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West Ham United Need a Result Away vs Everton

By Jeff Catlin

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Marco Silva, Manager of Everton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park on September 1, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Marco Silva, Manager of Everton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park on September 1, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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A lot has changed for both West Ham United and Everton since the last time the Hammers beat Everton at Goodison Park. That was 3 managers and over two years ago. Dimitri Payet and Diafra Sakho were among the goal scorers for the Irons, while Romelu Lukaku netted for the Toffees.

The last two away trips to Everton since that victory, West Ham have been outscored 0-6.

Coming into this match the Irons can ill afford to lose their fifth game in a row to start the Premier League campaign. The club has never lost it’s first five league games. Ever. No West Ham manager has ever lost his first five matches in charge of the club. Ever. In recent years, there has been the unwritten rule that no Hammers manager can survive a six-game losing skid at any time without getting sacked by the board.

This would be a perfect time for Manuel Pellegrini to stop all of that in its tracks.

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Everton come into the match a depleted side without the injured Theo Wolcott or the suspended Richarlison. For West Ham, they are healthy outside of the long-term injuries to players missing since summer. Although that health hasn’t helped them on the pitch so far.

Pellegrini has been consistent in his set up during the first month; employing some variation of 4-4-2 to a 4-1-4-1. That is expected to continue vs the Toffees at the weekend. While there are a few names certain to go right into the teamsheet: Fabianski, Arnautovic, Anderson, and Balbuena; there are some decisions to be made. Mostly around West Ham’s problematic midfield. Did Carlos Sanchez giveaway vs Wolves that cost the Irons the game cost him his spot? And will it be Declan Rice back into the holding midfield in front of the back four? Will Jack Wilshire hold onto his place? And what to do with Mark Noble?  As for attacking options will Antonio or Snodgrass be left out of the starting XI so that Andry Yarmelenko can get his first Premier League start on the wing after playing extended minutes for his country over the international break?

More important than the players the gaffer puts out is what effort the players put forward themselves. Far too often in the first four games of the campaign, the Hammers have been outworked and too easy to play against. The players jogging or walking instead of running has been noticeable.  The less than full efforts being given to close down on the ball or track back defensively too numerous. That won’t do again. Against Everton or any other team for that matter.

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If the effort for the Irons is there, then no doubt the results will come. And the reverse is true as well–if the effort remains lacking, the results will continue to elude a club in desperate need of a result. A full three points is obviously best, but in this spot respecting the away point will do.

My Line-Up for West Ham United away vs Everton

Arnautovic

Anderson-Wilshire-Snodgrass-Yarmolenko

Rice

Masuaku-Diop-Balbuena-Fredericks

Fabianski