Five things we learned from West Ham’s win over Newport

What started as a tough match for West Ham ended up being a bit of a runaway win for the Hammers in the second-round Carabao Cup game. With Newport County dispatched, here are five things the Irons learned from this match.

1: Michail Antonio is going to be gone for awhile

West Ham’s favorite change-of-pace forward and super-sub, Michail Antonio, is probably going to be out for a good bit. The muscular winger pulled up lame on a through ball that would have certainly gone down as a solid chance for the Hammers just seven minutes into the game. Antonio’s hamstring was done in on what could be a hamstring tear.

This hurts not only the future of the Cup team but the Premier League starting XI as well. Antonio has arguably been the best West Ham player this season and his absence will be dearly missed. Yarmolenko and Fornals will need to step up.

2: Questions remain about Jack Wilshere

The Hammers’ opening goalscorer in this match will get a break from a lot of criticism due to his goal. The Irons were second best in the first half, but Wilshere’s goal gave them the edge they needed to push on in what would be a dominant second half.

Wilshere’s passing to start the match was atrocious. Misplaced balls, awful defensive reads, turnovers, next to no footballing IQ being shown; Wilshere was bad in the first half outside of his goal. Luckily for him, he followed this up with a much better second half. Will he have the luxury of growing into Premier League matches, though?

3: Carlos Sanchez can do a job

Heading into this match West Ham supporters accepted the fact that Carlos Sanchez was likely starting this match to give Declan Rice the mid-week game off. As long as there weren’t any goals from his inevitable giveaways the Claret and Blue army would grit and bear it. In an unlikely turn of events, however, Sanchez played his boots off and had legitimate shouts for Man of the Match.

He was most comfortable in the opposition’s half, sitting just in front of the center-backs and getting in on the possession-stealing passing that West Ham settled into. He looked calm, alert, and ready to step into action (in either direction), which was a welcomed sight. Faith is slowly starting to bloom with this one.

4. Peekaboo Pablo Fornals is unpredictable

The newest addition to the Hammers’ midfield this summer, Pablo Fornals, pinged a chance off the post and had a late first-half partial breakaway saved as he looked to ignite the offense. He was ever-present in the opponent’s half, invisible in the West Ham half, and predictably hit-or-miss the entire match.

This isn’t a slagging off or criticism on Fornals. He did score the second goal and, as mentioned, owned the two best non-goal scoring chances for the Hammers. We need to accept that if the ball isn’t around the opponent’s box we aren’t going to see much from him, and that is okay.

5. Hammers Cup keeper is settling in

Roberto looked shaky in the preseason, playing for an injured Fabianski more than most would have liked. Mix in the fact that Adrian, Roberto’s predecessor, was winning matches for Liverpool and the backup keeper situation was more difficult to swallow than ever. Keen to prove his haters wrong, Roberto put in a terrific performance in this match.

Not only did the veteran keeper keep a clean sheet highlighted by some amazing saves (none more so than the looming nutmeg he slammed shut from 6-yards out), but he commanded the air by his net as Fabianski does. Roberto isn’t the next-best-thing, but he is serviceable and looking settled in as the #2 keeper.