I think we were watching the same game mate. For me Antonio has looked like a busted flush since before last Christmas. No coincidence imo that's when our form dropped off a cliff. I would see his future now as an impact sub to make use of his strength and power coming on against a tiring defence to try and change a game that needs changing. He is way below the necessary standard required of a regular first team choice imo.Cuenca 'ammer wrote: ↑Sat Jul 23, 2022 10:16 pm I guess I'm in the minority but thought that Johnson was awful at CB. at least twice he got SO tight to his opponent and was turned easily........
agree, he's not played a lot there, and was really pushed into it by us being short on CB's but sorry not for me...
Arthur was Arthur.
Antonio was Antonio in pre season. was easier to score than miss but he accomplished it "with aplomb" as they say. now he'll more than likely stick 2 past City, such is he..
good to see Tommy back to form, pinged a few nice balls around and a good header for the goal.
in a 5 I honestly can't see where Benni fits in. he looked completely all at sea.
Vlasic looked good again, and was unlucky with that shot the keeper saved and better timing by Mike would have seen an easy tap in.
Covenetry looked the same pre season last year and went out on loan. he's kind of a "tweener" to me, niether one thing or the other. decent kid it seems and a decent player but the PL might be a step too far.
Downes wasn't on long enough to make an impression.
not quite sure to make of Ashby. looked okay but I honestly hope we don't persevere with 3 at the back. doesn't suit us
Zouma was absolutely awful. got beaten easily time and time again, that one where the bloke got in behind and a PL forward Shirley put that away.
no questions answered here really. quite why we never gave Oko Flex minutes I have no idea, or did he come on and I missed it ?
watched the first half, went out and then the 2nd when I got back much later so it was a bit chop and change for me.
Coventry is, imo, worth keeping as a squad player. Probably, as you say, not good enough for a regular slot but capable enough to go on in the event of an injury or to give someone a rest in the last 20 minutes or so. Looks a neat and tidy player but, like Cullen a year or so back, lacking that cutting edge to propel him to the next stage. Would rather see him than a Kral Mark II on the bench this season.
Okoflex didn't come on, you didn't miss it, and I'm guessing it was because he played for the Under 21s in the game against Stevenage on Friday. Ogbonna played in that too which presumably is why he wasn't involved yesterday.
Agree with you about Zouma. His worst game in a West Ham shirt imo. But I was very impressed with the big lump up front Luton started with. Adebayo I think his name is. And I'm not going to be too critical of Ashby. Puzzling to see a promising RB given a role on the left of midfield.