Agree...I'd have Ayew in from now on. Not really a wide midfielder, but retains possession so much better.

Never rated him, brought in as a replacement for Bolasie but then had to completely invert the way we play because, despite being left footed, threw a tantrum as being deployed on the left wing meant he couldn't do his cut-and-shoot, which earns him one wonder goal a season, but loses us possession 10 times a game. Had one alright season a few years back before he had his arse hair relocated to his head. Desperately need a fresh new winger to revive our attacks and take some of the pressure off the left flank.

I know. I’d have given Scott Banks some time but we’ve packed him off on loan to Scotland. He seems to have promise and, in my opinion, really couldn’t do any worse than Andros in the last few games.
But the overall passing was just absolutely woeful, through the whole team.
The problem Zaha and Eze have is, like Lombardo many years before them, they are surrounded by players who just aren’t good enough, not on the same wavelength so cannot pre-empt the runs or space.
Very poor, but this style of play has been fully found out and unpicked, so unless we change it up, which we won’t under this manager, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble I reckon.

Townsend is an honest player who is willing to put in the effort which of course Mr Hodgson admires but as an attacking threat he is not the player of old.
Alas he has been on the wane for some time, but he is just one of a host of players in this category and before our very eyes we are seeing the deterioration of players in the 'Twilight' of their careers.

What I would assert is that Ayew was introduced into the fray when W.Ham were leading 3-1 and in little danger of being pegged back and perhaps concluded that the game was won.

Townsend’s performance was indefensible having given the ball away 20 plus times yet again. Ayew looked more assured on the ball when he came on and he retains possession far better than Townsend. To say he only looked better because West Ham were no longer trying is unfair on Ayew.