West Ham Formation Decision: 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 against Everton?

West Ham are travelling to Everton this weekend, and there’s a decision for Pellegrini. Should he play 4-2-3-1, or 4-3-3?

West Ham have managed to score 2 goals, whilst conceding 10 in the 4 matches so far. With a ratio like that it’s tough to be too confident in the sides you’re putting out. However Pellegrini will have to make a decision as to the shape of the team as he looks to gain his first points in charge of the Hammers.

The most obvious choices Pellegrini has is between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and will allow different players to have bigger parts of the game. However the at this point of the season, with no points in the league so far, stability and security should be prized over attacking opportunities.

Hold Or Push?

Everton have been a little suspect at the back, and not overly prolific up front so far, but what they have done so far is create a lot of chances so far. Their midfield is full of creativity, and we need to stomp that out. That’s why I think a 4-3-3 with three central midfielders is the most likely formation for the weekend.

Three Central players will allow the Hammers to stifle the space that Everton enjoy creating in the middle, and hopefully allow them to push forward as a unit. But it will mean that each of the midfielders knows their role and doesn’t just wander out of position as we have seen so far.

With Jack Wilshere reportedly out due to a knock picked up in training, we have 4 midfielders vying for 3 spaces. Noble is back in consideration, alongside Sanchez, Rice and Obiang. My worry is that without Wilshere none of these are natural ball carriers and it really restricts our mobility. I would imagine that two of Sanchez, Rice and Obiang will be given strict holding roles. Their job will be to guard the back four and stop the creative players of Everton opening up space 30 yards from goal.

dark. Next. West Ham v Everton Preview

That means that Noble will be given the ball playing role, looking to spread the play at push on at the opposition. Does that fill me with confidence? Not particularly. But I hope Noble proves me wrong and either scores a blinder from 25 yards or returns some creativity. We need some points here, and a win at Everton suddenly makes the opening to the season a lot nicer looking.

West Ham Formation Decision: 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 for Pellegrini against Everton?

By Scott Johnson | Sep 14, 2018

West Ham are travelling to Everton this weekend, and there’s a decision for Pellegrini. Should he play 4-2-3-1, or 4-3-3?

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Hold Or Push?