It was totally due to the way we set up and to the players chosen by Slot and his team, as Nuno was going to set his team as he did when he was at Notts ie low block and let Liverpool get at them Leaving gaping holes at the back for them to counter attack. They were totally flummoxed and our midfield and forwards were rarely under pressure.
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Our CBs get pulled out far to wide imo. Particularly Konaté due to our defensive system. Like Gravenberch doesn’t venture there, Salah is always looking to go forward … so with Szoboszlai that side and Gomez being calmer and more effective it takes a lot of worries away.
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Although this is precisely what we have been said to be struggling with this year so even with as little as they looked like they were offering, it is still noteworthy that we didnt look troubled by it.
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Was traveling yesterday, so only got to sit and watch this one last night.
Some thoughts:
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Wirtz looked like an absolute menace. It’s apparent that he works so quickly and decisively that his teammates aren’t always ready to adapt. Multiple times he made excellent decisions to have teammates one or two steps behind. One he builds chemistry, he’s going to be great. It’s one of the reasons why I’ve been disappointed that Frimpong has been injured, because he and Wirtz already have that build in chemistry.
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Kerkez did a really good job on Bowen. And he was very active otherwise. I wish Gakpo would use some of those overlapping runs he makes more often - too often, Gakpo only makes the pass after he determines that his patented inside cut is being defended - which at that point, it’s too late. Kerkez can really stretch a defense in attack if he’s properly utilized, giving us the width we need on the wings. I think he’s going to be very good once he settles in.
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Really quality goal from Isak. Those are the kinds of goals that I was hoping for - the quick, one-timers that a keeper can’t react to. Hopefully it’s the first of many.
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Thank you to Slot for finally playing Joe Gomez at RB. He was excellent. Even his floating crosses seemed to land in dangerous areas. I hope he can stay healthy and make the position his own until Bradley and/or Frimpong return.
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Grav made some excellent runs and interventions in defense. He still looks off the pace at times, but I think that’s more of a lack of confidence than a lack of ability or know-how. You can tell that he can be stuck between two minds at times - one looking to step forward and start a counter, and one looking to step back and help the back line. That puts him in no-man’s land. It would help of our back line was more dependable.
On the negative side:
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Macca looked off the pace for most of the match. Too often he lost the man he was marking, or was a step behind a pass, or didn’t make the run needed. I’m starting to get worried a bit about his form long-term. It’s not like he’s got a summer of rest to look forward to, either. He’s about to turn 27, which is usually when you’d expect a player to reach his peak. But he has a lot of premier league and CONMEBOL miles on his legs. I hope he isn’t already cooked, because he’s a difference maker. There were entire periods of the match where he was a bystander.
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Szobo worked his butt off and he’s been our player of the year so far. But he was pretty quiet today. Seems like playing through Wirtz put him on the periphery a bit.
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Gakpo is an incredibly frustrating player to watch. Does a dozen things that drive you mad, and then has a goal and an assist. But having him play with Isak ahead of Wirtz might be the best solution, as Gakpo doesn’t take enough advantage of the width a winger utilizes.
Above all, this was a solid win. We could have easily won 3 or 4-0, and West Ham had a couple really good chances where it could have been 1-1 or worse.
But you take the good habits and build on them.
And sorry, Mo, but you deserved to be dropped and I hope you realize that it’s time to stop playing as the target man and start playing a team game again.
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The more I watch Gakpo, the more it seems he isn’t the best passer or the most intelligent footballer, as he isn’t aware of his teammates runs and makes numerous passes.
He just has the one trick when on the ball, but he also does get into ther area to get on the end of things, which makes me think he would do far better with a right footed player on our right delivering crosses both on the floor and in the air.
I don’t think that it’s a case of intelligence but of willingness. Slot has already mentioned that he had a word about this a while back, but Gakpo still refuses to utilize the full back, particularly when Kerkez is playing.
It wouldn’t hurt for Slot to have some stern words about this, and a spell on the bench might prove beneficial, both to Gakpo and the team.
So with Slot having to have a word means he lacks the intelligence to see the benefit of the pass, however, it isn’t just him ignoring Kerkez he also rarely sees the pass to players inside him.
Yeah, but didn’t you know, Salah is just one of these cheeky North-Africans who will let themselves fall down at the slightest of contacts…
I wrote above that with Salah, we were never treated fairly anyway. But more generally, I think it helped us having Hendo as the captain at the time.
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I’ve never understood the treatment of Salah as anything other than bigotry. He’s not a whiner or complainer. He rarely gets booked. He’s certainly not a diver. And yet, he gets mugged over and over again without so much as a whistle. I don’t understand it, really. He might be better off if he got in a few referees faces and put them under a microscope. But that just isn’t his personality.
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Gakpo can be a head-scratcher at times, but let’s be honest, he’s quietly doing ok this season. Leads the league in big chances created (even with Doku with 7), tops our squad for combined league goals + assists, and leads our squad with successful take-ons. Heck, he even leads us in fouls! (Not exactly a great stat, but at least he’s putting himself about even if his tackling’s about as graceful as a drunk giraffe.)
Out of the problems we’ve had this season, I don’t think Gakpo would be high on my list of problems.
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What about the ridiculous tackle from Magassa on Gravenberch at the edge of the box in the 24th minute. Not even given as a foul! If it was against us VAR would be looking to see if they could give it as a penalty. Shocking decision.
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The one Hugo late on was worse. Scythed down by 2 players and no free kick given, and then about 60 seconds later Potts is backing into Ibou ostensibly trying to shield a bouncing ball he had little chance of getting under control until he threw himself on the ground as soon as he made contact with the defender with the ref giving him a free kick
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No you don’t understand, according to @Rambler a West Ham fan thinks the referee was biased against them so it all balances out!
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I did tell him he was wrong though. We didn’t get a free kick every time they put in a tackle. It was definitely the other way round. They got a free kick every time we tackled. He said no that’s wrong…
It is possibly the only thing fans of all Premier League clubs can agree about though…it is blindingly obvious that PGMOL hates tbeir club. They aren’t even trying to hide it any more.
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I didn’t hear Coote slag off any other club’s manager, did you?
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I actually thought Gakpo held the ball well and got fouls at them especially at 1-0.
I don’t over analyse this stuff as I enjoy football for what it is but I notice bits like this.
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