Brentford’s secret weapon | Hammers urgent need to prepare..
West Ham should not need to look over their shoulder at this stage of the season, but sixteenth spot now – below Everton on goal difference- and ten points above the drop zone is hardly a comfortable position to be in, heading in to the last 14 games. Thank heaven for Leicester (17 points) Ipswich Town (16 points) and Southampton (9).
Only time will tell how much of the team’s early season malaise was down to Lopetegui’s toxic coaching environment, but the ‘new-era’ style of play has already uplifted supporters and attracted warm fuzzy comments from pundits. But talk doesn’t put points on the board and West Ham need them. In theory, the rubbish form of the three bottom clubs means the Hammers are safe but from a supporter’s point of view we will all feel much happier getting another 12 or 15 points. At least.
Amongst the players, Lucas Paquetá certainly attributes all to Graham Potter’s influence. His goal nine minutes into Potter’s regime, according to Paq- man: “was the start of me getting back to my old self on the pitch. So, I think that confidence, between him making things very clear to me, what I can do, what I should do, has given me a lot of confidence to do my best. (whufc.com) .
What’s going on?’ Gianluca Frabotta feeling after tough start at West Brom.
Tony Mowbray has challenged Albion’s forgotten man Gianluca Frabotta to prove his quality.
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Italian left-back Frabotta, 25, moved to The Hawthorns on a three-year deal as a free transfer from Italian giants Juventus in the summer.
Frabotta has yet to start a Championship fixture, though, and has featured just six times as a substitute. His sole start for the Baggies was an hour at League Two Fleetwood in the EFL Cup in August shortly after arriving.
His last appearance was a 10-minute cameo against Preston on New Year’s Day under Albion’s caretaker management and new boss Mowbray admits the full-back is wondering where he stands at The Hawthorns given Callum Styles has held down the left-back spot for the last three months or so.
Mowbray said: “I’ve tried to talk to him yes and he’s a nice lad again I just feel he’s probably thinking ‘what’s going on?’
