A Crisis Of Culture: The Current State Of West Ham United

Following a hollow, embarrassing 4-0 loss to Everton, West Ham United are currently in a crisis of culture — more specifically, they are trying to figure out what their culture is. The West Ham way, an ambiguous descriptive term for how the East London Hammers would play, has seemingly disappeared from the current squad. It is not a difficult concept of play: be physical, play hard, try, and have pride in the kit you wear. However, this simple formula seems so foreign from the squad that exhibited the worst performance of the 2017 Premier League campaign.

What is evident is the players who were on the pitch simply do not care about the team they are playing for. Such is the condition of modern-day football for the most part. This may seem like a crude generalization to the players, but it is nothing their recent play has not afforded every West Ham supporter to call out — Loudly. Without discipline, direction, and heart, the players play selfish, make individual errors, and end up mortgaging their own team’s success while looking for personal success.

Perhaps desperation made a 1-1 draw against Leicester City at home feel like a positive result for West Ham, but context shows it was an important point. Regardless, a game that was ripe for the taking slipped through West Ham’s fingers and again we turn aside the fact that their team defense is weak, and that center mid with Cheikhou Kouyate and Pedro Obiang is a liability.

This weak, center mid was rolled out again for the Everton match, and between the two players, Wayne Rooney, the proud owner of a hat-trick, was given ample opportunities through soft play to make effective runs. The first goal, while coming from a rebound off of a penalty kick, was created from Obiang slinging the ball into his own player, freeing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to force keeper Joe Hart out of his net causing the suspect penalty call. Rooney would net a rebound and put Everton ahead.

The second goal against again came from Rooney, who tapped in a free chance coming off of a pass from Tom Davies. The game film shows Kouyate lightly trotting back from the Everton side during their dangerous attack, as Rooney blazed by him to nab his second of the night. Kouyate, who seemingly only runs motivated when he may be able to score, has broken the first rule of David Moyes’ tenure at West Ham: “If you don’t run, you don’t play.” Surely he needs to be dropped from the starting squad after this goal against.

The third goal saw Hart coming out of his area to play sweeper-keeper where he flubbed his clearance, low and on the boot of Rooney, who nailed a high difficulty shot from his own half to complete the hat trick. This goal is on Hart, however, confusion in the midfield, and yet again the inability to clear their lines, saw Hart forced to gamble on the play. There surely needs to be a change in the midfield for next game with Mark Noble the candidate to enter the field.

The cultural crisis for West Ham comes from the lack of passion and desire to be better for the team. After a disappointing first season at the London Stadium, in which a good finish would help the team and its supporters settle into their new home, West Ham fell apart early and staved off relegation in the last quarter of the season. Two players used social media to recommit themselves to their team and promised stronger training, better play, and a more inspired effort in the upcoming season; a move that would motivate the supporters to have more patience with the move.

These players were Sofiane Feghouli and Robert Snodgrass. Feghouli had an inconsistent season but was strong in the finish, helping provide depth on the wing, and adding a few goals to his total. With stability, Feghouli could have helped West Ham take a step in the right direction, especially with his public investment in the team. Instead, the Algerian international was sold to Galatasaray of the Super Lig, where upon arrival was given a hero’s welcome. Depth and creativity on the wing have been a need this year, and his presence is missed.

Robert Snodgrass, a miscast member of West Ham, committed himself to having a better season for West Ham for 2017/18. He was a member of the locker room that had a voice and provided British leadership. Brought in inappropriately to replace left winger Dimitri Payet, Snodgrass was settling along the right and center mid positions, learning from right back Pablo Zabaleta and fitting in with his new-look squad. Snodgrass was then sent on loan to Aston Villa in the Championship, a bewildering move. David Sullivan, chairman and head of transfers, could not even negotiate Snodgrass’ full wages to be paid in the deal, effectively paying for him to not help West Ham. Both Snodgrass and Feghouli wanted to play for the team and up their quality, and both were not given the chance.

What comes next for West Ham is facing the most dominant Premier League team in recent history, Manchester City. Currently, Man City is unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League matches, and welcome (with open arms, I’m sure) West Ham to the Etihad Stadium. Realistically, Man City has the ability to crumple West Ham with their talented attack featuring Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane, and a stalwart defense built around new keeper Ederson, and defenders Nicolas Otamendi, Vincent Kompany, and Kyle Walker.

As for West Ham, Javier Hernandez should return to action this week for the team, and will be critical to any West Ham attack. His conversion rate in the penalty area is extremely high, and if the Hammers want to nab a goal or two, realistically they will need a fox in the box to clear up corner kicks and pinballed crosses. Andre Ayew will also be instrumental here, an opportunistic poacher who seems to weasel out of coverage often. Andy Carroll, a physical target man can also add depth to West Ham’s attack, although possibly as an impact sub later in the match should the score dictate, although it probably won’t.

What this match will provide, is opportunity for West Ham to show that they have a spine. Everyone expects the Hammers to lose massive here, and that may happen, but the opportunity to at least go down with a fight presents itself. An honest effort, characterized by hard-nosed, physical play is what the West Ham way truly is. Why? Because it can yield surprising results, and can force miracles to manifest. The true character of a person (or team) is revealed once they react to a traumatic or jarring incident. Everton was jarring, Everton was traumatic. So how will West Ham rebound? It is impossible to predict, but hopefully, the team shows that there is some working class spirit still left in the Ironworkers club.

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