Jones didn’t have his best game I agree but at least he got on the ball whereas Szoboslai was completely anonymous the whole time he was on.
My concern was immediately after the equaliser, I felt they had the momentum and were more likely to score again because we were showing nothing. We did raise our game straight away which was annoying in itself, why do we have to wait until we concede to show some intent, we’re trying to win a fucking league title?
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I wonder what those two have done to Slot for never receiving any minute while it’s obvious that the main first team players are toasted and roasted and struggle to finish the ninety minutes? Maybe shagging his daughter or something? 
Anyway, this was once again a crucial win, and VVD found his scoring header just when it mattered. Well done for finding a way once again to take the three points.
But really, it shouldn’t have come to that. It was definitely avoidable to make it such a close shave, and in my humble opinion, the manager and the players share equal responsibility for that. Players = complacency during the second half because the first half was too easy for them. Slot = not trusting his squad players and allowing some players to get into the burn out zone. At least, Endo got 15 minutes or so… mpfh…
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Winning by finding the level to react after conceding in the 86th minute is now labelled “fortunate”. We were all over them after they scored, missed a great chance with Lucho, and Van Dijk absolutely beats everyone in the air and sends the ball where the keeper can’t catch it. No deflection, no luck involved, yet it’s “fortunate”.
But West Ham scoring from an own goal, when all the did was apply pressure with a cross, was not “fortunate”.
“Fuck off” indeed.
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With Salah signing a new deal I think Cheisa and Elliott will be sold in the Summer.
For them to get 0 minutes after playing well v Fulham (and in cup final) while Jota and Gakpo constantly offer nothing is beyond me.
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True. But to put it in perspective, didn’t our rivals lost to these? Plus, some posts above make very good points about the nervousness of being so close and getting it done, as well as the gap not forcing us to our limits, whereas City was forcing us to our limits.
By the way, has Endo’s record ended? We conceded immediately after he was subbed in…
I agree with your points, but still, the players are all very experienced and know everything about a title race. They shouldn’t have let complacency creep in like that. And Slot should really trust his squad players. Elliot and Chiesa have shown beyond any doubt, time and again, that they deserve to be included. But Slot ignores them right now. That’s not good enough for me.
Of course, this is a circumstantiated critic. Overall, I’m over the moon with how the players and also the new coaching team have performed this season.
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I suppose it’s the balance between protecting a lead and allowing the opposition back in. We didn’t seem to offer any attacking threat after regaining possession until after we conceded, after which we played like we were possessed.
We have only lost twice this season and are a gazillion points clear with the last 15% of the league still to play, so I suppose Slot must be doing something right here.
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That I totally agree with, and said so in the pre-match thread. I don’t understand it. But if we win the league, I don’t have to understand it 
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Gakpo offers nothing jesus thats your best yet. Hes had a few quite games after injury and he now offers nothing. Im guessing Everton game was a draw as Jota offers nothing. I was watching old videos other week and in it against Millwall in 89 Rush hadn’t scored in 10 games in todays age he would be getting flogged.
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For a spell it looked like Chiesa was getting ready to come on around the 75 minute mark. It seems Slot changed mind and put Endo on instead.
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Thats what I meant - since the injury it just hasnt happened for him. Sorry I didn’t do a 500 word essay on the pros and cons of Gakpo.
Jota - one goal in about 15 games. Hardly lethal is he since the injury.
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Still can’t get over how bad all the subs were (Endo aside seeing as he got about 4 mins), Gakpo nor Szobo touched the ball…Quansah looked like he was running in treacle catching up to Wan Bissaka and the most memorable action from Robbo was screaming at the captain…which by the way, he would’ve dealt with easily if you hadn’t had a rush of blood to the head and got in his way.
Worst sub was Robbo.
Just made zero sense, Tsimkas was having a decent game and nothing was happening over that side.
It’s not like he’s been playing week after week.
Bradley’s been long term injured so I’ll let that off plus he made a decent interception.
Also he at least attempted to play like Bradley going forward.
I’m still adamant that Jones did nothing and Grav wasn’t the reason he gave the ball away 3 times and let it go through his legs. Ironically the description of Jones is more how Grav played.
Should have been Elliott mind instead of Dom.
Credit to Maca though he was what got us through
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Jose didnt goad us into anything. We were only marginally more interested in making anything happen in that first 45 minutes than they were. I’ve seen actual semi opposed training drills played with more intensity than we had in that first half. That is why Gerrard was in his own half content to just knock the ball around among ourselves rather than up by their box trying to make something happen.
This story feels like buying Jose’s myth making, or maybe wanting to find comfort in blaming such an unfortunate “shit happens” moment to one of our most beloved players on someone we already dont like.
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I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Elliott, Chiesa, or Endo; with regards to Slot.
Slot has stuck to a selected group of players who have delivered. Yes, he have overplayed (some of) them, but I can’t blame him for being a bit cautious. This is his first season in PL, and we may not have been all too familiar with its rigors. I think he will adapt in the next season.
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West Ham were incredibly passive in the first half. It’s not easy to play against that, but I thought to we did ok at choosing the right times to accelerate the play to create some decent opportunities. It’s also surprisingly difficult to respond to when a team like that flips the switch and all of a sudden starts playing. It’s why so many underdog sides have traditionally played like that. We obviously responded poorly to that, and I wonder whether some of this is us still trying to resist their natural urge to go quickly and instead play more patiently as Slot wants them to. So when the game required a bit more urgency in response we were still stuck in “calm it down” mode.
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Well, I disagree. I remember watching the game and clearly feeling we were going for it, and them were trying to have a non game - avoid to concede, then hope to have a chance while we were trying, and they did.
I remember fuming about it being the wrong approach, and I remember feeling the mistake was about to happen. When it did, I wasn’t surprised, just more angry because from what I was watching, I was expecting it.
I remember me facepalming at Rodgers interview pre-game, first of all why would you say how you will play, and secondly, why to approach the game like that.
What I don’t remember, is feeling the whole thing being a case of shit happens, and trying to see where to blame it. Goaded by Mourinho or not, the approach Rodgers took was wrong, in my very humble opinion.
I don’t mind at all if you have another view on that, and fair enough, just wanted to give mine as well.
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Think both of them were okay in the first half. Wasn’t happy with Grav misplacing passes etc , but largely okay. Just because Jones didn’t see too much of the ball didn’t mean he was ineffectual.
I remember the game. We were getting wound up by Chelsea’s timewasting early in the first half when it was 0-0. For whatever reason, Brendan hadn’t drilled the team that 0-0 was a good position to be in and Chelsea would have to open up as the game went on. Regardless of the reasoning, Jose outmanoeuvred Brendan and it cost us the league.
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Just seen your response: hear hear. Totally agree and think @Limiescouse has this one wrong.
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