West Ham v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Eckybloke]

Just saw the last 20 minutes of each half so missed the good play at the start.  Like most of you guys sort of feeling a but.....meh about the whole thing.  There wasn't a huge desire to get things going but I think Lambert is a realist and knew this wasn't going to be turned around in 2 and a half months.

One thing I didn't like, was Vlaar knocking the ball over his head twice when he was facing the keeper.  I've seen some good defenders making a fool of strikers but generally always facing the direction of play so they see what's going on.  First time he did it I thought it was pretty cool, second time a few minutes later, I knew it was coming.  If I spotted he'd do it, you can bet some semi decent striker or midfielder will too.  Don't want the Concrete honeymoon to end because he ships a goal or two by trying to fanny about.

[Summers]

Well if MOTD highlights have taught me anything it's that we had possession once, and it was a Vlaar shot. Thanks BBC.

[Chipsticks]

Well if MOTD highlights have taught me anything it's that we had possession once, and it was a Vlaar shot. Thanks BBC.

Made us look a lot better than the comments on here did though.

[Percy McCarthy]

They're hardly likely to show us passing it well if nothing happens at the end of it.

[Summers]

They're hardly likely to show us passing it well if nothing happens at the end of it.

We had more shots than West Ham. And more on target.

They showed one.

[Percy McCarthy]

Fair enough.

[Louzie0]

What happened to the Concrete One's head?
He must be well 'ard,and well named then, if he played on all bandaged up with concussion!

[DeKuip]

First time I've been to West Ham for a while, when did they change the away section to the other end? I felt a right prat at the home turnstile with a Villa ticket!
It's a crying shame what they've done to that ground, it used to be one of my favourites, tight to the pitch and a cracking atmosphere. They've ripped the heart out of it  - nothing to lose by moving to the Olympic Stadium now.
As for the game, very disappointing but it'll take time to adjust to another new style of play. Keep the faith.

[villan from luton]

Just give him a chance to change the styles

[Ads]

Alladyce is a piss poor winner (and a shit loser).

Exposing us? Definite penalty? Black Heath tosser.

[ROBBO]

Playing friendlies doesn't givean accurate picture of where we're at after this game Lambert if he is the manager we hope he is will be much clearer as to what had to be done. One thing that stuck in my mind throughout the game was if you can't find a way to give Bent good service then you might as well sell him, we played so narrow there was never any room for him, not once in the whole game do i remember an attack down either wing. We have to give Lambert time and Lerner has to give Lambert financial backing, if no new players come in before the start of the season we will be relegated.

[JD]

Good post Robbo. I agree, we had no width, we didn't get behind West Ham and get in any crosses. Bent must have been very frustrated with today, no support at all. That was very frustrating to watch.
Charles N'Zog was totally ineffective, as was Holman (although I will give Holman more time as he may have still been carrying a knock).
If I was Lerner I would give Lambert money to sign a winger who can beat players and deliver a cross. Maybe Phillips from Blackpool? We desperately need someone creative.   
 

[Matt Collins]

I've not seen any of the highlights yet. I always thought we'd lose this. Still disappointed obviously. It sounds like we were decent in possession but largely ineffective. We'll have more games like this as we try to adjust. We MUST give Lambert time.

One tactical point: I've been convinced for a while that you either need to play someone up front with bent who can receive the ball back to goal, or you need to be excellent in possession and creativity behind him so that he can literally only contribute with penetrative runs. The latter route is very hard for a club not spending money, especially in England where the game lends itself to playing off the front man so much. But lambert I clearly a clever guy. I think he'll work it out

We could be Liverpool or QPR fans too!

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

Playing friendlies doesn't givean accurate picture of where we're at after this game Lambert if he is the manager we hope he is will be much clearer as to what had to be done. One thing that stuck in my mind throughout the game was if you can't find a way to give Bent good service then you might as well sell him, we played so narrow there was never any room for him, not once in the whole game do i remember an attack down either wing. We have to give Lambert time and Lerner has to give Lambert financial backing, if no new players come in before the start of the season we will be relegated.

We're down already then;-)

[brian green]

As this season begins to unfold I still have nagging doubts about the younger players in which we have invested so much faith and hope.

The younger players did not get us surging up the table last season, the harsh reality is that they were less bad than the overpaid senior players and just about dodged the relegation bullet.

What Paul Lambert must do, and I am totally sure he is doing it, to see just how good Herd and Baker and Clark and Lichaj and Gardner and Bannan and Albrighton and Weimann are and if they are potential Sids or Littles to nurture them and if they are potential Luke and Stefan Moores they have to go and we have to buy players of adequate quality to win regularly in the Premiership.

These next few weeks are make or break time for the team and for the fans.