Criticism across the world of punditry comes thick and fast for those teams at, or near the foot of the Premier League. Sometimes we don’t need ‘expert’ opinions and can all see for ourselves when players are out of form out just plain out of their depth.
West Ham’s summer free agent recruited under a shroud of melodramatic secrecy, Guido Rodriguez, was designed to bolster the Hammers midfield with his huge experience.
However, he has looked short of fitness and pace since arriving in the summer. Whether it is another case of ‘not enough pre-season’ or just that he is not suited to the ‘extra pace’ of the Premier League, Rodriguez looked slow and ponderous in most of his early contributions.
I actually thought he covered well for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the first half against Tottenham, several times sliding in to prevent Spurs firing in crosses. As a tactic though, we’ve already discussed the ill-judged strategy of pushing both full backs so far up the pitch that our slow midfield – Soucek and Rodriguez’s shortcomings were woefully exposed.
Talksport’s Tom Rennie writing on his TwitterX account didn’t hold back with his forthright opinion of the Argentinian:”
“I’ve seen milk turn faster.
“Slow, poorly positioned, needs a Caicedo type next to him to get the best of him.”
Rodriguez – short on fitness or past-it now?
Might be unkind, but maybe the time has come for Lopetegui to learn a few painful truths. ‘That” midfield from last week is a slow, creativity-free liability.
Any four defenders unlucky enough to be selected to play behind them will struggle to keep a side at bay for a full ninety minutes if the opposition stroll through a toothless, paceless midfield.
Rodriguez certainly looks well below the standard West Ham require to compete in the Premier League: I’m surprised he left Real Betis, to be honest, unless someone gave him the tap on the shoulder to warn him that his time was up.
