Well, El Flop needs fucking off tonight.
Sergio Conceicao isn't working, worth a go?
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The Next West Ham Manager.
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Spot on about the European experience 360. Antonio they couldnt handle and the lightening fast counter attacks. Tactically by default or design or both it was genuis by Moyes and absolutely masked the decline in the league over his last 2 seasons. But most pundits and ex pros are not exactly “thinking types” and many are one dimensional and bought into the narrative on Moyes perhaps also with a hint of nostalgia for an old school british manager? The game has moved on, is much faster, no longer allowing the physical “reducers” to limit the opposition anymore. The whole team has got to move non stop for 90 mins, be able to pass in the upper 80s and more for accuracy, press relentlessly and also be very strong protecting the ball.
We look like a team of pensioners playing pedestrian level football. Lopetegui might believe you can build more slowly and methodically like in La Liga but it is bound to fail as many South Americans and players from southern Europe do.
The team he picks know they cannot get results with this suicidal high line and AWB and Emerson doing the overlapping win backs thing but equalky they are not being instructed to get up and down or just refusing to do it. Paqueta, AWB, Emerson never bust a gut to track back and when they do cannot catch the quicker opposition midfields. Alvarez has been trying to compensate for being too slow with desperate lunges.
We have to revert to more if a mid block and counter side unfortunately until the recruitment shortfalls are addressed. If Lop persists with his tactics he will deservedly lose his job.
I just hope to hell that Steidten or Noble or someone can see the bleedin obvious
We look like a team of pensioners playing pedestrian level football. Lopetegui might believe you can build more slowly and methodically like in La Liga but it is bound to fail as many South Americans and players from southern Europe do.
The team he picks know they cannot get results with this suicidal high line and AWB and Emerson doing the overlapping win backs thing but equalky they are not being instructed to get up and down or just refusing to do it. Paqueta, AWB, Emerson never bust a gut to track back and when they do cannot catch the quicker opposition midfields. Alvarez has been trying to compensate for being too slow with desperate lunges.
We have to revert to more if a mid block and counter side unfortunately until the recruitment shortfalls are addressed. If Lop persists with his tactics he will deservedly lose his job.
I just hope to hell that Steidten or Noble or someone can see the bleedin obvious
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threesixty
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
From what I have seen over the last few years in European football, no team played like we did under Moyes in a top flight league. I think this point is underestimated by all the pundits and our fans. Moyes team was really strange and unconventional.
there is no side that would have the players we have and actually set out to only have 20% of the ball against every side we played.
Because of that I think pundits say “what was the problem with Moyes?” As they don’t see us every week.
also I think managers like JLo think they can use their standard procedure on us. Get a few midfielders in that work in Spain and then we’ll be fine. I bet he thought Fullkrug was a good idea until
he realised we would never hold up the ball long enough to get him into play because our midfield is terrible.
the reality is West Ham is a very unique problem and he’s probably been really surprised. Should have done his homework properly really.
there is no side that would have the players we have and actually set out to only have 20% of the ball against every side we played.
Because of that I think pundits say “what was the problem with Moyes?” As they don’t see us every week.
also I think managers like JLo think they can use their standard procedure on us. Get a few midfielders in that work in Spain and then we’ll be fine. I bet he thought Fullkrug was a good idea until
he realised we would never hold up the ball long enough to get him into play because our midfield is terrible.
the reality is West Ham is a very unique problem and he’s probably been really surprised. Should have done his homework properly really.
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Possibly 360. Perhaps Potts and Earthy cpuld do a better job but that will now gave to wait until next season.
The question you raise about Lopetegui’s understanding of what was needed and the needs for playing a pressing, possession game has baggled me for a few weeks.
It goes down to how the recruitment process went once his appointment as head coach was announced. The area where its fallen apart for him in terms of how he wants to play is central midfield. And it seems he named Rodruiguez and Soler as the blokes he wanted. Or were they on the list of pop options that his analysts had come up with? I suspect not.
Loppy had only to look at Soucek, Alvarez and Paqueta , JWP and if he was not interested in youth would have known there is an absence of pace and legs in that bunch. So for me he’s committed an act of self harm that will cost him his job.
