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Fluid attack sees revitalised West Ham win again

By Scott Johnson

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Andy Carroll of West Ham United (R) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Mark Noble of West Ham United (L) and Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United (C) during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and West Ham United at the Riverside Stadium on January 21, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Andy Carroll of West Ham United (R) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Mark Noble of West Ham United (L) and Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United (C) during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and West Ham United at the Riverside Stadium on January 21, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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It’s been an interesting season for West Ham, and now things are looking up.

Dimitri Payet looked like he might be the one to turn things around, but the complete opposite has happened. The Frenchman going on striker has set West Ham free, with both manager and players now able to express themselves.

Many thought that the team were holding Payet back, but it seems the playmakers lethargy this season was causing a lot of issues. Add that to the fact the players would have been aware he wanted out and you can understand the issues West Ham have had this year. Bilic and the players have now put it behind them. And in style.

Midfield

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In midfield it is largely the same three but their roles are now well defined.

Pedro Obiang is there to disrupt attacks at all points of the pitch. His fitness means that he can cover a large area of ground and get in the opponents faces. When the team are defending he gets back and acts as a solid defensive midfielder. His passing also enables him to work with Noble to be the safety points of the attack, sitting back and spreading the ball.

Mark Noble has shown in the last few games that he is always going to give his all. He is a tireless midfielder and the defensive work he does is very impressive. Many fans want him out of the side but he he’s solid. Yes he’s not going to light the Premier League up with goals and assists from nowhere, but he will always run and commit to his tackles.

Lanzini is the most offensive of the midfield three. With the movement he now has ahead of his he gets a lot of freedom. His workrate is very impressive as well, as he pops up on both sides of the pitch in an effort to get on the ball. He doesn’t have quite the range of passing Payet does, but he’s a strong player going forward.

Attack

In terms of personnel, the player who has come in for Payet is Feghouli. And he isn’t of the same quality. However what he lacks in attack, he more than makes up for defensively. He covers the full back well, in a way that Payet just couldn’t be bothered to this season. He needs to work on his end product, but I hope that he will improve in the weeks to come.

Michail Antonio has remained one of the club’s best performers. He always works hard and there just isn’t anyone who can match his physicality. No returns this week in terms of goals or assists, but he is always in and around the attacks. There are very few defenders who can keep him contained. His wing/inside forward role is perfect, and he is working well with Lanzini to trouble all defences.

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Andy Carroll is just unstoppable when he is in form. The goal from the corner was classic Carroll, and his following in was a great striker instinct. The system always keeps men around him, and with the powerful Englishman sucking defenders in to him he creates space just by being on the pitch.

West Ham look to have found a system that works really well for the players involved. With no Payet in sight.