By Max Willow
David Moyes could not be under more under pressure to put together a West Ham side capable of beating Leicester City at the London Stadium on Friday night.
That’s a given although there remains a view among some we should have little problem in beating the Foxes; surprising, as they went unbeaten for six games before losing to Manchester City.
And with players like Vardy, Okazaki, Mahrez, and young left winger, Demarai Gray, only West Ham’s best will be good enough if we are to grab those three points.
Moyes would do well not to use a 4-3-3 formation with the selection of two advanced wide men on each flank as in my view we do not have the right players to warrant such an attacking structure. Nor do we players capable of successfully operating a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In both formations, we would be left with a very fragile midfield, depending on a lone-wolf striker to score goals from wing crosses (4-3-3) or long balls from midfield (4-2-3-1); my main concern is that Moyes would choose to go with a 4-3-3, using Andy Carroll as our main attacking weapon.
I have written that Andy Carroll and Mark Noble are not great options and until there is a marked improvement from either player, I suggest that we should not start the game with these players; the bench is the place for them as possible late game subs.
The best formation I can see for tonight is the a flexible modified 4-4-1-1 (which could change to a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1), if required.
My team would see Adrian/Hart in goal; Cresswell/Masuaku as an advanced left back/wing back, who would be given the responsibility of attacking down the left wing, thus partially satisfying Moyes’s desire for one of the wing positions, Ogbonna and Reid as our two centre backs, with Zabaleta at right back, but not as advanced as his left sided colleague. For this game, I believe that Ogbonna and Reid will require the assistance of Zabaleta to keep the Leicester attackers at bay.
My ideal midfield would take on a slight oblong shaped structure, with Obiang and Kouyate as our holding defensive midfielders. Kouyate placed a little further ahead of Obiang, given his tendency of launching on long runs into the attacking third of the pitch. Declan Rice could easily slot in for either player, if Moyes is not happy with the performance of either Obiang or Kouyate, who both looked a bit sluggish last week.
Further upfield, I would have Lanzini playing as our attacking central midfielder, the position which I believe best suits his style and capabilities and to.his right, I would play Edimilson Fernanades as an attacking midfielder who could also satisfy requirements of a right winger.
Taken together, this four-man midfield group, offers solidity and strength that has been lacking in recent games. In re-assigning Lanzini to a central position, he offers us a chance to dominate play in the middle of the park, in addition to sparking attacks through the centre or directing passes to the players positioned out wide.
I suggest using Diafra Sakho as our main striker, since on balance (and in the absence of Chicharito), he is clearly our best striker at the present time. I have used Ayew or Arnautovic as a secondary central striker, playing in between Sakho and Lanzini.
Either player could comfortably move out to a wide left position, if required, especially if the left back/wing back is still in a defensive part of the field. By moving to the left, Ayew/Arnautovic could collect diagonal passes from midfield and launch attacks down the left wing. Furthermore, a quick move to the left would open up a central hole to provide Lanzini a clear pathway in linking up directly with Sakho.
The selection of these players allows the team to make shorter, incisive, diagonal passes, and creative movement, both on and off the ball. At the same time, wide wing play is possible with this formation , allowing crosses directed to Sakho, Arnautovic and one of the running midfielders. The combination of a ‘West Ham passing way’ and/or a more direct link to the centre-forward, should be able to create more goal-scoring chances than we have seen in recent games.
However, in order to reach this important end-point, we must start hard and fast and gain , thus allowing us to gain quality possession and dominate proceeding throughout the course of the match.
The views expressed here are those solely of the blogger and do not necessarily reflect those of ClaretandHugh
“Little problem in beating the Foxes”; do me a favour ! Which football team do those who have this opinion been following ? We may beat Leicester – I really hope & pray that we do, but it won’t be easy , based on what I have seen this season, All of the evidence for this statement lies in the dismal performances that West Ham have served up & in their league position. Leicester have pace in attack, & we can’t handle teams with pace. Leicester can defend, & we can’t. I wait in trepidation for the game ! I very much hope that I am wrong in forecasting 0-2.
If Moyes starts Carroll up front we are doomed.What about Quina? Young talented and quick everything Carroll and Noble aren’t.
Hi Roman,
I was seriously thinking about Quina, so no problems there-hope Moyes gives the kid a bit of playing time, since he is seriously good and our club must do everything to keep him with us!
COYI
Sorry kcockayne for any confusion..
What you have read is somewhat different to my original article, and something must have got mixed up in editing (these things happen now and then..).
I totally agree you, that we will probably have a lot of trouble against Leicester; the point that I was trying to make, is that a lot of other writers think this should be an easy win for us, which is not what I believe-far from it.
If Moyes plays Carroll and Noble in the starting line-up. we will lose, and it could well be 0-2, as you suggested!
If by chance, he puts together a strong midfield and the two striker set-up as suggested, we will still leak 2 goals, but may get lucky and score 3; therefore, I am going for an unlikely 3-2 win!
COYI
With so many weak links over the park max , any formation is a formation to avoid ?
But how do you omit zabba, cresswell , noble , Carroll , Reid. Kouyate , obiang , ayew , masuaku ! All have either no pace , no defensive ability , or bang out of form for whatever reason that is down to ?
