paq has been the key issue his season, instead of creating chances he is giving the ball away and it's not when we are in the opposition 3rd trying to create something but deep while our players are pushing for the counter, he invariable gets caught in possession which is why you see so many of these CRAZY counters - it's almost always paq doing something stupid the biggest criticism for lop right now is NOT the TACTICS but his persistent selection of PAQUETA in general, poor analysis, you missed the key reasons how, when and why these counters happen and comparing a new everything to a seasoned 500m moyes squad trained over 3-4 years is a false comparison, not to mention west ham had the 2nd toughest start this season also moyes went on to lose the next 3 fixtures tbf it's wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too early to pass serious judgement on lop, completely new squad, new manager, polar opposite tactics, it takes time, it would help if he doesn't destroy all the good work he's doing by picking paqueta who is just not mentally right to play atm
while a a lot of criticism is valid, I think it's worth noting that it's somewhat silly to just compare "this point last season" without context for fixtures played. Really, when you compare the fixtures directly, it's not too bad, Aston Villa (H) last season they drew 1-1, this season they lost 2-1: so -1pt and -1GD Palace (A) last season they lost 5-2, this season they won 2-0, so +3pts and +5GD City (H) results are the exact same, 1-3 loss, no change Fulham (A) shifts from being a 5-0 loss to a 1-1 draw, +1pt, +5 GD Chelsea (H) shifts from being a 3-1 win last season to a 3-0 loss, so -3pts, -5GD Brentford (A) shifts from a 3-2 loss to a 1-1 draw, so +1pt, +1GD Switching out Ipswich Town with their equivalent of Burnley (2nd worst relegated vs 2nd best promoted): you shift from a 2-2 draw with Burnley (H) to a 4-1 win over Ipswich, +3pts, +3gd and Tottenham (A) goes from being a 2-1 win to a 4-1 loss. -3pts, -3gd End result: +1pt and +5GD... not exactly end of the world stuff...
@@Omnipotentmonkey I completely agree with you and also considering the start of last season and November were the only good parts of the season. I honestly feel we’ve improved, the defence is much the same but going forward I feel we carry more threat and have just been a bit unlucky so far. There are still fairly sizeable issues of course but I think we are gradually moving on from the major issues we had under Moyes.
You’re right, context needs to be taken into account and in truth the goal difference variance between the two seasons isn’t that bad, it was just a further yard stick at the time for me to illustrate what I believe to be a regression in form. Thanks for watching and for the context!👍
From a West Ham fan this is a perfect analysis of why it’s going wrong. This high risk no reward football we’re playing just isn’t working. Don’t know why he is still doing the same thing when we’ve played the same way since pre season and it hasn’t worked since then. If he doesn’t change he’ll be gone by December
It’s definitely a concern, but a positive I would look to is Lopetegui is a good coach, I don’t think anyone is disputing that, but the balance clearly isn’t there. In time I am sure he will find a way to sort out the problems and get West Ham progressing👍 Thanks for watching mate!
if you had Rueben Amorim you think West Ham will be playing the same I think not because most of these guys played under Moyes and they still were playing very well it seems that Loptegui is out of depths personally it's not that this team is indvidualistic but in fact it has to due with loptuegi not finding the very neccessary balance for the team despite the talent that they have if Lopetgui used Alvarez as a destroyer soler as that BBM and Paqueta as that playmaker you are having a good midfield and then Wan-Bissaka can play Kyle walker role instead of bombing up the field where he is out of his depths in terms of style and then you can use emerson as that free role wing back/ inverted-wingback you already have good base for your team. Lopetegui is just doing too much in terms of the team he already has
I completely agree with what you’re saying, I think Lopetegui is trying too much and not realising that in doing so he in unbalancing the team, the changes you suggest are good ones, hopefully Lopetegui implements some of them soon👍. Thanks for watching mate!
Hello Z! I’m a Hammers supporter and this was great analysis of West Ham’s issues. I feel we generally have good players, but as you alluded, the player profiles for J Lo’s desired tactics probably aren’t right nor appropriate. Hopefully they will fix things soon. I’ll try and look at your other videos for the other clubs’ tactics, etc. Bye for now !
Hello ArchAngel! Thanks for your kind words! I hope they fix things and turn it around soon too. I’m sure with some different tactics and a role shift or two they can find a winning formula. Thank you! I hope you enjoy😊 Thanks for watching and for the great comment mate!
Absolutely bang on, we don’t have the players that are fit enough or dynamic enough to run a box to box midfield. With the players we have we need to shut shop & play 4,4,2 several more transfers are needed to play with high press wingbacks.
