WHZ View: 97% pass success – Manuel Lanzini should earn West Ham starting spot v Saints
West Ham United rescued a point against Brighton over the weekend, and Manuel Lanzini can take most of the plaudits for that.
The South American playmaker was introduced after a lacklustre first half, and David Moyes will have been delighted with his impact at the London Stadium.
With the Irons playing their second game in three days tonight against Southampton, Lanzini could be one of those to come into the starting XI at St Mary’s.
Lanzini has come on in the past two home games against Palace and Brighton and has added much-needed urgency in the final third.
Looking at the 2-2 draw on Sunday, he got the all-important assist for Ben Johnson’s strike, showing great determination to drag the ball back to the youngster to smash home.
Looking at his stats via WyScout, the 27-year-old only misplaced one of his attempted 30 passes in 50 minutes, finishing with a 97% success rate.
As well as that, Lanzini received the ball 22 times – he has only taken possession off his teammates more times once this season.
This wasn’t the first time he has come off the bench and saved his side this season, we all remember that moment of magic at Spurs.
Who will drop out?
Mark Noble has been reintroduced into a midfield three recently, and it clearly isn’t working – he is neither defending nor pushing forward into the final third.
The 33-year-old only attempted 19 passes, and still had a worst success rate than Lanzini – receiving the ball seven fewer times.
Moyes needs to make his side more effective moving forward, and bringing in Lanzini would be the perfect way of doing that on the South coast.
This one simple change could be the difference between three points or zero, and it must be made, no questions asked.
In other West Ham United news, Michail Antonio could return for Irons v Southampton