Sheaf Saint

Hammers News reporting that they will try and give JWP back to us in January instead of paying the £15m they still owe us for the transfer. https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/nuno-espirito-santo-puts-west-ham-star-on-gardening-leave-as-will-still-asks-for-saints-favour/

The last really good captain and leader we had was Fonte. You could see how he was always marshalling others, shouting instructions, encouraging the younger players and helping get the defence and midfield organised. He was a natural leader and he commanded respect from the rest of the squad. We've never had anyone even close to that level since he left. For years now the on-pitch communication between the players has been piss poor.

He looked absolutely knackered when he came off last night. Maybe WS should have made the sub earlier because he ceased to be of any use to the team effort at least 10 minutes before finally being hooked. It might not have been such a nervy finish if we had some fresh legs up front to keep Utd pegged back a little more. But that said, I think he needs to be starting every game now if he's fit enough. Last night we finally got to see the player we all hoped we were getting 2 years ago and there's nobody else in the squad who can offer that kind of contribution.

The keeper had already gone the wrong way. I've no idea why he didn't just side foot it instead of trying to hit the top corner. I like Arma, but he really needs to be smarter at times. There was a moment in the 2nd half where a ball came out high towards him and a Sheff defender, who jumped and won the header. Arma didn't really challenge for the ball, or even try to just put his opponent off by being physical, and then moments later he got booked for needlessly tripping the same player from behind. Brainless really. He just makes poor decisions constantly.

What a goal that is. Deserved to be the winner.

Quarshie made some errors tonight it's true. Watching back the highlights confirmed what I thought when I saw it for their goal - he tried to put his foot in to poke the ball away but realised he had to pull out of it otherwise he'd have conceded a pen. What he should have done is just keep up and stay tight and then they don't score. But he'll learn. But that aside, what really struck me was his pace and power. He's got an immense burst of pace which allows him to snuff out danger in a way that Stephens and THB just can't. And despite his errors he also had some really good moments tonight as well.

Just so fucking boring to watch us aimlessly passing it around the back still. What's the point of playing wing backs if the one on the left is just gonna hug the touchline waiting to receive the ball from a CB only to pass it straight back again? Didn't get a good view of their goal. Should Quarshie have done better? Couldn't tell from where I was stood. And let's be clear... Utd have been shit. I mean proper shit. And we've just gifted them a 1-0 lead. Because that's all we ever do these days - allow ourselves to get schooled by very limited teams. I'm fucking sick of it now.

Stood in the concourse and Frannie just walked past me. In with the proper fans instead of a corporate box. Legend! 😎

Is that.... an unchanged starting 11? What trickery is this!

https://www.givemesport.com/west-ham-united-transfer-news-career-over-nuno-axes-ward-prowse-squad-everton-london-stadium/ Sounds all too familiar doesn't it.

True, but conversely that might play into our hands a little bit. They will be the home team playing against a team struggling for form, so they're not going to sit back and defend in a low block. That should make it easier for us to find a bit more space in their half. As long as we continue to get the basics of defending right, like we have for the last two games since Stephen and THB were dropped, then we've got every chance of sneaking a win I reckon. I realise that this optimism isn't consistent with what we've seen on the pitch so far. But I haven't been drinking this afternoon, honest!

He already did an ACL while with us. I wonder if it's the same knee? Poor fella.

Some goal as well...

He played a lovely through ball to Fellows in the first half that was perfectly weighted for him to get to it first and leave the defender only able to foul him.

Agreed. Proper no nonsense Championship defending from both of them. They work well in a 3 with Edwards as well.

Our goal came from a lucky deflection as well though.

He's lost all his old pace, and without that he's just a nothing player.

WTF? He played well in the first half I thought. Played some nice forward passes to Fellows and Arma. OK the miss was a shocker, but he's hardly alone in that.

We didn't create enough to be able to claim we deserved to win IMO.

Much improved performance against the league leaders. Frustrating equaliser to concede, but a fair result overall. Lots of positives to take from that. The changed up defence was so much more comfortable than of late. Jander is developing into a very important player for us. First assist for Fellows. Overall I'm not as unhappy right now as I have been most weekends for the last year.

How on Earth did the ref miss that handball FFS!

Off the ground.

No. Of course we can't. How the fuck did that go in?

What's really noticeable today is how we are comfortably dealing with everything they chuck into the box. So refreshing, given the general panic that sets in when Stephens, THB and Baz are on the pitch. Just seeing our CBs confidently attacking headers in our box is a novelty in itself.

There we go 😉