With West Hams recent release of first team manager Sam Allardyce, who successively promoted the club from The Championship to the Premier League at first time of asking, have now appointed ex-premier league defender Slaven Bilic.
Slaven played 48 games for West Ham scoring 2 goals in the years 1996-1997. The defender was well known for his lack of fear and clattering challenges. West Ham released Sam after the poor run of form after Christmas. The first half of the season was very promising as West Ham were fourth on Christmas day, however after the defeat to Chelsea and some injuries, things started going downhill rapidly. After only three wins in 21, Big Sam was slammed by critics for playing long ball and football that was too direct. But what will Slaven bring?
Experience of different scenarios. Big Sam has much more experience in the Premier League, however critics would argue that this doesn’t help his game. He has a tendency to think that he knows everything and that his style of play is the right way. Slaven on the other hand has had no managerial experience in the Premier League, however Slaven has managed overseas and for higher ranked teams, for example he recently managed Besiktas in European competition, as well as a foray into international management with a successful spell with Croatia.
Tactical nous. Slaven is known to play more attacking football than Big Sam which is based more on passing and quality build up rather than hopeful direct balls up to the striker as Sam did. Slaven plays a 4-2-3-1 with the two defensive midfielders protecting the back four and supplying the attacking midfielders with the ball. The three attacking midfielder’s jobs are to make space and create chances for the lone striker.
What this formation brings is freedom in the attacking third. The attacking attacking midfielders roles are fluid they aren’t fixed into left, right or centre; they can move around as they wish, making it much more difficult for the opponents to defend against, with the three usually having different playing styles just to make matters harder.
Big Sam uses a much more defensive formation 4-5-1. In this formation the midfield sits very deep which very easily isolates the lone striker, he has to work for the ball and make his own chances. Tactically Slaven’s attacking approach benefits the type of player at West Ham currently this is also the style of play the fans have wanted for years.
At West Ham we need a change, a Big name that will attract big players. For our last season at Upton park and our first back in European football. This is our big chance.
