FROM a selection point of view, the main talking point would have been the recall of Maximilian Kilman instead of Konstantinos Mavropanos. Who knows why. Couldn’t remember Mavropanos dropping a clanger last time out to warrant his being dropped.
If anything, the three up-front deployment which Nuno started West Ham’s attempt to compete with a Manchester City side aiming to head back to the top of the table seemed surprisingly combative, compared with the ‘parking the bus’ forecast made by many, me included.
Setting up in a 4-3-1-2 very narrow formation obviously seemed good idea on the remaining ground, Ollie Scarles, returning to the left back role after several weeks out was given a torrid time by Ryan Cherki all half, and clearly needed help from Paqueta or Summerville which wasn’t forthcoming as the youngster floundered.
Summarising, the first half, Alan Shearer made the defensive issue clear:
” An embarrassing lack of closing down..”
From the Hammers in the first half, and ‘no fight whatsoever’ (Shearer’s words again) from the Irons defence. What Max Kilman was doing being recalled is anybody’s guess, Nuno needs to answer for that one.
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Limited options for Nuno on the bench to try and improve West Ham’s second half shape: The best sign would be to see Mavopanos on immediately for the disinterested and two left-footed Max Kilman. Sadly, no changes at half time. Nuno’s version of the hairdryer seemed to create more urgency as West Ham did at least have a couple of attempts on goal early on.
Taking off midfielders to go five at the back…?
Ollie Scarles sitting on the turf massaging a hip flexor after an hour did not bode well for the next six weeks though, withdrawn through necessity with Ezra Mayers taking his place. It was surely evident to all that West Ham needed impetus at an hour, yet no changes from Nuno. Where was Callum Wilson. Was Nuno content to try and lose by ‘just’ the two goals?
Three City changes produced no response save a defiant’ bubbles’ from the away fans. Kilman again pathetic for City’s third. Perhaps once the game had gone, Nuno, (pictured sitting staring into space in pure Potter style) might ring the changes? Of course.
A foursome, indeed, at 77 minutes. 20 minutes too late as usual.
Mavropanos, Soucek, Rodriguez and Wilson. Paqueta, Fernandes (what?) Summerville and Potts removed. Dreadful changes with zero hope, much like West Ham’s league position. Three goals down, taking off the side’s two best midfielders and and switching to a back five. Explain it to me, someone. Citeh could have scored six if they could have been bothered. Presumably just waving the white flag and saving legs for the next outing.
Nuno rating this week: 3/10. Only because the makeup of the squad isn’t his fault. On second thoughts, loses 1 for starting Kilman. 2/10. Merry Christmas.