A tweet comparing the results with and without Lukasz Fabianski from West Ham News got some fans suggesting various reasons for the recent drop in form.
West Ham are winless in their last five Premier League matches, leaving questions being asked by fans about why the sudden drop in form. Before playing Oxford United on 25th September, the Hammers had three wins in six Premier League matches.
West Ham fielded a heavily rotated squad in the cup match, with Nathan Holland and Albian Ajeti both getting a place in the starting XI, however, the League One club went on to beat the claret and blues in a shock 4-0 battering.
Before Fab’s injury:
2-0 vs Man United
0-0 vs Villa
2-0 vs Norwich
2-0 vs Newport
1-3 vs Watford
1-1 vs Brighton
0-5 vs Man CAfter:
4-0 vs Oxford
2-2 vs Bournemouth
1-2 vs Palace
2-0 vs Everton
1-1 vs Sheff U
2-3 vs NewcastleMiss you pic.twitter.com/a5r26Nu5gT
— West Ham News (@whufc_news) November 6, 2019
And that is the fault of the manager. He was the one who didnt sign a back up goalkeeper.
— AppyAmmer (@AppyAmmer69) November 6, 2019
Huge loss. Not only because of his brilliant goalkeeping but he makes the defence better as they can play with more security behind them.
— Dean Walker (@dadinos1) November 6, 2019
The worst part is he wasn’t even injured for Oxford, yet somehow got dropped for bagel hands who shipped 4
— alex light (@alex_light1) November 6, 2019
or after the manager chose not to take the cup seriously?
— Fazzamania (@fazzamania) November 6, 2019
However, some have suggested that Michail Antonio is also missed and that they can’t wait to see him come back, as he is an individual that can help them find the back of the net up the other end a little more often than they are now.
The majority of West Ham’s goals this season have come from open play, with the Hammers scoring nine from these situations. The claret and blues are also somewhat dangerous with set pieces, scoring three so far this season – as per WhoScored.
The return of both Fabianski and Antonio couldn’t come any sooner; how badly we miss both is getting more and more alarming with every passing game.
— Josh Verrills (@WestHamJoshV) November 6, 2019
It’s more we miss Antonio
— Matt B (@MattB70875356) November 6, 2019
What Do We Think?
Some of these fans have pointed to the Oxford result as a potential negative turning point, with the east London side not winning in the league since. However, missing key players like Fabianski and Antonio can’t have helped either.
Visiting Burnley this Saturday can’t be too appealing for most fans, but the Hammers do have a decent record against the Turf Moor side over the last six times the clubs have met, with the east London side winning 50% and scoring eight goals.
Many will be expecting Manuel Pellegrini’s side to turn things around, regardless of Fabianski’s continued absence.