Green Street Hammers
Fansided

Red Rover Red Rover Send West Ham on Over

By Jeremiah Carson

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: General view outside the stadium as fans arrive prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on September 23, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: General view outside the stadium as fans arrive prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on September 23, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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Ah the great childhood memory of playing Red Rover (Bulldog/Chain/other variations) in the backyard on a summer’s night. We’re hoping for a fiesty London derby to match that spirit when West Ham take on Spurs.

If you do remember it you might also remember it getting a bit rougher the older you got. With English Premier League coming back this weekend after the international break, West Ham United and hated Tottenham Hotspur will be playing just that this weekend in what is an anticipated London derby. Expect some strong challenges and boisterous fans looking for big performances.

Key Interest

For a change this year West Ham have had a decent amount of success coming from the attacking position, in recent games anyway, and more importantly from our new front three in Anderson, Arnautovic, and Yarmolenko. They will be coming up against a strong side this weekend that have been playing together and gelling for some time.

Although both teams have sustained a very good midfield in my opinion, the key to this match will lie in the Hammers attack and the Spurs defense. After good runs against Everton, Chelsea, and Man U they looked uninspired against Brighton. Can the newly aligned front three keep it up?

The Attack

The strength in our front three lies in the passing and communication and that ultimately was why the uninspiring show against Brighton looked off. The connection has been noticeable this year and clearly Arnie has to appreciate the help from the outside wings. Whether it’s Yarmo and his smart attacking approach or Anderson and his key crosses and passes from the left (38 crosses so far and 44 passes per game) they have set each other up nicely this season and it will be needed again this week.

And just to recap, between the three they have 7 goals. Anderson has really stepped his game up after a slow start roughly averaging 52 percent of duels against opposing defenders this season. His stats also show that he’s matching or beating Yarmolenko in most important areas.

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The Opposing Defense

Tottenham’s defense has been performing well this season but might be a light spot at the moment with injuries from Aurier, Vertonghen, and the return of Danny Rose still up in the air. With all the injuries ahead of the match who will be the back line ahead of facing the likes or Arnie, Yarmo, and Anderson?

Historically this season we will most likely see Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, and Rose if he is healthy. Not an easy force to attack against but there is a note or two worth talking about. There has been some news that Man U and Barcelona are going in for Alderweireld, according to talkSPORT, once the January window hits.  Additionally, if Rose cannot play I believe we will have to face Ben Davies in that role. Although Davies is talented, he isn’t as explosive as Rose can be down that flank.

The Matchups

I am excited to see Anderson and Trippier clash and watch Yarmo battle it out with Rose or Davies. But I am most excited to watch Arnie battle it out with Sanchez (who I like a lot and despise all at the same time) and Toby Alderweireld. If West Ham have any shot in this match it will be up to the front three communicating and passing it around well.

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They all have different abilities but it’s shown that when worked as one they can be one of the best front three in the league. Make sure to tune in on Saturday and watch this potential classic London derby or in my mind a classic version of Red Rover. Red Rover Red Rover send West Ham on Over (or a big shout of BULLDOG!).  COME ON YOU IRONS!