Where to start with that. West Ham capitulated in the second half, shipping three goals and then losing Mohammed Kudus to a dumb red card borne out of weeks of growing frustration. Spurs could have had eight, to be honest, we were that bad.
Who’d have thought that Lucas Paquetá would have been a liability in his current circumstance and should have been sitting those one out.
Who’d have thought Michail Antonio would run out of steam and be walking by half time.
Who’d have thought Mohammed Kudus would be on a short fuse after being destroyed in the last few weeks across media in Ghana and spent all season playing out of position for West Ham.
If ever there was a case for resting a couple of those starters, today was it. Or, at worst, watching the first 45 minutes and then ringing the changes. As it was, in the second half West Ham reverted to classic Moyes, back-pedalling and defending on their own 18 yard line and booting everything aimlessly upfield. It was achingly clear that the half time changes were made fifteen minutes too late: Even as the substitutes were being prepared the goals started going in as the lack of forward pressing or trying to win the ball back combined with a retreating defence got caught out.
So, by the time West Ham’s substitutes were ready, we’d gone 3-1 down.
Puzzling as normally Lopetegui is swift to make the changes. Why Paquetá – already on a yellow and losing possession all over the pitch even reappeared at half time – only the head coach knows. Fair enough starting him, but seeing what we all watched – Soler should have been on at half time.
Watching Antonio start the second half by walking instead of tracking back was frustrating. It isn’t his fault, he played 80 minutes on Tuesday before travelling back – but why he appeared after half time – probably because we don’t have an alternative.
Mohammed Kudus getting a dumb red card at least means for three games we will finally see Summerville start – which many have been calling for: Irony!
There’s plenty of time to point the finger and assign the blame but for now I’m just like every Hammers fan – dejected and disappointed with that capitulation.
