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Sheep In Wolves Clothing!

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 28/09/2020 - 11:52

Doom and gloom prevailed at the London Stadium ahead of what was supposed to be a mauling of the Irons by the Nuno Spririto's predatorial Wolves, having just acquired even more expensive 'Portugeezers', the midlands outfit were here to compound what had been an entirely miserable week off the field for West Ham.

Although misery prevailed in the form of 'Chairman' Sullivan's 'heart felt' radio confessions earlier in the week, the comprehensive destruction of Hull City in the EFL Cup and to a certain extent the performance in the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal showed that on the pitch at least, David Moyes' men were beginning to gel, much like after the season's restart, it took a couple of games before the football started to flow freely, and last night's performance against a Wolves side so 'bigged up' by the commentators that the outcome of the match was a foregone conclusion was the proof that West Ham CAN be a force to be reckoned with .

All the negativity regarding the lack of new faces, and the sale of Grady Diangana as well as a couple of fringe players had set the tone for events, however despite not buying any new players, Moyes does have an 'attractive' choice of available players, a facility he utilised to the full.

During Moyes' first tenure as manager, before he was so rudely dumped for the 'Pellagrinophile', the manager had 'converted' both Marko Arnautovic and Authur Masuaku in to an attacking player, and the latter a speedy forward/winger. 'King Authur', as he was once known, is a superb player when used correctly, and Mauaku's ability to run at players scares the opposition, however there was an additional bonus for the team with Masuaku playing left of midfield, he can be free to bomb forward knowing that his run is covered by Aaron Cresswell, Cresswell in turn didn't need to worry if he forayed forward because Masuaku could cover him.

Essentially Cresswell, who had come in for a lot of criticism recently, looked like the player he was of old, freed of having to run the line all the time, his lack of speed was made up for by some accurate passes and meaningful work rate. Of course the rest of the team played superbly, too many good performances to list every one, except special mention needs to go to Michail Antonio who absolutely bullied the 'sheep in Wolve's clothing', you can guarantee they will be nursing a few bruises here and there!

Jarrod Bowen's brace, Soucek's superb header (sod the dubious goals committee) and a fourth beautifully taken header by Sebastien Haller during his five minute cameo role were proof enough that there is a very decent squad at the London Stadium, obviously the squad is still imbalanced, but it only needs a tweek or two to really excel.

A word to all the gloom and avarice merchants, Wolves have just gone out and spent big, really big, similar to what another club did last season, the other club? West Ham United, be careful what you wish for, it might not be what you really want. -Ed

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Comments

Dartford Bhoy's picture

I think its early doors in the season to write them both off Ditm. I think Wolves have been sussed. The 5 at the back when mirrored is very effective. The loss of top players has had an effect and I think they were fortunate previously with injuries and a settled side?

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25 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

"Soucek's superb header (sod the dubious goals committee)"........ personally cost me. Skybet were giving 20 to 1 for a Soucek Headed goal!!!!

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11 users have voted.

Totally unexpected,the westham way! Good thing as well there is competiton for places,strongest bench weve had for a long,long time...haller,yarmo,Anderson,lanzini all need to up their game to get in the first team thats not a bad thing!

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18 users have voted.

Agree dicks but all the time Ant is running a muck hes got to be no number 2 ,tamper with this formation at your peril ,what a fine 2 he is though ,cant remember when we had such embarrassment of riches on the dench

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13 users have voted.

Yes,haller has scored in the league cup & he scored when he came on last night but up to then hes been piss poor,impact sub yes? I'd bring him on 2nd half but imo theres no way he starts at the moment unless the dreaded injury curse appears

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15 users have voted.

Well said 65,i agree with that,i know he scored and we were all happy,but really he had done nothing,and it was a sitter,no one near him didnt have to jump or move it sat on his head,at the moment he is a sub at best.

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10 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

that said the cross / delivery to him was a beaut!

Lets see what his attitude is like tonight.

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24 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

Appreciate it was used previous for another Frenchie... Nicolas Anelka (not in the same league as that feller) but we have tagged him with the same name, hes not a happy camper but I guess its to get the message to Bug Eyes that he wants to be in the starting line up?

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17 users have voted.
mcbikeman's picture

Soucek or Rice get injured who fills in? Wheelchair/Noble not a good thing...Fredericks injured we got the young Lad Ben to cover but you cannot rely on a kid still learning so now the RB situation needs looking at before window shuts for sure...Antonio gets injured does anyone really see Haller being able to do what he does when alone up front? i personally do not...we do have a decent first eleven and Yarma/Snoddy can certainly push to get in that side but Lanzini/Anderson/Wheelchair for me do not.

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18 users have voted.

We MUST keep hold of Rice now. He is the glue that holds the midfield together.
If we keep him I predict a comfortable entertaining season ahead.

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20 users have voted.
boogerscaravan's picture

Felt a bit sorry for Haller, he never really showed any pleasure or emotion when he scored. Just a little smile at Mas after his cross. Almost looked like a little boy lost.......I've a feeling he will come good, somehow!!

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17 users have voted.

have liked a little bit of a smile and a fist pump from Haller after he scored as it was a good header rather than the spoilt little boy attitude

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11 users have voted.

One player that was outstanding in the Carabao Cup was Yarmalenko. To me, he could take over the right wing position, while Bowen could thrive more centrally up front in case Antonio for some reason gets injured. But definitely Antonio is now the best centre forward in the squad. So hopefully, he stays fit for the rest of the season. The most important thing is that The West Ham squad shows up game after game and not sit on their single match laurels!!

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20 users have voted.
moore2come's picture

The Wolves defence looked terrified of Antonio. Right at the end of the first half he half chased a ball into the box and just walked straight over the defender who went down as if he'd been hit by a bus.

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17 users have voted.

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