Graham Potter’s task today is not only to put points on the board but to show his Hammers’ style is evolving. Last week’s defensive display away from home at Anfield was the latest in a series of 3-5-2 team set ups without a centre forward. Whilst that might be the appropriate way to go against the league leaders, against the bottom side the home fans have a right to expect Potter to show more enterprise and aggression.
Therefore in advance the team publication it is to be hoped that the Manager starts with at season one out-and-out striker in the team. West Ham have been notoriously slow starters for about two years now and the Potter defensive set-up simply invites the opposition to be more aggressive.
The team selection has been published and it is as follows:
West Ham United
Areola, Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson ,Ward Prowse, Soler, Paquetá, Bowen, Kudus, Fullkrug
Don’t forget to check back at full time for Gonzo’s player ratings and our ‘final whistle first reactions’ published after the game has finished.
Potter has NOT GOT A CLUE
We seemed pretty good in the first 20 minutes but since then the Saints have looked more likely to score than us. I think they have had about one more attempt than the Hammers. So it’s hardly surprising to hear some boos ring out at half-time. We just aren’t getting anywhere with our attempts to attack their goal. We are too slow and often end up playing sideays and back. Bowen is having little effect on the wing and Kudus has been wasteful. Fullkrug looks sharp when he gets a chance but unfortunately he has been starved of service.
Seriously 2 half chances and no attacking threat whatsoever in the entire first half against a team with only 10 points and already relegated! WTF is going on in training? We should be beating teams like Southampton all day long and they actually are the better team having hit the bar. If Potter can’t get a good win against a team like this serious questions need to be asked about his tactics and failure to get any sort of attacking performance and complete lack of entertaining football. Champions of Europe, we used to sing that!
Ward Prowse should not be playing, play Irving and see if he is up to it. We know Ward Prowse should be no-where near a starting 11 next year. Our midfield is about the worst in the league. No dynamism and every team runs through it…
I wonder what a midfield with Paqueta, Soler and Irving would look like? Irving seemed to natually play quick pass and moves and 1-2s, so could combine well with P & S. Just trying to be clever. JWP is more involved in games now and hitting more diagonal forward passes under GP I think, so that is good to see.
Amazing! A classic no 9 playing for whu. David Cross 2 ?
COYI!
What a starting line-up. Today’s the day. COYI
I like Fullkrug starts, better he starts than comes on later even if he only plays to half time. I’m not so keen on no AWB I guess he must be unfit. I don’t wear Scarles rose tinted specs so can see he’s far from the finished item, Emerson is a better choice for today.