West Ham United: David Moyes misses Divin Mubama trick v Bayer Leverkusen
David Moyes will have to hold his hands up after leaving Divin Mubama out of the starting XI as West Ham were defeated 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday (11 April).
Facing a team that has yet to taste defeat this season was always going to be tricky in the Europa League, but the Hammers manager should have been more prepared to take advantage of his squad’s strengths.
Moyes will, of course, be given an opportunity to rectify his mistakes as Leverkusen travel to the London Stadium on Thursday 18 April for the second leg, and Mubama must be part of his plans.
West Ham were massively under pressure throughout the 90 minutes, only managing to keep 27 per cent of possession and unleashing one shot through Mohammed Kudus.
Leverkusen holding almost 75 per cent of the possession meant that most of the players were inside the Hammers half for the majority of the game, also meaning that there was plenty of space in behind to exploit.
Showcased by Sofascore, Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba were the only players in Xabi Alonso’s team that had an average position inside their own half, with the left-back Alejandro Grimaldo incredibly high.
Fans are well aware that Michail Antonio and Danny Ings have significantly lost their pace, and though Lucas Paqueta is the creative force in the team, none are capable of outrunning pacey centre-backs.
David Moyes misses Divin Mubama trick in West Ham United v Bayer Leverkusen
The 19-year-old, though very much unused by Moyes this season, had the potential to deal some damage against the Bundesliga side.
Many hoped this season would be Mubama’s senior breakout, though he has only made five Premier League appearances, with none coming from the start.
Planning to hoof the ball up to Antonio and have him hold it up did not have the desired effect, and West Ham should have switched their tactics, making Tah and Tapsoba feel the threat of a pacey forward.
This nearly worked 10 minutes into the match, as Kudus spurned a brilliant chance to take the lead, though this would be the only real opportunity in the entire game for the Hammers.
Kudus was also bound by defensive duties, which stemmed his attacking danger. If Moyes were to deploy Mubama as a lone striker, he may not be too involved, but he would always be there as an outlet.
His willingness to chase the ball, incredible turn of pace and ability to get away from defenders, could have seen a very different result at the BayArena.
In other West Ham news, one broadcaster has slammed Lucas Paqueta for what he did in the Irons “disaster” of a defeat
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