Pundit ‘very concerned’ by West Ham United in relegation scrap amid 5-1 loss v Newcastle United, tells David Moyes how to beat Fulham
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…
Frank McAvennie has admitted that he is “very concerned” for West Ham in their relegation battle after their 5-1 loss to Newcastle, but told David Moyes how to beat Fulham.
The Hammers were thumped by the Magpies and now sit outside of the relegation zone on goal difference alone, but Moyes is still going to be in the dugout against Fulham but has been told he must not lose.
But after admitting that he is scared for the team amid their poor defensive performances this season, McAvennie has told Moyes to switch back to a three-centre back system and play two strikers together to have the best chance of getting his win over the Cottagers.
“He said he was still sure he had the backing of the board, but he’s not got the fans,” he told West Ham Zone.
“The fans, for me, they run the club. If they stop going… you don’t want that. You don’t want to see the stadium half empty and that’s what it’ll be if they go down to the Championship.
“I think something has got to give. Fulham and then Arsenal, that’s two games and I’m scared to say what I think.
“I’m very concerned about them. That performance.. the defence was ugh. He’s got to go back to a 3 because that defence was awful. It looked as if nobody knew what they were doing.
“The boy Kehrer at right-back.. for the right-back not to know where the players are running about him. There’s obviously nobody there working on defence, and I’m sure Stuart Pearce would have been doing that.
“Kevin Nolan is there but that won’t come as second nature to him. He won’t be telling players where to be and where to stand. I think sometimes defence is the biggest issue.
“Ogbonna should be back this weekend but I’d go back to a three. Play a three and let them go out and play.
“Play Antonio and play two up front. We need goals, we need to win, draws aren’t good enough anymore.”