[West Ham’s](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-1-1-brighton-player-ratings/) rally against Brighton and the resultant solitary point from a ‘challenging’ home game epitomises the season so far. Relief that another five-goal thrashing wasn’t meted out but at the same time a certain bewilderment at the disorganised, unambitious fare on offer.
However, that last error-strewn twenty minutes wasn’t dull. In any case, it is always better to sleep on it before crashing into keyboard criticism. “Respect the point” some will say.
Lopetegui doesn’t seem to be developing a ‘brand’ or a style. If you watch the replay of Brighton’s goal there is a line of eight – _eight_ Hammers on the edge of the box defending against the oncoming forwards. To no avail. Chaos seems more of a summary of the lack of structure and discipline.
Hammers fans probably wouldn’t mind if it worked: Perhaps this is a spontaneous action from the players since what they’ve been coached to do isn’t working. “All out defence!” isn’t much of a rallying cry especially when the tactic to score is now ‘kick it forward for Bowen and Kudus and hope for the best’.
And it certainly isn’t progress. The board will have a long wait if they expect to see improvements. As will us, the unlucky paying public.
At the start of the pre season, observers were keenly watching for changes in style: “the long diagonal ball out of defence, the high press, busy, combative midfield and a high defensive line” I remember observing in preseason. All gone now. Chaos ball reigns. And it’s not good, free flowing attaching football.
Can’t call the last quarter of an hour ‘dull’ though. Just not sure that many fans are going to look forward to another twenty-plus games like that.