The 2 questions I now have is whether anyone knows what the majority of fans and even pundits see in that midfield and lack of runming as we are the oldest slowest outfit? Im only one of many that see the issue so surely Lop, Steidten, Noble and even the football illiterate Sullivan can see the obvious? Lastly would Loppy change tactics and revert to a more pragmatic low block and end his use of Wan Bassaka as the main creative force which has been a spectacular failure?
The question you raise about Lopetegui’s understanding of what was needed and the needs for playing a pressing, possession game has baggled me for a few weeks.
It goes down to how the recruitment process went once his appointment as head coach was announced. The area where its fallen apart for him in terms of how he wants to play is central midfield. And it seems he named Rodruiguez and Soler as the blokes he wanted. Or were they on the list of pop options that his analysts had come up with? I suspect not.
Loppy had only to look at Soucek, Alvarez and Paqueta , JWP and if he was not interested in youth would have known there is an absence of pace and legs in that bunch. So for me he’s committed an act of self harm that will cost him his job.
The 2 questions I now have is whether anyone knows what the majority of fans and even pundits see in that midfield and lack of runming as we are the oldest slowest outfit? Im only one of many that see the issue so surely Lop, Steidten, Noble and even the football illiterate Sullivan can see the obvious? Lastly would Loppy change tactics and revert to a more pragmatic low block and end his use of Wan Bassaka as the main creative force which has been a spectacular failure?
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threesixty
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
I think maybe JLo should have seen this in the summer. If he deserves the sack it’s the fact that he had them in for preseason and has experience of this league and still didn’t figure out his squad wouldn’t be able to play how he wants.
Especially as someone who said he’d been watching us for months. Somethings were pretty obvious to fans. I suppose it’s like any job, you don’t actually “know” until you get in the building and see what’s going on.
I feel like somewhere among the full squad and the youth team we have players that can play possession football. I think for us to attain at least mid table with a different style.
if it were Pep I’d imagine he’d forget the dedicated positions on the team and just put the best ball players on the pitch and work it out from there.
Especially as someone who said he’d been watching us for months. Somethings were pretty obvious to fans. I suppose it’s like any job, you don’t actually “know” until you get in the building and see what’s going on.
I feel like somewhere among the full squad and the youth team we have players that can play possession football. I think for us to attain at least mid table with a different style.
if it were Pep I’d imagine he’d forget the dedicated positions on the team and just put the best ball players on the pitch and work it out from there.
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Unfortunately to be effective at the possession game means a type of player(s) we dont have in that central midfield.
Of course putting an end to the disasterous tactic of using Wan Bassaka as the player expected to provide a lot of the final passes in attack will help. ( he’s provided one ). He can then use his pace to help on defensive recoveries and plugging the gap that twams have exploited down his side. But to keep the ball and stretch teams we need pace and pressing in abundance. We lack them in the most crucial area central midfield.
its gonna have to be more if a low or mid block and countering again until the recruitment to play a possession game is rectified. Imho
Of course putting an end to the disasterous tactic of using Wan Bassaka as the player expected to provide a lot of the final passes in attack will help. ( he’s provided one ). He can then use his pace to help on defensive recoveries and plugging the gap that twams have exploited down his side. But to keep the ball and stretch teams we need pace and pressing in abundance. We lack them in the most crucial area central midfield.
its gonna have to be more if a low or mid block and countering again until the recruitment to play a possession game is rectified. Imho
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threesixty
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
The silly thing is that getting a result against 2 very good passing sides will mean Jlo sits back and parks the bus.
and if he succeeds are we any better off?
I personally don’t think it’s about points right now. I want to see a transition in how we play even if we lose. But someone up top has to guarantee JLo that he’s allowed to do that. And the fans have got to know this is a process.
I don’t want to go back to defensive football. I want it out of our DNA at this club. The reason we get mocked about the “West Ham way” is that the fans tell themselves we are a flair/passing football club but we haven’t been that for decades. And now some fans prefer the glory of being in the PL at any cost, even if it means shitty football week in week out.
counter attack defensive football should only be for poor teams not ones who’s are in the top 6/7 spenders in the league.
I just wish they empowered someone to do the job and stuck with them. No matter who it is, it’s not happening with this present squad any time soon.
and if he succeeds are we any better off?
I personally don’t think it’s about points right now. I want to see a transition in how we play even if we lose. But someone up top has to guarantee JLo that he’s allowed to do that. And the fans have got to know this is a process.
I don’t want to go back to defensive football. I want it out of our DNA at this club. The reason we get mocked about the “West Ham way” is that the fans tell themselves we are a flair/passing football club but we haven’t been that for decades. And now some fans prefer the glory of being in the PL at any cost, even if it means shitty football week in week out.
counter attack defensive football should only be for poor teams not ones who’s are in the top 6/7 spenders in the league.
I just wish they empowered someone to do the job and stuck with them. No matter who it is, it’s not happening with this present squad any time soon.
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
goose wrote: ↑21 Nov 2024, 07:17 Nothing really new here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... ments.html
Guardian running the same headline.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... placements
Julen Lopetegui has two games to save job as West Ham consider replacements
- Manager needs results against Newcastle and Arsenal
- Former Dortmund manager Terzic under consideration"
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Massive Attack
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Kudus is his own worst enemy right now preventing himself from playing in the most recent 5 games. He's in no position to dictate and owes the Club some decent performances that haven't been seen since the back end of last season.
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Results aside, I haven't taken to the man. I'd like a manager that not only encourages attacking, entertaining football, but has some personality. One that can connect with and understand West Ham fans, like Bilic did.
Lop has the charisma of a mentally challenged slug.
Lop has the charisma of a mentally challenged slug.
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Manuel
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
What I will say is now the hardest part of the fixture list is out the way, we have an opportunity to try and build some momentum and hopefully some much needed confidence in the way we play and pick up important points. It's fair to say we shouldn't expect to play much worse than we already have and have at least picked up more than a point a game. So we should start to pick up more points and head up the table
Agree to a point, but I wouldn't be that confident in away games at Leicester and B'mouth, or Brighton at home. Wolves and Soton at home are must wins. These teams will fancy playing us. I think the fixtures then get tougher in Jan/Feb.
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
I’m expecting a bit of a spanking against the Geordies. Gonna be hard to keep or attract good players when we have no chance of European football.
I expect Kudus to be playing elsewhere this time next year.
I expect Kudus to be playing elsewhere this time next year.
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Sydney_Iron
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
I see Pep has just signed a 1-year extension at Man City with option for another!
So we can scrub him of the list of possible candidates.....
Yeah, Yeah, i will get my coat!
So we can scrub him of the list of possible candidates.....
Yeah, Yeah, i will get my coat!
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Massive Attack
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Stubbs
13 matches including 5 of last season's top 6 Teams. Forest by contrast have only had to play 2 of the same top 6. The point I keep coming back too is that our opening set of fixtures have been harsh on the back-drop of also having to change from one extreme philosophy to another during this short time.
I've listened to current experienced player's like Antonio and Bowen stating we are in a transitional period, which is 100% correct and that it will take some time, regardless of how instant everybody would prefer it to be. They appreciated that, I appreciated it but for some reason many are pretending this shouldn't be the case and that we should be seeing an instant turn around of quality Football and results. Straight off the back of the most gut-punching boring, defensive Football since the turn of the year that resulted in humiliating losses to Bristol City in the Cup, a 0-6 slapping at Home to Arsenal, 5-0 against Chelsea and could only beat the mighty Luton Town, Wolves, Everton and Brentford during that period.
So is it any wonder that confidence has been rock bottom this past calendar year and a feeling it was going to take time to turn all this around only 13 games in (11 if we are going by the League)?
We've now got 2 very difficult fixtures coming up against Newcastle away and Arsenal at Home where it doesn't get any easier but that's the unfortunate cards we (Lopetegui) have been dealt with since the start of the season.
What I will say is now the hardest part of the fixture list is out the way, we have an opportunity to try and build some momentum and hopefully some much needed confidence in the way we play and pick up important points. It's fair to say we shouldn't expect to play much worse than we already have and have at least picked up more than a point a game. So we should start to pick up more points and head up the table, if Lopetegui takes his chance to capitalise on a more favourable set of fixtures leading up to the New Year. And crucially the opening of the January Window to do some much needed business of ins and outs by the halfway stage of the season. If he fucks it right up before the window opens though, then the silly cսnt deserves sacking off and will only have himself to blame, which is also a real possibility if he makes a pigs ear of it..
