Ahhhh the poetic parallels to my day. As the drums of discontent over our first two matches and the seeming collapse of the Carvalho transfer were beating, I had to drive an hour away to an instrument shop to pick up the drum set my wife had purchased for our son. I can actually hear some of you giggling at the knowledge that a ten year old boy will have access to a full drum set in my house, likely mumbling “you poor bastard” under your breath. I am admittedly terrified to my core. But that’s why this report is later than usual.
It’s not like Newcastle have had a better start than us. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say their start and transfer window has put them in a more precarious position than us. Losing to Forest in the cup midweek certainly didn’t help their self esteem. When you consider the consequences for their manager, our manager, and our owners coveting of their manager, today had a lot of subplots. And it may now lead to a dramatic conclusion.
The prevailing theme on social media before the match began, at least from our perspective, was the lack of pace and creativity in our midfield. Without Lanzini, that’s to be expected. And be concerned about. In the 7th minute, Ritchie took advantage of that when he sped past Noble down the right. He found Joselu in the box but his attempt went wide. Moments later Hart sent West Ham supporters worldwide into meltdown when he mishandled the ball, inviting Joselu to attack but Hart recovered and cleared the ball from danger. A few minutes later, a Newcastle corner fell to Clark inside the box. He tried to find a sliver of daylight to get the ball on goal, but Ogbonna closed down well and won a free kick to relieve the pressure. However, the pressure continued in the 17th minute when another Ritchie cross found Joselu but his header was deflected out for a corner.
The opening twenty minutes were poor at best for West Ham. We were unable to string even three passes together, let alone put any pressure on a side that hasn’t scored yet this season. To make matters worse, the visitors who had conceded more goals than any other EPL side thus far looked likely to keep that trait in tact. Add the silly yellow picked up by Hernandez and the possible injury to Ayew, and the Claret and Blue world was looking quite dark.
West Ham had their first opportunity of the match in the 30th minute after some good work by Noble on the right side of the Newcastle penalty area. He beat Mbemba and then sent a good cross that Ayew headed towards Cresswell. But the West Ham left back could only send a half volley high over the bar.
With all that has been said about giving youth a chance, it has been wonderful to see Rice given a chance and do well. But every time he saw the ball, Newcastle were on him like flies on…..yeah. In the 36th minute, Rice buckled under the pressure of Ritchie and lost possession. Ritchie sent Atsu down the left, and Atsu rolled the ball to Joselu in the center of the box for the easy tap in past Hart.
Newcastle 1
West Ham 0
I got into the car at halftime and listened until Newcastle scored their second. My Apple Watch dinged to inform me of the third. Since I’m not a journalist by trade, as I sat in a terrific little noodle place eating lunch while my daughter and a friend galavant around town doing teenage girl stuff, I decided there was no compelling reason to watch the horror on DVR when I got home. In fact, writing about what’s on my mind might be cathartic. Nor did I feel the urge to add photos to help you all relive the day. I didn’t ask to watch my colonoscopy, did I?
Let’s get right to the elephant in the room. Slaven Bilic. Some pundits have said that his club managerial career is defined by a good first year, followed by a severe dip in form. To that end, the Claret & Blue universe all seemed to be in agreement that he had one superb year followed by a problematic year. This season would be the tie breaker. Regardless of your feelings about the board, it’s almost impossible to say Slaven hasn’t been given the tools he needs to put out at least a competent side. Yet the body of evidence over his time at West Ham to date has now taken a downward turn, and the past two league matches have been troubling. If I saw anything that told me this was still a positive work in progress I’d support him. 100%. But if I had to predict the immediate future based on the recent past, his job would be in danger.
I know talking about replacing a manager is about as toxic a subject as there is in football, and I can think of at least two good friends who will disagree with me vehemently. But as I sit with my roast pork and dumpling soup, I think it’s time to bid adieu to the classy, honest, intellectual man that is Slaven Bilic I so wish that wasn’t true, but it’s in the best interest of the club. To ignore the evidence is too risky. Far worse than the hurt, financial and otherwise, that jettisoning Bilic would bring.
Come On You Irons