Tag: #spurs

Another Thursday night game for West Ham, but not in Europe this time

The games are coming thick and fast now. All 20 Premier League teams have fixtures on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this week, all available to view on Amazon, and ours is the final game to kick off on Thursday when we visit Tottenham.

On Sunday we faced Crystal Palace and once again we scored the opening goal of the game. When I remember games against Palace I think back to two of the best West Ham goals that I remember. One of them was the stunning overhead kick scored by Andy Carroll at the London Stadium from the cross by (Antonio?). I haven’t seen it again for some time but it was definitely one of the great goals of its type, every bit as good as the one scored by a Manchester United player recently which has sent all the pundits into raptures, and certainly superior to Rooney’s famous one which came off his shin. The other memorable one was the free kick from Payet in one of the final games at the Boleyn Ground that dipped and swerved and went into the goal at the side where the Palace keeper stood and barely moved. Our opening goal this time wasn’t quite in the same class but was an excellent team goal just the same. Kudus flicked the ball over a Palace player, it went to Paqueta to JWP who then produced an inch perfect 50 yard pass to Coufal who then cut the ball back for the inrushing Kudus to sweep the ball into the net with a slight deflection.

If my memory serves me well this is the ninth time in our 14 league games this season where we have scored the first goal in the game. Holding on to the lead after going ahead scoring the first goal would mean 27 points to date plus any picked up after coming from behind. Alas our total is 21 points after Palace equalised via Edouard following a gift from our Greek defender Mavropanos whose woeful backpass was shockingly short and the game ended 1-1.

The famous saying is to ‘beware Greeks bearing gifts’. The phrase originates from Greek Mythology, specifically the story of the Trojan War in which the Greeks left a Trojan horse at the gates of Troy. The Trojans thought this was a gift but the ‘horse’ was filled with Greek soldiers who emerged from the beast and destroyed the city of Troy. Perhaps our Greek defender had fooled them by lulling them into a false sense of security by then going up the other end and bagging a hat trick himself? Alas this was not to be and the gift really was a gift.

When we last won a league game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April 2019, less than five years ago the scorer of our goal was Antonio. We became the first visiting team to win at their new stadium and Antonio became the first visiting player to score there. It just goes to show how teams evolve in a relatively short period of time these days in that probably none of our starting eleven that day will start the game this week. The team that day was Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku, Rice, Anderson, Noble, Snodgrass, Antonio, Arnautovic. Our bench that day comprised Adrian, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Obiang, Wilshere, Hernandez and Perez. Of the 18 players only Fabianski and Ogbonna will be involved, and both almost certainly on the bench.

Our previous league win there was the infamous 3-0 victory in 2013 where Morrison scored the third goal running from our half to seal the victory. Apart from a couple of League Cup wins, they are our only wins there in the last ten seasons. We go into this game unbeaten in our last five, with five wins in our last seven games (in all competitions) retaining our position of ninth in the table. Seven points from our last five league games is superior to Tottenham’s recent record of just one win and one draw in the last five.

The debate over the style of football continues to rage on and the manager continues to be attacked frequently on social media, although many continue to defend his record quoting win percentages, a European trophy won, and continuous involvement in Europe. The question remains, with the squad now at our disposal should we not be doing even better? Social media attracts extremes of opinion both for and against and is only a small proportion of West Ham supporters but I wonder how much support the manager has from the fan base as a whole?

Geoff made the point recently that only pundits or others watching from afar believe that we are enjoying a decent season. Shouldn’t we be happy with sitting in ninth place in the league, progressing nicely in the EFL Cup, a favourable home draw in the third round of the FA Cup, qualified for the knockout stages in Europe with a game to go, and with as many European victories as any club anywhere in Europe in the last two seasons? Or the alternative view that despite this, those of us who watch every game are not happy with the apparent negative approach, poor tactics, and lack of entertainment on offer?

Personally, I am inclined towards the latter view whilst not wishing to diminish the achievements since the manager arrived. As someone who has been watching West Ham since 1958 I can recall some success but the best memories come from being entertained. I remember the entertainment on offer when we won the FA Cup in 1963-64 despite a final league position of 14th, or the following season when we won in Europe and finished 9th (our current position). One of my favourite ever seasons was 1968-69, the entertainment was superb, we scored four or more goals seven times, including a couple of fives, a seven and an eight! We finished eighth which was OK but the key thing was we were regularly entertained royally.

