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West Ham United’s defense will have to tighten up against Brighton

By Jeremiah Carson

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Declan Rice of West Ham United is challanged by Glenn Murray of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Declan Rice of West Ham United is challanged by Glenn Murray of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Last week against Manchester City was a learning experience for the young defense of West Ham. This week, however, they will need to tighten up against Brighton and fast.

You can take last week’s performance however you want, but the truth is that giving up 5 goals to any side shows a need for a change-up. This week’s opponent for West Ham is Brighton & Hove Albion, not a close comparison to Man City but still a tough opponent especially after their week 1 showing at Watford.

The Hammers will travel to the Amex Stadium in the southeast of England where they will face an opponent that has sometimes taken advantage of the East London squad. Since both squads have returned to the EPL, Brighton has won 3 out of the 4 with the other match being a draw. It’s safe to say that the Seagulls have the Hammers number.

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As mentioned in the title, West Ham will have to tighten up against Brighton but more importantly their center forwards. Glenn Murray has always been a thorn in the Hammers side as he has scored against us in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Not to mention their two new boys Andone and Maupay who both scored last weekend.

To the opinion of many West Ham fans, myself included, the Hammers have played it soft against lesser teams and it always haunts them (I.E. Brighton, Cardiff, and AFC Wimbledon). They cannot do that this Saturday and I think that they will be ready. Especially after that atrocious start against Man City.

Even if the backline stayed the same, I think they would be up for the task hopefully Pellegrini will make a change or two. Aaron Cresswell met his match against City and Brighton could very well do the same. That being said, I think we will see Masuaku make the first team at left-back to shore up any discrepancies.

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If I could positively answer the statement above it would be that West Ham will tighten up and look to shut down the fast-starting Brighton side. It is clear that the Hammers are putting more emphasis on offense, which is what we want, and that will take time and training to shore up the defense.