Well… at least we don't have to watch that game again.

Hell of a goal by Sesko to be fair.

Completely undeserved result. That was putrid.

Dre_00 said:

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Hell of a goal by Sesko to be fair.

Completely undeserved result. That was putrid.

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You think West Ham deserved to win? Really?

A draw today was as good as a loss. I hate that we are on manager # (no idea) and we still can't figure out how to beat a low block.

Furlock Bones said:

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A draw today was as good as a loss. I hate that we are on manager # (no idea) and we still can't figure out how to beat a low block.

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Well, you see you get 1 point for a tie and 0 for a loss, so not the same.

West Ham had been playing really well lately, mid week road game, so was always going to be a tough ask.

I think Carrick got his tactics wrong today, would have preferred Sesko from the beginning today since we should have expected West Ham sitting back in a low block. Needed more aerial support and someone to attack crosses from the beginning.

But a draw on the road in a midweek match should always be a good result.

Besides the obvious fact that we have dropped so many damned points this season against the worst clubs, we have to continue enduring posts of that lettuce head loser on our social media feeds.

Well we aren't great against teams that low block because we aren't really set up for those kinds of teams. I am not picking on him because I would 1000% give him a deal to keep him here another year, but Maguire is a great defender to handle big center forwards like Haaland and Gyokeres. However, he's not the type of player you want defending a lot of breaks on counters. He's not exactly alone; I'm only picking on him because he's so in form (he should get his England spot back in my opinion). But we aren't a team for footraces.

While true , the goal we gave up was on Martinez who just stood there and didn't go at Bowen or pressure him. That made the free and easy cross in. I also wonder where Shaw was. This wasn't on Maguire.

In the end I think Carrick got the tactics off. He tried the same 11 and it was never going to work. I would have subbed on Sesko much earlier or even started him. Let him and Mbeuno drive at the center of the WH high line they were playing.

I'm not saying Maguire was at fault for the goal. I'm just saying he's not fast, Kobie's not fast, Casemiro's certainly not fast, and I feel like Martinez has lost a step with his injury. We aren't winning track meets with our starting middle defense, that's all I'm saying. And I pointed out Maguire just because he was so good against City and Arsenal.

Shaw made a high risk, low probability of success challenge in the middle of the park that completely took him out of the play. He was the first one to mess up. Chance doesn't get created if he plays that more conservatively and just slows the play/contains.


Anyway, our defense didn't play badly. It was the goal and a long range shot from Summerville that forced Lammens into a very good save. But that was it. I agree that Sesko should have come on earlier. He and even Zirkzee could have helped provide variety in the attack when West Ham settled into their low block. It was way too easy for West Ham because we were so one dimensional. Pressure the man with the ball, defend the edge of the 18 where we constantly kept trying to play 1-2s into on the ground, and wait till the ball comes your way. And the few times we managed to get some glimpses at a break in transition and a small window opened where we could attack before West Ham could get everyone back, we either misplayed the pass or took a way too safe option that prioritized possession way too much. Amad was especially guilty of that last night.

Everton is a better team and likely won't be quite as compact as West Ham but they'll be more like West Ham than they will be like City/Arsenal or even Fulham. Two weeks before that game unlike the 3 days before West Ham. Can give Carrick a pass as maybe the shortened week impacted training but no excuse if they are equally hopeless at Everton on the 23rd.