9 Comments

Maybe Moysie should make just one change

It is, of course, unlikely that David Moyes will do anything but name an unchanged team for the game against Villa tomorrow night (Monday).

As has been mentioned many times, the boss is as far from a tinker man as you can get and with just one defeat in seven games there may seem little reason for him to do so for the sake of it.

From all the vibes coming out of the club it seems Michail Antonio will be ready to take his place in the squad but presumably on the bench giving Seb Haller the chance to impress again which is an important issue in the team’s development this season.

But there is one other selection issue which some of us believe the boss could make – Said Benrahma for Arthur Masuaku.

Arthur has done well over the last few games but on the 15 minutes we saw against Fulham, and from the testimony of Brentford fans, Said is a guy with skill in spades and one we are waiting to see get an extended run in the team.

It’s not so much a case of dropping Arthur as giving the Algerian international the opportunity to show what he’s got and from all, we know at this stage it would almost be like for like anyway.

I’m not honestly expecting it to happen although I do hope we see him before the end of the game and that the boss perhaps rejects his usual move of bringing off Fornals or Bowen.

There was a rumour ahead of the Benrahma signing that the boss was far keener on taking Josh King and that the former Brentford star was going to struggle for opportunities should he arrive.

Not too sure whether I believe that or not but with every passing absence from games the conspiracy theories are bound to grow – we are West Ham after all!

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

9 comments on “Maybe Moysie should make just one change

  1. DM loves an unchanged side but expect to see Said get subbed on at some point, and like last game, a reasonable amount of time. Issa must be chomping at the bit, so if we need to see the game out perhaps better him than Nobes? Just an idea.

  2. Not really sure why Noble is even on the bench . Absolutely correct about Diop to shore things up and with Benahrama and Lanzini no need for more cover in midfield and he certainly can’t play up front so give a youngster some bench time .

  3. Are you seriously suggesting Benrahma should play left wing back?

    • No. I’m suggesting he plays – the manager can decide the formation. He won’t drop Fornals so that looks the alternative.Perhaps rather than decide I have little idea you can explain how he gets a game

      • I think it is Fornals place he would take and maybe should if he continues to make poor distribution choices.

  4. Benrahma comes on, Grealish moves to his side of the pitch to exploit the defensive hole. They can then take turns falling over every time someone blows them a kiss.
    Benrahma will come on to replace someone on a yellow, when the risk of going to 10 men because of AV’s diving diva is too great.

  5. Fornals is the obvious choice but i dont think it will happen at the start
    Probably best wait and let nature take is course someone will get hurt soon
    same with issa

  6. It’s a bit of a conundrum. Cresswell and Masuaku work well together to defend the left in the current system. Both are good players but Cresswell is not as quick as he used to be and Masuaku is not a natural defender by his own admission. Both have been found wanting when playing as left back in a 4-4-2. Not having a left back equivalent of a player of Coufal’s calibre limits the flexibility David Moyes has. In my opinion, this is the main reason why we are unlikely to see Haller and Antonio operate together as a 2 and why Benramha won’t start instead of Masuaku. I’d like to see Johnson on the bench regularly to cover either right or left wing back positions. He has shown in the past that he could develop into a left back with the pace to get up and down and the defensive skills to go with it. If not, or if Moyes doesn’t buy a left-sided equivalent to Coufal, we will be limited to our current formation. Cover up top, and for Rice and Soucek now that Coventry is injured, are other matters for January if there is any money available. COYI.

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