Tony Gale believes Andy Carroll will face a big challenge to make a West Ham first team return after his red card at Burnley describing the striker’s actions as “stupid.”
And he made it clear that Javier Hernandez’s settling-in problems at the club are down to being played out of position.
With Carroll out of the picture the former central defender wants to see Bilic playing Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio behind he £16 million signing.
Gale said: “It was a stupid challenge. It’s a shame for him because he’s just getting back to fitness. He needs six games to get back to fitness, then bang he does that – he’s out.
All of a sudden West Ham might change the way they play, Hernandez goes up front, Sakho goes up front, he may not get back in the team.”
“He’s playing out of position, simple. At Southampton he got two opportunist’s goals in the six-yard area. That’s where he’s got to be because he sniffs out a chance like nobody in the Premier League.
“If you’re looking at Hernandez up front, [Marko] Arnautovic one side, [Michail] Antonio the other and [Manuel] Lanzini in behind, you’re looking at a lot of creativity there and maybe West Ham getting the performance they’ve been edging towards.
Bang on imho.
Against the stronger teams it should be Hernandez supported by Lanzini, Antonio and Arnie, with two holding midfielders. They protect the back four whilst we still keep a balance of having enough going forward to still cause teams trouble. No sitting deep with 10 in defense like we have been doing against the likes of Man U, C and so on.
Against the weaker teams we can afford to ask Lanzini to be a bit more disciplined and have Sakho alongside Hernandez. Alternatively push Antonio up further and play Ayew (despite his terrible confidence / form I still think there’s a player in there – and we are talking about the weaker teams after all).
All the while, Carroll should be an impact sub at most. Chasing a game, up top to cause havock. Defending a game, useful for defending corners. But that’s all.
I agree almost 100% except I would say against the stronger teams Hernandez should be on the bench and Sakho should be the lone cf he can hold the ball up and stretch teams better than Carroll or Hernandez.