Edit: Apologies for how long this is, once I started typing I couldn't stop and didn't really recognise that I was writing a short essay
For 70 minutes we did almost everything right. We played on the front foot and actually tried to take the game to West Ham, which isn't what we had done in any of our previous 5 games. At times in the final third though we did just lack that extra bit of quality, for example Wes' poor attempt to square the ball to Jerome when we were 2 on 1 against Ogbonna. Ultimately though we did take 2 of our chances and once we got the 2nd I was genuinely confident that we could see it out. We had even been pretty solid defensively up until that point, with Klose and Bassong looking assured at the back. However for whatever reason we dropped deeper and deeper and once we conceded one goal we went completely to pot. That's the 2nd time in 3 home games that we've had a 2 goal cushion and ended up losing it, and to be honest, it's pathetic. If we want to remain in this league we can't afford to do that.
There are certainly positives to take but to end up drawing the game in the manor that we did was so disappointing. I understand that as a team in the bottom 3 when you are trying to defend a lead it's quite natural that nerves are going to kick in a bit, and naturally players will drop deeper. But it wasn't just that, our whole shape and defensive organisation suddenly just vanished at around the 70 minute mark. It's so frustrating to watch because we've just seen the same group of players defend competently and quite comfortably for the majority of the game, and yet when it really mattered, when West Ham were applying a bit more pressure, we look clueless defensively, and it has cost us. The first goal is a poor one to concede, but the 2nd is just ridiculous. Not only do 3 players all run towards the ball to make a challenge, leaving Payet to receive the ball in bags of space in behind, but there are about 5 players all standing within about 20 feet of each other inside the box, yet nobody just outside the area either tracking Noble's run or closing down his shot. Tracking midfield runners is something that I got taught how to do when I was a kid, the fact that these are professionals and yet they can't seem to manage it is bewildering. I imagine in the usual way that would be Tettey's job, and we undoubtedly missed him today.
On a more positive note though we were generally much improved today, particularly going forward. I really liked the positive team selection, and the positivity certainly paid off (for 70 minutes at least). Our front 4 really caused the West Ham back line problems. Jerome certainly offers us an extra dimension up front that Mbokani doesn't. He just gives us the option to knock it in behind, and his pace and strength was a constant threat. I thought he had a great game. Redmond was also so much more like the player we saw at the beginning of this season. He was actually running at players and trying to get the ball into the box, and he also provided a lovely little flick in the build up to Hoolahan's goal. He's still not quite at it yet but he's certainly better than he was. Hoolahan as well was excellent. Naismith wasn't in the game quite as much, though he did show the odd touch of class, particularly in the first half. He undoubtedly adds a little bit more quality to our attack.
As for the rest of the team, Klose and Bassong looked pretty solid on the whole, the latter in particular. Both were great in the air and Klose looked comfortable in possession as well. Brady was superb again, and scored a wonderful goal which came through him pressing well high up the pitch. Although it would be nice if he could hit the target when we get free-kicks within shooting range. Great to see Ruddy back and playing impressively as well. Made some really good saves and definitely inspires more confidence in the back four than Rudd does. Howson was alright but wasn't able to impact the game too much. I think he's at his best when Tettey's alongside him and he's allowed a bit more freedom. Decent performance though. O'Neil for me was a bit of a much of a muchness. Didn't really do anything significant and West Ham's midfield often found space in behind him. Martin was better than usual, but still poor. Hopefully now though once Tettey comes back in we will start to get a more settled, consistent team.
I don't think Alex Neil really could have done a lot more. Set the team up the right way and I think at 2-1 the change to sacrifice Naismith for Olsson was the right one, it was just unfortunate that a minute later West Ham attack down our other flank and equalise. Ultimately it was the 'game-management' as Bassong called it that let us down.
Nice to hear Neil say after the game as well that he'll set us up to be on the front foot and more offensive in every game from now on. That's certainly the way to go. At the end of the day I think we just need to accept that the defence and their 'game-management' isn't good enough, and therefore just go into each match with the intention of attacking and simply aiming to out-score the opposition rather than set up defensively with the aim to keep them out. If we go down then obviously it'll be a great shame, but at least we would've given it a real go and played to our strengths. Ultimately though, going into this game, I was expecting a loss to be honest. The point that we got today has lifted us above Newcastle out of the relegation zone. If we're in this exact same position come the end of the season then we would've achieved our main goal.
