Potatoes, Pasta and Meat Filled Samosas Published 08/03/18 on Irons United
“Taking into account the public’s regrettable lack of taste, it is incumbent upon you not to fit in.” – Janeane Garofalo
Individuality is what sets us apart from zombie trojan warriors…it enables us to muster up the courage to be free thinking, creative and pick our preferences from the full spectrum of offal opinion on the buffet cart. However as individuals, we must learn to work with each other, support and console, rally, fight and consider ourselves as part of a collective that forms a greater whole.
Yes, I speak of working within a team where the dynamics are totally different to solitary play. When alone, we focus on our own abilities and application…we are the masters and servants of our own destinies, we rise and fall by our own hands and we take the plaudits and criticisms in equal measure for we cannot hide behind anyone other than ourselves.
My contention with West Ham, the players they have at their disposal is that they have been playing as a set of individuals for too long and possibly have forgotten how to interact with each other to form a team that is not easily submerged beneath opposition advances or wave after wave of fan’s critical appraisals.
For the most part, I cannot accept that the players are not trying, however they are failing to apply themselves in the critical areas of the pitch which leads to a breakdown in the fabric of the defences…time and time again. One could accept subnormal aptitude if salaries and transfer fees were of yesteryear. Fans would console, cajole and counsel any player that is lacking confidence or simply is not at the correct level to play the kind of quality football that is required to compete in the Premier League! However, fans will not tolerate substandard application, determination and passion!
All teams have blips in form and dips in confidence that affect particular players, but the virus that infected the West Ham dressing room when Bilic was in charge has not been cured. It has remained dormant whilst Moyes temporarily boosted purpose and led the fans to believe that the players and team may just have turned the tide for good.
I will not believe that many of those players do not feel the pain and frustration that many of the fans feel, however there are many within the ranks who are showing signs that the ridiculously large weekly pay packet is all they really care about. Indeed there are certain players that are simply jogging around the pitch when opposition players are charging, jostling and hustling! Too many of the playing staff have the demeanour of apathetic toads waiting to be crushed beneath the wheels of oncoming juggernauts…and there seems little that Moyes or anyone can do about it.
Any fan of football will always want to see attacking, fluid styles that entertain and produce goals and opportunities, battling performances and hopefully get results that deliver as many points as possible or the courage to advance deep into cup competitions. However, in the absence of that, fans wish for their players to overtly display a competitive streak, a Do or Die determination and play with backs against the walls when confronted by mightier foes.
West Ham have not shown that nearly enough over the last two seasons, hence why the performances and results have largely been poor and they have failed to dominate in virtually every encounter. Confidence is low, cohesion is watery, depth is thin and there aren’t enough leaders on the pitch! Whilst attacking forays are cumbersome and viscous, the midfield is devoid of calm and composed movements that would outwit and frustrate any opponents.
The club is in turmoil from the head to the supporting tails and the squad of players remain dysfunctional and do not appear to compliment each other…with style, passion or talents. There is a mishmash of quality with too many underperforming at the same time. It has been average for most of the time but occasionally is has been totally dreadful to watch.
Moyes, Pearce and the rest of the coaching staff must find it within themselves to instil some life back into this team before the end of the season but it is now incumbent on the players to step up, deliver performances and passion that would see the team clear at the end of the season…then take stock and reboot where necessary.
For too long 80% of the players have not performed at the level at which they would expect, let alone at which the fans would want. That is not to say that effort is lacking on their part…far from it! It merely is a reflection of how West Ham compare to other teams…especially those in similar circumstances and league positions.
Whilst coaching will continue and past games will be dissected and analysed to death…for the most part the players can be taught little more than they should already know. The remaining days until the next fixture against Burnley…and beyond…need to be spent working on player’s aptitudes and attitudes for each game. The tactics and formations have to reflect the battle in which they are immersed, and each and every one…from the coaching staff to the players…need to look within themselves and pull out the performance that can change their football lives and careers.
The fans are pleading whilst the bleeding hearts are resigned to waling, “Never Mind” and “There-There my Cherubs” All that anyone can ask for now is passion written across their faces and a steely determination to not capitulate but take the fight to the opponent’s goal. Moyes has to galvanise the team, get the leaders to lead, the fighters to fight and those who would rather just amble through…to play for pride, the team, the shirt, themselves and of course the loyal yet disgruntled fans.
The next nine games are mammoth challenges that can be overcome if there is unity and togetherness within the squad. There cannot be room for mismatched food groups on their plates. No more potatoes, pasta and meat filled samosas…but just a meat and two veg served up with a delicious gravy. Simple, hits the spot and unmistakable!