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Pellegrini and West Ham Turn Attention to the League Cup

By Jeff Catlin

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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West Ham United and Manager Manuel Pellegrini turn their attention to their first League Cup tie of the season against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.

This is an opportunity for Pellegrini to give starts to those players who have only appeared in a limited role in the first three league matches including bringing some players back into the fold that need to get some playing time under their belts.

Its also an opportunity to see some of the youngsters perform in meaningful games, rather than in preseason friendlies.

How he approaches this game both tactically and with his lineup should give Hammers fans some insight into the Club’s intent in both domestic cup competitions.

Pellegrini said after the Arsenal defeat that he believes in the way the club is improving and will continue to play the way he believes they should–in an attacking style. Yet a quick look at the table shows that the Irons already have a goal differential of -7 and on the other end of the pitch, have scored exactly 1 goal from open play.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement for that high line or the back four favored by the Gaffer.

But a Cup tie vs a League 1 side should hopefully allow West Ham to build confidence in advance of the Wolves match this Saturday. IF things go well and West Ham can score a few goals early on and finish the match strong it will be a building block for the club. Finishing is another area in which the club has struggled the last two weeks, giving up 1-0 leads in both matches.

However, If the Hammers struggle to score or struggle to keep the ball out of their own net against Wimbledon, that could have the opposite effect on the psyche of the only team looking for their first league points of the campaign.

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Against Liverpool an attacking 4-2-3-1 was used; the last two matches its been more of a 4-4-2 flexing to a 4-2-2-2.  With all the results the same in the end, it would appear that the players on the pitch and not the set up into which they are playing, is more important. Only six players have appeared in the first three matches: Fabianski, Masuaku, Balbuena, Anderson, Wilshire, and Arnautovic. That will give opportunities for others to get in, but in what system?

Its pretty clear that a 3 at the back isn’t in the cards, nor should it be this early on under Pellegrini’s direction. Moyes at times went to a 5-4-1 in a relegation battle last season. I would guess Pellegrini’s never so much drawn that up on a napkin down at the pub!

So expect to see some variation of the 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2 again on Tuesday.  With so many anticipated changes to the starting XI Pellegrini will have some troubles seeing his best lineup, but in a few cases–Cresswell and Yarmolenko come to mind–it is a chance for players to show they belong in the squad’s starting XI come the weekend. If Declan Rice makes an appearance, and most think he will watch to see if he is deployed at CB or defensive midfield for an indication of what the manager thinks the youngster’s best fit is.

That high line set up also seems to be here for the moment; this match provides more game time to get all the players more used to that particular defensive set up.

Up front, Arnautovic will be rested regardless of the knock he picked up against Arsenal, opening the door for Lucas Perez to get the start. Antonio also has a knock and needs to be rested. Anderson should also get a rest here. That means youngsters Nathan Holland and even Josh Cullen could provide support to Perez, along with the aforementioned Yarmolenko.

Next. West Ham’s Predicted Starting XI for Wimbledon Away. dark

Both the League Cup and FA Cup coming up later are important to West Ham supporters and to the Club alike as it provides yet another chance to take that proverbial “step up”  in class after last year’s debacle.

Provided the Manager gets the player selection and set-up right on Tuesday, and the players do their part to support him and score a few goals, the mission to build confidence that they can take into the Wolves match at the weekend will be accomplished.