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How David Moyes can get the same XI firing against Norwich

By Adam Smith

West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes looks on during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Burnley at The London Stadium, in east London on July 8, 2020. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / 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 ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes looks on during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Burnley at The London Stadium, in east London on July 8, 2020. (Photo by Adam Davy / POOL / 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 ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The word is out on David Moyes’ likely unchanged West Ham team to face Norwich, so why not mix up some informational tactics to get better results?

A four-man attack of Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Michail Antonio couldn’t breakdown a heavily injured Burnley team, eventually getting shutout 1-0. Rumour suggests we’ll see the same West Ham against Norwich, so why not embrace some tactical change to the team?

The first move to make would be Andriy Yarmolenko to striker. The Ukrainian attacker has played a handful of matches as a central attacking midfielder, second-striker, or centre-forward for his nation and has featured as one for the Hammers too. With his desire to trackback as minimal as it gets, a switch to striker would allow him to focus on poaching some chances.

The gap at rightwing would be filled by Jarrod Bowen. It’s his natural side, he manages to get forward and back with the same tenacity, and he is a threat to drift in off the wing when pressure and possession are mounting. Bowen’s best position is somewhere where he can utilize his pace and on the right, with Fredericks behind him, is that spot.

Centrally, Fornals should remain… forever. No more left-mid in a 4-4-2, no more left attacker in a 4-2-3-1, Fornals is shifty, creative, and a slick passer who gets into the box unnoticed. Moyes, please leave Fornals in the middle and allow him the opportunity to settle in one position.

This means Michail Antonio would be the defacto leftwinger for this team, seeing as a 4-2-3-1 is anticipated for this match. Sure, Antonio’s better foot is his right, but a cutback to looping cross from Antonio on the left-wing setup Andy Carroll’s infamous bicycle kick. He also would be better suited to track back and bail our the left-back, while also having the freedom to basically act as a second striker.

The team isn’t changed, but the idea behind attacking is. Allow Fornals to be the go man in the team, instigating a winged attack with either Bowen or Antonio out wide. Yarmolenko would then be free to stay central for crosses, passes, or overlaps to convert. Once freed up, Fornals would ideally drift into the box late while the opposite side winger provided a back post option.

Next. Moyes’ Lack of Squad Rotation Could Be Reaching Crisis Point. dark

Sure, this may seem easy to say and it may be arm-chair managing but it appears to be more thought than the actual manager is putting into his offensive planning. I will yield that his work with Soucek has been terrific, but why not tactically change the team is you’re not going to adjust the players themselves?