West Ham Vs Everton | Friendly | 30.7.25 23:30 | Match Thread

[stubbo-admin]

Well another game tonight in the Septic Cup. Next on the menu....Davie Moyes.

They got stuffed by the Cherries at the weekend, so hopefully we can give them a good shellacking. 

Fingers crossed for the breakup of the triangle of turgid shit, and an injection of youthful exuberance. 

Prediction: 2-1 to us. 

COYI.

[Sir Alf]

Good summary Stubbo. Looks about right to me. Control possession, invite the press and either break thru it or use long diagonal with advanced wingbacks to counter.  Problem is the “break thru it” in midfield bit. We still have not got those players in centre mid to do it. Blokes who can carry the ball at speed and have the physicality to resist the opposition press / challenges etc.  Hoping we get 2 of those thru the door before the window shuts or its gonna be more of the team looking like its keeping possession for possessions sake

[stubbo-admin]

I am still struggling to see what system and style we are trying to play. We have wing backs but don't use them, we play long hopeful balls or we attack with no forward options at times. Too much playing the ball across the back sloppily too. Make no mistake this was a turgid Everton side but we gifted them a goal. We have mistakes in us across the side. The young lad Casey had a shocker. 

It's not all negative though. We did score a couple of goals and although the players put out together and all the changes with subs means it's not your best 11 or that cohesive, we dominated possession and had some nice pieces of play. We need to be much harder to score against but also have some more creativity or impact to threaten teams more. It was a really quiet night for their keeper really who made a mess of those he should of saved. 
Seeing Everton made me pleased that Moyes moved on. 

Think it to some extent depends on the opposition but looks to me like our goal is to invite the press when we have the ball deeper to then open space to move the ball up.   Our wide centre backs are looking for long diags to get the wingbacks (who are very high) in behind on the switch.  And the preference is to maintain possession and reduce ball turnovers.

We'll see a lot of ball recycling from side to side with the goal to move the opponent out of position and create an opening (crab football) and 'patient build up'.

Looks like when deep in our half even with the ball we're trying to engineer a counter attack by inviting the high press to create space in behind.

At times it will feel like possession for the sake of it and lots of our fans will become restless about it. We all want 'Klopp-style' direct attacking football with extreme pressure and energy....and this will definitely not be that.  

[Iron Duke]

Isn’t Bowen playing behind Fullkrug, with 3 midfielders and two wing backs? Where does Judus fit in that formation?

[Jasnik]

It is a bit funny that now Bowen is playing up front, Kudus could have played on the right.

 

[fraser]

Anyone know where to watch a full replay of last night's match? Tried fullreplays with no luck

https://www.fullreplays.com/friendly/cl ... -jul-2025/

[Full Claret Jacket]

I am still struggling to see what system and style we are trying to play. We have wing backs but don't use them, we play long hopeful balls or we attack with no forward options at times. Too much playing the ball across the back sloppily too. Make no mistake this was a turgid Everton side but we gifted them a goal. We have mistakes in us across the side. The young lad Casey had a shocker. 

It's not all negative though. We did score a couple of goals and although the players put out together and all the changes with subs means it's not your best 11 or that cohesive, we dominated possession and had some nice pieces of play. We need to be much harder to score against but also have some more creativity or impact to threaten teams more. It was a really quiet night for their keeper really who made a mess of those he should of saved. 
Seeing Everton made me pleased that Moyes moved on. 

[stubbo-admin]

Anyone know where to watch a full replay of last night's match? Tried fullreplays with no luck

[threesixty]

After changing the team in the second half we saw the “new” Potter way. Better midfield, Better movement, more attacking intent etc 

it does worry me that a change in personnel seems to bring a whole different way of playing for us. I feel like he’s still going to try to break our PL games into two halves, the first we try to control patiently and try not to concede. 2nd half we go at them etc. 

it won’t work. So I’m hoping he ditches the 6 month experiment and just plays the best team, strategy from the start. We will see on Sunday what his mindset is when it’s important to win. 

pleased with Guilherme. Would be interesting to see Summerville and Guilherme overlapping. Not sure about Diouf but he’s only just got here. KWP, didn’t see much but again he’s new and should be ok. 

hoping fullkrug turns into a Harry Kane for us tbh. If he can score from distance more regularly I think he will be more versitile and sort of dip into a 10 role sometimes. I’m not sure an out and out no.9 suits how Potter is set up. 

Overall, not too bad (second half). 

also, who cursed JWP? What black cat walked outside his house? I don’t get how he hasn’t scored 1 free kick of us. Crazy. 



 

If there is a NEW Potter way of playing, why did we wait until the second half?  Why can't Potter put out a team that will play the new way right from the first minute?

