Lukasz Fabianksi and West Ham United blasted by Sky Sports pundit in first half vs Brentford
Tony Gale took aim at West Ham United keeper Lukasz Fabianksi and the whole defence for their slack play, allowing Brentford to take full advantage to score the opener in Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium.
On commentary duty for Australian broadcaster Optus Sport, the Sky Sports pundit stated that West Ham were “dragged all over the place” as Bryan Mbeumo slotted the ball under the Hammers man to make it 1-0 to the Bees in the 20th minute of the game.
David Moyes’ side went into the game knowing that a win would confirm their Premier League status for another season, just three days after taking a positive step toward the Europa Conference League final with a first-leg victory over AZ Alkmaar.
Speaking on the world feed match commentary [14 May 14:21], Gale responded to the game’s first goal.
“West Ham got dragged all over the place, here,” he said.
“It was a big overload on the side, past Emerson in the left-back spot.
“They give it away needlessly in the midfield area, that’s a poor ball and that’s what Brenford are looking for with the transition.
“Maybe Fabianksi could have got a bit closer, as the ball seemed to go under him.”
Work to do
The Hammers will be disappointed with the first half in this game against Brentford, but the exertions of Thursday night do need to be taken into account.
Two further games remain in order to get the last points required to be sure of Premier League survival but at this stage, it is virtually guaranteed.
They will want to get it done as soon as possible, of course, but there is no rush with the European commitments in mind.
With the likes of Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, and Said Benrahma on the bench for Sunday’s trip across London, the consequence was felt in the first half of the game which was simply a matter of prioritising the decider to come in the Netherlands this Thursday.
The aim is to get points against Brentford but it is more important that Moyes can report a clean bill of health ahead of the following game in which the Hammers will be out to secure a place in the Prague final on 07 June.