13 matches including 5 of last season's top 6 Teams. Forest by contrast have only had to play 2 of the same top 6. The point I keep coming back too is that our opening set of fixtures have been harsh on the back-drop of also having to change from one extreme philosophy to another during this short time.
I've listened to current experienced player's like Antonio and Bowen stating we are in a transitional period, which is 100% correct and that it will take some time, regardless of how instant everybody would prefer it to be. They appreciated that, I appreciated it but for some reason many are pretending this shouldn't be the case and that we should be seeing an instant turn around of quality Football and results. Straight off the back of the most gut-punching boring, defensive Football since the turn of the year that resulted in humiliating losses to Bristol City in the Cup, a 0-6 slapping at Home to Arsenal, 5-0 against Chelsea and could only beat the mighty Luton Town, Wolves, Everton and Brentford during that period.
So is it any wonder that confidence has been rock bottom this past calendar year and a feeling it was going to take time to turn all this around only 13 games in (11 if we are going by the League)?
We've now got 2 very difficult fixtures coming up against Newcastle away and Arsenal at Home where it doesn't get any easier but that's the unfortunate cards we (Lopetegui) have been dealt with since the start of the season.
What I will say is now the hardest part of the fixture list is out the way, we have an opportunity to try and build some momentum and hopefully some much needed confidence in the way we play and pick up important points. It's fair to say we shouldn't expect to play much worse than we already have and have at least picked up more than a point a game. So we should start to pick up more points and head up the table, if Lopetegui takes his chance to capitalise on a more favourable set of fixtures leading up to the New Year. And crucially the opening of the January Window to do some much needed business of ins and outs by the halfway stage of the season. If he fucks it right up before the window opens though, then the silly cսnt deserves sacking off and will only have himself to blame, which is also a real possibility if he makes a pigs ear of it..
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stubbo-admin
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
I'd be delighted if he turns it around as I dont care who is manager if he's doing a good job.
There is just no current evidence to suggest he's close to getting it right. I mean we couldn't control possession against Everton and played more direct than even they do (with Sean Dyche at the helm)!
There is just no current evidence to suggest he's close to getting it right. I mean we couldn't control possession against Everton and played more direct than even they do (with Sean Dyche at the helm)!
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Massive Attack
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑19 Nov 2024, 18:04 It's definitely a case of when we bin Lopetegui, not if.
Personally, I think it'll be after two defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal.
And what if we don't lose both games, will it still be definite?
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Some good ideas Stubbo. Not sure about Soucek at the base of midfield. Alvarez just needs better coaching and discipline but guess thats why you are giving up on him because neither seems to be hapoening 
But Alvarez can do everything beyter than Soucek except aerially and I can recall Alonso saying we should build the team around him when Leverkusen beat us in the Europa last season.
I’m more inclined to putting Paqueta in a deeper role closer to Alvarez but all this depends on no longer playing so high up the pitch and trying to turn Wan Bassaka into Navas who was his right wing back at Seville. If Loppy stays AWB will continue to be played in completely the wrong way and Alvarez will Soucek will continue to be exposed for pace along with the snail like Rodders.
Need a new coach unless Loppy had an epihany while on his week back in Spain.
But Alvarez can do everything beyter than Soucek except aerially and I can recall Alonso saying we should build the team around him when Leverkusen beat us in the Europa last season. I’m more inclined to putting Paqueta in a deeper role closer to Alvarez but all this depends on no longer playing so high up the pitch and trying to turn Wan Bassaka into Navas who was his right wing back at Seville. If Loppy stays AWB will continue to be played in completely the wrong way and Alvarez will Soucek will continue to be exposed for pace along with the snail like Rodders.
Need a new coach unless Loppy had an epihany while on his week back in Spain.
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southbankbornnbred
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
It's definitely a case of when we bin Lopetegui, not if.
Personally, I think it'll be after two defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal.
That would leave us entering December in the stink, and we'll only have the January transfer window to sort things out. I think even Sullivan will ditch him if he thinks his Premier League gravy train - including his whopping £800m valuation of a club that doesn't own its own ground - is under threat. He did the same with Bilic, when he pulled the trigger even earlier.
