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West Ham’s first competitive fixture following relegation from the Premier League had a very familiar-looking start to it. Slow, sluggish, no plan, passing around the back four for a hoof forward and a loss of possession seemed very reminiscent of the start of last season. Fortunately for paying spectators, if not for West Ham’s outcome in the top tier last season, Fernandes arrived in September and the link-up play slowly improved, until the Portuguese youngster was running the midfield after Christmas. Edson Alvarez still looks a ‘card’ liability waiting to happen In this post – Fernandes midfield, Kante, well as he played, Orford and Alvarez don’t offer that kind of transition play. From the look of it, on first showing the Hammers still need to focus on bringing in a Fernandes replacement, be it Engels or an alternative. Orford can grow over time but the Irons can’t wait, with only the ponderous Soucek missing from selection yesterday. The cupboard is bare. Alvarez doesn’t look to have improved his self discipline and should have been sent off: Another game and he won’t be as lucky. Neither will his victim. Alvarez – no improvement from the bad old days last year when he was a ‘card’ magnet But the real difference between the two sides was the clinical finishing of Taty Castellanos. Two chances, two goals in a ten minute period either side of half time alongside Jarrod Bowen’s deflected strike which saw the Hammers overwhelm their opponents in what is quite likely to become a pattern this coming Championship campaign. Taty’s quality with one side footed shot and a headed goal to follow, emphasised how important it is that West Ham hang onto the Argentine forward this season. Two goals, almost a hat trick and – simples – West Ham ran out easy winners. In this league there are no prizes for hustle and bustle and endeavour, as Portsmouth found out. Put away your chances and move onto the next game. Which West Ham will now do, apprehension settled, knowing that it’ll be an almighty scrap but their match winners – providing they stay – can do the job at the opposition end. Just sort the midfield out, please, to save us watching and waiting for the ticking time bomb that is ‘El Machin’ to become West Ham’s latter day Tomas Repka. Go google.