| West Ham match thoughts and player review 22:11 - Jul 12 with 2310 views | unstableblue |
Quite enjoyed that, pre-season games are somewhat of a lottery and often a non event. Indeed 20mins into what turned out to be the less entertaining half, I was regretting making the effort.
But it’s always useful to take a look at new players, and those returning from loans and injury.
Second half we fired up the tempo and energy and stopped getting pushed into passing along the back line. And started to really test West Ham. And the last 20mins was genuinely entertaining and the north stand woke up and urged the blues on.
We’d actually got a bit disrupted by the large change of players early in the second half, which led to the second West Ham goal, combined with an Ndaba error. After that we did a lot of good stuff, with Evans, KVY and Jackson really standing out.
Overall an OK and relatively encouraging display, with the caveat that you really can’t read too much into these games, but I still can’t help feeling we lack goals… albeit that’s not a league 1 defence and midfield we’ve been up against tonight.
So how did the players look - well let’s start with West Ham. Antonio is very effective, he’s so physical and dangerous. Downes had a good debut, tidy, and a couple of moments of real quality, but West Ham fans may wonder if he’s got more than short passing tidiness. Zouma is a cat abuser as the town fans pointed out, but my word he was good tonight.
So what about Town players:
Walton - he exudes class looks well above league one
Burns - probably his worst performance at PR, but the opposition was another level, but our key man wasn’t at the races
Donacien - looked one of our better players, but was pinned back by quality West Ham players around him
Burgess - did well, handled Antonio on a number of occasions, he’s definitely no nonsense
The Wolf - I said soon he’ll be valued higher than Downes and I think that, he exuded quality today, but ultimately was also a bit contained
Ball - a few errors early doors, but grew into it, and showed some tenacity and a little running and passing… but I’m not yet clear on his role in a McKenna team
Morsy - some moments of Morsy… but think he struggles with midfield quality tonight
Penney - he as always looked devoid of confidence and needs to be moved on
Chaplin - like Walton, Wolf and Aluko he looked at a similar level to West Ham players, had some positive moments but no real chances I remember
Aluko - man he’s good on the ball and creates space, could be a key player this season, but still needs to have more end product
Ladapo - couple of good touches, but main taking point was not taking a chance when one on one in the first half
I thought the new batch of players made a difference as West Ham tired and it seemed like a group with more intent and energy
Edmundson - looked fit and is very solid and dependable
Jackson - a stand out player tonight, wanted to make a difference, had energy and disrupted West Ham defenders
Leigh - step up from Penney obviously, and did get to the line, but wasn’t as dynamic as KVY, and seemed afraid to beat his man, but it was West Ham
John-jo (sp) - showed quality, promising [Post edited 13 Jul 2022 8:08]
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| A12 mare; couple of other thoughts on 22:49 - Jul 12 with 2006 views | unstableblue |
A12 south tonight was a massive diversion through Manningtree… and I’m sure I had a similar mare end of last season for a night game. How long do these works take along the Dedham Vale.
I do think Ball and Evans is going to be a big battle for sitting alongside Morsy. As I stated before, Ball in interview does seem intent on being a starter, and showed some good stuff tonight, but Evans longer distribution means he’s surely the preferred striker.
With Burns flat and Aluko looking great but slow, and with ball and Morsy also slow… we do seem to struggle then to bring threat and break the lines. I hope Leigh can beat a man in league one.
I think McKenna will still be intent on a striker, left wing back and attacking box to box or creative mid.
Would have done Ladapo confidence a lot of good to put that one on one away.
It’s funny I bet after 3 games the starting 11 will look quite different to what we expect… perhaps including KVY, Jackson, Edwards, burgess as examples | |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 22:54 - Jul 12 with 1983 views | monty_radio |
I thought Leigh showed every chance of being the LWB we've needed, especially when he drove on down the outside. Perhaps his reluctance to take the opponent on when forced back onto his right was borne of him realising how easy it was to lose it against such an opposition and how hard it is to get it back.
Aluko was in awe of no-one though! |  |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 23:05 - Jul 12 with 1923 views | Radlett_blue |
As you say, you shouldn't read much into pre-season games. I remember going to Town v West Ham friendly in 2018 & Town played well & I thought we were in for a decent season & Ellis Harrison was going to be the man. |  |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 23:49 - Jul 12 with 1732 views | JDB23 |
I thought we looked pretty similar to last season. Good in possession at times but the same issues in the final third, often killing attacks by turning back from good positions and taking the negative option. Set pieces largely the same too.