This side is badly coached enough to get relegated. Not saying it will happen (the bottom half of the Prem is pretty poor and there are points to be had). But it reminds me a lot of the 2002/03 side: some real talent, some absolute duds who are a waste of money/wages, and a LOT of obviously bad coaching.
Personally, I think it'll be after two defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal.
That would leave us entering December in the stink, and we'll only have the January transfer window to sort things out. I think even Sullivan will ditch him if he thinks his Premier League gravy train - including his whopping £800m valuation of a club that doesn't own its own ground - is under threat. He did the same with Bilic, when he pulled the trigger even earlier.
This side is badly coached enough to get relegated. Not saying it will happen (the bottom half of the Prem is pretty poor and there are points to be had). But it reminds me a lot of the 2002/03 side: some real talent, some absolute duds who are a waste of money/wages, and a LOT of obviously bad coaching.
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stubbo-admin
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Totally agree with this...and yet at the same time, if you were going to get rid, then the new guy coming in against Newcastle and Arsenal does him no favours, and as much as some will say about the 'international break, etc' reality is most of the first team are away on international duty anyway.
Thsi is wishful thinking of course as the liklihood of them binning Lopetegui off despite him clearly not having what is needed is so unlikely. I don wonder though if it's just a case of a move too far with Lopetegui...he was dubbed a pragmatist, others held up his Sevilla efforts, but maybe we simply don't have the personnel to evolve our side.
Our attack was formidable last year, with a lot of goals scored (9th in the league) despite only having 40% of the ball.
Trouble is, we've neutered what our attack was good at, without introducing any new strings to our bow. Paqueta, Bowen and Kudus...the three hailed as being our Champions League level attack last year...have looked totally ineffective. The loss in effectiveness with Bowen has to be the biggest concern...pretty much the hardest working, most committed, consistent player in the squad...he's generally still playing well, but not being put in positions to score goals.
So at the point surely only two things can happen, given where we are:
1. Lopetegui has to change the type of coach he is. I get the impression that's what he is doing...and it's not pretty. As we saw when Moyes tried to become something he wasn't, coaches know a way of doing things, and that's what brought them success. Change what they know, and it starts to look a mess.
2. We get rid of Lopetegui and look to select a coach that fits the squad. But doing that would mean a reversion to a counter attacking model (or at least a coach who has demonstrated they can perform with players in that way).
For me, all roads lead to Terzic on a 'to the end of the season with an extension baked in subject to performance' type deal. He's shown he can play on the front foot, whilst also playing on the counter with fast wingers when a match/opposition/squad dictates. He's not what you'd call an exciting hire, but probably fits with where we are and what we need at this point in a way Lopetegui simply doesn't.
But the squad whoever comes in still needs major surgery.
In the short term I think we need to bin off Guido, and probably Alvarez too. Whilst not maximising his attacking threat, the guy who's looked best as the 'sit in' and 'keep it simple' midfielder this season has been Soucek, plus he at least has some personality.
Wan Bissaka has shown whilst he's good at getting to the final third, he has no idea what to do with the ball when he gets there, and has one of either the pace or inclination lacking to chase back at a sprint once the ball bypasses him, so he's got to stay at the back...we have Kilman and Todibo who are both good at progressing the ball in the backline, so let Wan Bissaka stay deep and defend.
Emerson is the perfect full back to 'invert' from the left in alongside Soucek to form a 3-2 base....he's frankly very good on the ball, good at interplay, crap on the overlap and at crosses, and also lacks out and out pace to recover.
So in possession, a 3-2 shape of:
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman
Soucek Emerson
...would make sense, with them out of possession reverting to:
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman Emerson
Soucek
Further forward, we then have to choose our most mobile, capable passes and most out and out attacking threats. We don't have the team to perform a truly high relentless press, but should have enough to be relativelty aggressive in the centre of the pitch.
If we want to retain the ball and use it that has to at the moment mean Paqueta and Soler. They can at least both pass and move. And if we're a little deeper and looking for the pace in behind, Paqueta can become useful again with his throughballs as we saw against Everton.
In the forward areas, we obviously have to find a way to make use of Bowen, Summerville, and Kudus. Kudus on the right wing often receives the ball with his back to the opposition end of the pitch and uses his low centre of gravity to spin and drive...it has to be his turn for a spell at 9 setting up to play to his strengths. He's incredibly strong on the ball, and at 9 can use his take on and dribbiling skills to actually be a threat, instead of to no real effect deeper in the build up play.
