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What West Ham need to do to beat West Brom

By Scott Johnson

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Slaven Bilic, Manager of West Ham United looks on from his seat during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Slaven Bilic, Manager of West Ham United looks on from his seat during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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West Bromwich Albion’s Matt Phillips (right) and Stoke City’s Bruno Martins Indi battle for the ball during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
West Bromwich Albion’s Matt Phillips (right) and Stoke City’s Bruno Martins Indi battle for the ball during the Premier League match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) /

Shut down the playmaker

West Brom have moved on from the simple long ball team of the past, and have some top players. West Ham felt the force of this earlier in the reverse fixture at the Hawthorns which ended in a 4-2 defeat after some horrific play from the Hammers.

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As such it is important to shut the playmakers down as soon as possible. Allowing them time and space to do what they want would not allow the home side any momentum or advantage, and given the potential for a morale dip with a defeat this cannot be allowed to happen.

Bilic and the squad have seen what it’s like if the opposition playmakers get too much space. Granted giving De Bruyne too much time is more dangerous than giving Matty Phillips more time, but any Premier League player has the ability to cause havoc given the opportunity.

And on the reverse we have to afford Lanzini and Snodgrass the space to do what they can. There’s no point giving them the ball and expecting them to work their magic when completely surrounded. Or with no-one to aim for. The Hammers will have to use the space at the London Stadium well to get the most out of the game.