The cup winning season of 1974-75 was entertaining at times, at one stage we scored 20 goals in a four game, 10-day period, but we only finished 13th, and some of the best and most exciting games came in our European run to the final the following season, although we only won one game after Christmas and finished a lowly 18th.

The FA Cup win of 1980 as a second-tier side despite only finishing seventh in the league was memorable as was the record-breaking promotion to the top tier the following season when we won so many games in an entertaining fashion (which included losing in the final of the League Cup). Our most successful season in the top tier ever was our third-place finish in 1985-86. It was disappointing to go out of the FA Cup at the quarter final stage at home to Sheffield Wednesday, but that season gave us great entertainment as well as success. When Allardyce was in charge we had some limited success in regaining and consolidating our position in the top-flight but I hated the football on offer.

Memories are made from both success and being entertained and at times in the past 65 years I remember having both. It is possible to have both results and entertaining performances. The manager seems to believe that the former precludes the latter. Perhaps a more positive approach and forward-thinking man in charge might achieve both?

West Ham’s Titanic Mistake As The Iceberg Of Relegation Looms Large On The Horizon

West Ham continue their rudderless drift towards the icy waters of the Championship. Who will save us from this nightmare of football oblivion?

There’s no doubting that yesterday’s results didn’t go the way we would have liked. Wins for Southampton, Bournemouth, and Everton and Nottingham Forest’s unexpected point against Manchester City were not what was needed. The table has become compressed at the bottom, no team has yet been left stranded, and West Ham now occupy one of the relegation places ahead of today’s trip across London to Tottenham.

At this stage of the season, West Ham’s ultimate fortunes will still depend on their own endeavours rather than the fate of others. We are not yet relying on snookers with 16 games to go and 48 points to play for. But where will the 20 or so points required to survive come from? Can a team that has only won five of its 22 games – and won only two of the last ten – manage to scramble another five or six wins from what is left? If, as usual, games against the ‘Big 6’ are written off, then that focuses the wins target to a 50% success from 11 matches.

The general mood among fans has largely turned to one of pessimism. But strangely, pundits and bookmakers continue to see the Hammers as one of least likely casualties among the relegation possibles. The rationale is lost on me – although we should remember pundits pay only superficial attention to any clubs outside the Champions League elite.

Perhaps, they are seduced by selected stats that suggest the Hammers have the 5th best defences in the Premier League. Or show a respectable 8th in the list of clubs with the highest number of shots. And a pass success rate consistent with Newcastle and better than Fulham or Brentford. But stats can’t pull the wool over the evidence of our own eyes. Defensive competence is earned at the expense of nine or ten men behind the ball. A high proportion of shots are long range hopeful efforts when no creative options remain. Too many passes are made where it doesn’t matter, and where no opposition pressure is being applied.

From a distance, West Ham’s form gives the impression of improvement, with three wins, three draws, and just the one defeat since the start of 2023. But form and performances aren’t always the same thing. Take away the FA Cup games, and it is less spectacular, just a marginal improvement on what had gone before. A win in the death throes of Lampard’s Everton career and two draws against sides who for different reasons had gone off the boil.

Any difference in approach or style has been negligible. Perhaps a tad more pressing further up the pitch at certain times. Maybe the three/ five at the back releasing Jarrod Bowen from onerous defensive duties and allowing him to play closer to Michail Antonio. Nothing fundamental – caution remains the overriding watchword. When Danny Ings comes on, it is to replace Antonio, not to play alongside him in a more enterprising shape. Ings has a decent scoring record at this level, but not while playing as an isolated striker chasing hopeful long balls.

David Moyes has become increasingly implausible in his media comments – like a hapless government minister trying to explain how everything that has gone wrong is outside of his control. Something about over-achieving in the past two seasons and the cyclic nature of success for clubs like West Ham meaning we would be foolish to expect too much. Claiming that draws are not enough but routinely setting up with the sole purpose of protecting the point. When Leicester beat Tottenham 4-1 last weekend, they didn’t shut up shop after going ahead, but that will always be the Moyes mindset. Caution always trumping ambition. His team may rarely be on the end of a thumping, but equally they are never allowed to press home an advantage.

