Pablo Fornals masterclass sends David Moyes message to swallow pride over Flynn Downes West Ham United experiment
David Moyes’ usage of Flynn Downes at West Ham in recent weeks has been questionable, and Pablo Fornals showed why on Thursday.
In both of West Ham’s last two Premier League games, Moyes has started Downes in an advanced attacking midfielder role – a move that baffled many Hammers fans.
Downes has been viewed as more of a sitting, defensive-minded player throughout his progress at the club, but Moyes has deployed him in front of the usual midfield duo of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.
It somewhat worked during the 2-0 win v Bournemouth, although Downes was anonymous for West Ham’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United last weekend. The side looked void of creativity with him in the position, and yet it all changed when Fornals entered the pitch for a late cameo.
The Spaniard entered the pitch and immediately started making chances for West Ham. In the end, the Hammers were unfortunate to escape without at least a point.
But that match should’ve served as a crucial lesson to Moyes – not to play Downes further forward.
Fornals returned to the starting lineup for West Ham v FCSB, and he ran the show for Moyes’ side, picking up two goals in the process. Downes also played and was handed the license to roam forward, but he was outshone by Fornals throughout.
As West Ham approach a big London derby against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, Moyes better restore Fornals to his creative role in the side.
Downes definitely has a bright future at the London Stadium, but it’s as a deep-sitting midfielder. He provides energy and pressure when played further forward, but it’s evidently not his favourite position.
Soucek’s poor form gives Moyes the ideal opportunity to play Downes alongside Rice in central midfield, and it’s an avenue he should definitely explore either against Palace or Blackburn the week after.