5 ways West Ham’s attack could line up during the season

By Scott Johnson | Aug 2, 2018

PRESTON, ENGLAND - JULY 21: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United celebrates scoring with Jack Wilshere during the Pre-Season Friendly between Preston North End and West Ham United at Deepdale on July 21, 2018 in Preston, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Andy Carroll of West Ham United applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on May 5, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Andy Carroll of West Ham United applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on May 5, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Strikers: Carroll & Chicharito No.10 :Arnautovic

Wingbacks: Masuaku and Fredericks

In a hark back to the system that saw West Ham stabilise last season, could Pellegrini bring wing-backs in at some point? With Fredericks and Masuaku they have two pacey players who are good on the ball and swinging a ball in, so could they revert if Anderson and Yarmolenko were injured or tired?

Or maybe if West Ham rely on wing-backs at all, once Carroll is fit maybe this would be an aggressive lineup? Obviously this would be a rest game for Anderson/Yarmolenko. This is a real look at depth, not just our first choices! pic.twitter.com/ezPIRHkeli
— Green St. Hammers (@GreenStHammers) July 31, 2018

This formation is a lot more contained, as it would require Fredericks and Masuaku to be primarily defensive but get forward to attack, with two more defensive central midfielders holding the base of the attacks. Given Pellegrini’s past I don’t expect to see this particularly often, if at all.

However it’s good to know we have options, even if we lose a number of wingers to injury or need to rotate ahead of important games we have a number of options. And what about a classic 4-4-2? Could we see the Hammers go full retro?