Moyesie must make this Frankfurt decision

By Dave Langton

There is no other option for David Moyes next week but to match Eintracht Frankfurt up if the Hammers are to reach the Europa League final.

On Thursday, the German side won 2-1 at the London Stadium and it’s fair to say that they looked very good, although the Irons had plenty of chances of their own to score.

Jarrod Bowen hit the woodwork twice and Said Benrahma also rattled the post with a long-range effort.

But part of the problem was the fact that Frankfurt simply outnumbered the Hammers at most points of the game.

They began with a 3-4-2-1 formation, meaning they had five in defence without the ball, and two wingers overloading both full-backs each time they attacked.

That’s how they scored their first goal, with Ansgar Knauff able to ghost in at the back post, after two left-sided players freed up space for a cross.

Against them in Germany, Moyes MUST play the same formation and match them up.

It would mean playing the following: Areola; Fredericks, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Johnson; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Antonio.

Doing so would allow the Irons the chance to have their own overloads, and create even more clear-cut chances in the second leg.

It may be the only way the Hammers can reach the final.