Green Street Hammers
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No need to radically change West Ham starting team

By Adam Smith

West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Southampton at The London Stadium, in east London on February 29, 2020. - West Ham won the match 3-1. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Southampton at The London Stadium, in east London on February 29, 2020. - West Ham won the match 3-1. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Poor finishing and the opportunity to take three well-earned points at the Emirates has deflated a recently excited fanbase. This disappointment shouldn’t be reason to panic, though.

Yes, the West Ham striker duo failed to break through Bernd Leno‘s goal on Saturday. As well, the wide attackers, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen couldn’t find a way to net a goal. The same goes for the tower centre-backs the Hammers have to offer on set pieces.

It was a disappointing result for West Ham, but not one that should radically adjust the West Ham team moving forward. Despite no goals, the opportunities were there for the Hammers and being defensively stout while creating chances should be a net positive at this time.

Possession wasn’t and won’t be the name of the game for the Hammers under David Moyes. Arsenal boasted 69% possession against West Ham including a late surge from the Irons in search of a levelling goal late.

Still, Moyes men managed 14 shots and six on goal in this match, outshooting the Gunners who put up nine shots and just two on goal. This clearly shows that while the possession clearly favoured Arsenal, the West Ham defenders and midfielders did extremely well to keep the attack to the perimeter.

Realistically, I do think we’ll see a few alterations to the starting XI to face Wolves. Mark Noble‘s leadership cannot be replaced, but Tomas Soucek will likely start in his place to bring more speed and physicality. Likewise, Felipe Anderson should start over Pablo Fornals out wide to better cover the wingback system used by Nuno.

Next. How West Ham’s strike-force went from heroes to zeros. dark

The two strikers, however, will remain. While both Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller are healthy, use them. Use them together. Don’t let one game and one poor performance discourage you. Their strength, speed, and size are how West Ham will continue to climb out of the relegation zone, this is no time to overthink a change here.