Slaven Billic should rethink his tactics at West Ham

With three losses and one victory, West Ham have been under pressure and must push for a win over Tottenham at London Stadium.

After a poor start to the season, Slaven Billic’s future in East London could be under threat. It has not been the best start to a league campaign for the Hammers, who sit near the bottom of the table, in 17th position. With three losses and only one victory, over Huddersfield, West Ham should steal the second win playing at home.

However, what is happening with the Billic’s tactics this season? The Croat must reconsider his philosophy to get good results against top-flight teams in the Premier League.

Bilic needs to reinvent

The predictability is one of the most notable issues we have seen when West Ham play. I think it is the top of the problems. At its core, Bilic only has used two different shapes, which are the 4-2-3-1 and the 3-4-3 (or 5-2-3 depending on who you ask).

I must start with the 4-2-3-1; this form we can only do well if you have someone like Lanzini as the main-brain aligned with Arnautovic and Antonio. But, the Argentinian hasn’t been fit at the start of the season. So we have been forced to change the formation. However, this was something the Irons’ manager only implemented against Huddersfield.

The coach has used the 3-4-3 formation in the victory over Huddersfield and the draw against West Brom. It’s easy to see that if he uses Chicharito as a winger he’s not getting any joy. This is a player who thrives off central play in the box. He’s scored goals all over the world with the ball at his feet in dangerous areas. Why doesn’t Bilic set Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez together in a 4-4-2 formation?

The problem is bigger when we remember that West Ham have players like Arnautovic on the bench. Here is a winger that’s not being used with a player on the pitch out of position. Add that to a talented youngster such as Nathan Holland, who is patiently waiting his chance, this gets even worse.

Next: 3 Things We Learn't From Beating Bolton

I would compare Billic in this situation to Luis Felipe Scolari. This is the man who had won the World Cup in 2002 with Brazil but twelve years later received a 7-1 thrashing from Germany in the most dramatic match of that year’s world cup. Why do they have so much in common? Both of them need to reinvent tactically, and it might be too late before they do.

Slaven Billic should rethink his tactics at West Ham

By Amanda Paula | Sep 20, 2017

With three losses and one victory, West Ham have been under pressure and must push for a win over Tottenham at London Stadium.

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

Bilic needs to reinvent