Bowen is a no brainer on the right, and Summerville has shown he's a no brainer on the left wing.
So a team line up of:
GK
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman Emerson
Soucek
Soler Paqueta
Bowen Kudus Summervile
That in possesion for transiton can shift to a 3-2-2-3 shape for extra bodies centrally with pace and strength at the extent we have it up top.
GK
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman
Soucek Emerson
Soler Paqueta
Bowen Kudus Summerville
As for the GK, it feels like we lack a good option...at this point feels like there is little to choose between Foderingham (arguably Sheff Utd's best player when they went down), Areola (hopeless with the ball at his feet, at marshalling the defence and at crosses), and Fabianski (fucking old and slow ot move, not great in possession either).
Paqueta remains our most likely to create an assist no matter giving the ball away, so has to be accommodated. The front 3 are our pace so all have to play. Emerson is composed on the ball and links well with Paqueta to this builds on that partnership, and Soucek at least has the football intelligence to follow orders, maintain a disciplined position and not go walk about.
Can't be that hard can it?
Thsi is wishful thinking of course as the liklihood of them binning Lopetegui off despite him clearly not having what is needed is so unlikely. I don wonder though if it's just a case of a move too far with Lopetegui...he was dubbed a pragmatist, others held up his Sevilla efforts, but maybe we simply don't have the personnel to evolve our side.
Our attack was formidable last year, with a lot of goals scored (9th in the league) despite only having 40% of the ball.
Trouble is, we've neutered what our attack was good at, without introducing any new strings to our bow. Paqueta, Bowen and Kudus...the three hailed as being our Champions League level attack last year...have looked totally ineffective. The loss in effectiveness with Bowen has to be the biggest concern...pretty much the hardest working, most committed, consistent player in the squad...he's generally still playing well, but not being put in positions to score goals.
So at the point surely only two things can happen, given where we are:
1. Lopetegui has to change the type of coach he is. I get the impression that's what he is doing...and it's not pretty. As we saw when Moyes tried to become something he wasn't, coaches know a way of doing things, and that's what brought them success. Change what they know, and it starts to look a mess.
2. We get rid of Lopetegui and look to select a coach that fits the squad. But doing that would mean a reversion to a counter attacking model (or at least a coach who has demonstrated they can perform with players in that way).
For me, all roads lead to Terzic on a 'to the end of the season with an extension baked in subject to performance' type deal. He's shown he can play on the front foot, whilst also playing on the counter with fast wingers when a match/opposition/squad dictates. He's not what you'd call an exciting hire, but probably fits with where we are and what we need at this point in a way Lopetegui simply doesn't.
But the squad whoever comes in still needs major surgery.
In the short term I think we need to bin off Guido, and probably Alvarez too. Whilst not maximising his attacking threat, the guy who's looked best as the 'sit in' and 'keep it simple' midfielder this season has been Soucek, plus he at least has some personality.
Wan Bissaka has shown whilst he's good at getting to the final third, he has no idea what to do with the ball when he gets there, and has one of either the pace or inclination lacking to chase back at a sprint once the ball bypasses him, so he's got to stay at the back...we have Kilman and Todibo who are both good at progressing the ball in the backline, so let Wan Bissaka stay deep and defend.
Emerson is the perfect full back to 'invert' from the left in alongside Soucek to form a 3-2 base....he's frankly very good on the ball, good at interplay, crap on the overlap and at crosses, and also lacks out and out pace to recover.
So in possession, a 3-2 shape of:
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman
Soucek Emerson
...would make sense, with them out of possession reverting to:
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman Emerson
Soucek
Further forward, we then have to choose our most mobile, capable passes and most out and out attacking threats. We don't have the team to perform a truly high relentless press, but should have enough to be relativelty aggressive in the centre of the pitch.
If we want to retain the ball and use it that has to at the moment mean Paqueta and Soler. They can at least both pass and move. And if we're a little deeper and looking for the pace in behind, Paqueta can become useful again with his throughballs as we saw against Everton.
