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So here we are the season started better than we thought it would and we hoped but did not expect much from the games against Citeh/bindippers and that turned out to be the case but i am rather optimistic as to how the season will go now.
Relegation dogfight i do not see that happening top 8 finish will be tough but it is most certainly achievable. The team are playing well and although i understand when fans say we need to do more than sit back and counter and be more proactive in games and yes we certainly are more than capable of doing that but against the bigger teams it would seem to be the safer option but of course when we go behind that gameplan goes out the window and that really is the one area that Moyes and his coaches have to work on.
Aguered has come in for some stick which is harsh IMO yes he has made some mistakes but the level of player that we buy at that is always going to be the case but look at Manures new GK and that howler in the champions league so i will not dig Aguered out and with Mav now ready to step in the challenge is there.
We have a squad now that Moyes has to utilise a little better but one area he really needs to look at is the striker look at that appalling header Ants had yesterday and back to his diving to the ground as soon as he is touched is not good, Mubama the answer? not for a while yet IMO yes use him this week in the carabooo cup and bring him on slowly at the end of matches if we have the game done and dusted but seriously this is one area we need strengthening badly.
As a team i think we are doing well and yes we tailed off some yesterday but that had nothing to do with players being tired if that was the case sack the fitness coach because it is an argument i cannot accept we played at home the bindippers were away midweek so its an argument that has no grounds for me the players need a little more belief and mental toughness in what we are capable of Derren Brown available?.
All in all i am pleasantly surprised as to the start of the season but after the blunts on Saturday it is the barcode game at home that will be the yardstick for me as to where we will finish this season and a game that Moyes has to show that he is the manager that he thinks he is.
Have had my doubts
About Aguerd for some time now and his game yesterday was a massive disappointment. After Mavrapanos's showing in midweek, changes need to be made.
Another change in my opinion that needs to be made which will no doubt raise ire among some of you and that is goalkeeper. I never have really seen any reason why Areola was suddenly first choice this season and in ALL the games played so far have seen no justification for persevering with him. Yesterdays showing was demoralising to watch him, dribbling around in his own area, short passing to under pressure defenders who I'd say have no confidence in the man behind him, but worst of all, Areola's total inability to spread himself as large as possible when facing a point blank shot. So Fabs back in goal and Mavrapanos or Oggie even, back in for our next game.
Pointless continually banging the striker issue. It is what it is and seems obvious that Moyes has no confidence in Mubama to step up, will continue to play Ings in a fish out of water setup, continue with 33 year old Ants in the hope of snatching an early goal so we can sit back for the next 75 minutes. The only alternative I can suggest would be to move Bowen into the striker role with Kudus out wide. However, whilst Kudus looked good(ish) against the Serbian pub team, he looked a spectator in his cameo showing against Livepool.
HG may well be happy with the start to our season. I say same shit, different players
Areola to be Dropped?
Cannot agree with that Deluded.
Against Man Citeh, he was MotM (IMHO) making numerous saves.
He wasn't as good at Anfield, but see no reason to drop him.
Yeah
Someone else commented on the saves he was making. I said he's a f***ing goalkeeper, I EXPECT them to make saves. It's the ones they let in that's the problem
I think the squad is balanced
I think the squad is balanced and in the main a very good squad.
If we had a forward thinking young dynamic manager. We would sure as shit be seeing a better reward. Notwithstanding, a hungrier, happier unit as a whole.
I don't have any suggestions, for what it's worth..
Have to take issue with you
Have to take issue with you Deluded regarding Areola. I think he's been Fab (no pun intended) this season. My main gripe is how unbalanced we look at times with Moyes insistance to shoe horn Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Paquetta & Soucek into midfield. Paqueta as good as he is. Is wasted playing out on the left. He really needs to be in the middle. I think Antonio's showing in frontbof goal shows the need for a striker. Not quite ready to give up on Aguerd yet but he does need to liven up. The Greek will get his chance soon as Zouma will injure himself sooner rather than later. On the whole a pleasing start. But wins against Lincoln & Sheff Utd are a must for morale and momentum.
Six games in and...
In review:
Played Bournemouth (A) Chelsea (H) Brighton (A) Luton (A) Man Citeh (H) Liverpool (A)
West Ham have 4 more points than I expected ...⚒️
Cor Blimey
Agree mate...7th tonight,only losses are against citeh & the bee gees! 4 wins out of 6 do for me...let's not forget the Europey or is it 5 from 7
Short termism
I can understand Moyes, and any other Prem manager not looking to the youth. These days and for about the last twenty years a manager’s tenure is constantly in doubt. Apart from Pep, how many managers are two or three bad games away from the sack? If I were West Ham manager and knew I had the job for at least the next five years then Mubama would be the first name on the team sheet every week because I would want to build for the future. But if my job was in jeopardy every week I would stick with what I know. I’m not sure there is an easy solution for this conundrum.
But surely
Mumbai is worth a go in the Caramel Cup?