In today’s West Ham United roundup, we take a look at what news has been doing the rounds for the Hammers. Glen Johnson has ripped into the players after the defeat to Oxford United in midweek, it has been revealed what Manuel Pellegrini said to his men post-defeat in the League Cup, and Rafael Benitez has weighed in on the top six debate.
Johnson slams players for ‘not being bothered’
Report: Former England international Johnson has slated the West Ham players for ‘not being bothered’ about the game against Oxford in the Carabao Cup. He told talkSPORT: “They’ve been battered. Yes, they made changes and obviously these competitions can kick up the odd strange result, but to be hammered 4-0… that’s not just exiting the competition, that’s getting battered and destroyed.
“If they lost on penalties or it was 1-0, you think yeah, that can happen in football, but they made nine changes and were clearly played off the park by a mid-table league one side.
“I genuinely don’t get it, it’s a chance of winning trophy and a chance of winning a trophy by February.
“Clubs use it to give young lads minutes and give players who aren’t regularly playing a game, but you can do that at the same time as taking the cup seriously. You can still field a strong side and give a few players a chance.
“But to make nine changes, I think that is blatantly saying, ‘we’re not bothered, we’re just going to keep everybody fit for the weekend’.”
Verdict: It is has been 40 years since West Ham last won a trophy, and this is now the third year in a row the Hammers have been knocked out of a domestic competition thanks to a League One side. Last year saw Wimbledon beat them 4-2 in the FA Cup and the year prior saw Wigan Athletic overcome David Moyes’ men 2-0 in the same competition.
Results like this happening on a consistent basis prove the club are not taking the League Cup as seriously as they should. Despite a potential fight for the top six on the cards, the reality is West Ham are going to struggle to get into Europe, and of course, winning the FA Cup is much harder than reigning supreme in Carabao Cup.
This is a competition Pellegrini should be prioritising. If his side does indeed crack the top six, it will no doubt be classed as a successful season. However, if West Ham ends up outside the top six, and without a trophy, it will be the complete opposite.
It is still, to this day, quite bewildering why clubs of their level do not set their eyes on winning this major trophy.
Benitez on the top six
Report: In a Q&A with The Athletic (as quoted by Inside Futbol), former Liverpool boss Benitez has had his say on the likes West Ham and Leicester City setting their sights on a challenge for the top six.
The current Dalian Yifang manager said: “We talk about ‘six teams’, but for me Leicester, West Ham, Wolves and Everton can progress and challenge.
“Again, I will say Tottenham have all the experience and quality to do well and to stay in the top four.”
Verdict: Although they had such a negative result against Oxford, the Hammers have indeed laid down an early marker in their fight for the top six in the Premier League. Despite the demolition from Manchester City on the opening weekend, Pellegrini’s men have not lost in the league since and most recently registered a famous win over Manchester United, in what was made to look like a routine 2-0 victory.
On the forward front, West Ham have looked very promising and have proved to be a concern for anybody travelling to the London Stadium. Sebastian Haller has three goals in his first five games at the club, Andriy Yarmolenko has bagged twice in the early stages, and Felipe Anderson has seemingly carried on his spectacular form of last season, averaging a rating of a 7.54 rating and providing two assists.
The east London side have certainly put themselves in a great spot early on for the top six battle. But perhaps the Hammers are going to need a bit of fortune along the way with injuries and results elsewhere.
Pellegrini’s dressing room rant
Report: As reported by Football Insider, manager Pellegrini delivered a passionate rant after he was left red-faced following the 4-0 hammering at the hands of Oxford. Normally a calm soul on the touchline, the Chilean reportedly slammed his players post-match for letting him down and was ‘seething’ at his men.
Verdict: When you lose to a side 12th in League One by such a dramatic margin, somebody must take the fall. In these situations, it is too easy to point fingers at the man in charge when in reality, it’s the players who are the ones who should take much of the blame.
Players such as Jack Wilshere, Pablo Zabaleta and Robert Snodgrass are all highly experienced, with some of them boasting of FA Cup and Premier League medals. Ultimately, players in the Premier League are paid more and put on a pedestal based on the fact their ability is far, far superior to a side 75 places below them in the football pyramid, and in reality, there is no excuse for losing to them.
Truthfully, it is harsh to put the blame on Pellegrini, especially considering he has put the club in an early battle for the top six. The Hammers had 63% of the ball against the U’s, registering only nine shots compared to Oxford’s 17, and when all is considered, the Chilean had a right to express his disappointment and anger towards his players for not getting the job done.