West Ham’s Key Attackers Could Face The Axe

West Ham edged out Fulham in a narrow victory at the London Stadium, at times the Hammers attack was very laboured and lacked creativity.

Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen have been handed the responsibility to create most of West Ham’s chances. The Duo has had some success this season contributing towards seven goals between. Bowen has scored three goals, and Fornals has scored twice and assisted twice.

Both of the attackers have only created one big chance each in the Premier League this season in their eight games. To put it simply, the attacking pair are not creating enough opportunities for the other players. This lack of creatively has seen the majority of goal-scoring opportunities being created by Arthur Masuaku, Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell.

One excuse for this lack of creatively is the level of teams the Hammers have faced. On average the majority of sides are top six contenders in which could have reduced the attacking opportunity. But against Fulham, the Irons attack looked a lot more dangerous than it actually was.

David Moyes’ side came flying out of the blocks and fired some dangerous shots from range as well as hitting the bar via a Sebastien Haller header. This theme continued in the second half as the closest the Hammers came was when Cresswell rattled the crossbar from a Free-kick.

The only time West Ham cut Fulham open was when the goal came in the 92nd minute. But this was not due to Bowen’s power or Fornal’s skill; instead, it was down to the vision of Said Benrahma. The 25-year-old collected a loss ball and instead of panicking controlled the ball and played a perfect pass to Tomas Soucek. The Czech then fired in his shot. The calmness showed by the Algerian is a skill that the other two do not regularly show.

Moyes has been coy when it comes to starting Benrahma, but against Sheffield United, he could opt for the 25-year-old. The Blades will be solid defensively, and the Hammers could need a bit of magic to unlock the defence. In order to fit Benrahma into the current system, one of Fornals and Bowen would have to be axed from the starting eleven.

It would not be the end of their Hammers careers. But in the matches where West Ham will have the majority of the ball, Benrahma could be a better option for Moyes to start with.