Aaron McLean's view: West Ham lose with the
According to Bbc.
Context
West Ham United, following their relegation, need to quickly adapt to Championship football, where the competition is intense. Their performance against Charlton highlights the need for improvements both tactically and mentally to avoid getting stuck at the bottom of the table.
Why it matters
West Ham's defeat against Charlton highlights the difficulties the team is facing in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League. The lack of incisiveness and the pressure of playing in front of 62,000 fans calls into question their mentality and preparation to face the championship. On the other hand, Charlton establish themselves as one of the teams to beat, having achieved two wins in their first two matches.
Key points
- Aaron McLean's view: West Ham lose with.
- Aaron McLean analyzes the teams' recent performances in the Championship, highlighting West Ham's difficulties and Millwall's excellent start.
- Aaron McLean's EFL takeaways: West Ham lose to Charlton and who are Championship's team to beat?.
Former Peterborough United and Hull City striker - and Final Score pundit - Aaron McLean gives his five takeaways following Saturday's action in the Championship, League One and League Two.
West Ham have made a disappointing start to the Championship season following relegation from the Premier League. After squandering a two-goal lead in their opening draw against Burnley, the Hammers lost 2-1 at home to Charlton on Saturday.
McLean: "I look at West Ham and think last season they were relegated because they weren't good enough. They have come into the Championship, they almost need to hit rock bottom. I think they were very uninspiring against Burnley in their first game, but really that wasn't a test of what the Championship is going to be about. Today was a real test against an established Championship team who will fight for every ball. I know West Ham missed a penalty to get a point, but if you are West Ham at home in front of 62,000, you shouldn't need a penalty to try to salvage something. There needs to be huge improvements in the mentality and maybe the personnel if West Ham hope to have a good season.
Charlton are one of only two sides in the second tier with two wins from their two games. The other team with six points is Millwall, who beat Norwich on Saturday.
McLean: "I think Millwall are, at this moment, the team to beat. Last season they just fell short, I think they look solid at the back, they look strong, they look aggressive and they can score goals. I expect them to be very much in the hunt for automatic promotion. Last season was about consolidation for Charlton. The job Nathan Jones has done there has been magnificent. Last season they needed to make sure that they just stayed in the division, this year I think they are looking to go one step further. They are playing slightly more expansively. Back-to-back wins now for them, they will fancy themselves to be able to go on and build on that.
After 489 days without an away win, Wolves were good value for their 3-1 victory over Preston at Deepdale and have taken four points from their first two Championship games.
McLean: "I like Wolves. I like the look of them, I like the signings - I think they have brought in the right characters as well as players with huge amounts of quality. I think today will go a long way towards helping them to establish themselves in that leading pack, they need to make sure they continue to build but they seem like they have acclimatised to the Championship better than the likes of West Ham and Burnley.
A little over a decade after winning the Premier League title, Leicester are back in League One and lost at home to Burton Albion on Saturday, playing most of the match with 10 men.
McLean: "It is [humbling]. I feel sorry for Russell Martin, I think he's become manager of a club that has been so used to underachieving over the past few years. Sometimes it's difficult to change that mentality. What they needed to happen was to hit the ground running last weekend and build on that. That hasn't happened and they go into the next game and end up losing. It's more psychologically that Russell Martin has to turn things around and get the buy-in from the players.
Bristol Rovers were on a 10-match losing run midway through last season when they turned to experienced boss Steve Evans. Fast forward nine months and the Gas are seemingly a much better prospect under one of the Football League's most experienced bosses. They put five goals past Newport County in an eight-goal thriller on Saturday for their first three points of the season.
McLean: "You have to credit the job Steve Evans has done at Bristol Rovers since he has gone in there, they have done a total 180. Before he took over they were only heading one way and that was out of the division. He's got the team working, the fortunes have totally transformed and they now look like a side that can go from strength to strength. The amount of goals they scored - and the manner they scored them - should give them huge belief.
What happens now
West Ham will have to review their strategy and improve their mentality to face the next challenges in the Championship. With teams like Millwall making a good start to the season, the pressure is mounting for the Hammers. It will be essential for them to find an immediate reaction so as not to further compromise the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score of the match between West Ham and Charlton?
West Ham lost 2-1 against Charlton.
How does this defeat affect West Ham's Championship standings?
West Ham have had a disappointing start to the Championship season, having been relegated from the Premier League.
What's West Ham's next game?
The article does not specify West Ham's next match.
Which teams are currently at the top of the Championship standings?
Charlton and Millwall are the only two teams with two wins in two games.
Who are the teams to beat in the Championship according to Aaron McLean?
Aaron McLean considers Millwall to be the team to beat at the moment.
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