Leicesters pace will cause us problems tonight ! All we can do as usual is go and support and hope Moyes has a philosophy in the making that helps until Jan ?
I’m expecting much the same , why wouldn’t I !! Get well soon mate , up the hammers !!!!😉
Sorry kcockayne for any confusion..
What you have read is somewhat different to my original article, and something must have got mixed up in editing (these things happen now and then..).
I totally agree you, that we will probably have a lot of trouble against Leicester; the point that I was trying to make, is that a lot of other writers think this should be an easy win for us, which is not what I believe-far from it.
If Moyes plays Carroll and Noble in the starting line-up. we will lose, and it could well be 0-2, as you suggested!
If by chance, he puts together a strong midfield and the two striker set-up as suggested, we will still leak 2 goals, but may get lucky and score 3; therefore, I am going for an unlikely 3-2 win!
COYI
Hi Laz and thanks for your kind wishes!
The title of what you read is different from my own and so what can I say?
I had to write something, so opted for what I thought was the best of the worst, player wise, and using the best compromise, formation wise.
Just hope that Moyes doesn’t start the game with Carroll and Noble.
I agree that with the likes of Vardy, Okazaki, Mahrez, and gray (in attack), it will be hard to keep them out.
Put simply, we must gain the all-important initiative (first 20-25 mins), score early and rather than ‘parking ht bus the bus’, try and knock in a second goal before the break!
That will require a lot of guts from Moyes, but I know it can be done, even without Antonio and Chicharito.
We have to win this game, mate, since you know what we are facing in December!!
Cheers,
M.
You know Laz you are starting to sound more like bubs all the time.lol
😂 not wrong roman ! We both see the problem im sure he would agree 😂 But its obviouse ain’t it ! But not on the bony front lol! Its like Kevin and the Carroll infatuation 😂
Where are you bubs ? We miss you and jenks 😉
I heard That , Laz 😱 . Still think Carroll will come good , Mate . Nothing we can do about the formation Moyes starts the game with . Just hope it’s a flexible one . One thing for sure though , we had better be on our toes because Leicester play a very pacy game with some very sharp strikers . We shall need a very strong midfield and some quick wide play . Not a fan of one player up front so for me we should go with a 352 . Going to need all the midfield we can get to protect the defense . It’s winnable but one must be honest , Leicester look to be favourites . Not worth predicting any score line , but we need to score first . On 45mins would be nice .
😂
I would like to see Sakho start, I don’t agree with the formations against Leicester, up top Vardy will be a lone striker possibly supported by Mahrez and Gray, they will try and suck us upfield and counter us, their style of play hasn’t changed that much under Puel. I think we should play 3 5 1 1 but with a lot more discipline than under Bilic, most of the time against Leicester 3 centre backs should be more than enough cover and I would make Kouyate one of them, he is a headless chicken at the minute when he plays as a CB he is forced to stay in position which improves our shape, he also has some pace which we are lacking. My team would be Hart/Adrian Masuaku, Ogbonna, Reid, Kouyate, Zab, Rice in midfield, Obiang, Lanzini, Ayew and Sakho. It is quite a mobile team then with a lot of players that can interchange positions. I do not think he will play that system but I think it would be effective. I expect us to have a lot more possession against Leicester but against Leicester that means nothing, they are very effective on the counter although slightly less adventurous under Puel.
Agree I’d like to see Sahko & Ayew both been in good form Sahko is our most rounded CF & playing will help him move & help us get more money he will show up.
And for me I think it is past time for Adrian to be #1 again. Tho I have thought this for a while it seems as if the CBs feel more comfortable w him behind them he is a shot stopper high enegery more pace.
And Rice for me should play in CB as back 3 or in Mid.
Yeah I would like to see Rice starting, he is actually very pacey, if he started at CB with Kouyate in m/f that would be fine although Kouyate just goes awol on his gung ho attacking runs and leaves Obiang covering the full width of the pitch which makes him look pretty poor and leaves the defence exposed and easy chances for teams to outnumber us. I expect though Noble will be starting again which may be ok against Leicester if we have more possession but doesn’t really help the defensive cover and offers us nothing if he is caught out of position by their quick counters. I hope we get something out of the game to build on COYI !!!
I’ll be there !! Abusing everyone 😂😂 especially Carroll and noble keV 😂😂
Moyes must learn like many Noble is not our future and we must move on
Why not give Sak a chance he does score and give us options
We can’t keep waiting for the old pros to deliver so Quina can do no worse then Ayew or Arnie
Sorry for the absence lads but been in Hospital no wifi
Cut backs must be brexit
Adrien deserves his chance again can’t do any worse
Byram could be used in front of Zac to giving the same options as the left
We have to try something new
I don’t hate Noble just not wearing claret and blue goggles
Keep Carroll fit to sell anytime now he will break his big toe tripping over his child name books
Bambi would have been a good one Andy
Hello bubs , in hospital with WiFi ? 😂
Hope its nothing serious ! Removal of Stella can from hand 😉
Welcome back mate ! I think matte has been locked up in the cellar by his new bride ! Figures? ! 😂
Good to be back now it’s 1-1
Lack of SAN Miguel in system
Sad for Slav but his day had come he had lost the dressing room and the real fans
Let’s hope these over paid prima donas start repaying the best fans in the world
COYI