Premier League journalist shares West Ham United ‘fear’ verdict after loss v Liverpool, ‘cowering’ claim made
West Ham are guilty of adopting a “cowering defensive blockade” as matches progress, according to Premier League journalist Alex Keble.
The Hammers enjoyed a very strong start to the new Premier League season, going unbeaten in their first four matches.
David Moyes’s side have, however, slipped down the table after losing their last two matches against Manchester City and Liverpool.
“West Ham have a growing tendency to get deeper and deeper as matches go on, trading a more aggressive and confrontational approach for a cowering defensive blockade in the second half,” Keble wrote for the official Premier League website (25 September).
“In the first half, West Ham rarely let Liverpool settle on the ball, and when the ball was won back the visitors were able to find space behind Jurgen Klopp’s central midfield.
“But in the second half, they went into classic Moyes retreat mode, and either through fear or tactical error hunched on the edge of their own box.”
Tough tests
West Ham fans have already been put through the emotions after just six matches, having watched their club get off to a perhaps surprising fantastic start to the season.
Having drawn their league opener with Bournemouth, they then picked up superb 3-1 wins against both Chelsea and Brighton. A further three points arrived against newly-promoted Luton Town, with the Hammers scoring for fun under Moyes.
But defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool have dampened their spirits. The two giants are, however, first and second in the table respectively, so fans should not be too disappointed at all.
It is almost impossible to go toe to toe with Pep Guardiola’s side and Jurgen Klopp’s men on their day, although the Hammers were definitely in contention to gain points from both matches.
But it wasn’t meant to be, with the attacking talents of both clubs eventually showing their class and breaking down Moyes’s defence.
In other West Ham news, a Sky Sports pundit was blown away by an “unbelievable” moment in the clash against Liverpool.