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I didn't see the game today as I was working but was listening to Radio 5 which had plenty of updates, sounds like we didn't turn up in the first half and gave away 2 goals, just wondered what the game was like really, they said Oxford got replaced at halftime but did we play ok or did we look more like we did in pre season?
I think Bilic got his tactics
I think Bilic got his tactics totally wrong. He probably thought that Oxford and the back four could defend and the rest of the team could attack Leicester at will. Unfortunately, they didn't read the script and decided to be organised without the ball and aggressive moving forward with it.
Until Obiang came on, we had nobody in the middle of the park looking to boss the game and the first half was way too easy for their midfield. It didn't help that Cresswell, Jenkinson and Zarate had very poor games.
Somebody also needs to tell Reid that it's OK to pass it forward, he doesn't have to go sideways every single time.
Learning curve for Bilic, hope it's quick.
We missed two glaring headers too
We could easily have won had they been struck better.
It is not like we were beaten up we actually played some decent football.
The problem was we defended like chumps and big giant HGV vehicles could have walked through our defense at times the two goals were terrible.
Midfield
Midfield didn't function for long periods as Leicester pressed quickly. They got it out to the flanks and seemed to have acres of space. Defence was poor. Just read that Norwich are showing interest in Collins and Everton making a bid for Song for £5million. We need to get some quality in fast otherwise we are going to stutter.
How can you say zarate had a poor game?
Was you at the game ffs?that was probably his best game in a westham shirt jeez some people....
Yup at the game and even
Yup at the game and even stayed until the end! West Stand Upper, relatively central so I think my view is half decent too. Would it make a difference if I had seen a stream instead?
I thought Zarate was poor. Frequently he got the ball without being aware of the opposition around him and lost it/got challenged. Other times he hung onto the ball too long when he could have passed it early instead of slowing the game down. Then of course there is him doing too much with it, like when he dribbled into the box, jinxed past a couple of players and instead of shooting with his left, tried to take it onto his right and Huth got a challenge in.
Still, he's better than Maiga! Speaking of which, why is he on the bench and not Elliot Lee?
Apologies apache!
My comments last night were probably due to frustration & too many beers drowning my sorrows after the game!!Expectation was high after the game against the gooners,so yesterday brings one back down to earth with a bump i suppose!
I take on board what you say about zarate,but i do feel that at least he does try to take on opposing players & make things happen.Cresswell wasnt at his best,& jenkinkinson as you say was the weak link.Kept bombing forward then losing the ball most of the game!i also maybe didnt give leicester enough credit for a battling performance.we really need to improve for the next game cos apart from sunderland,the so called "lesser" teams are getting results...also agree why maiga for elliott lee??
Do you think it's more than a
Do you think it's more than a coincidence that our managers are not showing faith in Lee, perhaps he's just not that good
Straight forward really and
Straight forward really and that was bad defending for both their goals. You cannot stand there and let the opposition have a free run into the box and for both goals a player ran into the box without a marker and had a free shot.
thats it , in a nutshell
thats it , in a nutshell
Dissapointing
2-0 down against Leicester at home just isn't good enough and the player that could have made a difference would have been Downing. Can anyone tell me a good reason for playing Noble left midfield? We then switched him to the right but, again someone tell me why??? Today pished me off and I was shocked with the poor tactics. Zarate played okay but he will never be a team player as he runs into trouble by constantly running into trouble.
Got to agree regarding Noble,
Got to agree regarding Noble, if he has to play then it must be centrally, can't have him in wide positions, waste of time out there, you're right about Downing as well, that set up would've been ideal for him, hope we can sign somebody or Amalfatino keeps his nose clean!
Team is new still gelling
Obviously a brilliant 16 year old one week can be an inexperienced child the next.
We need all our players fit and a few more players for this pretty thin squad thin in quality that is.
I did not think we would be top six when we beat Arsenal last week and I do not think we will be relegated because we lost to Leicester, as I have said and everyone knows anyway, anyone can beat anyone else it is simple science 11 players on each side the ball is round.
