A look at five things we learned about West Ham United from their draw with Stoke City last time out.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes gestures towards West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers were held to a 1-1 draw by Mark Hughes’ side at the London Stadium despite taking the lead late on at the London Stadium.
Michail Antonio continued his good goalscoring form this season but a major mistake by goalkeeper Adrian gifted Stoke substitute Bojan an equaliser.
The result left West Ham 17th in the Premier League table, just one point above the bottom three.
But what did we learn about the Hammers from the game?
Joe Allen has overtaken Mark Noble since their days as U21 internationals for Wales and England
1) Joe Allen is the player Mark Noble should be
West Ham skipper Mark Noble is held up as something of a legend in East London.
While his contribution to the cause and dedication to his boyhood club is unquestionable over the years, his performances this season are holding the Hammers back.
Against Stoke Noble was literally a waste of a player in midfield and was left chasing shadows for most of the game.
While part of that responsibility must go to the manager, Noble was completely outclassed by Potters star Joe Allen.
Similar in stature, size and in terms of attributes, Allen and Noble should be equals.
But on this evidence the Welshman showed Noble the standards he should be setting and making the kind of impact that helps his team out of the mire.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic with Dimitri Payet
2) Bilic is scared to drop star names
Why Slaven Bilic decided to drop pacy and powerful youngster Edimilson Fernandes to the bench for a game against a strong outfit like Stoke was puzzling.
Fernandes, alongside Pedro Obiang, has been one of West Ham’s better players since breaking into the side over the last month.
Bilic had been using the young Swiss midfielder at right wing back and it had given West Ham a great balance in their new formation.
But he was dropped to the bench so Bilic could accommodate under performing duo Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini in the same side as Andre Ayew and Antonio.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic speaks with Simone Zaza
3) Zaza is on his way out of West Ham
Simone Zaza is not wanted by West Ham after an inauspicious start to life in England which has seen him fail to barely register a shot on target let alone a goal since arriving on loan from Juventus.
He was an unused substitute with youngster Ashley Fletcher preferred as a second half sub against Stoke.
The reason? Zaza is halfway to activating the 14-game obligation to buy clause agreed as part of the loan deal with Juve for a whopping £25 million.
That will not be allowed to happen, though, if this game is anything to go by. Bilic clearly doesn’t trust the player and the funds will likely need to be spent elsewhere come January.
West Ham fans in the London Stadium
4) London Stadium failing to convince West Ham diehards
As a venue the London Stadium is spectacular, breathtaking even.
But while the Hammers are struggling to make it home on the pitch – they have taken just two points from games against Watford, Southampton, Middlesbrough and Stoke – off the pitch fans are feeling the same.
The hardcore West Ham diehards have filled internet forums and blogs with negative reviews of the matchday experience.
Many feel the club has lost something in the move and that the soul of the club is being wiped out.
The atmosphere was poor against Stoke, not helped by another lethargic, insipid performance from Bilic’s side.
But it is something less tangible than that, something at the very heart of the club which appears lost and lifelong fans are downbeat on the club’s future at the venue irrespective of form or results.
Under pressure: Slaven Bilic
5) Bilic is running out of ideas but better opposition may actually help
On this evidence Bilic has played his ace card with the recent formation change, and already been sussed.
Stoke – shorn of three of their best players and their two key forwards – totally nullified the hosts.
If in fact managers have already figured out the new-look West Ham then Bilic and his side really are in trouble.
However, playing against better sides – as West Ham do in what looks a daunting fixture list over the next month – may actually help.
The opposition will be expected to win and take the game to the lowly East Londoners which in turn will give the likes of Payet, Lanzini, Antonio and Ayew more space to have an impact on the game.
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