Green Street Hammers
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Depressing loss at Cardiff all but seals West Ham’s season

By Adam Smith

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 09: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United looks on during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and West Ham United at Cardiff City Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 09: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United looks on during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and West Ham United at Cardiff City Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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When the team needed to keep their current form rolling, West Ham crumble at the unlikely hands of Cardiff City. It was an embarrassing effort with few players escaping criticism for the loss. With the results now settled, it seems the Hammers are unlikely to make it to Europe next season.

Let’s get into the match review:

It was a shocker from the start from the Irons. The team was unchanged from the Newcastle win, but the players were steps behind the home side. Josh Murphy instigated the first goal of the game as he received the ball, unmarked, down the right wing.

The Irons’ midfield was walked through and Cresswell stepped up to pressure the ball carrier, but Ogbonna didn’t read that play and was late to get back to Murphy who crossed the ball early to the front post. Junior Hoilett cooly finished a free chance in the box near post and West Ham were down just four minutes in.

The game changed a bit after this. West Ham were making Cardiff look like Barcelona early in this match, but after the goal, the Hammers settled down into possession. No goals or chances to speak of for West Ham in the first half.

The second half started the same as the first. Minutes into it, Camarasa scores to double Cardiff’s lead. The play started from a broken clearance from Fredericks. He chased back but couldn’t block the cross that eventually was headed back across the goal to Camarasa who was played onside by a lazy Fredericks.

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Fabianski looked a little bit to blame here, as he was reluctant to come off his line to try and disrupt the play which is unusual for him. The ball was scuffed in along the ground near the post and Cardiff had pulled away in the match.

I have to say that Pellegrini looked to have lost the plot in this match. Sure, the old belief that you never change a winning team is tried and true, but when you’re West Ham you need to tweak the line up to better compete with your opposition. Pellegrini failed to use his best XI in this game and it showed.

West Ham lacked any sort of attacking punch with a front three of Hernandez, Anderson, and Snodgrass, and rightfully so. The team relied on Rice to force a turnover and get the ball to Lanzini, but once the Argentine had the ball, no one was moving for him.

Hernandez was invisible on the pitch today and somehow maintained his spot for 90 minutes over Anderson who was subbed for Marko Arnautovic. Likewise, Nasri came on for Noble and Lanzini was subbed for Antonio. So, rather than jumping two feet into the attack West Ham kept their same losing formula just exchanged the players.

Moving forward, the system should change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-4-1. West Ham need wins, quick starts, possession, and goals. A 4-3-3 without immense pace isn’t going to cut it, and having Lanzini on the pitch alongside Antonio, Arnautovic, Nasri, and Anderson is the way out.

It was a poor effort today by all but Rice. Moving forward there needs to be commitment or consequence for the team.