Offical match day thread

you should be 3 down, Antonioand Haller's showing why they frustrates us so much.

 

We need to speed up our attacking play.

And the other players need to get on Ozil wavelength. Saka and Pepe both failing to play him in behind when he goes to play a one two or makes a good run beyond the defence.

Pepe needs to make better runs as well. He just likes to get the ball into feet and then try to run past everyone. Don’t get me wrong he’s got good footwork and he’s looked like he might create something all on his own but he needs to learn when to make runs for the midfield to find him.

 

We’ve not looked particularly comfortable at the back, looked a bit casual. You’ve had a couple of golden opportunities to take the lead and squandered them.

Antonio has been able to do whatever he wants, lucky nothings come from it yet.

 

I think we are missing Bellerin at RB today. Offensively that is. Sokratis doesn’t add anything going forward, it’s just like having a third CB on the pitch.

 

Both Antonio's and Haller's touch has been shocking, I think the chance to win this game hs gone, I can't see your forwards squandering such chances.

 

Why is no-one getting into the box for Ozil cut back there? That’s the kind of move we’ve been crying out for all game, first time Pepe actually passes and Ozil opens things up, but no-ones made the run into the box to have a pop!

 

Games proper opening up now, could see a late goal from either side at the moment

 

Get in!!!!!!

 

Just need to avoid doing anything stupid now!

 

This is feeling stressful like the Olympia kid game.

Calm the **** down and take control of the game.

 

Well played Ozil. Man of the match for me.

 

That’ll do. We need to be getting the 3 points even when not at our best. Clean sheet and a win - I’ll take that.

Equal points with spurs, 2 behind Utd, 3 points off top 5, 5 points off Chelsea in fourth.

Given how poor the season started for us we aren’t in the worst position to finish the season in a decent way.

 

I thought we made you crap, pressed you a lot and forced mistakes. Pissed off tbh, should've won that game comfortably, but the other hammers were all quite optimistic pre-match so I knew we'd get ****ed.

 

Believe it or not, that's 5 clean sheets in our last 7 games. Arteta's definitely shored up our defence even if we've been quite fortunate at times (like today).

West Ham should have won, in my opinion, as they had the clearer chances and looked the more threatening side. But ultimately, if you don't take your chances, you won't win games.

Antonio was running us ragged. We had 4 players on him at times and he was still powering through or winning fouls. We definitely should have been smarter in our strategy to reduce his effectiveness.

I thought Declan Rice had a good game too - redistributed the ball well, made some vital interceptions and blocks, read the game well. I can't see him staying at West Ham beyond 2021 if I'm honest, some of the bigger sides will definitely be looking at him.

Ceballos had a good game I thought. Wriggled out of tight spaces, kept the ball ticking forward, always looked to find an attacking player in space or create space by dragging players out of position. Excellent close control and dribbling from the Spaniard.

Ozil played well too. Not his vintage best, but still a good performance and nice cushioned header for the winning goal.

Mari and Luiz had a decent partnership, and dealt with Haller pretty well. Saka wasn't great, but not his worst performance either.

Leno was sublime - kept us in the game with some of those outstanding saves.

Negatives now....

Our game management is atrocious.

We really struggled with long balls forward and wide crosses.
We didn't mark well enough from set-pieces.

Even after we scored, we kept dropping deep and inviting them onto us. We looked very jittery when we needed to defend, but also, they bypassed us in midfield so easily.

Xhaka's performance will probably get overlooked because we won, but he was appalling today. And even though he's been less rubbish under Arteta overall, the simple fact is he isn't good enough for where we want to be and needs to be replaced in the Summer.

That was a very important 3 points, but our performances need to improve. A lot.

 

I agree, but I also think we made it easy for you with our lack of tempo and counterpressing.

When we tried to play it out from the back, it was so easy to telegraph what we were going to do because we do the same thing every game. It wasn't hard to work out when to push forward, which players are more vulnerable in possession (Xhaka and Sokratis), which players aren't comfortable receiving the ball with their back to goal (also Xhaka) etc.

You should definitely have won today though, or at least taken a point.

 

David Moyes is trying to argue the goal was offside .

Clutching straws or what?

 

Missed this game.

How did Mari play? (two clean sheets in a row for him now)

 

Fitted in seamlessly no rash mistakes and seemed very self assured

 

I thought he did alright without standing out. For me I’m yet to see enough of him to decide if he’s good enough or not.

 

With all top half teams winning man City is now a must win, you would think