David Moyes will look to build on his good start to the new year at West Ham United as he attempts to wash over his previous success and consequent failure and rewrite his credentials as a manager.
West Ham United fans have seen their team get off to a shaky start this season, to say the least. The fans know that despite a change in manager, it is unlikely that things will change fast. Bilic getting the axe does not automatically solve the problems and in all fairness to Moyes, he needs more time.
West Ham United, after being winless in nine matches turned things around in grand style. A shocking 1-0 win over defending champions Chelsea followed by a gritty draw against another heavyweight side Arsenal and then a 3-0 hammering of Stoke City has made the Hammers hopeful again in the festive period. A blimp of a result came in the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and the same weekend’s 2-3 loss was disheartening but West Ham fans can pass it off as a festive failure and nothing more.
Their current six matches unbeaten run includes an impressive 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley and a 4-1 hammering of Huddersfield Town last week. They now come up against Bournemouth for their reverse fixture. Their 3-3 pulsating draw at Bournemouth was a rather opportunity missed occasion with Bournemouth getting lucky with plenty of refereeing decisions. The match was a poor display of both sides’ lack of defensive organization and refereeing had a had a huge role to play in the result.
The gloomy atmosphere around the new London stadium is a little less tentative now as the Scot attempts to find a new formula to take his side to a respectable position on the table come May.
Here is how they might line up for their match against Bournemouth.
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Defence
Adrian is likely to start in goal. Aaron Creswell and Angelo Ogbonna are likely to be partnered by James Collins as the three centre-backs with Pablo Zabaleta at right wing back and Arthur Masuaku at left wing back.
Midfield
The two-man midfield base is likely to consist of Cheikhou Kouyate and Pedro Obiang.
Attack
Summer signing Marko Arnautovic is likely to start up front with Manuel Lanzini on the right and Andre Ayew to his left with Andy Carroll out injured.
