The over riding impression from that West Ham performance was that there – finally was a team that would run for their manager, for the team, for the crowd and for the shirt. Probably more noticeable only because it has been absent for months, the desire and determination to dig in and run to the end was back. And the crowd, and I, loved every minute of it.
Not a classic but a scrap. Without six first teamers it was never going to be a performance of classical beauty.
To see Alvarez closing down, Paquetá running and closing too, full of energy even in the 95th minute, was a breath of fresh air.
Mavropanous too, committed and fighting as did Kilman alongside him.
Finally there seems a spirit in the team that saw them through. A month ago, that same eleven would have folded and probably lost 3-2 instead of carving out a win and three points.
And that is the difference. The tactical changes can be picked apart in detail later, the altered deployment of Soucek, the late subs and reorganisation of the left sided defence to cope with the speed of Traore – well done indeed, head coach.
Potter has achieved something which David Moyes, Manuel Pellegrini and Julen Lopetegui could not, by winning his first Premier League fixture. The challenge is to make that amount of effort the norm.
Improvements will come, West Ham will play with greater skill and style. Players will come back from injury.
But the commitment is back. COYI!
