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1307 9:48 Tue May 2
Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

Kouyate cannot pass a ball.
Noble is gone.
Nordveidt is diabolical.
Fernandes is nothing as proved by hid distribution.
Obiang looks to be off.

Do we need an entirely new midfield for next season?
Sell Noble for £2-3 million, Kouyate for £5-6 million, Obiang for £9-10 million, Norsveidt for £750k, Fernandes for £2-3 million and start again in midfield.

alfie romeo 11:18 Wed May 3
Re: Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

What we can't overlook is that this team is under coached. This set up does not improve players. a lot of them are clueless with no real idea what their role and job is. Before we start binning anyone off, we need to sort out the problem at root.

GreenStreetPlayer 12:15 Wed May 3
Re: Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

In an arena fit for athletics, we need 11 athletes more than ever to cover the pitch.

Knicker Wetter 12:08 Wed May 3
Re: Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

Eerie you have a blind spot with Kouyate, he has good and bad games and his role this season hasn't helped, he'd always be in my team from our present squad but I'd play him a little more advanced

Eerie Descent 11:52 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

'its just a blip'

'He's on a bad run of form'

'There's a player in there somewhere'

I remember the same crock of shit being said when he was anonymous for a large chunk of last season.

Possiblly the most overrated player we've ever had.

Alex V 3:59 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

>>> In my opinion we try and decide who has had a dip in form and who it just not good enough.

Sounds good in theory. But I doubt any of the players at this level can be objectively judged not good enough. Tore, Calleri, Feghouli, Zaza etc could all be judged just bad players based on what we've seen, but go on the training pitch and I bet it isn't obvious at all. And vice versa - the likes of Collins and Reid might have limited abilities on the training pitch, but are brave in matches.

The problem also is when you try to find buyers for the players you'd rather get rid of. In many cases they won't be worth much and/or there won't be buyers. That's where hard choices have to be made - sometimes you have to sell someone you'd rather keep just to try and shake up the mix in the squad. I think that's very relevant to us right now - changes clearly have to be made, but many players won't be easy to get rid of.

scott_d 3:28 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

The whole team, including Payet at the beginning of the season, we shitter than last season.

Not sure we will get anywhere by singling out the midfield. We need to strengthen pretty much all over to improve on this season and if anywhere needs strengthening most it's our bloody forwards!

There is a cracking player in Kouyate who's unfortunately underperformed this season but it would be a mistake to get rid of him on this basis otherwise we'd have to sack the whole team off for the same reason and that's obviously not going to happen.

In my opinion we try and decide who has had a dip in form and who it just not good enough. There is a difference and I would say Kouyate is a good player who just hasn't played well.

1307 3:27 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirelynew Midfield?

Everyone going way over the top about Fernandes. Average distribution with so so work rate. A bog standard midfielder.
Arter is superior to Noble as he presses the opposition on their own penalty box and has 10 times the energy of Noble.

Note: I am, not saying Arter is great just a lot more effective than our midfielders.

Darby_ 3:26 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirelynew Midfield?

Obiang and the Jewel seem like nailed on central midfielders for me. Who would the third one be?

We could sell Kouyate and gamble on a new central midfielder but he could end up being worse than Kouyate. Grass is greener and all that.

Money is no issue, so we don't need to sell. Just bring another central midfielder to compete with Kouyate.

Alex V 3:18 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirelynew Midfield?

I'd rate Arter similar to Noble. Obviously a hard worker and does the simple things well, but isn't going to intimidate anyone physically. That's the big plus with Fernandes - he is going to be a tall strong player who can also play, that's very exciting imo.

1307 3:10 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirelynew Midfield?

We do not have a midfielder as effective as Harry Arterton. How depressing.

Eerie Descent 2:39 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirelynew Midfield?

It's hilarious the over rating of Kouyate on here. He has had 1 decent game in midfield all season, and there's calls for him to be captain. He was diabolical, absolutely diabolical against Everton 2 games ago, it was like watching Kovac all over again.

