The odd thing about playing Carrol in this 3-4-2-1, is the lack of obvious width to provide crosses in to the box. Sure Masuaku will look to get forward and regularly get to the byline, however from there I think it's much more effective pulling the ball back to oncoming midfielders or strikers with...

Aside from most of the obvious negatives already highlighted in this thread, I found the result today doubly disappointing given how awful Newcastle looked at the back. They were at absolute panic stations every time the ball was anywhere near their 18 yard box. They were there for the taking today ...

The thing that stands out for me is his Maturity and Confidence. In what is the most unforgiving of positions to blood a youngster, amongst a team who's confidence levels must have been low and who contrive to give away soft, early goals it would have been easy to see his head drop, particularly aft...

If only he weren't on the pitch for that crucial 2nd goal.. I get that goals are important and he played his part in the 2nd goal. But that was literally his only positive contribution all game. If you watch our other games this season it's been similar too. If we aspire to be better than what we h...

Carroll was out on his feet last 15/20 minutes. Pretty much played as an auxiliary DMC. While they didn't particularly trouble us in that spell we were unbelievably deep with absolutely no out ball. I was crying out for Bilic to bring somebody on for him who could at least chase the ball down and tr...

As already commented his first half performance was absolutely shameful. Amongst the worst I have seen in a West Ham shirt, and I include the strike pairing of Mike Newell and Steve Jones in that. Yes, he played a part in Ayew's 2nd goal but in truth I don't think his 2nd half performance was much, ...

Defence sitting dangerously deep.

Would like to get the line up 10-15 yards.

Just inviting pressure

Unbelievable!

quote="Crouchend_Hammer"]At least Ayew moves. He passes it and then is off. And he makes runs in the box[/quote] Pardew blamed Ayew's movement for the reason Carroll doesn't move. Ayew then involved in our next best attempt of the night.[/quote] Agreed, I was actually thinking first half A...

Carroll only ever attacking the back post is bloody infuriating. Made doubly worse against 3 at the back meaning Cresswell has to miss all 3 CBs. Was a good flat,pacy delivery and he’s always hiding behind 2 CBs at least. As I type Ayew scores. Get in! Let’s see some passion and make a game of this ...

We sit in the BMU, and for the 2nd goal I was convinced at the time that Reid should have dealt with what was at the time a simple hoof downfield by either heading it back to Hart or taking a touch and passing it back to Hart. Instead he tried a ridiculous sort of half-header in to the path of Obian...

Following Jinxed post could it be Fellaini? Has played up front in the past, Man Utd signing Matic pushes him fitter down the pecking list and only a year left on his contract keeps any fee reasonable. For what it's worth I'm not advocating his signing, I don't particularly like his style of play an...

I can't see why Iheanacho is being counted as the same level as someone like Giroud or Carroll. On the face of it i agree with you, but West Ham don't spend £20m+ on potential. If he does sign he will be expected to lead the line in Carroll's absence i believe. Also in order to attract him in the f...

It's definitely feasible that we could play 4-diamond-2 or that we could play 3-5-2/3-4-1-2. Of course it's feasible but Bilic hasn't shown much inclination to play anything other than 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 with us, and i think i'm right in saying he often played a lone striker with Croatia and Beskit...

The reason we won't sign 2 of Giroud, Iheanacho or Batshuayi is because all 3 want to leave their current club for first team football. If we are to have any hope of signing one of them we will need to convince them they will be the lead striker in what all evidence would point towards is a 1 man st...

Firstly, I think players of the age, profile and recent history of the likes of Henry Onyekuru are exactly the type which have worked out well for us in recent years. Players in the £5m-£10m bracket, who've shown potential, are a good age and have had plenty of recent first team football. Can see a ...

RE : Josh King It's difficult to disagree with anyone who says King's goals this year might be a purple patch, based on his previous stats, and that it would be prudent to give him another 6-12 months to see if he can reproduce that kind of goalscoring form again. Unfortunately, if he were to replic...

I noticed that M'baye Niang rejected the opportunity to join Watford at the end of his loan deal. I thought he showed enough glimpses in a very poor and defensive Watford team that he had what it takes to be a successful squad player in this league and at the rumoured £13.5 fee represents decent val...

Lots of reports across today's papers about Defoe and his rumoured £100-£115k wage demands. Coupled with a 3 year contract and £6m signing on fee, we have got to stay well clear. £100k a week = £15m across a 3 year contract with no chance of recouping any of that via a transfer fee. If we are to hav...

Stand out Nordveit moment for me was around the 64th min I think. For once he'd actually done all right winning the ball back in our defensive third. Only to spend so long dithering on it that he fell over the ball when pressed and Liverpool were immediately at our defence again. There's a few comme...