Slaven Bilic fielded a completely different XI to the side that faced Astra in the first leg with Randolph in between the sticks, a defence of Knoyle, Jenkinson, Henry and Page and a midfield of Poyet Cullen and Nolan in front. Lanzini, Lee and Maiga led the line in Romania.
The game got off to a great start with FC Astra failing to clear an early corner resulting in Lanzini grabbing a debut goal inside 4 minutes. But once we got the goal the tempo of the game, as you would expect in the Romanian summer, slowed down and the two sides were simply competing for possession. We never really got a hold of the game and Astra nearly levelled from a Budescu free-kick that curled onto the post. Budescu was clearly up for it and scored his first goal on 32 minutes with a well hit shot from 20 yards through the legs of Doniel Henry. This was followed up with a second for the striker in the space of 4 minutes as a result of some terrible defending.
The second half was a slightly better display but we never looked like scoring and FC Astra fashioned a few chances to put the game out of site. Overall, sadly, I think the result was a fair reflection on the match.
What now?
Clearly the team selection was not the team we are going to field in the Premier League so the poor performance should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt. The pessimists among us will now have a very negative feeling with the prospect of Arsenal around the corner but hopefully resting the first team will work out for Bilic. The youth team players have gained great experience by being a part of this Europa League clash and the fringe players have been given some game time which is always a good thing.
Everyone is quick to criticise Slaven but as West Ham fans we won’t forget the Nottingham Forest clash when Allardyce rested the first team for the semi final against Manchester City, which we lost 6-0. So I suggest we don’t start judging the manager just yet, after all this early exit could be a blessing in disguise.
Briefly the lessons to learn are:
- Our squad depth is not good enough to handle the demands of European football yet.
- Investment is needed still in creative areas, if Payet and/or Sakho pick up an injury, we may struggle with our lack of resources
As always share your opinions on the game last night, any positives and negatives of our performance, the transfer deadline is fast approaching so do we need serious investment or just slight tinkering? Let’s all hope for a good result at the Emirates, it’s long overdue!
We lost by a goal. Not bad considering we used mainly our “B” team. And if it wasn’t for James Collins getting himself sent off we’d gone through. We learned 1 thing? We are not ready for European competition yet. And who needs the Europa League anyway? The Premier League and being a Premier League club is everything as we go to the new stadium. We go to Arsenal tomorrow, who have never won anything in Europe. We won a European trophy 50 years ago & were only the 2nd English club to win a European Trophy at the time. Taunt that to the Arsenal fans tomorrow. COYI
So Arsenal have won the last 10 matches against us, 9 of those being the Premier League. Well all wining runs have to end some time. Let that run end today
Typical West Ham, we rely on the few as always, need another striker; yes we have done all last season and still do but have we got one HELL YEAH Modibo Maiga who has the work rate of a snail with a goal scoring record to boot!! Sam did not win games because we had no-one to score goals.
FFS West ham do something before we are playing football back in the championship don’t think we are “too good to go down”
Well it is all very well saying what we need Pete, yes, we need strikers, but actually getting them is another story, as you can’t always get them, as even Harry found with Spurs, but we do have Sakho, and Andy Carroll should be returning for either the game against Liverpool or Newcastle onwards, so I am glad that at least we do have those strikers. Glad to see that Bilic is having the sense to play Zarate. We have those strikers, but lets see if we can get another before the window closes. Her’s hoping eh? COYI
So now our great win over Arsenal is being labelled as “an accident” by the gunners boss Arsene Wenger. How arogant can he get? No credit given to West Ham’s performance as usual by the elite snobs. As far as I could see, West Ham were strong, solid and sound, and worth every bit of their win that their performance deserved and Arsenal played well but were kept out by our much improved defense, & what a great debut from the 16 year old youngster Oxford. Come on Wenger, get off of your high horse or get yourself back up into the stands where you belong. You are an unsporting disgrace to football. The difference is that West Ham took their chances and Arsenal didn’t, and what great goals they both were, being a great floating free kick with a fabulous jumping header from Kouyate, and then I think Zarate’s clinching goal was even better, his deft turn and switch totally outfoxed the defense and the keeper. Great stuff West Ham, you fully deserved your win and deserve the credit for it, no matter what whinging Wenger says. COYI