By Niall McDonald
David Moyes’ new approach has been very much in evidence at Rush Green since his arrival and I was pleased to see it extending to the London Stadium last night where the even the warm-up was treated with great attention to detail.
Mr Moyes leaves no stone unturned and it was clear pre-match there were key changes to the more relaxed approach of the previous regime:
Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell and Zabaleta were on the far side, in a line, being directed by Stuart Pearce. Headers, touch passes, stepping up and back into position were being practised: Now not quite the old Arsenal offside trap scene from the Full Monty, but defenders were practising defending!
Closer up saw Andy Carroll and the midfielders set up in the middle of the pitch, the big man with back to goal as the group played short passes between themselves before one pushed into the box and took a shot on goal.
The only other side I’ve seen practise this way before the match are Man United – a complete change from the Bilic/Dicks regime which was based on crosses from overlapping fullbacks cut back to the penalty spot; tactics which we rarely used in the game.
The third, and most interesting sight for me, was watching Mark Noble and Declan Rice (above right) warm-up together, away from the other subs. Noble was chipping balls up towards Rice for him to head back or bring down and lay off. It was good to see the skipper working on things with the teenager he’d need to be doing in the match if called upon.
The whole set up was quite a turn around from the ‘knock it about a bit lads and then take some pot shots on goal to wrap up’ I’ve watched for the last few seasons.
Encouraging and professional – it will take a while but things are changing at West Ham!
Yes ! Very refreshing ! Shame Carroll and the little pack looked like 8 year olds learning to pass the ball using one touch ! I found that a bit worrying for a bunch of pros , basic maneuver ! But still nice to see lol! Makes you wonder what bilic and his team did at rush green ? Defiantly not this 😉
I think it was like 5 a side Laz.
But its encouraging back to basics try & cut out errors and bring the team together.
Win at Everton & maybe upset in the next 3 I’m feeling positive & have players coming back.
I don’t mind if they look like amateurs while they get used to new procedures, the fact they are willing to do it shows a lot, the warm ups under Bilic were a joke, I have never seen such a shambles, it was like watching a PE lesson where everyone did a half hearted impression of what they were supposed to be doing. Moyes said he is taking them back to basics and we can see that is the case, start doing the simple things regularly and gradually build on it COYI !!!