Reported formation switch just what West Ham need
It had been clear for a while that something needed to change at West Ham United. The team’s woeful first half of the season demonstrated that.
So former manager David Moyes was appointed to bring back some of the solidity that he established during his brief first tenure in charge.
However, the Scot also has the challenge of improving the Hammers’ recent poor record in front of goal under Manuel Pellegrini.
To that end, it seems that a formation change could be on the cards in east London. Football Insider reported on Friday that the former Everton boss is planning to make a five-man defence his go-to for the rest of the campaign.
Now, a five-man backline might not appear be the natural solution to a goal drought, but in this case it could be just what the Irons need.
By solidifying the middle of the defence with three centre halves (Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna), it gives the wing backs more license to push on when the Hammers have the ball.
That would then allow the likes of Felipe Anderson and Pablo Fornals to drop further in-field, ensuring that Sebastien Haller has more players around him and in support of him.
The width would largely be supplied by the wing-backs, with the aforementioned playmakers helping them out if and when required. The wing-backs are better crossers than Anderson or Fornals, so it should work out.
All in all, this planned formation switch has the potential to unlock the team’s missing attacking spark while simultaneously shoring them up at the back.
In other West Ham news, the east London club have reportedly had an approach for a prolific striker turned down.