The problem is it's nothing new at West Ham.  We absolutely have to get away from this habbit of only playing well after we've already gone a goal down.

 

 

 

That’s the thing really. He never really explains anything about how he wants the team to play. I’m just guessing based on his previous 6 months that he thinks (a bit like Moyes really) in terms of “managing” a game by having two ways of approaching it. 
From observation he doesn’t mind us not scoring for a large part of the game as long as we maintain possession. So possession isn’t there for the purpose of scoring a goal, rather it’s there to stop the opponent scoring. Which seems to be why he’s not screaming at the touch line when we don’t get into the final third and do anything productive. It’s seems part of his overall plan. 

I noticed last night that without Bowen on the wing we’d never get any goals at this club really. He’s like the only player that can attack properly and break into that final third regularly. It’s why we are desperate for a fully functional midfield that can at least push centrally rather than on the wing. I can’t remember the last time any of our team scored a goal like Fullkrugs from the left instead of the right. Maybe Kudus like a year ago but on the other other side?

we have been ridiculously easy to defend against over the last 6 months. Not many ways of scoring goals. But with the kids on the pitch it seemed to pose problems not just to Everton but Man U as well. I’m just hoping Potter leans into this better style of football from the off. 
 

[scott_d]

Sadly I think Eerie is correct about who Potter will start with against Sunderland. The “experience” of Soucek, JWP and even Guido before Potts and Alvarez who will be deemed as being a few weeks behind the rest in terms of fitness

Potts is able to pass at speed and play on the half turn, presses/works hard and crunches into challenges .  Definitely a role to play and ahead of the 3 “snails” previously mentioned.

However, we still need ideally 2 players in that atea that are fast, athletic, strong and can carry the ball forward, resist the challenges etc.   This will make a big difference along with a goalkeeper who can distribute from the back and is good in the air.

Not hopeful Sullivan will deliver but can hope

If we play JWP, Soucek and Guido as our midfield 3 in the first game back, then this summer has been absolutely wasted this summer transfer window and pre-season.

[scott_d]

After changing the team in the second half we saw the “new” Potter way. Better midfield, Better movement, more attacking intent etc 

it does worry me that a change in personnel seems to bring a whole different way of playing for us. I feel like he’s still going to try to break our PL games into two halves, the first we try to control patiently and try not to concede. 2nd half we go at them etc. 

it won’t work. So I’m hoping he ditches the 6 month experiment and just plays the best team, strategy from the start. We will see on Sunday what his mindset is when it’s important to win. 

pleased with Guilherme. Would be interesting to see Summerville and Guilherme overlapping. Not sure about Diouf but he’s only just got here. KWP, didn’t see much but again he’s new and should be ok. 

hoping fullkrug turns into a Harry Kane for us tbh. If he can score from distance more regularly I think he will be more versitile and sort of dip into a 10 role sometimes. I’m not sure an out and out no.9 suits how Potter is set up. 

Overall, not too bad (second half). 

also, who cursed JWP? What black cat walked outside his house? I don’t get how he hasn’t scored 1 free kick of us. Crazy. 

 

If there is a NEW Potter way of playing, why did we wait until the second half?  Why can't Potter put out a team that will play the new way right from the first minute?

The problem is it's nothing new at West Ham.  We absolutely have to get away from this habbit of only playing well after we've already gone a goal down.

[Sir Alf]

Sadly I think Eerie is correct about who Potter will start with against Sunderland. The “experience” of Soucek, JWP and even Guido before Potts and Alvarez who will be deemed as being a few weeks behind the rest in terms of fitness

Potts is able to pass at speed and play on the half turn, presses/works hard and crunches into challenges .  Definitely a role to play and ahead of the 3 “snails” previously mentioned.

However, we still need ideally 2 players in that atea that are fast, athletic, strong and can carry the ball forward, resist the challenges etc.   This will make a big difference along with a goalkeeper who can distribute from the back and is good in the air.

Not hopeful Sullivan will deliver but can hope

[9898]

Didn't see last night but knowfeom first 2 minutes action last season, Guilheeme has massive potential. Raw and decision making needs work, but all raw ingredients to be a very good player.
Majorissue is Potter is too scared to really give someone like him a chance and, Potter and his coaches, over coach natural talent and make players conform to his safety first, don't lose the ball at all costs, style of play. 

[Far Cough UKunt]

Looking at the highlights, I think Everton will be looking for a new keeper as well?

They just signed that keeper

Yeah and...

[nychammer]

I think Paqueta might show up now the mental shackles are off, even if it is to put himself back in the shop window 

[fraser]

Looking at the highlights, I think Everton will be looking for a new keeper as well?

