Writing about West Ham United’s Premier League home game against Crystal Palace, I referred the challenge faced by Lopetegui to incorporate all of his attacking talent into one team- it seems that Bowen, Summerville, Kudus, Paqueta , Fullkruk (or Antonio) won’t fit into the same team and therein lies the conundrum
Whilst watching the Carabao Cup game I came a cross the perfect solution which I though I’d float for Claret and Hugh readers to shoot down at their leisure. As Jarrod Bowen managed to intercept (with his ‘shoulder’ you understand) Kudus’ shot beyond the ‘keeper, it seemed obvious to me that here was David Moyes‘ emergency striker popping up again in the number nine position to score again. Why not adopt Moyes’ strategy and play him there every week? That means alongside him, Kudus plays in his favourite right wing position, Summerville to the left, both ‘inverted wingers’ in their preferred positions cutting in onto their stronger foot.
Fullkrug or Souckek would play perfectly as the number 10 to Bowen’s striker role if we are at home or against weaker PL opposition, leaving Paqueta and Alvarez in front of a back four. All of the talent in one team, both wingers creating and doing what they do best: Jarrod Bowen has shown how effective he is playing as a striker. Less defensive work for him, more goals, two amazing wingers incorporated. Against Man City, though at the weekend, would we just leave out Summerville and revert to Bowen Kudus and Paqueta as a front three allowing three DM’s and a back four – familiar? was the set up for big parts of last year….
(A lot will depend on the reported injury to Kudus from Wednesday’s Carling Cup game, which could put Bowen back onto the right until Mo is fit again.)
I hate to admit it, but maybe David Moyes did have a point playing Jarrod at number nine.
It’s quite simple really. Squad rotation is used at all clubs, West Ham were out of step with this with David Moyes because he preferred a 1st 11 with the same subs. That can work with some luck injury wise when not playing in Europe.
Soucek and number 10 shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Number 10s as a minimum can pass the ball back to goal or turn. Soucek cannot turn. He can pass back but often has games where he’s inaccurate.
Number 10s should have creativity and technical ability, that’s not how I would describe Soucek.
Oh for God’s sake, Martin, we are 3 games in. You’re better than this, aren’t you?
I’m guilty of writing players off, but let’s give the guy and new players until December.
I can’t understand what the guy is saying half the time and perhaps he’s not quite getting his point over yet, but when it does click (hopefully) we’ve got a damn good squad now.
Don’t rile up the knee jerk morons in our fanbase. They only need a few words like this to start a meltdown. Most had never heard of some of our new players let alone know how they play.
And let’s never mention Moyes again. Divisive isn’t even adequate when it comes to the former manager debate! He left us in a big mess and it’s this mess holding us back still.
relax, its an opinion, no need to get so worked up.. It isn’t ‘divisive’ to offer a different suggestion: That is why we have a forum after all. If I get you thinking, then disagree with me, but stay calm….and BTW thank you for moderating the language these days, it is appreciated.
Playing Bowen as striker gets the best out of the options we have. Kudus is wasted on the left. Pace in behind is sorely missed (which is why we wanted Duran) – Bowen has a bit. Somerville should be on the LW and Paqueta as the 10 (his best position). Alvarez and Rodriguez as the double pivot.
That’s what I thought was going to happen but so far unpleasantly surprised.
I would like to see a Front three of Summerville Bowen kudus. That would be scary for any opposition and would have been perfect for a counterattacking system with three players who can all run at the opposition defence. I don’t think Lopetegui is going to play that way though. From what I’ve seen so far it’s slow passing and if can’t get forward that way it’s a ball back to a defender or goalkeeper who then hoof the ball forward.
Moyesball Mk2
Soucek us the problem, he isn’t in my first team that is for sure! Play Kudus in the middle, he’s our best player, and his threat is nullified on the left. Summerville left and Bowen on the right. This would give our midfield a ton more mobility. Those little triangles on the flanks that end up with Soucek passing the ball backwards would be a thing of the past.
Soucek is good for a late goal but in my view he holds the team back. Füllkrug will never be a success with him in the side, he’ll never get the service.
You don’t need to shoehorn players into a team. England make this mistake constantly. You need balance.
What we have lacked consistently is someone who will carry the ball from deep and create momentum in transition. Soucek isn’t that player, so perhaps playing Paqueta deeper, as he does for Brazil, might be an option.
Kudus was more of a number 10 before he came to us and also is excellent carrying the ball so I would like him more central. This would also allow AWB and Emerson space to come forward as they are very capable of doing
Whatever the merits of the points made in the article, it didn’t get off to a good start by referring to ‘West Ham United’s Premier League HOME game against Crystal Palace’…
Martin, you’re certainly one for floating ideas for your knowledgable, erudite, and polite readers to shoot down at their leisure😊
Really good responses here. My take on it is that it has to be flexible, so all of these responses have some ‘horses for courses’ merit. And this includes what we do WHEN we get back into Europe.
Just to pick up on Loppety Guy’s speech,: I wish he would find a little time to take a few more lessons. It has to also be the case when he’s communicating with his players.
I do try to ‘engage inform and entertain’ – And I’m always told -in no uncertain terms- when I fall short!
A headline to raise eyebrows Martin! lol
What’s lacking is a thoughtful approach to supplying our frontmen..rather than hoof the ball hopefully…be it Bowen or Kudus or Fullkrug.
Soucek is not really a supplier…as someone wrote, he gets in the box and scores the odd goal but does little else.
The jury is still out on Fullkrug…a striker needs a supply line and so far he’s not really getting that,
4-2-3-1
Paqueta deep with Alvarez, Summerville kudos Bowen behind Fullkrug. With options to rotate, form, tactical changes and a bench.
We finally have the making of a squad…