After back-to-back losses West Ham need to change their formation

This is not a recording – but West Ham United require a formation chance. At least for the Leicester City match, we should see the Irons implement a new, simplified formation that best utilizes their players and downplays the injuries that are plaguing the current team.

Never change a winning team is something Manuel Pellegrini has stuck with since West Ham’s 3-1 win at Everton. Purely seeing the Brighton loss as a one-off, he also employed the same formation with Tottenham showing his faith in his team, despite a few injuries to the XI.

Whether Pedro Obiang and the often criticized Arthur Masuaku really were missed that much by West Ham is hard to determine, but with Yarmolenko now out it seems like West Ham may need to install a new formation to avoid putting less-than-elite players on the pitch just for the sake of keeping the same formation.

The previous formation was a 4-3-3 or maybe more accurately a 4-1-2-3 with a committed defensive midfielder, two central midfielders, and a front three with wingers. This formation has had success when the fullbacks can get up in the play and overlap, or when the midfield duo can force turnovers to hold onto the ball for longer.

These attributes were completely missing in the Tottenham match. Zabaleta still overlapped on the right side but Cresswell was lost on the pitch all match, getting targetted by the Spurs attack constantly as the weak link in West Ham’s team. The answer? committing forwards back and forcing them to cover for your less than desirable fullback(s).

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Yes, the formation I am suggesting is a 4-4-2 with a striker partnership of Chicharito and Marko Arnautovic. That would force Robert Snodgrass (right midfielder) and Felipe Anderson back on the pitch to help with defensive coverage.

Anderson got slaughtered on social media for not playing well in this match, which was deserved to a degree. Anderson wasted three consecutive corner kicks by trying to hit them to the front post, hard and low, but each time was met with a Spurs defender. He didn’t look as threatening as he had previously going forward because of the mismanagement of Cresswell’s defensive duty.

There’s been enough said on the issue, but if the masses want to strip an offensively gifted forward of time in the oppositions end to make up for their left back’s problems then let them eat cake.

The formation itself could morph into one that Pellegrini had great success with, a 4-2-2-2. This formation was used in August of this year with little to show for it, but with a few months of gelling and training the Irons could be up for it now. It would certainly allow for the correct personell to be played in their best positions.

Strikers – Chicharito and Arnautovic. Even Antonio could factor in should Arnautovic be injured, as he wouldn’t be isolated and could benefit from Chicharito’s finishing and Perez and Carroll are options too.

Attacking midfielders/wide midfielders – Anderson on the left and Snodgrass on the right. Dangana and Antonio again could be bench subs if needed. Without injury Anderson will likely play a full 90 should he need.

Holding Midfielders – Declan Rice and Mark Noble. Allow Noble to roam up the pitch and keep Declan central and deep. Moses Makasi has been turning it on lately for the U23 squad and could make a bench appearance too.

Back four – Keep it the same just get Cresswell away from the starting XI. I would take Masuaku’s porous defending over Cresswell’s non-existent defending at this time. Seriously a crisis position for the team here.

Pretty simple formula; when the Hammers have the ball the wide midfielders can bring support in the attack by roaming centrally, opening up avenues for the fullbacks to overlap and get crosses in. The dedicated defensive midfielders can then relieve pressure on the center-backs by staying deep and allowing the centre-halves to get wide if need be. By no means is it a groundbreaking formula but it is one that allows for Pellegrini to play his remaining players where they excel.