Few fans fondly remember a scoreless draw, although one of the few highlights of the 2013/14 season was actually the defensive performances of the team.
While strikers are said to win games, if the backline keeps a clean sheet, then the team can’t lose.
And it was the back four and goalkeeper who more regularly stepped up for West Ham last season to help secure Premier League survival
The question is though whether the team can replicate the defensive solidarity this time out whilst being asked to play more expansive football.
In pre-season, manager Sam Allardyce cited the heightened emphasis on attacking football for the defeats in New Zealand. Winston Reid talked about the team not being up to their usual standard but promised to cut out the mistakes before the start of the season.
Four games in, and the team has failed to keep a competitive clean sheet, even against League One opposition.
Against Tottenham Hotspur, a defensive slip late in the game cost the team a point, and conceding three set piece goals against Southampton enraged Allardyce.
With the club failing to acquire another specialist centre half during the transfer window, responsibility again falls on the three of Reid, James Tomkins, and James Collins.
When all three are fit and available, there is decent depth. But if any get injured or suffer a real drop in form, then there seems cause for concern.
The two new wingbacks, in Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Cresswell, are expected to bring an energy to the backline which may have been missing with Guy Demel, Joey O’Brien and the departed George McCartney in the team.
With Adrian considered first choice, there is every chance of developing a settled back five who can also benefit from the extra protection afforded by the signings of Cheikhou Kouyaté and Alex Song.
Building on last season cannot simply be measured by the ‘attractive’ statistics around the number of goals, shots, or passes on the pitch.
Development is seeing the same resilient team, difficult to beat and organised at the back, with the flair to finish off teams when it matters.
That combination will certainly make matches more memorable, especially when they’re being viewed at 2am.
It’s a game of football, we have the best squad we’ve had for years there’s no reason why we should be carrying any player during a match which has happened many times throughout the last 10 seasons I demand my beloved whu play as a team, every player gives 100 % that’s it, no longer should we ever start a match with effectively only 10 or 9 players on the pitch even though 11 have been selected.. COYI…