We tend to blame a lot, only natural for us lot on these sites, and i do it a lot myself. Be good to see us suggest how Lopi could improve things with the current West Ham United squad rather than criticise. Its clear Lopi has had a struggled start to his time at WHU, this comes with trying to instill a completely new type of football and integrate all these players. He’s tried his high line and it failed, players haven’t adapted or haven’t had the qualities needed (pace in CM for example). He has certainly improved on things recently, but we still look very vulnerable and cannot play well for a full 90, so more improvement is needed.
I think he came in under the agreement that Tim & Co would be in charge of transfers (a move away from the Moyes style control) which is what most fans wanted, and there is no doubt he has been left short in some areas. Lopi himself chose Killman and Soler to my knowledge, players he knows from past roles, and BOTH are turning out to be successful signings. Credit where its due. Only Guido (free), Guilherme and Fulkrug have been questionable signings IMO but clearly pace in CM was not thought about, a ball dropped by all involved.
So let’s have a go at suggesting what WE think Lopi should do to get the most out of his CURRENT squad.
Upfront is obvious, we have not had our striker signing all season, and Fulkrug is only now adjusting to the team (he looks motivated despite all the talk of him leaving) but still looks unfit, out of match practice and needs players to sync with him and how he plays. If he stays, hopefully he gets better, but i still feel a 2nd striker is vital so that we do not need to switch Jarod there all the time. Any rumours about En-Neyri? Still only 27 and has worked with Lopi.
For me the issue lies in CM, an area completely neglected in the summer but for buying Guido as backup to Alvarez and Soler as backup to Paqueta, both intended as cheap/loan backup signings, not first team investments.
We rely too much on Soucek to be in the box soring goals but also doing his defensive work. He cannot be in 2 places at once and lacks pace to make up for it (his stamina is incredible though, so he does well considering his lack of pace). For me he needs to be used as a holding player only, he can go forward for set pieces but that’s all.
I saw Paqueta has played the 3rd most mins under Lopi this season. Unbelievable considering he is performing WAY below his capabilities, shows Lopi wants to work with him. LOVE this guy, and great to see him celebrate with Lopi after his pen the other day. But he is being asked to do too much defensive work in and around the box or chasing back (usually when we are being countered and Soucek/other CM has been caught high and he is chasing back). He also gives the ball away in dangerous positions still, and this has been worse this season as the other players are more advanced when this happens and this leaves us even more open.
It’s no surprise we have looked a little less exposed recently when he has not been on the pitch. He is still an INCREDIBLE player though and we need to adjust to enable him to perform. If we play him, he needs 2 proper holding pivots behind him who are far more focused on defensive work, positioning and recycling the ball.
Alvarez – I am not totally sure what is wrong. Is he being asked to do too much? His ability last year was clear, he is a very good holding pivot. But this year he is being exposed for pace and ends up making rash challenges leading to his red, and also a 5 yellow ban. High wingbacks explains this exposure somewhat, but this lack of pace went unknown/unaddressed in the window and is being unaddressed by Lopi now. More reason for playing 2x holding players who’s 1st job is defensive positioning/shielding in this new style in my opinion.
Orford? Could he be utilized alongside Alvarez? Personally, given the changes (personnel and style) i think now could be a harsh time to introduce him unless it is from the bench. Young talents need to be integrated positively and if it goes wrong, he could lose confidence despite the issue being a wider team one rather than him. Maybe Lopi is protecting him IDK.
Kudus – We all know Jarod is our best RW so our only option when Jarod is on the RW is for Kudus on the left. But why not play one through the middle ALONGSIDE Fulkrug, let them swap, and also let Flukrug swap who drops deep, it makes it hard for defenders and means we can play balls through the channels when Kudus/Jarod are the player playing off the defensive line. This does leave us with only 2 in CM though, but this is only an option, not a solid suggestion to start every game. This also makes space for Summerville on the LW, and Guilherme from the bench.
Personally, the biggest change i would make is that I would play 2 dedicated defensive pivots with a CAM (Paq/Soler). Currently i do not see who is DEDICATED to defensive work in CM, they are all allowed to get forward at some point and all drop deep at others, it’s too fluid and sometimes there is nobody (or not enough) marshalling the risk, especially when we try to win the ball high. Teams who are unbelievable at holding the ball in the opponents 3rd can manage with one, but we are not there yet by any means.
Written by NIckinho_10 December 29 2024 11:58:39
