After our disastrous results against Wolves and Forest, we’ve gone on to win our next three games to put us back within reach of safety — what do you think has happened?
The Workhorse Revolution
Meirion Williams: I think they wanted to make a point that I’m useless at predicting results – after all, I did say zero points from those two league games. Seriously though, I think Nuno is starting to convince them all that they can actually grind out wins. We also have more workhorses in the team and less fancy Dans. Our attack has also seen a significant improvement, which means we no longer have an over-reliance on Bowen, as Summerville has been revelling in all this.
Paul Brand: I don’t think there’s been a great difference – we could easily have won the Forest game and most matches are decided by fine margins – but the “loss” of Paquetá seems to have given us more fluency and helped the likes of Summerville find form. Soucek winning aerial duels has also helped.
Dawud Marsh: I definitely think Taty and Pablo have had quite an impact on the team. Taty has an amazing work rate. He chases down every ball and is always trying to get in the right spaces. Winning breeds confidence and the team seems to be playing with more confidence, but having two players up front is giving us outlets in attack and this is making us more competitive.
Fluidity and Fast Transitions
Gary Pitty: To get over the line against QPR was important. To play well at Spurs, particularly in the first half, then to score so late on to win was great – especially against rivals. As a result of those two wins, I felt we looked more fluid against Sunderland and looked like a settled starting lineup. Best half of football this season to go in 3-0 up. I will add, quick transitions have benefited us and also hitting Taty early with others picking up the loose balls and getting Summerville running at pace has seen a huge shift in our attacking play.
David J Meagher: I think Nuno has decided that we are gonna shoot our way out of this hole. Pablo and Taty have added an edge to our attack and our team set up has become uber-offensive. So far, it’s working. We still aren’t keeping clean sheets but we are playing with energy. Summerville has clicked into gear and we look good on the break. In short, attack is a powerful form of defence.
The Legacy of Lucas Paquetá
How will you remember Paquetá’s time in east London?
MW: As another Felipe Anderson – a Brazilian who showed the occasional brilliance but lacked consistency. Maybe I’m being a bit harsh, but I have found him so frustrating; all that skill but with elements of petulance which really affected his game.
PB: With some fondness, if only for Prague. Provided magic at times but his game-management skills are atrocious and I think we look a better team without him. His time with us has also been soured by the betting allegations.
DM: It’s such a shame it has ended this way. But perhaps the pressure has got to him from the totally unnecessary time taken to prove his innocence from the spot-fixing charges against him. It has overshadowed the good stuff. But it has always been a mixed bag with him, the flashes of brilliance undone by giving the ball away and falling over. He frustrates as much as he entertains. At the moment, we are playing better without him.
GP: I’ll always like Paquetá to be honest. I’ve embraced his inconsistencies because of the brilliance he can produce. The through ball to Bowen in Prague will cement him in our history. Just sad that the betting issue has clearly affected him and he just looked troubled ever since. If he wants to leave, let him go I say and then everyone can move on as that’s what’s needed in our current plight.
DJM: Personally, I am furious with him. Having stuck with him through the yellow-card-gate, he has let us down. To be honest he’s up there with the worst traitors in our history – you know who they are. He has amazing ability but is a big spoiled brat baby. I could go on. In his absence, Fernandes has stepped up. Jog on Lucas.
New Arrivals: Assessing Taty and Pablo
What have you made of Taty and Pablo since their arrivals?
MW: I have been impressed and I think the goals will come. They both seem to be trying and I hope that they will not be overcome by the West Ham forward curse. It’s early days yet but I feel optimistic now that they will help us to avoid relegation.
PB: Taty certainly works hard, which gets the crowd going. Both have had some good touches while sometimes looking lightweight. Too early to cast judgment but in our predicament, they don’t have long to fully settle.
DM: Two excellent signings and much-needed pace and creativity up front along with a passion for the game and desire to win the ball, drive forward and make things happen. We have suffered from strikers who have not fulfilled their potential with us, but we have the players to go forward and now they have a target to whom they can whip the ball into. It is making a huge difference to the squad’s confidence and attacking threat. They will be the difference between relegation and safety.
