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charleyfarley 12:22 Sun Sep 3
⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

London Stadium
Thurs 21st Sept 20:00 GMT

VAR

Filip Glova (Slovakia) : (x) - xx

Fabiański, Kehrer, Mavropanos, Ogbonna ©, Cresswell, Paquetá, Ward-Prowse, Fornals, Benrahma, Kudus, Ings
Subs: Areola (GK), Anang (GK), Coufal, Johnson, Emerson, Zouma, Aguerd, Coventry, Souček, Cornet, Antonio, Mubama

Simić, Cvetković, Antonić ©, Đorđević, Petrović, Radin, Đakovac, Stojić, Kuveljić, Stanić, Jovanović
Subs: Ilić (GK), Jorgić (GK), Milovanović, Mirchevski, Pantović, Ćirković, Vulić, Krstić, Vlalukin, Sós, Rakonjac

West Ham 1/10 :Draw 10/1 : Backa Topola 33/1

Replies - Newest Posts First (Show In Chronological Order)

Far Cough 4:03 Sat Sep 23
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

What was an own goal has now been given to Kudus by UEFA

Great stuff, 2 goals on his starting debut.

VirginiaHam 1:10 Sat Sep 23
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

Come On You Irons 5:07 Fri Sep 22

Thought Backa did well first half. Parked the bus with the entire team behind the ball, and we struggled to get through. Not surprising.

Caught Ogg dithering and then moved away from the first half game plan.

We came out comfortable winners. Games like that help teams to grow. We played half of last year's staring team and took all 3 points. Backa weren't worth a point.

Our passing stats were 3-1 against them. How the fuck can you say they were the better team? Outpassed, outscored, nicked a goal on a breakaway via a huge mistake.

God almighty.

Nutsin 6:08 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

A lot of new faces playing together for the first time so not too worried about the overall performance although we did kick it up a gear after they scored.

A good result and a good start to our auto campaign.

Excited to see how we do against Liverpool, will be a good game to gauge how far off we are from being a top 4 team.

I expect our performances to improve with time but we definitely have enough quality to compete now. Looking forward to a good game and a good showing.

COYI’s

Nutsin 6:08 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

BillC79 5:19 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

633 passes to their 251 would suggest that they didn’t pass it better

Come On You Irons 5:07 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

It was a very poor performance, let's face it. I thought Backa Topola were the better team and should have got at least a point, if not all three. They played much better passing football than us at times.

We huffed and puffed but it is obvious our squad is still too weak as we lack depth in key areas. Ings is a joke up top. Fornals was shocking. Ogbonna and Cresswell are totally past it now, loyal servants as they have been.

It was only a couple of headers from JWP corners that got us out of jail.

Moysball JOCKOSAURUS tactics 101.

Fauxstralian 4:28 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

Is anyone going to admit ... Moyes? Sullivan? ... that INGS was their choice?
Completely unsuitable for our game and as many have said Mubama should be getting the minutes that are being wasted on him.

Hammer and Pickle 3:08 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

Much as I like ludo’s formation given the options we now have, treating Kudus as a wing back would leave us exposed and one sided. He’s alright in the air though so eventually Moyes may have his arm twisted to something like this.
--------------------- Areola
-----------Mavro ---Zouma ---- Aguerd
--- Coufal ---------Alvarez ------ Emerson
--------------- JWP ------ Paqueta
----------Bowen ----------- Kudus

Not holding my breath mind you.

Far Cough 3:05 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

brundal, City had slightly less possession against us at 32% but the score was the same 3-1

brundal 2:46 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

Last night proved that the players fine it difficult to adapt to having more that 25% of possession. But a win is a win

Stubbo 2:15 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

I didn't so much feel for Ings, as just think he simply doesn't work for us.

He had the chance to leave and chose to stay - that's on him. But I wouldn't give him any more game time.

