Is Moyes brave enough to drop Soucek & Zouma?
It goes without saying that West Ham’s Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest is massive for David Moyes. However, the composition of his defence may be the most crucial decision he has to make.
I’m sure most would agree that nine goals conceded in two games is reason enough to switch things around. It will be interesting to see whether Moyes continues to play Kurt Zouma, given his lack of mobility. Because Forest looked fast and sharp against Newcastle United, and in my opinion, were unlucky to lose 3-2.
In Morgan Gibbs-White, they have a truly creative player, and they are blessed with pace and skill on the wings. Taiwo Awoniyi is not only mobile enough to cause Zouma problems, but he won’t mind the physical challenge either. For that reason, I would pair Konstantinos Mavropanos with Nayef Aguerd and try to defend a little higher up the pitch.
Managers favourite: Is Moyes brave enough to drop Zouma?
Sitting deep and inviting the opposition on to us is clearly not working. Moyes may not agree, but attack might well be the best form of defence by keeping everyone as far away from our goal as possible.
Like any manager, Moyes has his favourites, but Zouma and Tomas Soucek have not helped the manager’s chances of retaining his job recently. We’ll see how seriously Moyes responds to what must have been a difficult week for him. To be tactically outsmarted by his former captain at Everton must be humbling, particularly given that Declan Rice led the demolition.
I want to see a reaction from Moyes, and I want to see changes. If we don’t get it will tell us everything we need to know about the manager’s mindset.
I remember reading many years ago an article about “crowdsource managers”. Instead of relying on one human brain to choose a team and subs, thousands of supporters offered their desired lineup. A computer model then calculated averages and came up with the “ideal team” for a particular match.
Apparently players in those teams scored more goals and conceded fewer in real life than human coaches.
Perhaps West Ham’s next Manager should be the brains of its supporters plus a computer. A lot cheaper than the present system….
You have already answered your own question I think. No. No youth players are ready because they never get enough any time whilst Soucek and Zouma will be played until they actually collapse. Look at how Moyes has burnt Antonio in the past. I’m just surprised he hadn’t tried to get Maroan Filani out of retirement. We must protest and he must go.