Completely agree mate. I think unfortunately to play the way Lopetegui ideally wants, a few more transfers are required. In the mean time it doesn’t have to be 4-4-2 but something that might get them to be a bit more measured, especially in possession where they don’t have to be as committed to going forwards and just balance out the side a bit. I’m sure Lopetegui will make the correct changes in time. Thanks for watching mate!
@@ZekkoFootball I’m not so sure, I think his days are numbered, he’s been working with the majority of these players for 5 months now, we don’t seem to have a clue what our direction & formation is. I’m extremely disappointed that what on the face of it looked like an excellent transfer window is performing so badly 🫧🏰⚒️
Yeah, that was really good analysis on a complex issue where a number of things aren't quite right. On transition, it's not only the midfield... sometime our wingers play so high the opposing wingbacks also have loads of free space. Many times, both Paqueta and Soucek end up near the box on a turnover, and it places Rodriguez in a really isolated position. And he simply doesn't have the pace to cut things off... but the same goes for Alvarez. On attack, Paqueta has been atrocious at times in maintaining possession and progressing the ball to the final third... and our wide forwards tend to be too direct and dribbly when they do get the ball. And I don't even want to talk about our striker situation. The biggest problem though is that Lopetegui isn't adjusting our structure to the talent he has on hand. Nor is he replacing players the have shown very poor form. He just keeps doing the same thing... as you well discovered. Instead of trying to force the structure, I'd prefer that we employ an extra fullback low (AWB perhaps or even Mavropanos) on attack. More like a 3-2-5 versus the 4-1-4-1 we've been running in practice with the fullbacks playing very (too) high. Our mids need to continue to work on improving progressive passing. Perhaps there should be more of Soler and Alvarez and less of Paqueta (poor form) and Soucek (bad at passing). In the January window, we really need to find a runner in midfield and a reliable striker.
I think the Lopetegui stubbornness is a really interesting issue, he must see these issues that you’ve mentioned brilliantly but yet is not correcting anything. Can completely understand why any West Ham fan would be frustrated. Nevertheless, he is a good coach and I’m sure in time he will make changes to try and prevent the issues from happening. I like your system you suggested and think it would benefit them to try it. Thanks for watching and for the great detailed breakdown👍
You could also have highlighted more that Lopetegui likes the full-backs to push up extremely high to create overloads wide. That requires the attackers to not lose possession, and a defensive midfielder with pace to get across and cover the gap behind the full-backs, but Rodriquez and Alvarez aren't quick and our forwards - Bowen, Kudus, Antonio and Paqueta - all like to run at players, take risks, rather than play safe patient passes. That was OK under Moyes, especially when we had Rice to cover, as when they lost the ball our defence was in place behind them. But none on those players suit Lopetegui's style, and nor does Wan-Bissaka, who is great defensively but not so much going forward. Yet Lopetegui seems dogmatic about sticking to his system. I think Lopetegui probably needs to go. Steidten is hinting that Sullivan appointed J-Lo against his advice, which might explain things.
You’re right, I definitely could have highlighted that more, an explanation for the imbalance with their defensive structure. It’s not looking great right now, I personally wasn’t aware of the differences around hiring Lopetegui from board level. At the end of the day, Lopetegui is still a good coach and I’m sure he’s aware of these issues, hopefully in time he can fix them and get West Ham back again👍. Thanks for watching mate!
End of the day, Lop wasnt the manager that our DOF or fans wanted, Sullivan got him in because he was free, his playstyle is identical to Moyes which doesn't work for the premier league, you ship too many goals playing that way and with the midfield we have with no pace and the fact none of them press then its just going to get worse and worse. Along with that we STILL do not have a decent striker is boggling beyond all belief, players still played out of position (kudus on the left, soucek as a 10) It's no wonder we're struggling.
It’s a real concern, I wonder whether the players will stick with this if they’re being played out of position so much. There’s definitely a lot to fix but to his credit, Lopetegui is a good coach and will most likely be aware of these issues, so hopefully in time he can fix them.👍 Thanks for watching mate!
You didn't compare like for like games and missed the glaring stat of Goal Saves. 2.8 this season/4.5 last season. Areola's blistering form was the reason we got so many points early last season.
This is a really good shout around saves made my Areola, too form last season and difficulty of opposition definitely needs to come into account. A concern for me would be contrast between the profile of players and the style of play being implemented, leaving the issues I mentioned. Thanks for watching mate!
