Green Street Hammers
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Marquee Match up in Midfield for West Ham vs. Wolves

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Jack Wilshere of West Ham United shows appreciation to the crowds after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Jack Wilshere of West Ham United shows appreciation to the crowds after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s search for their first win of the season comes to a head at the London Stadium with Premier League newcomers Wolves visiting. The match should be extremely competitive, but West Ham needs the three points desperately as they are without a result so far this season.

The matchup that should be focused on in this match is in the midfield by each team’s leader – Jack Wilshere and Joao Moutinho. Both players were summer transfer window additions but both have cemented themselves in their respective starting XI’s.

Moutinho was the quarterback of the opening goal in Wolves last match against Manchester City.  The goal came off of a short corner that was rolled back to Moutinho who fed a beautiful cross into the box which was bundled into the net. Was it offside? Was it in off of an arm? Yes, to both, but it counted and Moutinho’s cross was picture perfect. Look for him to continue to pull the midfield strings for Wolves.

For Wilshere, he is coming off of his worst performance of the season. It came against his former club, Arsenal, which definitely added to the gravity of the match for the player. He had been West Ham’s best midfielder in the previous two matches but struggled to be as effective as he had been against the midfield of Xhaka, Guendouzi, and Ramsey.

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Wilshere was rested against AFC Wimbledon and rightfully so. He has been the heartbeat of the midfield and had looked promisingly like the player West Ham believed they were stealing as a free agent this summer. Pellegrini has invested game time in his own player, viewing him has the eventual solo holding midfielder running the game for West Ham. If this is going to come to fruition Wilshere needs some marquee performances, why not now against Wolves at home.

A final thought on this Wilshere-Moutinho matchup is the effect Felipe Anderson could have on this match. He succeeded in the #10 role against Arsenal opposed to performances along the left wing that left West Ham fans wanting more. He looked comfortable behind Arnautovic and played off him well to nab an assist on the match’s opening goal. If he can get into a rhythm with Wilshere looking to give him the ball early West Ham are primed for an entertaining match offensively.

For both Wilshere and Moutinho their outlets will be as important as their own personal performances. If Neves and Jiminez are more active than Arnautovic and Anderson then Moutinho will likely look the better player, which is why this matchup is so interesting. It’ll be a hard-fought match with goals likely coming in bunches, let’s hope Wilshere can lead West Ham to their first win of the season.