West Ham must stop Pukki to claim first home points of season

West Ham are searching for their first home points of the season against Norwich after their first win last week. But to do so they’ll have to silence Teemu Pukki.

I think it’s fair to say that Pellegrini’s sides have rarely been known for their defence. And whilst West Ham have certainly improved over the past season the defence has looked leaky on occasion. But this weekend against Norwich they will have to contain Teemu Pukki, currently leading the Premier League goal scoring charts.

Not many predicted that the Canaries’ front man would hit the ground running quite so hard, but with a goal in each game so far, and a hattrick against Newcastle, I think it’s fair to say he’s a Premier League quality finisher. And the Hammers’ defence will have to adapt to manage Norwich’s focal point.

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We saw last week that when a striker gets in behind our defence they can punish us with only one opportunity. Pukki is most likely higher quality, and certainly in better form, than Grey and as such we must make sure he doesn’t get off the shoulder of Ogbonna. Because most of his goals come they way they did against Liverpool, around the back and a shot off before anyone can get close.

I highlight Ogbonna because I think it’s a fair assumption that Ogbonna is slower than Diop, and more likely to be targeted. I know I would anyway. But it is up to Rice and the full backs to really make sure that the service isn’t there, because Pukki likes the ball on the ground. If we can force them to deliver the ball aerially, we should have Norwich covered. Key word being should.

This will mean that Rice, and whoever partners him in the midfield, need to be hot on the press of anyone in space in the West Ham half. No ball should be available directly up to Pukki’s feet, and no simple infield pass should be available from the wingers either. Force the ball out wide and down to the corner flag. Let them get a cross in, but noting whipped along the ground, because Diop and Ogbonna are better and stronger than Pukki in the air.

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Obviously this is all well and good now, but actually doing it on the day is tough, and one little mistake can mean a goal. That’s the issue with defending, you’re judged on your mistakes and how few you make, not how often you do it well. Pukki will be a tricky customer, and I worry about our ability to keep him silent.