As far as I can see, Graham Potter has a decision to make regarding his goalkeeper and striker, and it’s not one that can wait until the end of the season.
Over the last few games, there has been a tendency for the defenders and midfielder James Ward-Prowse to repeatedly pass the ball back to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Whilst the tactic has most West Ham fans biting their fingernails with worry, it’s also not helping the team. That is largely because Areola isn’t really the type of keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Graham Potter’s answer to this conundrum appears to be to ask the Hammers stopper to hoof the ball long up-field and as far away from goal as possible. Quite why Max Kilman or Aaron Cresswell can’t deliver the long ball instead is a mystery to me, but for some reason, they pass it to Areola, and he boots it up the pitch.
Predictably, the diminutive Bowen and Kudus can’t win the ball in the air, and possession is surrendered. It’s an easy turnover for opposition teams, who tend not to give the ball back quite as quickly and clumsily as the Hammers.
However, it is clear the tactic is here to stay, so we’ll have to like it or lump it for the rest of the season at least. Therefore, would it not be more prudent to put a target man up front if the manager is insistent on playing hoofball?
After all, West Ham spent the best part of a month chasing the giant Evan Ferguson, who is a match in stature for most central defenders.
Hopefully, Potter will either ditch the long ball or select players who complement the panicked hoof-clearance tactic. Because at the moment, we appear to be relying on miracles if Jarrod Bowen is expected to outjump the likes of Dan Burn.
Many coaches don’t seem to comprehend playing out from the back in order to draw in the opposition allowing for a quick break against a diminished defense , Westham are not making nearly enough quick breaks even when they beat the press . So often the ball goes wide and then stops and then backwards presumably to retain possession . Areola should not be given the ball to just hoof it . This is a training ground issue that must be corrected . No new keeper required just different tactics .
Our midfield as we all know is aged and slow and the big problem.Is it any surprise it is being bypassed and we go route one instead.Complete rebuild in the engine room needed this Summer,we can all see it .
Disagree with this Gonzo! A lot of the time it’s back to the keeper when playing out from the back has failed keeper put under pressure and the long kick safety occurs. Now this is a midfield problem again, if the opposition are putting pressure on the back line and keeper a midfielder should find the space to be passed to. But of course they drag their heels and the long boot up field occurs again!
I tend to agree. I think the general idea is to play out, but it’s a case of erring on the side of caution and clearing it instead of playing into trouble. Plus JWP doesn’t seem to have a forward pass in him, which is not helpful (I think we only brought him back because Rodriguez is sooo bad). Plus Areola is still miles better kicking than Fabianski!
If we’re doing that, just get Tommy pushed up so Bowen and Kudus can play off him, it’s not rocket science.