It had been a spluttering start in Saturday’s early kick-off but once the Hammers got into their stride it transformed into their most adventurous and accomplished performance of the season. A third consecutive win in all competitions has served to lift the mood at the club and, although the situation remains desperate, there is hope that an outside chance of safety remains possible. Despite the known gaps, there is now more quality in the squad than results have led us to believe.
For a pleasant and welcome change, Nuno resisted meddling with either personnel or formation for the visit of Sunderland. Returning AFCON winner, Malick Diouf, had to settle for a berth on the bench where there was also a surprise return for the estranged James Ward-Prowse. JWP taking over the seat recently vacated by the departing Guido Rodriguez.
Witnessing West Ham attack in numbers might take some getting used to. While the introduction of Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe may not have glut of goals written all over it – they are no McAvennie and Cottee – their presence does occupy defenders and make space for others to exploit. Both are prepared to work hard with or without the ball and will hopefully to contribute more in front of goal as they become acclimatised to English football.
It was amusing to hear Nuno talking post-match about the importance of getting more bodies into box – as if it was a genius tactical revelation known only to him. I would ask why it has taken so long to realise this, when fans (including myself) have railed against the lack of penalty box action for the last three or four managers. Perhaps it is Paco Jemez who must be given the credit for the uncharacteristic change of direction.
The opening goal was a perfect example of its benefits. When Jarrod Bowen crossed the ball, he was one of five West Ham shirts in the area. While Sunderland defenders are distracted by the presence of Pablo, Castellanos and Tomas Soucek, space is created for the salmon-like leap of Jimmy ‘The Fish’ Summerville to thunder home his header.
In real time, the penalty looked a little soft to me, although Ollie Scarles was definitely caught as he jinked his way into the box. Bowen neatly dispatched the resultant penalty but the icing on the cake of an excellent, high energy first half ame when Mateus Fernandes long range cracker fizzed into the net. His first ever goal from outside the box.
Fernandes was excellent throughout. He runs all day, tackles hard and has an added creative spark that is lacking elsewhere in the squad. With Lucas Paqueta out of the way, it gives him extra opportunity to sparkle. I suspect he is one of those players who is only passing through at West Ham and we must enjoy him while we can.
If anything, his second long range effort in the dying seconds was even better than the first – but was unfortunately thwarted by the woodwork. The shot initiated a comedy phase of play which saw a handbags, face-off between Dinos Mavropanos and Alderete of Sunderland, and the ball crossing the line after bouncing in off Soucek’s shoulder blade. No-one seemed to know for sure what was going on or why it was eventually disallowed. If Soucek fouled the keeper, it was only because he was shoved by a defender. I did wonder whether Soucek was offside but don’t have any evidence whether this was checked.
The second half was not the usual Nuno retreat into low defensive shape, but they did take their foot off the pedal as an attacking force. The high hopes for a first London Stadium clean sheet of the season disappeared midway through the half when, for the third game in a row, a cross from the right was headed firmly past Alphonse Areola.
It was a goal out of nowhere really. Jean-Clair Todibo had been drawn out of position, Scarles went to ground too easily when he might easily have put the ball into touch, Fernandes didn’t track the runner, Mavropanos was drawn towards the ball and Soucek was slow getting back to cover. It was a team goal but not of the type we love to see.
Overall, Sunderland were disappointing. Without the injured Xhaka (who was busy starting an argument in the stands) they lacked authority and organisation; and were exposed as the strong, athletic but technically limited outfit they are. Good luck to them. It is a strategy that will see them comfortably survive their first season and is indicative of the direction that Premier League football is taking. Where athleticism has become the most important player attribute.
The buoyancy of the West Ham mood was somewhat dampened by Nottingham Forest’s victory at Brentford last night. Their five point advantage over the Hammers disappointingly restored. Closing the gap a little over the weekend would have been a welcome and timeley boost to morale. Tonight, we should all be rooting for Moyesie as his team take on Leeds United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
With a perfect sense of timing, the Ironcast podcast this week featured an interview with Alan Curbishley where among other things he talked through the Great Escape of 2006/07. It’s worth a watch/ listen. As a crumb of comfort, here is the league table at the equivalent stage of that season.
And here we are, six games later, just the one point better off and ten points adrift from safety.
So, remember, it is not yet a lost cause. Impossible is Nunothing. We must remain positive while we can. Embrace optimism, overcome those worrying limitations that we see, and believe that rediscovered potential will turn our dreams into reality. We can survive. COYI!
Under The Hammers 