Green Street Hammers
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5 Things Slaven Needs to Get Sorted Before Watford

By Scott Johnson

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Players shake hands ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Players shake hands ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates with Gokhan Tore during the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Michail Antonio of West Ham United celebrates with Gokhan Tore during the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on August 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images) /

Wide or Narrow?

One big issue with the way we have been playing is the width. Some games we want to move wide and others we want to stay narrow.

The issue with width is who you have in the box. If you have Andy Carroll you have to go wide and get the ball into the box as soon as possible, balls into feet are not as effective and by going wide you create more space in the box for Carroll to get a run at a header.

But when we were playing with Calleri or Valencia up top this width was wasted. Wingers cutting in and playing passes was better. However when you are chopping and changing between the two it’s tough for all involved. Gokhan Tore is yet to find his feet in the Premier League, and he looks the most at sea with this.

With Zaza likely to come into the team for Watford, he helps to solve the problem. Being strong in the air but also able to score well with the ball at his feet, wingers can play to their strengths and Zaza can feed off what he gets, especially with different types of wingers on each side. Antonio is far more likely to burst down the wing and hang a ball in the air than Payet is.

I think we’ll look to stretch Watford and allow Zaza and Lanzini space to pick up the pieces in the middle, and I would also watch out for full backs coming into play with the attack a lot, I don’t think we’ve seen the full extent of what Masuaku can do yet

Next: Tempo Control