GP: To be honest, well done to the pair of them. They work hard for the team; putting the effort in is always going to sit well with West Ham supporters. A good start and let’s hope it continues.
DJM: I think they were thrown into a messy situation but look tenacious and we are reaping the rewards. I’m not sure whether either are top class but they are both gamey. The past few games have seen us playing traditional attack-minded Hammers footy. I’m loving it.
Generations of Love: Then and Now
With February being the month of love – What did you love the most about West Ham as a kid and what do you love most about the club now?
MW: For me, it was the fact that they had three World Cup winners in the side – yes, I’m that old. Also that living in the Welsh valleys I was the only Hammers supporter for miles around. I was surrounded by Liverpool, Manchester United and Leeds fans so it was nice to be different and also to support a team that had real character.
PB: West Ham has often felt like an abusive relationship, even going back to the relegations they inflicted on me as a child. But they’re my team and I’ll always love them like family, even if they can be wildly infuriating. I guess that unpredictability is one of the things I love.
DM: Supporting West Ham was totally different to now. Football was different then and there was so much to love about the club. From the excellent shirts, to those players who wore them, the atmosphere in the Boleyn to meeting the players before the match in the car park in front of the main entrance, to the success we had on the pitch. I loved it all and it felt amazing. Now my love is for the wonderful community of people I know through supporting West Ham – those who sit around me at the games and those on the blog where I post my match day photos. I think that’s what keeps me going and being a season ticket holder.
GP: As a child I just loved learning about the club through my dad and sharing a love for West Ham. Attending matches together was always good despite the results at times. I have so many fond memories at Upton Park. I’ll always love West Ham. They’ll always frustrate me but I tell you something, it’s never boring supporting them.
DJM: I was a Basildon boy and my Dad brought me to games with the Yardley’s crew. It was lots of fun sitting on the wall of the Chicken run, full of fizzy drinks and chips. The Dads were all pissed and noisy-happy. Having moved back to Ireland in the mid-70s, West Ham have been the glue that held the different phases of my life together. My kids all fly over to games with me and the Hammers remain a family bond. Also, as a tribe, Hammers find each other and we all “know” what footy is really about. I’ve rarely met a Hammer who wasn’t amusing, humble and passionate about football and life.
The February Run: Predictions for the Month Ahead
We face Burnley, Manchester United, Burton Albion, Bournemouth and Liverpool in February – what are your hopes for these games?
MW: Well I got it completely wrong last time. I still can’t see us getting much from the away game against Liverpool. I favour us getting a result more from the Manchester United game than the one against Bournemouth. Burton is a giant-killing minefield, hence why it’s been chosen for broadcasting on television. The big game is Burnley – a real six-pointer. My hopes are that we remain competitive and I pray we will get a few points. I would love to say six but I think it could be four. I live in hope.
PB: To maintain a sense of positivity and belief. The Spurs result was a shot in the arm and a cup run could also do wonders for our season.
DM: I think Burnley and Bournemouth are winnable, Utd a draw and Liverpool I’d expect a defeat. I wasn’t keen on an FA Cup run given where we are in the table, but I fancy it now and Burton is definitely winnable for us. Before I believed we were going down, but after excellent performances against Spurs and Sunderland, I think we will stay up.
GP: We have to gain three points against Burnley and I hope we can achieve this. Notice I said hope. Manchester United will be a tight game; I think the odd goal could go either way if they continue to be galvanised under Carrick. I’d expect us to beat Burton and I’ll always value a cup run regardless of league form. Bournemouth have to be there for the taking with their current form. Liverpool is always tough but you never know. It’s hard to predict because we seemed doomed after losing “winnable” games then we go and win games you wouldn’t expect us to win. Football is a funny old game.
DJM: We are hot again, so anything is possible. We need six points from the four Premier League games and as I have explained to anyone who will listen – We’re gonna win the Cup!
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