In the wake of Martin O’Neill’s departure, Avram Grant may have thought there was no better time for his side to be playing Aston Villa. The reality was starkly different as West Ham slumped to lacklustre 3-0 defeat. The Hammers were out-paced, out-manoeuvred and out-thought by their claret and blue rivals. Are there any positives to discern from Saturday’s encounter or is it likely to be another long season for the Irons?
1) Green’s World Cup hangover continues
Robert Green found himself in excellent company this weekend as fellow goalkeepers, Chris Kirkland, Pepe Reina, Tim Howard and Scott Carson all made high profile gaffs. After his howler at the World Cup the fear for Hammers fans is that Green’s shaky form may be set to continue. Booed by the Villa fans, Green came under immense pressure from the off. Bombarded by crosses and corners the keeper was anything but commanding as he missed an attempted punch clearance, handing a gilt-edged chance to John Carew. Shortly after, Green parried Ashley Young’s cross to Marc Albrighton whose volleyed shot he could only divert to the grateful Stuart Downing who slotted home. Green should have caught the cross but recovered well to tip over Young’s goal-bound lob. It may take time before the England goalkeeper’s confidence is restored but he and others will be wondering if it is too soon to blame the new Nike Tracer ball.
2) Right-back remains a problem position
The well remunerated Lucas Neill had his critics at Upton Park but since his departure the right-back position has been the club’s Achilles heel. Having played in that role last season Grant had decided to push Julien Faubert forward and put new recruit Winston Reid in his place on Saturday. Having inexplicably refused to buy a right-back it will now be incumbent on Reid, James Tomkins or Tal Ben Haim, all centre-backs, to fulfil that role. Reid was exposed on his PL debut by Young whose pace and skill on the ball confused the Kiwi defender. He was additionally unable to augment the attack on the right flank. With strong but lumbering centre-backs likely to fill that position many managers will be telling their left-wingers to unsettle the Hammers’ right-back.
3) Tomkins needs help and guidance
In a move eerily reminiscent of his failed back pass at home to Wolves last season, Tomkins narrowly avoided a defensive disaster against Villa. Under no pressure Tomkins decided to play a back pass with his weaker foot, making a feeble connection and allowing John Carew a free run at goal. As the striker tried to round Green, the keeper got a touch which bounced off Tomkins and hit the post. Despite the defensive strengths of the Basildon born youngster, this bore all the hallmarks of an unease and nervousness at the back. The player will require reassurance and training from the coaching staff but has scant support from experienced colleagues like Green and Matthew Upson. A dearth of communication in West Ham’s defence has not been rectified.
4) Cole remains isolated
Carlton Cole is occasionally accused of laziness but patently does not receive adequate service from his team-mates. This was abundantly clear in the first-half where he played the lone striker role to no avail. The midfield sat especially deep, meaning when Cole received the ball there was no one to bring into possession and build an attack. Clearly frustrated Cole created one of West Ham’s only chances in the first period by beating Richard Dunne for pace on the left before cutting into the box and firing a low cross across the face of goal. Unsurprisingly after all that work there was not a team-mate in sight. This was partially remedied by the introduction of Frederic Piquionne and Pablo Barrera for the second half. Few chances were created though and the ability of West Ham to use the width of the pitch and employ some more creative passing from the centre will be integral to Cole’s goal-scoring form this year. Fans will be hoping Thomas Hitzlsperger can make a swift recovery from a thigh injury sustained on international duty.
5) Pre-season counts for nothing
The Hammers were unbeaten in pre-season and recorded impressive victories over Borussia Monchengladbach and Panathinaikos. It was a broadly successful pre-season but their preparations did not resemble the weak performance against Villa. West Ham were sluggish, laboured and failed to find any passing rhythm. Neat one touch passing in their own half descended into directionless long balls forward. Much work will be required at Chadwell Heath if they are to give the home fans something to cheer when they face bogey side Bolton Wanderers next Saturday.
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