted last season finishing in second place, had achieved a record of three wins, three draws and four losses in his first ten matches, tallying a total of 12 points. He later discussed after he resigned in order to take a break, that he used to take the first ten games of the Championship to experiment with his new side, tactics, players the lot, could perhaps Nuno be doing the same?
So far, he has learned from the mistakes that have been made. From players of whom to/not to start, which duos do and don’t work and now the formations.
As we approach Wednesday to face Lincoln, is this the final ‘trial’ Nuno and his staff have tucked up their sleeves, or is it simply a game of cat and clueless?
Comments
Experiment will continue
Team news for Wednesday already in Mukasa Engels and Soucek all to be replaced with Mayers Golambekis Scarles to replace them as Engels and Mukasa refused to follow instructions and as a consequence for their inability to pass side to side and backwards costing them their places and big Tom hauled purely on a fitness basis! where Nuno assures us we may not win but we will not lose.
But seriously he promised after the Millscum first half display that it would not happen again and he was right as we were shit in both halves this time except for a little ten minute spell and again that is solely down to how the team are coached and prepped before the match and is squarely on Nunos shoulders.
The players should not escape the blame either with their many many lethargic slow tempo games that are becoming the norm and that is disgraceful especially at home and it needs to be stamped out but honestly i have little faith in that until the Manager accepts that we play far far better on the front foot than we do sitting back passing for passings sake.
Lastly for me the total lack of closing down of players on the ball really pisses me off...look at how many times the QPR keeper had the ball just stood their and not one player went to close him down not one we just dropped off let him waste time ..against Fulham for their second goal just look at the midfielder on the ball inside his own half just outside the centre circle not one player went near him to make a challenge so he had time and space to get his head up and play a pass that got them the goal....again it is happening time and time again and that is down to instructions to drop deep cover the space and it bites us in the arse so many times.
So how about experimenting with a positive attacking attitude instead of the negative one currently employed.
yes agree bike
we were crap in both halves this time but i have to admit it wasn't until Pablo came on that things started to happen he makes a nuisance of him self and gets a reaction so start him and hopefully others will do the same he is the ideal player to close down goal keepers and slow centre halves