After an amazing unbeaten run last season in PL2 Division 2, earning themselves a promotion to Division 1, the young Hammers have been a shadow of themselves gaining two points in five games with their unbeaten run coming to an end.
Despite being brilliant in preseason with a close-fought 3-2 win over Cambridge United, a comfortable 3-1 win over Leyton Orient, and an absolute demolishing of QPR, beating them five goals to nil.
This solid run of form concluded with an entertaining 3-2 win over Maidenhead with a late mistake by a Maidenhead trialist leading to an own goal in the 86th minute, with the game ending 3-2 to the Hammers.
A Difficult Start
With all the expectations coming from their fantastic campaign in Division 2, the young Irons are yet to put in a winning performance this season in Division 1, sitting in 12th place. The season opened with a 1-0 loss to last season’s Division 1 champions Chelsea.
Along with a number of changes to the side that faced Southend United in their previous game, they reverted to the 4-2-3-1 formation that they were so successful with last season. Despite losing the match against Chelsea, West Ham managed to hold the fort playing the attacking expansive football that we were so used to seeing, which nearly saw the Hammers see their first victory. Unfortunately, the finishing didn’t help the Hammers out by full time.
This loss was followed by a 3-0 hammering by Tottenham which led to West Ham manager, Dmitri Halajko, encouraging the team by saying
“They have to learn that when they have spells in the game, when they’re on top and they’re dominant, they have to make that count.”
Right back Harrison Ashby made his full debut at right back, while centre Backs Jamal Baptiste and Ajibola Alese also came back into the starting 11, with skipper Coventry returning as well.
The loss to Spurs was followed by a 2-2 draw to Southampton which saw the Hammers score their first goal of the season, scored by striker Oladapo Afoloyan. This was followed by the 2nd goal coming from a penalty from Captain Conor Coventry ending the successful comeback from two-nil down. It was a simple left footed finish by Afoloyan, slotting away a brilliant long goal kick from keeper Joseph Anang.
This match saw the 4-3-3 formation return after lack of success using the 4-2-3-1 with both games’ prior ending up in defeat. Also, this match saw the return of winger Xande Silva making his first appearance in the PL2 league for the season. Ossama Ashley and Goncalo Cardoso both made the starting 11.
The EFL Trophy returned with West Ham already having one win under their belt they were off to see off another victory in this competition against League 2 side Colchester United. A 30-yard screamer from Conor Coventry saw the Hammers beat Colchester 1-0 in a very dominant performance.
Unfortunately, this was followed by another defeat in the PL2 suffered by the hands of Brighton U23’s. This again saw another change in formation to the 4-1-4-1. In a back and forth match the Seagulls were just a bit too much for the Hammers as they Narrowly won 3-2 continuing with their unbeaten streak.
What followed this was a stalemate collision against Blackburn, which saw the match end in an 0-0 draw. Manager Halajko was pleased with the defensive performance as he explained after the match:
“We’re happy with the clean sheet – that is probably the main positive to come out of it. It’s our first one in the league this season – we’ve had one other in the EFL Trophy”. This could be an indicator that the team are moving in the right direction defensively.
The Hammers’ most recent tie came against an inform Derby Country side, strengthened by a number of first team players. Derby hit two before half time, and Halajko’s squad didn’t have quite enough in the tank to edge ahead of the Rams, with the game ending 3-2 to Derby.
Trouble Finding Their Feet
With a lot of changes to the formation and with the starting 11 changing as often as it does, it’s difficult for the Hammers to find a run of form in the league as player outgoings such as Xande Silva joining Aris on loan and Olatunji Akinola joining Leyton Orient being a loss.
Despite the loan moves, injuries have hit players like Ossama Ashley which has been a hinderance to the flow of West Ham attacking style of play. It’s difficult for Halajko to find his best starting 11, with a number of options being available in each position.
Looking Forward
It’s been a disappointing start to the season, but with Halajko’s attacking style of football it’s only a matter of time before the young Hammers start winning games again and find form in the league.
Halajko’s will need to tighten up at the back if they want to reignite the fantastic form they had in their invincible campaign last season.
