West Ham are a brave decision away from their best formation

With the attack stagnant and the midfield preoccupied with defensive responsibility, should West Ham and Manuel Pellegrini adopt a brave, exciting new formation to kickstart the team?

We’ve been subjected to the same formation all season long. Four at the back, one defensive midfielder, one box-to-box midfielder, three attacking midfielders, and a solo striker. While it proved effective early in the season, West Ham’s opposition has found ways to circumnavigate Pellegrini’s system.

There are certainly positives to keeping the same formation. The team better understands the style of football that the gaffer wants to play, and the players who fill the roles have normalcy and routine built into their game which theoretically should calm down their play.

With four winless matches in a row now, Pellegrini should opt for a big change to his team. Last week he dropped Angelo Ogbonna without explanation after a strong showing from the Italian center-back all season long. Fabian Balbuena filled in and played really well alongside Issa Diop. This begs the question, should the Hammers play three at the back?

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Pellegrini has never done it, but it makes sense with the players and form that West Ham currently have. All three center-backs have shown they can play this season. Arthur Masuaku has shown he can attack out wide as well as Ryan Fredericks, too, freed up from defensive coverage.

Attacking midfield has been a weak point for Pellegrini’s men, the resolution? Play two central midfielders in Declan Rice and Mark Noble. Atop the formation have Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson flank Sebastien Haller, all kept high on the pitch to sustain pressure on the opponents.

There are a lot of worse ideas floating around the West Ham world right now, and this formation allows Pellegrini to be flexible in his second-half substitutions. If the team needs to go and get a goal or two, sub off a defender for an attacking player and move to four at the back. If the team needs to defend the lead? Go two up top and drop a winger for a central midfielder like Robert Snodgrass. Flexibility is key and this formation allows it.

Next. Dropped points at home must stop if West Ham are to progress. dark

Ultimately, it seems pretty slim that this drastic change to team tactics would pop up for the Hammers, but I’m hopeful. Sheffield United showed last week how to defend in this formation and Wolves exploded on the Premier League scene with it last season, achieving Europa League football. Time for a slight change, Pellegrini?