03 Sep 2026 13:26:46
Just to add fuel to the Pablo debate, it's worth having a look at "Why do West Ham Only Win With Pablo" by AU on YouTube.

I'm not saying they're right, but what they have to say and the in depth analysis is interesting.

1.) 03 Sep 2026
03 Sep 2026 14:43:32
Similar article on Green Street Hammers site.

2.) 03 Sep 2026
03 Sep 2026 17:40:03
Yes, that's all well and good, but isn't that the least that's required of an attacker at this level? For £20+million outlay, it might be quite nice to see a few goals added to his West Ham CV! It doesn't change the fact that the first requirement of an attacker is to score goals. Pablo doesn't know how to at this level.

3.) 03 Sep 2026
03 Sep 2026 18:22:55
Came on here to say exactly the same thing, Markro! Well worth a watch. Not saying he shouldn't be getting more G/A, but the work he does is v important to the team, and v under appreciated.

4.) 03 Sep 2026
03 Sep 2026 19:15:42
I realise there are differences, but Emile Heskey springs to mind. He played as a striker, but his role, particularly in his partnership with Michael Owen, was to hold up the ball until his strike partner got into a goal scoring position.

His role was essential to the success of the Liverpool team. Despite this, Heskey found the net himself a number of times. Pablo doesn't seem capable of this even though he plays a support role in the team front line.

5.) 03 Sep 2026
03 Sep 2026 20:53:22
The article has its merits and highlights some surprising statistics. I suppose the main one is the percentage of wins with Pablo in the side. But, using one of Mark Twain's one-liners, "there are lies, dam lies, and statistics", some of the stats would need to be examined again to check that it isn't something that is just specific to Pablo and couldn't be applied to other players. Also, the tenuous links of a pass or run that Pablo did 5 passes before a goal went in is clutching at straws. For example, the first goal had nothing to do with Pablo; it was a fantastic strike from a fantastic player.

If Tatty or Bowen had been in Mukasa's position, they probably wouldn't have scored. He is, for sure, an enigma. We all want him to succeed, and he seems a likeable fella, but he needs to provide more direct assists and some goals. If we had paid a couple of million, nobody would be questioning, but as it was such a large fee, there has to be a stewards' enquiry.
Let's hope he bags one against Derby....

6.) 03 Sep 2026

03 Sep 2026 23:02:19
The £20m price tag is a heavy cross for him to bear, that fault doesn't lie with him, surely.

7.) 04 Sep 2026

04 Sep 2026 00:03:03
No, but surely for that sort of money it's not unreasonable for us to expect a striker to know where the goal is! The club should have invested in some neon lights around the goalposts and a long elastic band attached to the ball and the back of the net. ?

8.) 04 Sep 2026

04 Sep 2026 06:19:03
That is very true, Dabber. But nobody allowed JWP that degree of leeway when he was signed by some fool for 30 mil on over 100k per week on a 7 year deal. But he did initially pay some of that back. But, as I say, let's hope he does find the net and the stats are definitely something to bear in mind. I think it is far more important to get a lead in these games, whether with or without him on the pitch.