Even when Moyes took Fornals off and brought Antonio on alongside Ings it didn't help (if anything it got worse, with Ings dropping into play as some kind of number 10, getting deeper and deeper).

I think Fornals difficulties were somewhat about the style of oppo. He tends to be at his best running in behind, or in space and with us on the break...he lacks the finesse and true class to open up the tight spaces we had last night to deal with.

When the oppo are playing like that, it's the two touch (and especially) one touch play that can drag them out of shape...but we simply don't move the ball quick enough and aren't sufficiently well drilled/coached in our movement to break this down (hence the boring, monotonous shifting back and forth of the ball on the half way line). We only looked more threatening when they dared to show some ambition and it opened up the space.

Ron Eff 1:52 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

Re the discussion around full backs, I think Emerson is good enough, would want a Cresswell upgrade, and I think quite harsh on Coufal. He has been in good form for a while now, even if he will never be top end (and is now 31). He isn’t the only full back who will be given trouble by City this season, that’s for sure!

Kehrer was poor last night but again, had some reasonable games back end of last season. It is difficult when you barely play.

easthammer 1:07 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

Didn't go to the match yesterday but did get to see it live on TV.
Always a slightly different view of things from the armchair. But on the general performance. I thought it was okay given we made 9 changes and conceded a pratfall of a goal. Always looked like would eventually get the win. As for individual performances Exile's assessment below saves me a bit of typing as I agree with it entirely.

zico 1:04 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

Really felt for Ings last night, has the bloke ever played up front on his own? He was dropping deep but when we got forward he was 20 yards behind the play. Just doesn't seem to have any pace or agility, and whilst he is a good finisher he just isn't quick enough to get himself into goal scoring positions. He would probably do well in a two next to Antonio but we know Moyes won't play that way.

Felt for Pablo as well. An absolute trier but it just doesn't come off for him. Clearly the manager doesn't show confidence in him and Pablo needs an arm around him rather than a kick up the arse. Suspect if he moves elsewhere he would do very well.

Mav and Kudus did ok although Mav not really tested defensively, assume he is the long term replacement to Ogbonna. Unsure where Kudus will play as Bowen will always start on the right. Can Kudus play as the advanced one in a three with JWP, and Paqueta? Suspect not if Moyes has a preference for Soucek.

All in all we got the result but were sloppy at times and that includes Paqueta. But a wins a win.

southbankbornnbred 1:00 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread

Ludo21 - the one thing Kudos absolutely is not...is a right wing-back. He's a far more attacking player, and would be out of his depth doing a predominantly defensive job (bearing in mind how Moyes plays). We didn't pay £38m for him to play there.

That would be like Bilic experimenting with Antonio at right-back.

RichyP 12:30 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

dominated possession but looked like we could play until midnight without scoring, until Antonio came on and we woke up.

Without Bowen/Antonio on the pitch, our goal threat from open play is almost non-existent. We will always pose a threat with JWP taking set pieces but it underlines how barmy it was not to replace Scamacca. We should have had around £35m left in the budget following all the out goings and we should have brought someone in who can play the lone striker role because the answer clearly isn't Ings and we've known that since the day he signed.

Very disappointed that Muamba wasn't brought on.

ludo21 12:29 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

Agree with exile about Alvarez... first name on the teamsheet already.

Kudus is going to get better with more time on the pitch. Moyes has a problem though (a nice one) but Kudus is not yet at the level that can justify dropping someone to fit him in.

Kudus doesn't seem to play on the left so that means one of Bowen, Paqueta or JWP making way which isn't going to happen.

Would it work to play 3 at the back, slotting Mavropanos in at RCB and playing Kudus in front of him?

--------------------- Areola
-----------Mavro ---Zouma ---- Aguerd
--- Kudus ---------Alvarez ------ Emerson
--------------- JWP ------ Paqueta
----------Bowen ----------- Antonio

Would that give Moyes enough defensive cover?

threesixty 12:08 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

It's funny how they approached that game how we approached any team last season. The same rules apply when counter attacking against teams you think are better than you (Man City).
They will make 1 mistake and you capitalise on it but given time they will break you down (which is what we did to Backa).

