The Scott Parker era has so far been chaotic and while there are many issues to fix at West Ham United right now, fans have identified the biggest problem facing the new head coach.

Following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, Parker is yet to win a game as West Ham head coach and the defensive problems that have blighted the Hammers all season remain all too apparent.

West Ham fans call for Scott Parker to improve team’s defence

The most interesting aspect of the response after Hammers News asked its readers and subscribers on TalkingPoints about what Parker needs to fix most was the fact that fans lamented the collective failings of the team defensively. 

This is not just about one player, even if Max Kilman and Mads Hermansen continue to be lightning rods for criticism. It’s not too long ago that Kilman was booed by West Ham fans, while Hermansen has been mocked for his poor goalkeeping this season and while frustration continues, the rebuild must focus on the macro rather than the micro. 

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matt_murray99

Defence For Sure.. Kilman, Morato , Mayers And Scarles All Out And A New GK That Will Actually Try And Keep It From Going In Our Net Unlike Hermanssen..

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“That defence is leaking far too many goals for a team that has just come down from the PL. Needs to be addressed,” said another subscriber.

“DEFENCE, DEFENCE and DEFENCE,” read one reply. “Specifically: ball watching in our box, clean tackling before opponents reach our box. And a new goalkeeper, or at least anyone not called Hermansen.”

There have been plenty of individual mistakes but not 23 of them. There have been systematic issues all season defensively and it has now gone past the point of supporters blaming individuals.  

Rather, it’s an issue for the whole team. The Irons have conceded 23 goals in their opening 13 Championship games, the second-highest amount in the top half of the table. While not to suggest that West Ham’s defenders have played well individually, their porousness is not down them alone. A change of system, perhaps, could help. 

The tactical change West Ham fans are urging Scott Parker to make

Another of our subscribers called on Parker to change the way in which West Ham generally operate. None of the four formations the team have been shaped in this season contain a third midfielder for extra protection to the back four, such has been the insistence of getting as many attacking players on the pitch as possible. 

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antonymmartin84

Switching systems so that we have a DM in the side sitting in front of the back four. The team is not good enough to accommodate a no 10. Either get Magassa up to speed or red retreated Alvarez.

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“I sound like a broken record but I have been saying it all season, [Edson] Alvarez is the best CDM in this league yet he has been totally ignored by Nuno, he must get a chance to add some steel and nous to that position which would transform our defence.”

A few of our subscribers posited the theory that changing formations to bring an extra midfielder into the side would be a good idea, potentially adding more stability to the side. The likes of Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa – outcast under Nuno – were cited as potential midfield saviours.  

That would be a fairly radical change of approach, given what we’ve seen this season. The good news, however, is that Parker was hired for his ability to coach teams defensively and the ease with which the Irons have been overrun will clearly not be lost on him. 

Parker was “hurt” by the negative reaction fans gave his team following their loss to Blackburn, though it should have come as little surprise. Supporters are clearly angry in both the terraces and online, which only highlights the emotional weight that could be harnessed into something far more positive. 

The new head coach has only been through the door for a few days now. Change takes time and perhaps the international break will help the 46-year-old lay some foundations on the training pitch at a frosty Rush Green.