Subbing Luton for Ipswich and everything else being equal fixtures, last season record 3-1-4 (10 pts) vs 2-2-4 (8 pts). Last season 14 goals for vs 11 this season. Last season 20 goals against vs 15 this season. Last season avg goals for 1.75 vs this season 1.375. Last season avg goals against 2.5 vs this season 1.875. Last season avg possession 35.875% vs this season 45.375%. Last season beat chelsea and tottenham but lost badly to crystal palace and fullham. This season lost to chelsea and tottenham but beat crystal palace and drew fulham which seems more reasonable. In conclusion, Lop doesn't have his style imprinted on the team yet but seems to be trying to change the style while Moyes was very defensive/pragmatic yet inconsistent but managed to get the players up for the big games.
Why would you sub Luton for Ipswich? they're the only one that doesn't make sense. makese more sense to swap in the team that came up 2nd from top in the Championship (Ipswich) for the team that came 2nd from bottom to switch places with them (Burnley) or the team that came 2nd from top in the Championship the previous season (Sheffield Utd)
I completely agree with you, especially with your conclusion, I too believe that Lopetegui is trying to change things, saw that in not only the games they played but also with the underlying data that didn’t make it into the vid. My concern however is the profile of players and whether they fit the style of play Lopetegui wants, not being able to implement his style could also be seen as the players not suited to that method of play, which is leaving the issues I mentioned. I’m sure Lopetegui will keep going though and hopefully get West Ham winning👍 Thanks for the great comment and for watching mate!
You’re absolutely right, I should have included a like for like as the difficulty of opposition could skew results. I still feel that the overall point I was making is valid though, with regards to style of play, profile of players and the struggle that Lopetegui is having with his side and balance. Thanks for watching mate!
our recruitment was nonsensical, none of makes sense when building an entire team - the only thing lop can do at this point is make us more compact and sit in a mid block - you cant do much else with that midfield
Completely agree, it’s almost like the plan wasn’t there when they bought the players in the window because the midfield is severely lacking at the moment for the play-style that Lopetegui wants to impose. Hopefully they improve soon. Thanks for watching mate!
I know it’s difficult to replace Declan Rice but we haven’t come close to finding someone with his leadership skills, reading of the game or Stamina, the other thing that worries me is the refusal to try other formations like 442 or 3 at the back, thank you for your good analysis.
Yup agree our midfield is ass, also our wingers in Bowen and Kudus aren't being flexible enough for the way Lopetegui wants to play. Our team is way to static on the build up play, and we are not immediate pressing when we lose the ball which is style of Lopetegui. Can he improve ? Yes. Its more than clear that our best midfield 3 is Alvarez, Soler, Paqueta. Also think that Kudus getting a red card would suit for us. Finally to stop relying on individuals and to play as team. If you go back to Lopetegui's spells at Spain and Sevilla you can see we are nowhere near that style. Not just Manager, players also needs to step up. Too much selfishness of players is ruining us.
Completely agree with what you’ve said, a lot of things need to change for Lopetegui’s style to be correctly implemented and a lot of that comes from the players and how they implement the tactics. I definitely think they can improve and there’s still a long way to go in the season. Fingers crossed they get it right🤞 Thanks for watching mate!
You're here celebrating your player getting a red card. Funny people😏. "Finally play as a team"?🤣🤣🤣, have you seen how teams run through your midfield like the red sea and how shaky your defence is. If you think Kudus is your problem then you have an issue upstairs😏
They have, and that’s partially why I haven’t been too harsh, that being said, fixtures aside, the way they are playing has some very big problems and if not changed will possibly only get worse. Thanks for watching mate!
While I definitely think the pace in the midfield is a big factor, I also feel that the shape is an issue, having the wingbacks so high means the midfield naturally just needs to be a bit more measured and that’s not the case. Leaving the 3/4 that I mentioned exposed is both a shape and a personnel problem imo. Often times they go hand in hand. Thanks for watching mate!
Thanks for making this video Zekko. I requested it in the last video you uploaded and once again you’ve outdone yourself with your analysis. As a West Ham fan myself, I really do hope we turn it around soon as this season could have a large impact on our FFP if we don’t get into Europe
You’re very welcome mate!👍 Thank you!❤️ I hope West Ham can turn it around as well, hopefully with a couple changes they can. It’s a long season so there’s still time, I’ll be watching and hoping🤞 Thanks for watching and the amazing support mate!❤️
No, that’s not my point at all. My point is that there isn’t much difference between the performance of both sides at the moment, and the style of play isn’t benefitting them in terms of performances and results and if anything, is exposing them in an entirely new way. Thanks for watching mate!
They’re going through a tough time right now, clearly not where they want to be and the problems that they’ve got aren’t easily fixable with the 11 they are using, but in time I reckon they’ll come good. Thanks for watching mate!
