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What West Ham Can Learn From Spurs

By Scott Johnson

Oct 29, 2015; Chandler
Oct 29, 2015; Chandler /
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West Ham’s season has not gone to plan so far. With the team struggling for tactical consistency and player performance there’s one team they can learn a lot from. Spurs.

That hurts a lot to say, but after watching them against Chelsea, I think they’re tactically spot on. West Ham could do a lot worse that mirror their system and, except for right back, they have the players to do it.

What does the Spurs system entail? Well the basic shape is a dynamic 4-3-3, and it can be modified for offensive or defensive mentalities. Author’s Note: This in no way means West Ham are on the same level as Spurs. Yet.

At The Back

Walker – Alderweireld – Vertonghen – Rose     ? – Reid – Ogbonna – Cresswell

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The Spurs defence is the best in the league. Obviously it has a lot to do with the personnel, which the Hammers can’t match, but they can match the system.

Two centrebacks capable of playing the ball with their feet, and dealing with crosses. The Belgian pairing are top notch, and the men in Claret and Blue aren’t bad. They have to accept when you have four at the back like this you are a limited role. No venturing forward needlessly. You are the main part of that defence.

The full backs have to be dynamic. Whilst their primary job is to defend, they offer width in the attack. Both the Spurs full backs are adept at getting forward and getting the ball in the box. Both Rose and Walker feature heavily in the created chances for Spurs, and the full backs in East London need to be the same.

In The Middle

Dembele – Wanyama – Dier    Noble/Lanzini – Kouyate  – Obiang

Three central midfielders, three different roles.

Dier holds and for a lot of the game acts as a roving central defender. His role is to shield the defense from attacks dribbled out of the midfield, and cover the full backs when they push forward to assist the attack. Obiang is the perfect candidate for this role, given his defensive capabilities and his ability to spread the ball well from a deep position.

Wanyama is a midfield enforcer. His job defensively is to stop attacks from starting quickly by winning the ball high up the pitch, and in an attacking sense he is there to keep the move going. Kouyate is better in an attacking sense that Wanyama, so would add that to this role, but he can’t over commit. Spurs kill space in the opponents half with Wanyama’s positioning.

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Dembele’s role is the most versatile. When playing a strong team he is an extra shield, but he has attacking capabilities. Noble would give West Ham the defensive side of this role, but Lanzini would be better against the weaker teams to help press the advantage. The Argentinian won the ball in the opponents half more times per match than any other Hammer last season.

Spurs also change it around by swapping one of the more defensive two for Lamela/Son. This is only possible because of their personnel, and potentially too aggressive for the Hammers. At the moment.

In Attack

Kane – Alli – Eriksen     Carroll – Antonio/Ayew – Payet

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Kane is obviously a better all round striker than Carroll. But what Carroll loses in mobility he can give in aerial domination. Big AC would be able to hold the ball up as well as Kane, but he can’t allow himself to be sucked deep. Kane has suffered a few times this season when he’s pushed out of position. Carroll would be even worse. This target man role would be perfect for him, the more touches in the box he gets the better.

The job of Alli is to play off Kane and push the line back. Both Antonio and Ayew are quick enough to make sure the defence doesn’t push up too high, and good enough in the air to aid Carroll in the box like Alli does. I would potentially favour Ayew for this role, because I still feel Antonio’s best role is wider as he can isolate a defender. Ayew has more technical ability, however he is currently away on international duty.

Let Payet roam free

Eriksen is the playmaker. Never venturing too wide, due to the overlapping full backs, but dropping off to pick up the ball in space. He can then drive forward, pick out a cross, slide a ball through or take a long range shot. Payet should be allowed the freedom of the team in the middle to show his creativity. The role Eriksen has been playing in recent games would suit Payet at West Ham much better than the left wing role, and if we can up the output from Payet the club will move up the table.

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So, not a foolproof plan, but one that would prove more exciting for West Ham fans than 3 centre backs and an isolated striker. Well it would for me anyway. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!