Pranav Shahaney

Thu 30 November 2023 19:55, UK

TalkSPORT broadcaster Tom Rennie has slammed West Ham for being rubbish all game despite beating Backa Topola 1-0 in the Europa League.

The Hammers secured the win and qualification into the next round courtesy of a late winner from Tomas Soucek on Thursday, 30 November.

However, David Moyes’ side struggled to show initiative and play with the hunger and desire to win big.

Via Twitter, Rennie wrote, “Another game where it feels like West Ham players are getting visibly more depressed as the game goes on. There has to be more than hope and individual does something brilliant.

“Play rubbish. Smash and grab at the end. Soucek with the goal preferably. This is nearly identical to the Burnley winner.”

Unsustainable

While West Ham sealing a 1-0 victory with a late winner by Soucek demonstrates their ability to secure results, relying on a smash and grab approach is not sustainable in the long term.

This style of play, characterized by hoping for individual brilliance or a late decisive goal, lacks consistency and strategic depth.

Sustainable success in football typically requires a more structured and proactive approach throughout the entire game.

Playing “rubbish” as it’s rightly been pointed out above for most of the match and relying on late dramatic moments is a risky strategy.

Over time, opponents may adapt to West Ham’s predictable late-game tactics, making it challenging to consistently secure victories.

The physical and mental toll on players from consistently being on the back foot can lead to fatigue and decreased morale.

It’s understandable against weaker teams but this is not what they should be doing against sides they should be easily beating.

In other West Ham news, a BBC pundit has admitted that he’ll come out of retirement just to play with a West Ham star after what he did recently.