Match Thread West Ham V Liverpool

[jozza800]

Everyone always thinks that about Macca and he links a lot of our play and creates or releases players to, but everyone forgets that if he gets caught on the ball a couple of times because no-one’s showing for him

It's the other way round 19 (although he was better than he has been recently). Watch how frequently he's stood behind an opposition player. He doesn't move enough or find space very well. Though to be fair, that can be said of most of the team in the last few months (as you have mentioned).

If Grav doesn't drive into midfield or do his Grav turn to get out, then we really struggle to progress the ball forward from the backline.

Mac was superb last season up until the last 6 weeks, but he's struggling this season, and it's really hindering the way we play.

When your midfield 'controller' doesn't want the ball it's going to be difficult.

[Steveo]

One game at a time. See where it takes us.

Don’t count up any points on paper. People looking at a so called ‘easier’ run of fixtures must surely know that football doesn’t work like that by now…

Isak’s finish yesterday shows me he is nearing fitness. Nearing the comfort zone with his team mates and that they are now growing accustomed to his movement. It’s a much better finish than has been credited imo. It’s a sign of things to come.. At least I hope.

One swallow doesn’t make a summer BUT is it a coincidence that both Florian and Alexander both hit much higher levels finally…. ? despite it being - imo - a tough away fixture..

Yes Bowen should score to make it 1:1 late on BUT - we can cling to the fact that it was their only chance..

Lots and lots of improvements are clearly still needed - and it’s a crying shame Ekitike has had his form checked to accommodate another, but we seem to be formulating (at last) some kind of an attacking threat… It’s not going to punch too many holes into the back line of the top sides - but it’s a start.

Sunderland up next at Anfield.. That will show us plenty. Were we on the upward trajectory vs the Hammers - or - were they simply gash..?

We get to see mid week.

[jr81]

Isak made some good runs and the ball never arrived early enough. I think we need to start delivering the ball into the area much quicker for him as he does get off the mark quick and ahead of his markers.

[Nineteenx]

It's the other way round 19 (although he was better than he has been recently). Watch how frequently he's stood behind an opposition player. He doesn't move enough or find space very well. Though to be fair, that can be said of most of the team in the last few months (as you have mentioned).

If Grav doesn't drive into midfield or do his Grav turn to get out, then we really struggle to progress the ball forward from the backline.

Mac was superb last season up until the last 6 weeks, but he's struggling this season, and it's really hindering the way we play.

When your midfield 'controller' doesn't want the ball it's going to be difficult.

Maybe he’s doing what he should be doing, actually picking up a man staying with him and looking g to move off him into space when it opens up to do so

Like the rest of the team should be doing

This 5 or 6 players ahead of the ball trying to g to be in space for the next nothing, pointless 5 yard pass who in doing so are blocking are own lines, crowding each other out and leaving us wide open on the counter and our defence exposed with runners and no pressure on the ball is the problem

It’s how we lost so many games

See Arsenal’s equaliser yesterday, Saka given too much time to put it on Merino’s head and for him to move between 2 defenders, if the ball’s right it can be impossible for a CB to defend because the mids and full back haven’t done their jobs, but we just blame the CB