The Monday night trip to St. James Park, brought not only a welcome and much needed three points, but an audible sigh of relief as it appeared that for the first time this season we actually saw a sense of identity, style and work ethic firmly in place.
That’s not to say the performance was flawless. Far from it, but we rode the Geordie storm, benefitted from some woeful finishing and eventually ran out more than worthy winners. The vultures circling beleaguered boss Julien Lopetegui have returned to their nest. For now.No West Ham fan went into this game with any sense of optimism. ">Last week I appeared on NUFC Talk TV, trying to explain exactly why. The lack of harmony, ideas, plan, work rate, confidence, belief, I was expecting a three or four goal thumping. I feared our travelling support were in for a Sky TV assisted night of hell. How wrong I was. Never change, West Ham.
The post game stat the summed up a shift in attitude from our squad, was that we covered a combined 119km in the match. The second highest from any club in the top flight this season. This from a team, that prior to last night, had looked lackadaisical and bereft of fight for the entire season.
Effort alone does not win you games, but it goes a long way in countering the opposition and making life difficult for them. Getting the mechanics right, combine it with the undoubted talent we possess, then the plodding, meandering, inexcusable displays we’ve witnessed this season will surely fade.
What we witnessed was last night was a thoroughly professional display of counter-attacking football, inspired by Lucas Paqueta’s best performance in some time. We passed with intent, cohesion and incisiveness.
Paqueta, with the betting scandal weighing heavily on his shoulders, seemed free of burden. Working hard, tracking back, combined with imperious passing, most exemplified by the pass that started the move that Aaron Wan-Bissaka neatly finished. Alongside Carlos Soler, he finally showed the ability that had many in raptures when we clinched his signature. Intelligent, elegant and positive.
Amongst them, the sometimes lamented Tomas Soucek. What he may lack compared to his midfield comrades, he more than makes up with in terms of team ethic, effort and that sumptuous knack of scoring goals. The naysayers should look at the bigger picture. You rarely win with a full team of artisans. Sometimes you need the grafters and workhorses too.
Up front Michail Antonio produced possibly his best post international break performance. Bullish, aggressive, never letting Schar and Kelly settle. If only the officials could actually determine that near physical assault counts as a foul against our number 9 then maybe, just maybe we could see a fair and just game of association football.
Meanwhile Crysencio Summerville gave his best display in a West Ham shirt, while Jarrod Bowen produced a performance that made his international rival Anthony Gordon look like a fraud.
Defensively we at times looked suspect, but grew in stature and confidence. There’s a still a scary pass here and there, still an air of vulnerability when the ball is played in between the lines. But for the first time we looked able to learn from it and counter.
Even a change of personnel at centre back couldn’t derail us. The hosts cutting a hugely frustrated figure as they realised squandered early opportunities were ultimately the chances that could and should have knocked us aside. Max Kilman was the pick of the back line. Composed, strong and dominant.
It wasn’t perfect. But it was a great performance at a very difficult place to play. Lopetegui, who looked as if he’d spent countless late nights drinking sangria and sleeping on a bench over the Olympic Park, lives to fight on another day.
Despite my misgivings with him, I sincerely hope he turns it around and makes a success of the role. I want my club to be successful after all. It looked that the squad had galvanised and played for him. Long may it continue.
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