Leon Osman urges David Moyes to find the right balance again in West Ham midfield
West Ham need to find the right balance again in midfield if they are to rediscover their form and progress this season, according to BBC pundit Leon Osman, following their 2-2 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road.
The Hammers played out a frenetic and pulsating stalemate with Leeds on Wednesday night [4 January], with both of the goals conceded through David Moyes’ men being so open in midfield.
The East London outfit have failed to build on their successful campaign last season as they find themselves languishing in 17th place in the Premier League table, and only out of the drop zone because of goal difference.
In a game they desperately needed to win, Moyes will have been disappointed at how vulnerable his team were for both of Leeds’ goals, and Osman has put it down to the Hammers manager struggling to find the right balance in his midfield.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, the former Everton footballer said: When you look at what West Ham were last season, to this, the goals were probably avoidable. West Ham have tried to progress, they’ve tried to bring in players like Lucas Paqueta who’s a wonderful footballer, but in doing so I’m not quite sure they’ve found the right balance in that midfield area yet.
“They used to play with Soucek and Rice alongside each other, now Rice sits there on his own with Soucek ahead of him, and that midfield is becoming so bare.”
Rice needs help
Osman was indeed right to compare West Ham’s plight this season to the last campaign. So far in the league, the Hammers have conceded 24 goals already, almost half of what they conceded last term in just 18 games which doesn’t make good reading for Moyes.
Rice and Soucek were indeed a fantastic midfield-pairing last season forming the foundations for every good about West Ham in such a successful campaign.
This season, while Rice has continued to excel, he’s not been helped by Soucek’s lack of form, and it’s hurting him. Despite the latter’s poor form, Moyes has still kept the faith but is failing to see how much Rice needs help in the middle.
As good as the England international has been, he still needs someone alongside him to help cover the open gaps in midfield. It’s why the Hammers are leaking goals at an alarming rate this season.
How Moyes tries to find that solid balance and foundation again will be crucial to the club’s plight this season. Maybe he changes personnel in the double pivot, with Flynn Downes waiting in the wings or he goes to a three-man midfield.