Mike Manera’s view: “I like our new West Ham”

Hammers funny Man Mike Manera from ‘Mike on Monday’ has become the CandH tactics and formation man and here he gives his analysis of what he saw from the Irons against Villa last night. Follow Mike on Twitter @mikemanera

Aston Villa 1, West Ham 3 

 

What do you hope to achieve in pre-season friendlies? Fitness obviously, integrating new players, but for me one of the most important aspects is shape.

Thanks to Aston Villa managing something the Hammers seem incapable of… a live stream on YouTube… We finally got to see Pellegrini’s team shape in action. I realise it’s early days, but it was still impressive.

We lined up in an apparent 433. In possession Declan Rice sat at the base of the midfield, collecting from the back for or goalkeeper, and moving the ball forwards to Wilshere or Noble.

When Villa had the ball, Rice dropped back to a position just in front of the two centre halves forming a defensive triangle at the centre of our rear guard.

When the game started I couldn’t understand why the impressive Balbuena and Ogbonna were so far apart, but when Rice dropped back it started to make sense. Out of possession we looked compact, pressing on the half way line or dropping off to stifle the space. Villa found it hard to find any room to play in. We were defending as a team, and it was very encouraging.

When in possession our passing was neat and quick. One touch pass and moves, Wilshere busy and bustling, Noble switching the play wide. Antonio and Anderson cutting in from the wide areas leading to both our first half goals.

A typical Antonio bulldoze for the first (though the finish was deft) and Anderson splitting the defence with a wonderful ball for the overlapping Masuaku who in turn fed Arnautovic for the second. It was this second goal that I think really signposts Pellegrini’s plans for this West Ham side. Fluid movement, technique and guile.

Last season we were let down by our inability to retain the ball. Though it is early days, I can see that improvement already. There is more to come from Wilshere, he is still building his fitness. But he already looks like an essential part of the team, full of give-and-goes, short passes into space for wide players and closing passing lanes to disrupt the opposition.

If he stays fit, he could be the signing of the summer. He is certainly the type of player I love to watch, and suits Pellegrini’s style of play. Declan Rice looked excellent at the base of the midfield three. Not only solid defensively but moving the ball with some excellent passing and even drifting past a few players. He has the composure of an experienced midfielder. At times it is hard to believe he is only 19.

It must be a joy for Mark Noble to look up and see players ahead of him moving and wanting the ball, something that seldom happened last season. But he needs to stop going to ground and diving in to tackles when the rest of the team is dropping off.

In the second half the usual flood of substitutions disrupted our momentum. But we did still manage to hold our shape and score a third goal. Pellegrini clearly values players with good technique and vision. I can understand why he has been impressed with youngsters like Josh Cullen and Matt Holland.

But I still think a fit Antonio has something to offer this team and I hope he stays. Kouyate, on the other hand, will struggle to get a game.

OK, it was only Villa, a Championship team playing a pre-season friendly but  it was still very encouraging.
Will Pellegrini stick with the 433 he sometimes used at City?

It will be interesting to see what happens when he has another quality striker (Hernandez) available. But I trust our new manager, and I like our new West Ham. Roll on next season.