The formula Moyes hit upon worked for a while, but stubbornness and intransigence prevent him from adapting to changed circumstances. A lot of money has been splashed without addressing obvious deficiencies in the squad or developing greater fluidity in the style of play. I can think of no other side in the top division so lacking in genuine pace.

With Moyes unable or unwilling to change, what hope is there that he can turn things around? The club is on a collision course with the icy waters of relegation. The manager unable to plot a course to safety and the Board asleep at the wheel. You would think the owners have been in football long enough to know a lost cause when they see one.

Today’s game at Tottenham may be the latest in a long sequence of Moyes last chances. A defeat could well be terminal. A draw granting a stay of execution until the Forest game. But is there any confidence that a contingency plan is in place should the axe fall? How damaging will not taking action during the World Cup break turn out to be? I’m sure the players would welcome the opportunity to be released from the straightjacket of the manager’s cloying negativity.

Injuries will again influence West Ham team selection. Lucas Paqueta joins Gianluca Scamacca, Kurt Zouma and Maxwell Cornet in the sick bay. Nayef Aguerd will supposedly have a late fitness test but it feels risky to rush him back into action so soon. Expect two changes from the Chelsea game with Tomas Soucek in for Paqueta and Ben Johnson replacing Aguerd. 

Despite their own inconsistencies, Tottenham are having a decent season as far as results are concerned. A win today would put them up into fourth spot. These days they are not a team you would go out of your way to watch, although, as we know, winning games can put a gloss on the lack of entertainment. In some ways they are rather like West Ham in style, but with far, far better attacking options. As always, Kane will be the main danger, especially when dropping deep to dictate play. Declan Rice’s attacking intent will no doubt be sacrificed to keep an eye on that. Apart from Kane, I will also be concerned for the potential mayhem that Perisic’s crosses can cause from the flank.

Despite the talk of playing for the win, there will be no surprise to see a repeat of the Chelsea performance. A passive low block, sub 30% possession, and set pieces being the main goal threat. We are all well aware of Moyes depressing big six record. Surely, we deserve better than this. COYI!

Statistics would suggest that West Ham’s visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium won’t end in a draw.

London derbies; just like London buses you wait a while for one and then two come along together. We are the last game on Sunday afternoon on Sky at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after being the early kick off last Saturday at home to Chelsea.

After an awful first 25 minutes when we conceded a goal, and Chelsea could have been out of sight, we got better as the game went on and perhaps deserved a draw following Emerson’s equaliser against his former club.

In our five 2023 Premier League games we have beaten Everton 2-0, lost by the solitary goal against Wolves, and drawn against Leeds, Newcastle and Chelsea in addition to two FA Cup wins. That’s an improvement in results and to some extent performance too, but we still sit just two points above the relegation zone, and remain in trouble. We really need some wins and the three points that come with them to start to climb the table.

In previous articles I have been analysing the position and current form of the bottom teams and update the current situation below. The points of the bottom nine (all with 16 games still to play) are:

Palace 25, Leicester 24, Forest 24, Wolves 23, West Ham 20, Leeds 19, Everton 18, Bournemouth 18, Southampton 15.

The current form looking at points gained in the last 5 games:

Forest 10, Wolves 10, Leicester 7, West Ham 6, Everton 3, Palace 3, Southampton 3, Leeds 2, Bournemouth 2.

It won’t be easy to pick up three points in this game. In our last ten games against Tottenham our opponents have won half of them whereas we have claimed victory just twice.

Paqueta is definitely out and Scamacca is also unlikely to be involved. Aguerd faces a late test; I really hope he is fit as he has looked good and is very important to our defence. Coufal, Emerson and Soucek had reasonable games against Chelsea and will all probably play as Moyes continues with three at the back (but who will the three be?). Antonio has a good goal scoring record in this fixture.

Unusually for me I’ll predict the lineup for the game: Fabianski; Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd (or Cresswell if he doesn’t make it); Coufal, Rice, Soucek, Emerson; Bowen, Antonio, Benrahma. 

Statistically it would seem unlikely that the fixture will end in a draw as the reverse one did in the game in August when Soucek’s second half equaliser cancelled out Kehrer’s own goal in the opening period.  It is 38 years since the two teams drew both league games in the same season, and additionally Tottenham have now played 21 consecutive home games without a draw. My prediction will defy the statistics as I’ll go for a 2-2 draw. What are the chances?