In the forward areas, we obviously have to find a way to make use of Bowen, Summerville, and Kudus. Kudus on the right wing often receives the ball with his back to the opposition end of the pitch and uses his low centre of gravity to spin and drive...it has to be his turn for a spell at 9 setting up to play to his strengths. He's incredibly strong on the ball, and at 9 can use his take on and dribbiling skills to actually be a threat, instead of to no real effect deeper in the build up play.
Bowen is a no brainer on the right, and Summerville has shown he's a no brainer on the left wing.
So a team line up of:
GK
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman Emerson
Soucek
Soler Paqueta
Bowen Kudus Summervile
That in possesion for transiton can shift to a 3-2-2-3 shape for extra bodies centrally with pace and strength at the extent we have it up top.
GK
Wan Bissaka Todibo Kilman
Soucek Emerson
Soler Paqueta
Bowen Kudus Summerville
As for the GK, it feels like we lack a good option...at this point feels like there is little to choose between Foderingham (arguably Sheff Utd's best player when they went down), Areola (hopeless with the ball at his feet, at marshalling the defence and at crosses), and Fabianski (fucking old and slow ot move, not great in possession either).
Paqueta remains our most likely to create an assist no matter giving the ball away, so has to be accommodated. The front 3 are our pace so all have to play. Emerson is composed on the ball and links well with Paqueta to this builds on that partnership, and Soucek at least has the football intelligence to follow orders, maintain a disciplined position and not go walk about.
Can't be that hard can it?
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
It’s an interesting take on the current situation. Personally I feel that he is not good enough but in addition, neither are the players.
i think we are going to get relegated and if I’m honest, it may do the club the world of good as it will give us a period of cleansing.
i think we are going to get relegated and if I’m honest, it may do the club the world of good as it will give us a period of cleansing.
Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Does Loppy, Steidten, Noble ( we know Sullivan is clueless) see the blindingly obvious lack of pace and legs needed to play in the Premiership if you play any tactic other than low block counter attack football = low possession. We dont have the players. Imo we got 4 decent players and 3 that didn’t fit what Loppy is trying to do. Guilherme and Foderingham aside as one is more for the future and Fodders is a 3rd choice keeper.
If one of them does see the problem there is a glimour of hope. If Lop and Steidten see it we can have more hope because I do see Loppy urging the players to press, get further up the pitch but they dont believe in it as would be expected when we’ve had the opposition walzing thru unchallenged scoring hatfuls of goals.
Its going to get worse b4 it gets better the only certainty
If one of them does see the problem there is a glimour of hope. If Lop and Steidten see it we can have more hope because I do see Loppy urging the players to press, get further up the pitch but they dont believe in it as would be expected when we’ve had the opposition walzing thru unchallenged scoring hatfuls of goals.
Its going to get worse b4 it gets better the only certainty
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El Scorchio
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
It's the abject performances and the complete lack of any hint of turning it around or improving which is the cause for concern- even though results aren't completely dire. We've looked a mess and been bloody lucky to pick up some of the points we have. It seems he only knows one way and stubbornly refuses to compromise despite clear indications it's just not going to work with this group of players. A good manager would make adjustments to their system to compensate for this. There's just no sign of that happening whatsoever. The same alarming problems we saw in preseason and the Villa game as still just as prevalent in mid November.
Yes some things have been out of his control and ultimately as we all know Sullivan is the villain of the piece here, but Lop is showing nothing from what is in within his control to improve things.
Yes some things have been out of his control and ultimately as we all know Sullivan is the villain of the piece here, but Lop is showing nothing from what is in within his control to improve things.
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Russ of the BML
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Re: The Next West Ham Manager.
Massive Attack" wrote: ↑19 Nov 2024, 13:12 You'd be forgiven for thinking our new manager has had a horrendous run of results for quite some time to get to the point people are baying for his blood, when in reality, it's not been quite as horrific as some make out.
I'll caveat it by saying I agree that performances overall haven't been good enough and ideally we'd be at least 2 wins better off but other than that, I feel the expectations are way too high if what's happened so far is a sackable offence being 5 minutes in the job, especially since he's only been in charge of 13 games.
