Frank McAvennie: West Ham ace Pablo Fornals ‘can’t defend’ as a wing-back
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…
David Moyes tried out a new system at West Ham as they were beaten 3-1 by Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday evening.
The Scotsman switched to a 3-5-2 formation from his trusty 4-2-3-1 as a result of Aaron Cresswell’s injury leaving him short at full-back.
He opted to play natural attacking midfielder Pablo Fornals at left wing-back instead with Ben Johnson a more suitable option on the opposite flank.
It didn’t work in the end as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men knocked the Irons out of the cup with a convincing performance.
Ex-Hammers striker Frank McAvennie was baffled by Moyes’ decision to utilise the Spaniard in such an awkward position for him given his lack of defensive qualities.
“He shouldn’t be playing there. I know there aren’t loads of options but Fornals has to be in attack,” McAvennie said exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“It was strange, for me, to see that selection. He’s not played there before so why ask him to do it in a big cup game?
“I like the boy, I really do, but he’s not a defender and he can’t defend. So don’t ask him to, it makes sense.”
There’s plenty for Moyes to ponder before West Ham travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Saturday desperate to turn around their form and stay in the race for Champions League football.
It’ll be far from straight forward though as Jurgen Klopp’s side come off the back of winning the Carabao Cup and progressing themselves in the FA Cup last night.
In other West Ham news, we think Moyes should go all in to sign this bewitching attacker after a video clip of his goes viral.
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