Yorkie

Couldn't agree more and I really wish this was the first thing everyone would jump to on nights like this. It doesn't absolve anyone of an isolated poor performance, but the bigger picture is that this season looks every bit like the institutional anti-competitiveness finally striking. We were still riding a post-takeover wave even last season; this summer we were always going to need a boost, but it wasn't forthcoming. Criticise the Guehi chase if you like but there's no way we only sign Kelly/Osula if PSR isn't so stringent.

A point you tried to visually emphasise at the last forum kickabout.

I'll always defend him but there's no denying that - in terms of trying to impact the game positively - he totally shanked it tonight. On another night, the individual errors don't happen and the onus isn't suddenly put on him to tactically manoeuvre our way back into it. I can't blame him for Kelly's defending or Gordon's sitter. But the second half was a complete mess. We started very well and the general identity of the team is still in his attacking, high-pressing, play 'til we die image - and that'll bring far more good nights than bad. But I can empathise with those wondering if this is still moving in the right direction. The mitigation is of course in the fact we didn't back him in the summer. The most worrying thing is breaking the SJP illusion. We've been nigh on unbeatable here but just been made to look very ordinary by a decent-not-special team, not long after being beaten by another close rival. That's not good for him.

It's yet more evidence that we're just midtabley as fuck this season; doesn't look like we're going to be capable of building consistency like we did in 22/23. All about the cups this year imo.

Sigh, really painful watch. Thought we were really good in the first half tbh, just let down by a dire goal to concede. Five minutes into the second half and it still felt like a matter of time before we scored and potentially turned it around... Second goal killed us dead. The wind was totally knocked out of the players' sails, at which point they're looking to the manager for impetus. Sadly he got every single tweak wrong and by the end we looked extremely desperate. Should've had a penalty mind.

Why would it be?

Utter arseholes.

No mistaking it's turned into a pretty concerning performance. Credit to West Ham, they've been excellent since their second goal, but it's been very difficult watching us completely run out of ideas. You can see how we've lost belief too. Bad one.

Agree, as was the Forest first half. If they keep pressing like they have, sharpen up the attack and the fans stay with them, there's absolutely something for us here, potentially three points.

Don't know why I expected people in here to be praising the performance and lamenting the goal against the run of play. Ah well. Utterly woeful it is, then.

Very frustrating. Think we've been good with two or three stand-out performances. Basically the Forest game in that we're playing areet but need to sharpen up our attack and we're behind to a poorly defended set piece. Not panicking yet, like. Surely there's a goal or two in this for us?

https://x.com/WestHam/status/1861118947849826430?t=iY2QuiYWjf6Dncp1GKXYDA&s=19

Had a sneaky feeling Eddie was doing a Howe in the presser and we'd see Wilson involved. Equally wouldn't be surprised if he's got braces on under his joggers and he's only on the bench to shit the Hammers up.

at least we know who to blame

Mowbray is number one for BBC (FA Cup finals/England games). The BBC's suite of comms is generally spot on. Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower, Simon Brotherton, Conor McNamara, John Roder, Alistair Mann - all excellent. Can understand why people might not like Jonathan Pearce but his is still a pretty iconic voice. I'd have every single one in a heartbeat ahead of Matterface and Drury.

West Ham surely aren't as bad at their table position suggests? They've got an awful lot of quality in that squad. I'm not expecting a walkover here in the slightest. Dearly hope we ram home the idea that we've turned a corner and deliver a great performance.

I'll admit that I thought Drury was a good appointment to that role because he's the antithesis of later-years Tyler in terms of energy and enthusiasm. I can't knock his love for the game because that's exactly what you need in that position. But yeah, the flowery word salad is horrendous, just so unnecessary.

How could you forget his screamer against the mackems?

Hall!

I assume we're not counting own goals, I.e. Brown/Jones?

Possibly, unless you're misremembering HuntingDon

David Edgar

Ram.

15 months but he nearly went to Celtic in that period. Potter doesn't appear to have even been meaningfully linked with anyone.

You wonder if Potter ever gets another PL job if it isn't him. 18 months since he left Chelsea. I like Leicester. Hope they appoint well and stay in the division.