It told you everything about the apathy that runs through the London Stadium these days that the biggest ovation of the night came before the match had even started.
Michail Antonio returned just three months after his horror car crash to be introduced to the supporters before kick-off and rightly received a hero’s welcome. They sung his name, they unfurled a huge banner in his honour, the stadium announcer hailed Antonio’s ‘strength, resilience and character’ to fight back from his hospital bed to here.
How those supporters wish they could assign similar labels to the performance from Antonio’s team-mates that followed. From the first whistle, West Ham gave them nothing to cheer about. Little strength, little resilience, little character.
Too meek, too passive. Newcastle were there for the taking. Things might have been different had Tomas Soucek finished his early chance and West Ham felt aggrieved that Bruno Guimaraes’ eventual winner was not ruled out for a push on Max Kilman but, in truth, the game was of such poor quality that even a 0-0 would have flattered both sides.
The problem for West Ham, though, is that this is no rare dip. Only the four teams below the Hammers in the Premier League table have earned fewer points at home this season, only Ipswich and Southampton have conceded more goals.
This is a team capable of winning at Arsenal under Graham Potter and at Newcastle under Julen Lopetegui. They earned a commendable draw at Villa Park under the new boss and when Potter returned to Chelsea came away defeated but with a performance that deserved more.
West Ham’s defeat to Newcastle on Monday evening was their eighth at home this season
Bruno Guimaraes scored the only goal of the game from close range to down the Hammers
The biggest ovation at the London Stadium came when Michail Antonio appeared for the first time since his horror car crash before kick-off
When was the last time fans shuffled out of the London Stadium chattering excitedly among themselves about the scintillating football they had just watched?
Certainly not when they shipped five in the first half against Arsenal. Or when they conceded another five against Liverpool. Or when Jean-Phillipe Mateta single-handedly dismantled West Ham’s defence for Crystal Palace. Or when Potter’s side produced one of the worst opening 45 minutes of the season against Brentford and somehow only lost 1-0.
West Ham have won five home games this term, more than Everton and Crystal Palace and the same as Tottenham and Fulham yet even their recent home victory against Leicester was more a story of the Foxes throwing in the relegation towel than of the Hammers dismantling a dismal side.
The only occasion this term that West Ham have dispatched an opponent on home turf was a 4-1 win over Ipswich in October.
But why are they so poor at home? So often when this question is asked, the easy answer is to point at the atmosphere at the London Stadium compared to that at Upton Park.
When you speak to Hammers fans, they tell you how often they felt they could influence results at the old place. You were close to it all, on top of the opposition, you could intimidate as well as drive your team forward.
At the London Stadium, you often feel like an audience member at an arena gig than part of the action.
In their final season at Upton Park, the Hammers won about half of their league games and only lost three. This season, they have won a third and lost more than half.
Liverpool hit West Ham for five without reply at the London Stadium back in late December
Hammers fans often point to the poor atmosphere at the London Stadium, compared to Upton Park, as a problem
All this plays a part, from the atmosphere to the feel of the walk to the ground and the distant, forgotten smells of the burgers and onions and the sense of community.
But it’s too easy to blame it all on that, much too simple, too much of an excuse and a crutch on which to shift the spotlight from the underlying problems within the team and the club.
Because this place can rock. Anyone who was there for those European nights in recent years can attest to that. Put on a show and you’ll get a response.
It doesn’t help that the season is all-but over by March. Out of both cups and blessed to be far enough above Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton that relegation shouldn’t bother them unless something ridiculous happens.
We are now, basically, in an extended pre-season for Potter to figure out what he needs, who he wants and who he doesn’t. There’s more than a few that will sit in that final list.
For all the focus during the January transfer window of West Ham’s need for a striker, the real problems to their laboured home performances lie much further back.
This is a team with Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta and, when fit, Crysencio Summerville. There’s plenty of attacking flair, if perhaps, Bowen aside, not always the most consistent.
West Ham ship too many goals but Potter has, at least, shored them up a bit there. Before he arrived, they conceded three goals or more in nine different matches. It hasn’t happened since.
Hammers boss Graham Potter should use the rest of the campaign as an extended pre-season
Stars such as Lucas Paqueta (left) and Crycensio Summerville (right) have struggled for consistency
They need more from set pieces, too. West Ham have scored five goals from corners this season. Last season, under David Moyes, they scored 12 – only Arsenal managed more.
‘I apologise if things aren’t happening quicker than we want them to be,’ said Potter after the Newcastle defeat. ‘But when you see the players give everything, that commitment is there.’
The pressing issue is in midfield. They don’t have anyone in the centre of the park who can grab hold of a game and make it theirs. A great midfielder sets the tone and the tempo.
They don’t have Declan Rice any more, they don’t have Kevin Nolan or Mark Noble anymore.
Against Newcastle, Potter started with a midfield trio of Soucek, James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez. Potter praised Ward-Prowse for how much ground he covered but if West Ham are to dominate the centre of the park they need more. There’s heart and industry but there’s not the dynamism, creativity or goal threat they need.
Cole Palmer, for example, has created 71 chances for Chelsea this season and Bruno Fernandes has created 60. West Ham’s chief creator from midfield has been Paqueta with 26.
Palmer has combined for 20 goals and assists. Soucek leads the Hammers midfielders with seven. Paqueta has four.
They need someone who can split defences. Guimaraes, the match winner on Monday night, leads the way for passes completed between the lines the season – when a pass splits the opponent’s defensive structure – with 93. Paqueta leads the way for the Hammers on 53.
They are missing former midfielders such as Declan Rice (bottom) and Mark Noble (top)
James Ward-Prowse’s energy levels have impressed but they need players who can grab hold of a game in the middle of the park
Potter knows this. He is desperate to strengthen his midfield options in the summer and has been linked with England midfielder Angel Gomes.
Potter has made an impression behind the scenes since he took over. Those around the club say he’s lifted the mood and made everyone feel more united and communicates clearly what he wants to see.
He’s seen flashes of it but, if he is to succeed next season, he must see more, especially at home. For that to happen, he needs to land the right man in the middle.
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