We were slow and ponderous
We were slow and ponderous across the back line, slow to get the ball forward, and our defenders were reluctant to start attacks. We were better when Obiang came on, and I expect him to start next week. We obviously had the tactics right for the away game at Arsenal, but haven't yet worked out how to use our personnel efficiently at home where we are supposed to be the team making the running. I think most of us expected it to take time for Bilic to get his ideas through to the players.
I also think Leicester have not been given enough credit by some, they defended well, shut Payet down well, and were quick in attack. And time-wasted superbly; with that idiot Taylor falling for most of their tricks. A straight red for what was plainly a clumsy and unintentional kick was ridiculous: players don't need to be treated like vulnerable 7 year old ballerinas, this is meant to be a game for men.
Leicester
Leicester did their homework and kept Payet quiet in the first half. Our defensive lapses was worrying and ball watching and lack of awareness of opposition was poor. Zarate tries too much and usually it doesn't come to anything. I agree he is not looking out for other players when he does his solo weaving. Needs to be more of a team player. Jenkinson looked well off the pace and Cresswell still has defensive flaws. Ogbonna ok as was Obiang when he came on. Noble blew hot and cold. I think we still need a winger and striker and certainly another goalkeeper as Green will be out for 3 games Never easy with West Ham with the ups and downs.
Agree Bully
Leicester are playing very well and some talk about them as if they are hoof ball merchants and a bad football team, but they can really play with intelligence and know where the onion bag is too.
Dicks I am always pretty impressed by them
They do not hang about and If I had any moaning about yesterday it is that we should have known from last season that Leicester are fast on the counter, like lightning.
You do not have to be great to win matches Dicks as you saw last week, unless you think West Ham are great.
Bump
Down to earth with a bump....is this going to be another rollercoaster season, I did'nt either of our results coming...let's hope Slav can get it right next game.
I dread to think
What sort of comments we would be having had Big Sam fielded that team with those tactics. Once again, we saw why Sam didn't play Zarate and Noble had a poor game too. Don't know why Reid was moved over to the right side of Centre and he had possibly the worst game I've seen him play. Ogbonne seems to read the game well but in the games I've seen him play he looks alarmingly slow. Reece showed why Sam also had little faith in playing the youngsters and Adrian had one of those games again which makes me hark back to the days of Calamity James. Payet looks good, much better than Downing and I don't really know why people are still harking after him. Payet also drops some alarming clangers too and nearly cost us a goal. Hoping this is not going to be second season syndrome for Sakho (one of the reasons I'm not too sure that Austin is going to be the answer) but clearly the need for a decent striker was obvious. There were many instances of Bilic asking for width on the field but players, Noble in particular, were just too slow to push the ball out. Jenkinson in particular was often fed miles too late. Obiang looked bright for all of ten minutes. It wasn't a good showing at all but also, I think too many people underestimated Leicester. Ranieri was also my call to replace Allardyce as well so I'll be keeping close tabs on them this season.
Go suck off Sam somewhere
Go suck off Sam somewhere else. "We saw why sam didn't play Zarate" Allardyce didn't just not play him he publicly slated zarate and claimed Carlton was much better. The reason Zarate didn't play was because he wasn't sams choice. Zarate being sent out on loan was one of the many reason sam had to go. His man management was fucking abysmal. Your slating Bilic for playing reid at right center back! Reids right footed! If he can't play right center back to the same standard as left back then he shouldnt be a pro!
I see
Bilic moved Reid over to Left CB after just half an hour yesterday. Fancy playing a right footed footballer over there. Madness *shakes head knowingly*
Leicester are an in-form team
Leicester are an in-form team, a lot of ball watching in defence especially for the goals.Then there was the penalty that wasn't given, Casper.... it's a pity the referee didn't see right through him. Put out one arm and it's a foul, put out two arms and it looks like you are trying to avoid the player. Could do with some luck there too.