I hope to fuck we cash in on him in the summer.

Dan M 1:53 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirelynew Midfield?

What do I have to do once?

As we only usually play Tottenham twice a season I don't think you have.

1307 1:49 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\new Midfield?

Dan, do once.
Lay money I have been to more West Ham games than you.

Sir Alf 1:48 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely new Midfield?

Its about opinions and perceptions and Alex and I disagree on Kouyate :-)

If he plays like he did on Saturday then he should be retained but his "dip in form" was a major loss of form perhaps partially down to AFCON tournament and no rest. The start of the season and the end of last , he went missing and was anonymous for large parts of games. Alongside Noble that made us very vulnerable to counter attacking teams.

His distribution or passing stats are average / poor the last time I looked but watching the home games and away games on streams he has consistently been guilty of giving it away. He runs well with the ball and is strong but lost the energy in his displays until Saturday and perhaps it is the appearance of Nordtveit that is now giving him the freedom or confidence. But its one game. He needs to show the kind of display and performance he showed against Stoke every week.

Like I say, for the last year he has been largely anonymous and was guilty of getting caught up field and not tracking back. He is not the most naturally technical player possibly because he was originally a CB?

Long story short, he plays like Saturday on a consistent basis and he would be worthy of being retained but like Noble may not always be a starter. He plays like he has for most of the last 12 months (not the first 2 / 3rds of last season with a rampant Payet in the side) and he needs to go IMO.

Central midfield is key as Chelsea have shown and a real classy, strong and technically superior man to Kouyate, Noble and Nordtveit is needed longer term along with a left sided man with real quality and pace. A goalkeeper and forwards essential too.

Dan M 1:43 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\new Midfield?

It's not a matter of "we" 1307 as you're referring to West Ham's midfield and you're not West Ham. Now fuck off.

Alex V 1:35 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\new Midfield?

On the broader question of whether to change the midfield I'd answer 'maybe'. I want Fernandes to be first choice in central midfield. I can't see Noble leaving or being sold. Lanzini is currently playing as a CM. So there's three of your choices for the CM roles before you even consider Kouyate. As the dedicated DM Obiang has done well, and Nordtveit is finally starting to be utilised properly.

For me the question is whether you twist by selling one or both of Obiang and Kouyate, or stick by just keeping them another season. Sullivan tends to always stick, so I'd expect them to be here so no changes. I would prefer to twist - to sell one or both and freshen up the midfield. I'd love to see a dedicated DM brought in who can set up the play and marshall the midfield - someone who could dominate in the role rather than just filling it.

Alex V 1:28 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\new Midfield?

>>> I know you love a statement Alex, so fancy telling us how many KEY passes our 5th best passer has made?

Not a strong part of his game I'd agree, though he's played so much in DM and in defence this season where you wouldn't expect key passes. When he plays central midfield he generally runs ahead of the ball, one of our most attacking players imo. He's more likely to be receiving the ball than creating the play. When we excelled on the break last season I'd say he was an essential part of that and got 5 goals too which is decent in the role - that's what we miss when he plays in defence.

Westham67 1:28 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\new Midfield?

Not West Ham are you

Eggbert Nobacon 1:26 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\new Midfield?

but last week you said it was all down to the manager

at least try to be consistant in your nob-stop whining like a little girl

1307 1:25 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\new Midfield?

Everyone is looking at defence and attack but is the main problem in midfield.
Slow, static and neither good at containing teams or attacking with pace.

Genuine question, would Peter Butler ( a journey man but gave everything for the team) get in our midfield now? Sadly the answer is yes.

Willtell 1:24 Tue May 2
Re: Should Er Get Entirely \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\new Midfield?

Kouyate was good over the weekend. He was rated our best player on whoscored.com with 35 passes, 1 key pass and 80% completion rate.

Thing is that safer passers, (those that play square or backwards most of the time) may well have higher completion rates. It's the forward passes that make winners rather than safe passers...

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