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Moyes’ mega challenge for Lyon

West Ham boss David Moyes could be facing his biggest selection dilemma since he first took over and during his second coming.

As things look at the moment, there is a strong possibility that we could be going to Lyon without a natural left-back and a serious central defender and there doesn’t appear to be a proper replacement without using Arthur Masuaku.

Kurt Zouma was injured against Brentford and there is an anxious wait for the Hammers as they look to discover whether he is fit to play in Thursday’s second leg, a game in which the Irons need to win after the 1-1 draw in east London. Aaron Cresswell is suspended after his controversial sending off.

With Angelo Ogbonna also out, it means Moyes is essentially shackled to playing a back four, as there simply aren’t the numbers to play a back five.

It opens up the nightmare scenario of Issa Diop as the left-sided centre-back and Masuaku at left-back. Ben Johnson, after all, is said to have a tight hamstring, provided Moyesie isn’t again playing smoke and mirrors.

With those two in the team, and the back four potentially being deployed, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are likely to be set as anchors, looking after the backline.

That will limit the Irons’ attacking threat in a game they need to win. It is a huge problem for Moyes to solve.

 

About Dave Langton

A journalist with 10 years' experience of working on National newspapers, now chief reporter covering the club that I've loved since I was a boy. Upton Park remains the greatest football stadium ever built.

4 comments on “Moyes’ mega challenge for Lyon

  1. I have no sympathy for Mr Moyes whatsoever. He got into this situation on his own by lack of recruitment in january. The fans are the losers. This season is falling apart . Lack of bodies is obvious and has been for months. As for lyon i will be very surprised if we get through. i hope so really do -but cant see it. In my opinion his stubborn approach to player recruitment has finished the season for West ham.

  2. Johnson was rested as Coufal needed a game. Johnson came on at half time against Lyon and did seem to suffer any serious setback. He’ll play again at left back not ideal but our best option.
    Don’t really understand Moyes reluctance in using the U23’s and now it’s come back to slap us in the face.
    Still I think Johnson is better defensively than Cresswell but not as a set piece specialised.

  3. We are reaping as Mr Moyes has sewn. Never seen a manager for any club, including Lyon, who will not rotate his squad, leaves full internationals out regardless of the form of his selected players, buys 3 internationals and barely gives them a chance, has a top of the table U23 team but plays none of them. Compare and contrast Mr Klopp for example we accept DM has achieved for us, but surely that does not mean all is ok?

  4. Hopefully Johnson will be fit but if not surely it makes more sense to put in someone who may do well like Emmanuel Longelo (being courted by Steve Cooper at Forest – no mag) that put Arthur Masuaka at left back who we know is a nightmare defensively.

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