West Ham United spent a fortune in the transfer market and did some decent business. They have added reinforcements in the defensive positions and out wide but we feel that they have made a mistake by overlooking their midfield situation. One of the glaring holes in the side was defence as they had the joint worst defensive record last season. Manuel Pellegrini tried to resurrect that by bringing in the likes of Fabian Balbuena, Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks. However, we still believe they are going to struggle if they start with anyone from their defence.
The primary reason for that? It’s the midfield duo of Jack Wilshere and Mark Noble. The Hammers are off to a dismal start as they have not provided any challenge to Liverpool in the first game and then have got beaten by Bournemouth at home after taking the lead. One can excuse them for the Liverpool game as the Reds had been the overwhelmingly better side but getting beaten at home after taking the lead against Bournemouth and spending £100m odd is peak West Ham.
Maybe it’s still early days to judge but for reference, we are attaching how Callum Wilson had gone through the non-existent midfield when he had scored the equaliser last weekend. It’s not an exaggeration to say Mark Noble is way past his prime.
Mark Noble.
West Ham’s engine room. pic.twitter.com/eL2PhxmMy3— • ᴅᴀᴠɪᴅ ᴇʟʟɪs • (@fullback03) August 20, 2018
After his various injuries, Jack Wilshere isn’t the same. He still has the technical ability to run the game from midfield but for that, he needs to have the ball on his feet. Off the ball, he doesn’t seem to have the legs to cover the field up and down, and with no real support from Mark Noble, West Ham would be dominated in that position by most other teams.
Against Liverpool, West Ham used the double pivot of Declan Rice and Mark Noble in the 4-2-3-1 formation and against Bournemouth Pellegrini went in with both Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez up front in a 4-4-2 formation as they were at home and wanted to play an attacking brand of football. To solve their midfield woes, we think it would be better for Pellegrini to use two defensive shields in front of the back four.
Though, the personnel they have for such positions is going to be a big problem. New signing Carlos Sanchez should find a place soon in the side but he is already 32, and there is every chance that he might struggle. Nevertheless, he is the best they have currently for that position after they have sold Cheikhou Kouyate. To partner him, it can pretty much be a lottery between Mark Noble, Declan Rice and Pedro Obiang. Obiang already seems out of favour, so it comes down between Rice and Noble. From the evidence, we have so far, both of them struggled in the first two games. Maybe they can alternate between the two or share the burden by substituting one after an hour or so, but it’s fair to say that the situation is dire.
We believe Wilshere should play further up front, that is, in the number ten role where the Hammers would be able to get the best out of him. His ability to find a pass in the final third and link up play is top notch, and that is where Pellegrini would want Wilshere to be with the ball on his feet.
If things don’t pan out well even then, in that case, Pellegrini can try someone like Issa Diop or even Arthur Masuaku as one of the double pivots. They need someone who would hustle down the opposition and press them and break up play when required. Someone who will have the legs to take on fast opponents and make cynical fouls. Until the January transfer window, Pellegrini will have to somehow ride the tide with the current options he has and later he can sign a defensive midfielder to solve the jigsaw.