So, the breakdown of games:
VILLA (H) - 1-2 - L
PALACE (A) - 0-2 - W
BOURNEMOUTH (H) - 1-0 - W
MAN CITY (H) - 1-3 - L
FULHAM (A) - 1-1 - D
CHELSEA (H) - 0-3 - L
LIVERPOOL (A) - 5-1 - L
BRENTFORD (A) - 1-1 - D
IPSWICH (H) - 4-1 - W
-----------------------------------------
SPURS (A) - 4-1 - L
MAN UTD (H) - 2-1 - W
FOREST (A) - 3-0 - L
EVERTON (H) - 0-0 - D
4 wins
6 losses
3 draws
3 clean sheets
Chronologically down to the line after 9 games where results have been fairly understandable. Then we have the remaining 4 recent matches that have produced patchy results but again overall nothing wild that screams sack the useless know nothing bastard.
Further context, altogether in those 13 games there are 5 losses against Teams that finished last season in the Top 6 (And the Top 3 of this season).
3 spankings when we had 3 separate sending offs in the game due to ill discipline.
Unusually we've had 3 International breaks dur8jg the quarter of a season already where a few key player's have gone on International duty for 2 weeks at a time.
Also a key long term injury to new main Striker Fullkrug that's been out of Lopetegui's hands.
My argument isn't to say that what we've done till now after 13 games is good, it's anything but, as the quality of Football generally hasn't been good enough. And if Lopetegui had been here for over a season producing what we have seen, then ok it's understandable. However nor do I see that huge body of work from a brand new manager fair to judge him on, to the point people are baying for his blood and instantly want him sacked. Actually those calls started a while ago which leads me to be suspicious of some wanting him to fail and fuck off before he's really began...
I thought we used to pride ourselves as a Club/Fanbase on giving new manager's ample time to prove themselves first, not after just 13 matches (or less!) begging for a new manager already. Modern Football, I fucking despise it.
I think you are generally right. But I think the main issue for most is that we suffered a year and maybe more of sub-standard quality football under Moyes - And people wanted something better. And the fact that we now look worse than we did under Moyes has really frustrated and angered people. Rightly so.
But its not specifically Lope's fault. He is suffering from wrong place wrong time. The fault is with Sullivan and the choice he made to employ Lope who, for all intents and purposes, is the Spanish Moyes. Except at least Moyes looked like he knew what he was doing most of the time, Lope doesn't look like he knows what he is doing for most of the time.
Nobody is baying for his blood. Everybody wanted and still wants him to do well. But, quite frankly, for many now its like a balloon with a hole in it. You want it to float and you can blow it up as much as you like, but deep down, you know its not going to work.
I would also question your comment about 'a body of work'. I do agree that 13 games is not much to judge. But I do think in our case with Lope, it is enough for many supporters. One thing for sure Lope has done in these 13 games is make us look confused, poor defensively, impotent in attack and easy to play through despite playing 2DM's and 5 at the back. And he doesn't look like he has the noddle to sort the issues out. He doesn't know his best formation or his best team. He doesn't know his best subs and how to utilise them properly. Plus his English is terrible. So, you are right, 13 games is not alot, but it is enough to see what you need to see. And its what we have seen that has removed all hope for alot of people.
I am glad you have faith in him. I don't. But I would be chuffed if he proved me wrong.
But its not specifically Lope's fault. He is suffering from wrong place wrong time. The fault is with Sullivan and the choice he made to employ Lope who, for all intents and purposes, is the Spanish Moyes. Except at least Moyes looked like he knew what he was doing most of the time, Lope doesn't look like he knows what he is doing for most of the time.
Nobody is baying for his blood. Everybody wanted and still wants him to do well. But, quite frankly, for many now its like a balloon with a hole in it. You want it to float and you can blow it up as much as you like, but deep down, you know its not going to work.
I would also question your comment about 'a body of work'. I do agree that 13 games is not much to judge. But I do think in our case with Lope, it is enough for many supporters. One thing for sure Lope has done in these 13 games is make us look confused, poor defensively, impotent in attack and easy to play through despite playing 2DM's and 5 at the back. And he doesn't look like he has the noddle to sort the issues out. He doesn't know his best formation or his best team. He doesn't know his best subs and how to utilise them properly. Plus his English is terrible. So, you are right, 13 games is not alot, but it is enough to see what you need to see. And its what we have seen that has removed all hope for alot of people.
I am glad you have faith in him. I don't. But I would be chuffed if he proved me wrong.