West Ham were beaten 3-1 by Wolverhampton Wanderers in a delayed pre-season clash and six stars have piled the pressure on Tim Steidten.
West Ham faced Premier League opposition for the first time since the end of last season.
But the outcome was all too familiar as the Hammers took on Wolves in Florida.
Much has been made of growing the global brand of Premier League clubs with trips to the USA.
While the weather undoubtedly played a part, the 67,000 capacity EverBank stadium was practically empty as West Ham and Wolves failed to capture the imagination of the US public.
It is only pre-season but West Ham’s overall performance will have failed to capture the imagination of the club’s fans too.
There were some good signs as the Hammers started the game by implementing Julen Lopetegui’s new high press, high energy style.
Mohammed Kudus along with young central midfielders Freddie Potts and Lewis Orford were arguably West Ham’s best players.
But Tomas Soucek, £17.5m flop Maxwel Cornet and Kurt Zouma looked like fish out of water trying to play in Lopetegui’s new system.
It is early days for Lopetegui at West Ham of course. So we should reserve too harsh a judgement of performances for now.
What is abundantly clear, though, is that certain players just won’t fit into this system. And West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten simply must bring in another five quality signings before the window closes.
Six West Ham stars pile the pressure on Tim Steidten
Not only that but the club is now under serious pressure to get a deal sorted for Orford after he impressed as a second half sub.
West Ham’s defence, which conceded a Premier League record 74 goals last season, still looks ridiculously porous.
Worryingly the Hammers, who went in at the break drawing 1-1, conceded two goals in the second half AFTER new £40m centre-back Max Kilman and Zouma came on.
Up front Danny Ings worked hard as usual and looked physically sharp but had little service and just isn’t the answer.
Six stars in particular have piled the pressure on Steidten.
Boyhood Hammer Orford because his contract situation simply must get sorted.
Zouma because even after a summer break he looks more immobile than ever and must be replaced.
Soucek because he showed signs of struggling to fit Lopetegui’s new system. Although the same could be said for James Ward-Prowse.
Cornet is just not up to it and should be sold to anyone that makes a remotely reasonable offer.
And both Ings and Michail Antonio proved once again that Steidten must sign a top new striker as soon as possible.
West Ham player ratings vs Wolves:
Lukasz Fabianski and Wes Foderingham – 6/10: Neither looked particularly comfortable constantly playing out from the back under pressure. But they didn’t do a lot wrong with Foderingham making a few saves in the second half, tipping one goal-bound effort around the post.
Vladimir Coufal (Gideon Kodua HT, Kaelan Casey 81) – 5/10: Coufal has been a great servant for the Hammers. But the ageing star showed why Lopetegui is looking for a new right-back. The lack of pace down the right was a huge problem. Young attacker Kodua being used there isn’t the answer and neither is emerging centre-back Casey.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7.5/10 (Zouma HT – 4/10): The jury is still out on big Greek centre-back Mavropanos. He had a mixed first season with the club but has all the attributes to be a cult hero. He was one of West Ham’s better players while his replacement Zouma, was one of their worst.
Nayef Aguerd – 7/10 (Earthy 75 – 7/10): Inconsistent Aguerd played pretty well overall but it counts for little as he looks set to be sold. Young midfielder George Earthy was a bright spot when he came on, always looking for the ball and trying to make things happen.
Aaron Cresswell – 5/10 (Emerson HT – 7/10): Cresswell was made captain but he cannot be a regular in this West Ham side next season if Lopetegui wants to play this brand of football. Emerson was a vast improvement when he came on and is unquestionably West Ham’s only true option at left-back. Lopetegui and Steidten must sign a full-back who can operate on both sides so there is adequate cover for Emerson.
Freddie Potts (Lewis Orford HT) – 7.5/10: Potts and Orford were a lot more comfortable in the system than Soucek. Potts did not see as much as the ball as he may have liked in the first half but tried to drive West Ham up the pitch and looked ready to compete for a first team spot. Orford did get on the ball as his replacement, though. And he showed why Villa wanted him in the deal for Jhon Duran. Orford and Potts were arguably the two most impressive players behind Kudus.
James Ward-Prowse – 5/10 (Andy Irving 64) – 6/10: Neither look to be the answer in this Lopetegui system on the basis of this game. Both tidy enough on the ball but lack the mobility and physicality to really make a difference against Premier League opposition. Central midfield could be a big problem for the Hammers if anything happens to Edson Alvarez or Lucas Paqueta long term. A new signing is needed in there, especially after the departure of Flynn Downes.
Tomas Soucek – 4/10 (Max Kilman HT – 6.5/10): Adding further weight to that argument is Soucek. Many had Soucek down as the player who might struggle most in Lopetegui’s new system. And there was evidence that may be the case here. Soucek struggled in possession and was at fault for Wolves’ opener when he gave the ball away in front of his own goal. Kilman showed how comfortable he is on the ball and why Lopetegui wanted him to start moves off from the back. But the Hammers conceded two against his old club with him on the pitch.
Mohammed Kudus – 8/10 (Callum Marshall 64 – 6/10): Kudus showed he is absolutely essential to West Ham with another excellent performance and goal. Hands down the club’s best player, he looks focused and determined. Marshall huffed and puffed and showed intent but things just didn’t happen for him as he was denied a goal by an offside call.
Maxwel Cornet – 3/10 (Michail Antonio 64 – 5/10): Cornet was woeful and it is easy to see why he was not used by David Moyes. He must be sold or at least loaned out so he can try to rediscover himself. Antonio came on and did what he does. Michy will still be a valuable squad member next season but he is not the answer in a high-pressing system as he approaches his 34th birthday next season.
Danny Ings – 6/10 (Luis Guilherme 6/10): Ings is fit and trying his best but relies on service and got none at all. He won’t be starting for West Ham and if Steidten gets a striker in, will find himself third choice for the forward role. So maybe he should reconsider his future after snubbing a move to Southampton. Guilherme showed his pace and power at times and looks very determined. But he also looks raw as many expected. The Brazilian will definitely be a work in progress.
If this game achieves one thing it will be that it pushes Steidten and the board to get signings in as soon as possible.
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