West Ham in tough against dual striker threat from Wolverhampton

Not in the best frame of mind, or with any sort of positive momentum, West Ham are quite simply limping right now. I’m afraid it’s not going to get easier either as a threateningly deadly striker duo from Wolverhampton await the visiting Hammers, ready to score.

Let’s skip the formalities and setting the stage; West Ham have to deal with an in-form Diogo Jota and a playmaking Raul Jiminez for 90+ minutes today, and I’m more than a little scared. It’s isn’t unjustified either, as mentioned both are in terrific form and for West Ham, their centre-back pairing is half of a liability.

AFC Wimbledon were able to expose West Ham’s backline fairly easily. Diop was pulled wide and right allowing for passes up the middle to play Ogbonna one-on-one, or crosses were sent to the back post to victimize the defensive marking of Arthur Masuaku.

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A big boost will be the return of first-team starters Aaron Cresswell at left-back and Pablo Zabaleta at right-back. Cresswell’s return to form and defensive abilities are a massive upgrade over the 2019 Masuaku. While Zabaleta returning will provide leadership and defensive drilling.

The return of two veteran fullbacks should help the Hammers keep a tighter backline, the spine in Manuel Pellegrini’s defensive structure. They could only manage to catch Wimbledon offside once in their 4th round FA Cup match, which undoubtedly contributed to their loss.

As for Wolves, they’re firing. Not unlike West Ham, they struggled in the 4th round of the FA Cup as they fell behind Shrewsbury early and had to settle for a late equalizer to force a replay. That being said, striker Raul Jimenez scored as well as always-threatening wingback Matt Doherty late in the match.

Before this match, Wolves outslugged Leicester City in a seven-goal affair that saw Diogo Jota secure his hattrick and the win, 4-3 over the Foxes. The winger turned striker in Wolves 3-5-2 formation plays off of Jimenez up top and relies on superb outletting from Reuben Nevez and Joao Moutinho from the midfield to sneakily be effective.

Jimenez’s power, Jota’s speed, and the incising play of the Wolves full-backs should see West Ham’s possession play hit hard by a striking counterattack.

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I’m not saying we’re doomed or don’t have a chance, but this match will prove difficult for West Ham to succeed in and any points earned away to this team should be celebrated. If Wolves know the Hammers’ weaknesses you can be assured Pellegrini does as well, and the only way to beat this trick promotion team could lie in holding the high back line and dominating possession to restrict any time Nuno’s team has on the ball.