Mark Noble’s appearance last night was a big surprise and not one that was easily understood.
I believe, however, that it was probably the result of injury to Manu Lanzini who again suffered ill luck in having a problem at precisely the moment he looked set for a return and run of games.
The decision to leave Benrahma on the bench in favour of Noble playing in an advanced role can probably be explained by the captain’s efforts in the role last season as we escaped relegation.
He didn’t do too badly but by comparison last night he was simply ordinary.
It seems odd when you intend to invest close to £30 million at the end of the season in a 25 year old from Brentford to prefer Mark in a match where some flair was clearly required.
With no Manu available and Fornals, not exactly the sparkiest of players, to resort to the captain seemed strange in the extreme.
It meant that with Fornals, Haller and Mark on the pitch we had three players who made close to zero impact yet when Benrahma appeared things did look livelier.
Beyond hoping for an Antonio return I would love to see a fit Lanzini start in the role handed to Nobes on the 27th for the Brighton alongside Benrahma with Yarmo being given an opportunity through the middle.
After all the manager has been quoted today as saying he needs to find a solution up there – this seems an obvious starting point.
My team: Fabianski; Couval, Balbuena, Oggy, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen Benrahma, Lanzini, Yarmolenko
Good shout Hugh we don’t need a back 5 against Brighton, just skill and intensity.
Got to say I love Noble what a servant to the club . Mr West Ham indeed . Hope I meet him some day , I will shake his hand , have a beer with him and say thanks. Anyway need to get Benrhama and Lanzini used to each other for that to work as with the other attackers Bowen et al. . I think we need a striker good for 15-29 goals a season & probably left wing maybe midfield but two would make us stronger and maybe push for Europe , fortunes always hiding and all that . Got to say I was opposed to Moyes , hands up , he has us playing as a team and with team spirit . Long may it last , Rome wasn’t built in a day , he has earns his chance . COYI ⚒
In the meantime how do you believe we should solve the problem up front
Brighton play 3 at the back with two wing backs so 5 when they are defending so can you imagine what the reaction will be if Moyes in all his window plays Haller up top on his own again and some people will still expect him to score and if he does’nt then its all his fault !! Moyes can play 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 as long as he plays two up top when we attack. The only reason he is not playing 2 up top is to accommodate Bowen, why cannot he not give Bowen a rest and go with Antonio (if fit) and Haller up top with Lanzini in behind in a 3-5-2 formation. In fact what is the problem with Bowen playing left wing back in this formation !! The only problem we have is that the only person who cannot see that Haller needs a player beside him is Moyes.
451 . Absolutely rediculous . Moyes screwed up on this occasion . I think. He has done a phenomenal job at west ham , but last night got it horribly wrong . Noble should never have been playing against a quick and nimble Chelsea . We should have gone with a more stable formation . 442 or 433 . Why ? , well because we have Haller who just isn’t good enough for the premiership . I want to back him but it is becoming more and more difficult every week and game to game . We could have scored a couple but Haller was never quick enough or capable . We are playing with ten men with their hands tied behind their backs . It was a stupid formation from the first whistle . It is glaringly obvious that we need to sign a decent Striker in the upcoming window .. our defense is ok depending on the formation but without a quality striker we can’t hope for more than Premiership survival .
Isn’t the manager’s job to instruct the team to play to their strengths rather than getting players to be something they are not? Haller is a very good player. Transfer fees and salaries don’t lie. He just isn’t suited to playing on his own. Formation and tactics need to be appropriate for selected side.
COYI
What would you do if a certain Jordan H. was still here. Would you play him? Just a though…
Benrhama made it very lively. The last two Chelsea goals were scored after he arrived, on his side of the pitch. I would like to see him in the #10 position with Bowen in front of him and Snoddy (or Yarmo) on the right. Fornals can play on the left in front of Cressy (3-4-3).
To select Noble in that position was ridiculous in the extreme when Moyes has Benrhama & Yarmolenko on the bench. The latter plays that role with the Ukraine. With Haller’s workrate so low, it was tantamount to playing with 9 active players. Noble’s performances are now embarrassing him. He must retire gracefully & not be selected again this season.
Fornals has been poor for the last few matches & should be replaced by Benrhama whose attack intention is clearly adding much more than Noble. Lanzini to return at 10 with Fornals dropping to the bench. We need creativity because the goals have dried up without Antonio.
Also, Diop must replace Balbuena who failed to track Abraham for his two goals & lacks pace & any distribution skill. Without a back 5 Balbuena & Ogbonna are not good enough for the PL.
Don’t agree with Kevin that Moyes screwed up I thought we were the better side we stopped Chelsea in the midfield for large parts of the game Benrahma looks good on the ball but has to learn his other roles in the team. Creswell was not 100% fit Fornals has played a lot and done well but looks in need of a rest. Snodgrass may have been a better option than Nobes as he can shoot from 25yrds. We know a striker is needed but you can’t click your fingers and get one you need to off load players from the wage bill first and that is not easy
Well we have 3 games in 5 days coming up – so we are likely to see teh squad used to its fullest – including another appearance for Noble – how can we play on the 27th and 29th – its crazy
Why not use Issa Diop up front he has the height, he is quick and he likes to score. Issa has played in attacking and defensive midfield before, why not try him, he cannot be worst than Haller.