West Ham have had a mixed start to the Premier League, but cannot be too disheartened. The games they have lose have been to top teams away from home, and they won the first home game. However there are a few things that need ironing out. These performances have been far from perfect.
West Ham’s Formation
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Players shake hands ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
I’m a big fan of adjusting to your opponents strengths, but not as dramatically as Bilic did last week. The drastic change in formation kept us on the back foot and the personnel could not compete.
People will shout about how professional footballers shouldn’t have an issue, they should be able to adapt. To an extent I agree. However to expect people to learn defensive positions and attacking methods straight away against top opposition is bordering on foolish, I can’t remember the last time West Ham played with three centre backs.
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Antonio looked confused every time he picked up the ball. Everyone was looking around expecting to see players in certain areas but they weren’t there. It felt like a truly disjointed performance. The change in formation (and removal of Valencia) changed the game massively. Bilic needs to understand a change is possible, but only slightly from game to game. Players will always a certain role, and getting specialists in will be able to change that.
For Watford we have to revert to type. The 4-2-3-1 that served us so well last season should come into play, and hopefully there’s no fish out of water in that game, because the second match at home is a must win at this stage of the season.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Winston Reid of West Ham United receives attention during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Centre Back Pairing
One thing many Hammers fans cannot agree on is the two at the back, two of the most important positions. Who do you pick out of Ogbonna, Reid and Ginge?
Last season Bilic favoured Ogbonna and Reid, and I can see why. Ogbonna is a natural choice on the left side due to his left footedness, and his blend of defensive qualities. Ogbonna is strong in the air, quick and good in the tackle. For me he is our best centre back.
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Reid represents the way Bilic wants to play. He is dynamic and the only issue he has is sometimes he can make mistakes. He gets caught out of position and sometimes looses his man when marking, but technically he is great. If he can sort those out he’s a perfect Premier League defender.
Ginge is amazing. He’s as old fashioned as you get when it comes to modern centre backs, but he still manages it. He’s great in the air and solid in the tackle, although he can be caught out. Given his age he does lack acceleration and a quick turn, which can be exploited by top players. I even remember Benteke doing that last season in the FA Cup, thankfully the Belgian had an awful day in front of goal but the threat remains.
Ginge and Ogbonna is probably best against Watford, given the physical nature of the Watford strikers. They will not run at the defence, meaning Ginge’s weaknesses won’t be shown up.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United in action with Manchester City’s Nolito during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Best Attacking Midfielders
So with three attacking midfield options, who do you play? I’ll take it position by position.
Left Wing
On the left there is only one choice if fit, and that is Payet. He was instrumental in us getting into such a great position last season and his passing combined with his goal threat is invaluable, even if he is not a conventional winger.
He isn’t going to knock a ball past the right back and knock the ball up into the box, what he offers is better. Requiring only half a yard of space to pick a pass, his trickery usually buys him just that. Able to pass with either foot and find a striker is great, but he’s devastating when he comes inside. I hope he links with Masuaku as well as he did with Cresswell, because they had great interplay down that side.
Central Attacking Midfield
In the middle there is also only one choice for me, Lanzini. Some people think Payet should play here, but Lanzini’s pace and Payet’s effectiveness out wide tips it for me. Noble has filled in admirably in early season, but just doesn’t quite have it. We’ve really missed the little Argentine.
Lanzini can also pass well on both sides, and his quick mind and feet get him out of tricky situations. He also has a great ability to spot runs and ghost inside defensive lines, which always helps the strikers. His goal threat that we saw last season is also top class, and he’s a huge asset.
Right Wing
On the right is the issue. With Ayew injured at least we don’t have to consider him. Given form and fitness Antonio has to be the answer at the moment, although Feghouli could well come back in once he has returned to fitness, especially if he plays as well as he did pre-season.
Antonio will hopefully make his England debut later today, and is one of our most effective players. He doesn’t quite play the way Bilic wants, which means that if his form comes off the boil he could find himself on the bench quite quickly, but he is certainly a massive impact player.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates with Gokhan Tore during the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Wide or Narrow?
One big issue with the way we have been playing is the width. Some games we want to move wide and others we want to stay narrow.
The issue with width is who you have in the box. If you have Andy Carroll you have to go wide and get the ball into the box as soon as possible, balls into feet are not as effective and by going wide you create more space in the box for Carroll to get a run at a header.
But when we were playing with Calleri or Valencia up top this width was wasted. Wingers cutting in and playing passes was better. However when you are chopping and changing between the two it’s tough for all involved. Gokhan Tore is yet to find his feet in the Premier League, and he looks the most at sea with this.
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With Zaza likely to come into the team for Watford, he helps to solve the problem. Being strong in the air but also able to score well with the ball at his feet, wingers can play to their strengths and Zaza can feed off what he gets, especially with different types of wingers on each side. Antonio is far more likely to burst down the wing and hang a ball in the air than Payet is.
I think we’ll look to stretch Watford and allow Zaza and Lanzini space to pick up the pieces in the middle, and I would also watch out for full backs coming into play with the attack a lot, I don’t think we’ve seen the full extent of what Masuaku can do yet
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Mark Noble of West Ham United wears the captain’s armband during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Tempo
One of my biggest criticisms of West Ham over the past couple of seasons has been the tempo. When we start a match or just after the half time break we look so very slow, and it costs us. We might not be conceding goals, but we concede the momentum.
When a match starts it is the best opportunity to put your stamp on the game. But you have to make a big choice. If you start slow you may try and play the way you want, but it is very hard to recover the pace. If you start fast, the game might be frantic, but if you get control of the ball you can take pace off if you want.
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Bilic has been very clear that he wants to start playing a more patient build up game with the club, but he needs to understand that the Premier League does not like to just give up possession if they feel the initiative is there. Even supposedly weaker teams like Bournemouth or Watford will not allow other teams the ball too readily.
Bilic needs to get his team moving forward quicker to start off with, especially at home. Our main game plan relies on other teams sitting in their own half, especially for Payet to be effective. There’s little point isolating him or Lanzini when interplay is their best asset.
Anything else you Hammers think I have missed? What do you think Bilic needs to change? Or do you think he has it right on all points?
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