Hammers humiliated by high flying Newcastle at London Stadium
Hope everyone is safe and well.
There was nothing positive to take from this result and performance that showed clearly the issues we have as a team.
Although the Hammers seemed to be in the match at 2-1, a second half performance from Newcastle highlighted the many. Issues we currently have as team.
The result certainly piles pressure onto David Moyes and the fans are now openly turning against a manager who has brought European football to the club in successive seasons and potentially a chance for some silverware.
Callum Wilson and Joelinton had the visitors ahead within the first 15mins and it was Kirt Zouma who managed to put us back into contention with a powerful header from a Bowen corner, but defensive errors undid any recovery the Hammers showed before the half time whistle.
The Hammers started brightly but within minutes saw the visitors race into a 2 goal lead through two defensive weaknesses. Kehrer heading behind for a Newcastle corner for their first goal and then the whole defensive line beaten by a single Fabian Schar long ball to the on running Joelington as Emerson played him onside.
A brief respite before half time with Zouma’s headed goal could not paper over the cracks in the second half as Aguerd fluffed a rolled ball from Fabianski that allowed Murphy to steal the ball and square for Wilson to tap in.
But the biggest shambles was saved for the fourth goal as Fabianski came out of his area and miscontrolled a long ball that saw Isak lob the ball into an open net.
The stadium was emptying and for good reason, this performance was abject and there was no fight, desire more effort to lift the crowd as Joelington score Newcastles fifth goal in the final minutes of the match.
Newcastle are dreaming of Champions League with their fourth straight victory and Moyes must now surely be looking over his shoulder and wondering if he will be yet Premier League manager to be given their P45 this season.
The owners have said there is no suitable alternative at the moment, and you would understand why – who would want to come and manage a team given their form and struggles to stay in the Premier League.
European trophy and more European football under the lights next season would be little comfort to a team fighting to get back into the Premier League if we end up being relegated.
WE have to hope there are 3 teams worse than us this season and Moyes seems unable to rally the team nor change his mindset on the team selection and tactics. We have struggled for some time now and although it is welcome the owners seem patient instead of relying on an endless treadmill of replacements, we look in deep trouble and the final games of the season are going to depend more on the results from other teams that our own form going into the closing stages of what would surely prove to be Moyes final season in charge.
Hope you enjoy the photos from the match.
Take care
Dawud
From the Stands 