As always when one loses, the players that aren't in the team look good.

The only problem is that when those two specifically have played this season, neither pulled up any trees.

In my book, taking luck out of the result, that game is a 2-9 West Ham. We lucked out.

Well, that was a horrible watch. The score did not reflect the game. Fair play to West Ham, in form and well set up by Moyes who has weeded out the expensive flops.

On our side I think there are problems in many areas but specifically down the middle. Up top Benteke just doesn't hold the ball up well enough for a player of his size. In the middle, Luka and MacArthur are consistently overrun. That exposes a central defence that rarely has the same two players alongside one another. And whatever the combination, all are injury prone and past their best.

Unforced errors and substandard passing has increasingly crept into our game. West Ham pressed effectively last night but there were too many occasions where our players gave the ball away cheaply.

I think the rest of the season is going to be grim. I still think and I certainly hope that there are three worst teams than us.

Old, Ungifted and White

There are problems in all areas of the team. Cahill was badly at fault on the first goal he was too far away from the play on the right and left a gap for Antonio to run into. Both centre backs were too blame for the second. Cahill looks out of form and has been poor on his return from injury. Where is Tomkins his our best centre back?

McArthur is excellent in midfield and covers every blade of grass but Milivojevic is not contributing much. We need a ball player who can hold the ball like Cabaye who has not been replaced.

Beneteke improvement has fizzled out and shouldn’t start. Wilf is effective in the centre but better on the wing. Eze could be given central striker role as a poacher with Bats providing the pace with Wilf. I like Ayew because he works hard but he is not quick or good enough as a striker and the wing is not his position. Townsend should be able to cut it but he was poor last night. We’re missing Schlupp who is better on the wing.

Let's not forget the culpability of Guaita.
For the first goal he is standing way outside the near post instead of more centrally.
For the second, instead of coming out being positive and making himself 'Big' he just flopped down and was beaten at his near post.
Arguably he should have come for the cross for the third goal.
"Muy malo"

Edited by Willo (27 Jan 2021 11.12am)

My nan would be a better option than Townsend and she passed away 30 years ago .