It makes you wonder if it's really the best option all the time? Should you not try to attack teams with better players than you?

I think the problem I have with "Moyesball" vs when Mouriniho did it is that he did it with squads better than anyone he came up against. It was almost embarrassing to have such an expensive and talented squad line up in 100% defence mode against any team, especially when they were at home.

Whereas, our defence is just "alright". We aren't a fortress. We still ship goals, every game. I like Aguered etc.. but they all have a mistake a game in them.

I think a goal against us in inevitable, Against Jose's old team I thought a goal against them was pretty unlikely.

the exile 11:41 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

I thought it was quite funny that we came up against a side that was not just playing Moyesball, but clearly trying to outdo us at playing Moyesball. Credit to them, they kept it really tight at the back and sometimes looked pretty dangerous on the break. It was frustrating to play against (who knew?!) but I was confident that we would break through eventually.

Everyone seems to be slagging Ings but he had the most thankless task against that kind of defending. I thought some of his linkup play was decent.

Impressed with Kudus. Still finding his feet and occasionally got caught in possession but also showed that he is a huge talent.

Benrahma was Benrahma.

Fornals was mostly decent but still struggling to show his best form.

Paqueta showed plenty of brilliance but also a bit of stupidity at times.

JWP was solid and steady and delivered some great corners.

Kehrer got into all the right positions going forward but seemed to suffer from vertigo any time he got anywhere near their area.

Cresswell just looks finished. Offered very little going forward.

Mavropanos looks good - comfortable on the ball, good passing, a threat at set pieces. Need to see him against stronger opposition before getting too excited.

Ogbonna is great when it's our usual backs to the wall defending but seemed like a duck out of water with all that time and space. It was a very poor error for their goal and he came close to getting caught out on a couple of other occasions.

Seems odd to say this so early in his West Ham career but I thought we missed Alvarez. He has already established himself as a solid, stabilizing presence. You could almost say that he is the heartbeat of the side.

southbankbornnbred 11:29 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

Thought we looked very disjointed in the first half last night - but that's no surprise, given that we made 8 changes.

Mavrapos looks a good player with excellent awareness and will grow into his role.

Hard to judge Kudos - he's clearly still getting used to the pace of English football and at a new club. Looks like a box of tricks - and obviously has technical ability - but needs to learn when NOT to take that extra touch. Too often last night, he wanted two or three touches when one would do. But he'll learn that quickly if he's any good. Has good instincts for getting in the box and on the end of things, which bodes well.

JWP has become a fixture for us already. As everybody has been saying, and as everybody in the world seems to know, the quality of his set pieces is exceptionally high. Superb delivery eight or nine times out of ten. He took one poor corner all night last night (which crawled along the floor as he mis-hit it). Regularly puts the ball where only his intended target, or one of our players, can win it - and that's a much harder skill than people think: you've probably got to "land" the ball within a yard of perfect and he does it regularly.

As people have said, full-back and the lack of striker depth (those who can do the job of being upfront alone) are our main problems. Kehrer defends well at right back, and likes a tackle, but offers little going forward: he always wants to run inside and does not have the instinct to hit the byline as an attacking/overlapping full-back.

We need three players: two full-backs and a "lone" striker to replace Ings (who looks way off the pace required to do that job).

BRANDED 11:17 Fri Sep 22
Re: ⚽ West Ham v Backa Topola - Official Match Thread - PREVIEW

In the 20-21 season it never felt like we were going to lose a game. It feels like that again. After the City game I felt really low because even though they were better than us the method we employ could have seen us get a result but it was fine margins on the goals.

Last night we were so dominant I never once thought we wouldnt win. I just waited for the goals and thankfully I stand right behind the goal where they happened.

I now realise why we were in our normal seats. There was about 100 away supporters.

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