Frank McAvennie baffled by West Ham formation change
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
West Ham manager David Moyes opted to try a new system for their FA Cup tie against Southampton and Frank McAvennie is not convinced by that decision.
The Saints went on to win 3-1 at St Mary’s thanks to goals from Romain Perraud, James Ward-Prowse and Armando Broja while Michail Antonio bagged the Irons’ only goal of the night.
Aaron Cresswell’s injury left Moyes with little choice at full-back so opted to play a 3-5-2 system with Pablo Fornals operating as a makeshift wing-back.
Ex-Hammers striker McAvennie is baffled by Moyes’ decision to play the Spaniard in such an awkward position and thinks he should have stuck with what he knew rather than change the system.
“Well, West Ham haven’t won anything for ages and Moyes has never won anything. I’m not sure why he changed it,” McAvennie exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“Surely he would want to go through and keep going? Players were out of position and I’m just not sure why he did it. There isn’t a lot of depth there so the options were limited but why change the formation?”
Maybe Moyes’ arm was twisted into the change with Vladimir Coufal and Ryan Fredericks also out injured in the full-back area.
He wouldn’t have dreamt of playing Fornals in such a position but he did so when he was required.
The big question lies as to why he didn’t give one of the club’s highly talented youngsters a chance on the big stage with little consequence in the FA Cup.
Only he can answer that question but fans want to see their own players make the grade and they can’t do that without getting a chance at senior level.
In other West Ham news, reports suggest that the Irons are in the “box-seat” to sign this £100,000 per week Premier League ace.
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