West Ham’s rollercoaster season took another downward turn with a dismal 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, and one player bore the brunt of criticism for his poor performance and apparent lack of fitness.
The Hammers’ woes in the Premier League have been evident, with a string of disappointing results in 2024. Despite their eighth-place standing and progression in the Europa League, discontent looms large at the London Stadium. The recent 6-0 thrashing by Arsenal saw fans deserting the stands before halftime, amplifying the pressure on manager David Moyes.
Central to West Ham’s troubles has been the failure to replace former captain Declan Rice adequately. While significant funds were injected into reinforcements, the absence of Rice’s influence in midfield has been glaring. Adding to the woes, the arrival of Kalvin Phillips, intended to bolster the midfield, has failed to yield positive results.
Critics Ashton and O’Hara didn’t mince words in their assessment of Phillips after Saturday’s defeat. Former Hammers striker Ashton lambasted Phillips, describing his start at West Ham as “absolutely shocking” and attributing it to prolonged bench-sitting, leaving him “nowhere near up to speed.” O’Hara echoed the sentiment, declaring Phillips unfit and off the pace, effectively ruling out his Euro chances.
Once hailed for his contributions at Leeds United and England, Phillips’ stint at Manchester City and subsequent loan spell at West Ham have seen a dramatic decline. With a lack of regular game time, Phillips appears a shadow of his former self, struggling to make an impact and riddled with errors on the pitch.
