Even after the Hammers had an extraordinary 2020-21 season in which they came close to finishing in the top four but ultimately settled for sixth place, David Moyes continues to work miracles as the team’s manager. He had lost some credibility after falling short of Sir Alex Ferguson’s accomplishments at Old Trafford, but he has now fully returned his reputation as an outstanding man-manager, capable of guiding his club to more success than was ever predicted. The former manager of Everton and Manchester United has now fully reclaimed his reputation as an exceptional man-manager.
Declan Rice has become one of the top midfielders in the world during the course of the last two years at the London Stadium, where Moyes is the manager. Moyes has also devised an amazing recruitment program, bringing in players like Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, and Jesse Lingard on loan from other teams during the previous season. Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals, and Michail Antonio are just a few of the players whose flexibility, style of play, and attacking productivity have all improved as a direct result of his coaching within an aggressive playing style that is capable of competing with the most formidable clubs in the league.
We analyzed David Moyes’ strategies for the current campaign. The most recent information about West Ham and David Moyes is provided here.
LAYOUT OF PLAY: 4-2-3-1
David Moyes, West Ham’s manager, typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation. On rare occasions, the team’s defensive configuration has been a 5-4-1 or 3-4-2-1. As the attacking midfielder and Antonio rushed high up the field, the Hammers shifted formation from 4-4-2 to 4-1-1. Wingers with their positions reversed move closer to the goal in search of magic, while fullbacks push forward individually to increase offensive depth.
This year, the team has added a few new players, but veterans like Craig Dawson and Lukasz Fabianski have remained on the squad. The midseason departure of Angelo Ogbonna worsened the Hammers’ defensive issues, with Kurt Zouma and Issa Diop vying for a starting berth alongside the 31-year-old. