West Ham’s victory against Newcastle can provide a springboard. The whole team including the replacements arriving later in that game performed well, keeping possession and not allowing the intensity to slip and therefore keeping Newcastle out of the game. Looking ahead to the Arsenal fixture, the midfield situation must be front and centre in the head coaches’ mind. Carlos Soler was a revelation alongside Lucas Paquetá in a sort of creative midfield pivot.
That victory will create a sense of unity and the erratic, yellow card liability which at the moment is Edson Alvarez needs to sit and reboot his attitude from the bench.
Charging in and scything down an opponent, as has been his practise of late lets the team down and has bigger consequences than a ban.
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The last few minutes against Newcastle saw Guido Rodriguez and Andrew Irving brought on – Irving looked fully up to speed and combative. He didn’t let the team or his head coach down. Hopefully our ‘IrnBru Iniesta’ has advanced his position in the eyes of his coach and will be seen as a ‘first’ line replacement instead of the Mexican who should be at the back of the queue now after such awful on field antics.
Is Lopetegui brave enough to keep his multi-million pound Mexican sat in the bench? I hope so. The team spirit without him seemed just fine.
Carlos Soler alluded to it – “We are a very good team, with good players, and we showed that tonight…”hopefully this can be the start of a really successful season.”. West Ham fans would all agree with that. Edson Alvarez needs to get to the back of the queue, take one for the team and learn that the consequences of repeated red and yellow cards simply isn’t tolerated at West Ham.