They just signed that keeper

[fraser]

We looked very decent in spells last night but you have to remember we had relegation fodder coming to play us at home under Moyes and looking like prime Barcelona 

[Ron Eff]

Based on not much more than optimism, I have a feeling Fullkrug is going to really impress this season. Seems to be a hugely influential figure in the camp too. 

Also high hopes for a return to form for Paqueta, should he stay, and it’s really good to see the young lads getting a proper crack. 

Still need more obviously, but more hopeful of a good blend of academy players coming through with some proper first team signings, and a bit more optimism throughout. Time will tell. 

[Far Cough UKunt]

Didn't actually visit the NFL Chicago Bears home stadium at Soldier Field but very close to it I went to an exhibition centre which had a graphics arts and printing press show on display. Then after sampled the delights of Chicago deep dish pizzas and took in some blues music, which that city is famous for.

I hope the WHU fans enjoyed the city.

[El Scorchio]

A lot more purpose, speed and zip to the passing from last season, and more intent to try and get forward and get players between the lines. That's good. Couple of individual errors but most of them gave a good account of themselves. If we don't lose any of the players we want to keep, add a competent goalkeeper and a centre forward in their 20s not called Callum Wilson and ship out 1 or 2 of the players who aren't the way forward in CM, replacing them with some youth and energy, we shouldn't be in too bad a spot. Central defence doesn't fill me with confidence but it is what it is. Very much need to sort out Aguerd's situation one way or another and go from there. 

But it wasn't bad. Quite comfortable. Could and maybe should have put a couple more past them but it's the overall play which matters more than goals at this stage. Very intrigued to see what/how we do against Bournemouth now.

[dealcanvey]

Let's hope Fullkrug can stay fit. Not easy given his age and we definitely need another ST through the door. Given the formation Potter is planning to play it is not going to suit Fullkrug perfectly but I still think he is capable of 10-15 league goals. Bit static at times but overall I like him.

[Fauxstralian]

Centre halves need some age & physicality so Casey out on loan would be a good idea
The others should stay & it’s now or never for them 

The Everton keeper was their no2 Travers (from Bournemouth)
Dont think Pickford is in any danger for his place

[threesixty]

My view is that we started with pretty much the exact same Potter problem: cant do anything in final third. I think that was exacerbated by Everton setting up in classic Moyes style. 

We had a few shots from range but our 1st goal came from a mistake. It wasn’t well worked or anything.  Their goal came from our lack of midfield control leading to a mistake at the back. 

After changing the team in the second half we saw the “new” Potter way. Better midfield, Better movement, more attacking intent etc 

it does worry me that a change in personnel seems to bring a whole different way of playing for us. I feel like he’s still going to try to break our PL games into two halves, the first we try to control patiently and try not to concede. 2nd half we go at them etc. 

it won’t work. So I’m hoping he ditches the 6 month experiment and just plays the best team, strategy from the start. We will see on Sunday what his mindset is when it’s important to win. 

pleased with Guilherme. Would be interesting to see Summerville and Guilherme overlapping. Not sure about Diouf but he’s only just got here. KWP, didn’t see much but again he’s new and should be ok. 

hoping fullkrug turns into a Harry Kane for us tbh. If he can score from distance more regularly I think he will be more versitile and sort of dip into a 10 role sometimes. I’m not sure an out and out no.9 suits how Potter is set up. 

Overall, not too bad (second half). 

also, who cursed JWP? What black cat walked outside his house? I don’t get how he hasn’t scored 1 free kick of us. Crazy. 
 

[Far Cough UKunt]

Looking at the highlights, I think Everton will be looking for a new keeper as well?

[scott_d]

Hopefully Casey can dust himself off and Potter will not let the mistake affect his decision to give him more game-time.

His mistake was no worse than we've seen from our established, multi-million pound international defenders but he's got allot more time to improve.

Russ on the network made a, rare, good point which was that he’d like to see Casey go on loan for the season, he has become institutionalised at West Ham so joining another club could be a good way for him to develop and grow.

Agree - he's one of the only youngsters who's made an appearance who hasn't been loaned out yet.  Would be good for him to get a season in the Championship or League One.

[Eerie Decent]

We're all quick to say pre-season games are an indicator of what to expect in the upcoming season, but I thought we looked really good, knocked it around lovely, yes the young centre half misplaced a pass but I thought he recovered well, the keeper is a clown which we all knew, but other than that lots of positives.

The big, glaring difference when you watch us knock the ball about, is that lumbering oaf Soucek ain't in there. If the manager is brave, and plays the excellent Potts, Alvarez & Paqueta, we are a completely different team. Unfortunately, we all know Soucek & JWP will start against Sunderland, which makes it hard to get behind the manager.

I always try to go into a season positive, and I liked what I saw, I just hope Potter is brave with his team selections.