David Moyes admits he’s facing the toughest job in the world in planning for a win over Manchester City but absolutely no stone is being left unturned as he goes for it.
And in a relatively in depth interview with the official site he has made it clear that it will be impossible to achieve it with one formation.
He said: “We’ll do our best to make it as hard as we can for them, as when we make it hard for them they’ll do something else because of the quality they’ve got.”
He added: “We do lots [of preparation work] on all the teams, not just the big ones, but tactically you have to change and you have to have in-game changes, it might be small and unnoticeable – it could be slightly adjusting someone’s position.
“I don’t think you can play Manchester City with one formation. You probably need to have two or three formations through the game because if you find a way to stop them or work them out they’ll overrun it. So once they do that you’ve got to find a way to stop what they’re doing, you have to change that as well.
“That’s what the good teams and good players do to you, they’re not going to allow themselves to be easily stopped, there’s a lot more in game changes I think with football than what there has been before.”
“We train the players without the ball a lot, because we’re not [going to be] with the ball a lot so at West Ham we’re not with the ball all the time.
“I would like to be with the ball a lot more, because it means the opposition are running and I actually think our form has shown that our play has been a lot better and I hope we can show that on Sunday.
“Even against the big teams, there is not a team where Manchester City haven’t completely dominated the game, there’s not a team where they’ve not had the possession or chances. For anybody to think that we are going to have, that would be naïve.
Get yer excuses in early.
Sorry mate, this comment simply doesn’t cut the mustard!
COYI
Yes, Moyes has a hard task..
If nothing else, we must come out of this game with our self confidence in t
I have suggested (elsewhere) that we use a 5-3-2 formation which can easily transform into a regular (or diamond shaped) 4-4-2 shape.
My choice for starters:
Adrian (who else?!)
Creswell Rice Ogbonna, Masuaku, and Zabaleta in a staggered position, with the latter two players adopting a deeper position than normal, as wing-backs/advanced defenders.
Noble and Kouyate in central midfield with Lanzini in a more advanced central attacking position, behind Chicharito and the rampaging Arnautovic.
I would encourage Rice to move up field to join the midfield when required; if he does then, Creswell and Ogbonna must cover the space vacated. I am suggesting important roles for Marcus Browne, Mathan Holland, and Joao Mario , for extra pace and creativity.
If nothing else, this game should be used as a rehearsal for the critical games against Leicester and Everton (respectively).
This a chance for us to show that we can maintain momentum for the full 90 minutes, as well as paying greater attention to simple tactics (surely we can put together a moving triangle?!). While the odds are stacked greatly against us, if we can manage to keep Kevin de Bruyne (there star playmaker) quiet, then anything is possible, but it will need every player to be at their best. If we can grab a couple of goals against the Citizens, then this will go a long way in moving forward with a sense of team and player self-belief!
COYI
No point in denying this game will be very difficult . Man City with the quality they have from head to toe will very likely dominate the game and control the pace and possession . Our job will be to try and stop them and hope for a few breaks . Moyes is basically right . To get anything out of this game would be truly amazing . Our best chances will come against Man Utd , Leicester & Everton . Two relegated teams could very well be settled this weekend and third and final place will be down to us to avoid .
COYHAMMERS
Unfortunately keeping de Bruyne quiet has proved impossible for teams and players much better than ourselves. We will never be able to keep them out for 90+ m inutes so why not give them a shock and go two up front. Rather lose with a roar than a whimper. COYI.
Couldn’t agree more , mooro.