8-pass West Ham star was just as bad as Morato in Parker’s first game

If Scott Parker wasn’t aware of the extent of the job on his hands before the Cardiff City game, then he certainly was by the time Max Kilman found the back of the net to complete West Ham United‘s miraculous recovery in Wales.

The new manager watched his side go 3-0 down before half-time even arrived. It was looking like a disastrous evening, with travelling fans reminding players that they’re not fit to wear the shirt they hold so dear.

If anyone was doubting Parker’s man management, however, then his half-time team talk should have provided plenty of evidence against that assumption. West Ham’s comeback was as sensational as it was necessary for the former Burnley boss, but he still has so much work to do.

Parker must drop Morato to solve West Ham weakness

In the build-up to his first game in charge, there was an assumption that Parker would add defensive stability. That’s what Nuno Espírito Santo was lacking alongside clear consistency, so it made sense to hire a manager whose Burnley side conceded just 16 goals in their Championship-winning campaign.

Alas, the reality is that it was never going to be a quick fix. Parker would have been well aware of what he was walking into and when Jack Moylan struck from range, before Morato handed him the chance to find his second from the penalty spot, it would have felt all too real for the new boss.

A third goal from Moylan then arrived to compound West Ham’s misery and, even though they did complete a comeback, Parker has several brutal decisions to make – starting with Morato.

The Nottingham Forest loanee endured a woeful first half, conceding the penalty for Cardiff’s second with a reckless challenge, before being hooked by his debuting manager. First impressions matter and that may be that for Morato.

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

The left-back has been hooked at half-time in two of the last three games and that should be a sign for Parker to drop him entirely. The former midfielder cannot risk having such a liability, but Morato isn’t the only one who should suffer that fate.

Alongside Morato: 20-touch West Ham star is is a problem

If the Hammers are to earn promotion, then there must be several changes. Starting at the back, Parker must solidify a side that cannot stop conceding goals. Whether it’s dropping Morato or forming an entirely different back four, something has to change. Parker’s promotion sides have always fallen back on their defensive resilience.

He also has changes to make going forward, however. There have been several underperformers in that West Ham attack. But for the goals of Jarrod Bowen, they would be left stranded at this stage of the campaign.

Against Cardiff, it once again became clear that Taty Castellanos is West Ham’s biggest liability. Hooked at half-time, the forward took just 23 touches in an incredibly disappointing display.

Action Images/John Sibley

It’s not the first time that Castellanos has struggled in England’s second tier, either. The 28-year-old has scored just one goal all season, despite costing West Ham around £25m back in January, when he was tasked with scoring the goals to keep the Hammers afloat.

Even after failing to drag West Ham to safety last season, though, Castellanos showed enough potential to create the assumption that he would walk through the Championship. To say that has not happened would be the understatement of the year.

With 23 touches, it’s clear that Castellanos is not getting involved enough when West Ham need him most and, when the chances are falling his way, he is not taking them.

To have just one goal to his name at this stage of the campaign is disastrous for such a big-money signing. If Parker is to turn West Ham’s season around, he must drop Castellanos permanently.