After failing to impress in their last three first half outings, West Ham travel to Swansea hoping for a more robust performance, especially in view of their recent propensity to start slowly and gift their opponents momentum or a head start – as against both QPR and Millwall.
English football league web site news source The72.co.uk suggests that a tactical switch – particularly away from home could be the way forward for Nuno Espírito Santo:
“West Ham have a squad brimming with attacking talent, and the best way to put this to use could be to switch to a 3-5-2.
The report then points out:
“How West Ham’s 3-5-2 changed the game against Lincoln City…
Nuno’s half time changes at Lincoln changed West Ham’s formation and their fortunes
The introduction of Austbo and shift to a back three changed the match. The Norwegian ace gave Nuno’s side genuine threat on the left, increasing their attacking penetration on both flanks rather than the safe and imaginative play of the first half.
WHUFC would register 1.73 open play xG in the second half. They created chances more freely with 40 touches in the opposition box compared to 25, and 249 of the 319 passes made were in the Imps’ half. ..However, the strength in depth in attack and embarrassment of riches in this area means this is a tactic they should deploy more often. Having a more direct threat like Austbo on the left decreases the reliance on star man Bowen, and it makes them a genuine threat on both flanks with powerful strikers in the middle.”
It’d be a brave Nuno that switches to three defenders away at the League leaders. The Nuno we know so well is far more likely to switch to 5-3-2 frankly and go for a point rather than following the very logically produced argument above to fill the midfield with the talent at his disposal and take the game to his opponents.
Fans may be crying out for a more aggressive West Ham but their manager hasn’t;t shown the inclination to step outside his comfort zone until the Hammers have huffed and puffed at best or even gone gone behind as they did in their two London derbies that preceded the trip to Lincoln.
Can’t see him being so adventurous this afternoon, however persuasive the rationale and the statistics.
Our predictions:
Sean: Swansea 1 – 2 West Ham
Gonzo: Swansea 2 – 2 West Ham
Matt: Swansea 2 – 1 West Ham
Martin: Swansea 2 – 2 West Ham
Taffyhammer: Swansea 0 – 3 West Ham
Swansea 2 – 2 West Ham
With Boro and Millwall both 2 down at half time that Wii also be a factor in Nunos plans.
Personally I think it would be dangerous to go all out attacking Swansea have an excellent defensive record and are quick on the counter . Patience may be the way forward it’s down to the players to move the ball quicker from the start
Goal a piece for me Gonzo with Mav scoring again.