West Ham lacking attacking flair, but whole side seems disinterested

West Ham’s loss to Everton was a depressing yet familiar site for most fans. A lack of invention up front, and poor motivation throughout the side in a match against a side we will be competing with all season.

Despite a decent few games to open the season, it seems that West Ham will always have that ability to just switch off during some matches. Especially those matches against ‘less interesting’ sides; those that are struggling or those teams who are expected to be scrapping in mid-table. Without a supposed underdog mentality, we don’t seem to be raring to go at kick-off.

Whilst I obviously understand that our quality is improving, there is a distinct lack of fight in the current side if they don’t see a big scalp or a chance for a bucketload of goals. In the Palace game, we went 1-0 up and had a chance to really fight and hold onto that lead. But we let it slip. Against Everton, we were facing a side that have struggled so far, and if we had put up any kind of resistance we could have killed their belief in the first 30 minutes. But the grit wasn’t there.

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And before people get patriotic and point to Noble/Rice’s obvious determination at big points, I know there are certain players that have the quality I want. But I’m not talking about a series of challenges and chasing back and last-ditch stuff, I’m just talking about being firm throughout. The desire to get the other side of your man. The push to get to turn that poor pass into a 50/50. Currently, it’s lacking.

So whilst people will point fingers at Anderson and Lanzini saying that their attitude/product isn’t good enough consistently, I will point it at everyone and say the hustle needs to be better. Fredericks going long down the wing every time? No. People need to work for the pass. And he needs to work with the ball under pressure. Hard work begets good play. Sometimes we play well and look effortless. But when that doesn’t come off, hard work needs to be the main priority.

Next. Time for a formation change at West Ham?. dark

Sheffield United are our next opponents, and they have shown themselves to be strong and robust under any pressure, and capable of nicking big wins. If we are not fully committed we will lose, and that’s not acceptable for our ambitions. Pellegrini needs to find a way of getting those players up for the fight or ask if they are really up to the task he expects.