Still a few weeks to go and obviously played superior opposition. Thought Ladapo looked good physically and can see him and Jackson causing problems in behind, just hope that miss doesn’t play on his mind too much. | | | |
| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 08:17 - Jul 13 with 1172 views | unstableblue |
| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 23:49 - Jul 12 by JDB23 |
I thought we looked pretty similar to last season. Good in possession at times but the same issues in the final third, often killing attacks by turning back from good positions and taking the negative option. Set pieces largely the same too.
Still a few weeks to go and obviously played superior opposition. Thought Ladapo looked good physically and can see him and Jackson causing problems in behind, just hope that miss doesn’t play on his mind too much. |
I agree on concerns of where the goals are going to come from and have we got that ruthless energy and desire in the final third, as well as the creative spark and lethal finisher so necessary.
Yes it was a pre season friendly, and yes West Ham are way above us in quality. But last night was quite competitive, and teams were playing well above a friendly level of energy and commitment, buoyed by the crowd.
A bit like the Wigan home game last season, which helped to dampen some of my serious concerns on whether we can truly hurt teams under Mckenna, that last 20mins was encouraging because we upped the tempo in going forward, and seemed to have more desire to get players to hit the box. Thought Jackson and KVYs running was a big part of that… they both looked very hungry and switched on, KVY looking far superior to Burns on the night. Also Evans started to drive the team on a bit.
But it’s definitely the area of our game I have most concerns. Important that we get another left wing back.. or that Leigh (who had a good display) is able to take on the man against League One opposition
COYB | |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 08:51 - Jul 13 with 1033 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 23:05 - Jul 12 by Radlett_blue |
As you say, you shouldn't read much into pre-season games. I remember going to Town v West Ham friendly in 2018 & Town played well & I thought we were in for a decent season & Ellis Harrison was going to be the man. |
I thought the same, went to the MK Dons friendly and thought he would terrorise defences
Also thought Dozzell would have a breakthrough year only for him to be nowhere near the first 11 come 1st gane |  |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 08:55 - Jul 13 with 1009 views | CityBlue |
Evans looked to be carrying a bit of timber. Disagree with the synopsis regarding Penney, although see him second string to Leigh right now. |  |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 09:13 - Jul 13 with 923 views | STYG |
What was most pleasing for me is that when we made all the changes and it went to 2-0 immediately, I said it would end up about 4-0.
Yet with the reserves as such largely on we really took the game to them, changed formation and nearly equalised. I didn't see that coming with Harper on, El Miz at right back etc. | | | |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 09:14 - Jul 13 with 917 views | textbackup |
Really liked that KVY came in and was back to show he can’t be forgotten about.
An injury free season and he is one of our most important players imo |  |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 10:05 - Jul 13 with 778 views | unstableblue |
| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 09:13 - Jul 13 by STYG |
What was most pleasing for me is that when we made all the changes and it went to 2-0 immediately, I said it would end up about 4-0.
Yet with the reserves as such largely on we really took the game to them, changed formation and nearly equalised. I didn't see that coming with Harper on, El Miz at right back etc. |
I didn’t mention Harper, I thought he came out of the evening well… what he brings is some energy, physicality, some pace, and fast and forward passing.
As I said 3 games into the season we may be surprised at the starting 11… with you never know Harper, KVY, burgess being in there | |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 10:08 - Jul 13 with 762 views | unstableblue |
| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 09:14 - Jul 13 by textbackup |
Really liked that KVY came in and was back to show he can’t be forgotten about.
An injury free season and he is one of our most important players imo |
KVY was really advanced last night, and like Chaplin, Aluko, The Wolf looked to be same level as the West Ham players around them.
Important season for KVY. We all think Burns and Donacien are nailed on and that is our right. But a fully fit KVY is one of our strongest players.
A good bit of competition to have. | |
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| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 10:34 - Jul 13 with 664 views | BlueStreak |
| West Ham match thoughts and player review on 08:55 - Jul 13 by CityBlue |
Evans looked to be carrying a bit of timber. Disagree with the synopsis regarding Penney, although see him second string to Leigh right now. |
I thought Evans was looking trim. He has a big frame anyway.
His longer passing is excellent though and is needed when breaking teams down with the big switch. You could tell he was looking to get it to Leigh every time. |  | | |
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