West Ham have had a shocking start to the season. Sitting 18th in the Premier League is not acceptable for a team of their calibre and with their calibre of players, and things need to turn around quickly before Slaven Bilic becomes in danger of losing his job.
The first part of the team to be blamed has been the defence, and that’s understandable. Conceding four goals against both Watford and West Brom is embarrassing, but with Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna re-forming their partnership at the back, things should start getting more solid. What most people seem to overlook, however, is the cover which the defence are given by the midfield, or, as the case has been this season, the lack of cover.
Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate were two of West Ham‘s standout performers last season. Both solid in midfield, thwarting many attempted attacks, while also being effective going forward. The work rate of the pair was outstanding and they were often the two players who did the most running in every game. Yet, so far this season, it seems to have disappeared. This is especially the case defensively and is the reason why the back four have been left so open when the opposition attack – they simply haven’t got the support they need and rely upon.
This changed last game against Middlesbrough thanks to the long-overdue introduction of Pedro Obiang into the side. He did the gritty work – such as tracking back and make vital interceptions and tackles – that Noble and Kouyate have failed to do this season, and it paid dividends. Obiang 100% deserves to keep his place and he should expect to do so, but more improvement is needed. This could come in the shape of Edimilson Fernandes, the 20-year-old Swiss international signed from FC Sion in the summer. Slaven Bilic is a big fan, having reportedly obsessively watched tapes of him playing at his old club, and in his only performance so far for the club, he was impressive, albeit against a poorer side in the EFL Cup.
Twitter: Someone’s got to do the dirty work, eh @Obiang14?
#COYI https://t.co/rMYRDuXCTW (@WestHamUtd)
Bringing an inexperienced 20-year-old in to replace two of your traditionally most reliable players is drastic, but drastic change is clearly needed and that could come in the shape of dropping your captain. Noble and Kouyate have performed way below par so far this season, and Obiang and Fernandes could be what’s needed to revitalise the team. It would also send a message out to the rest of the starting XI that no-one’s position is safe, and if you don’t perform, you will be dropped.
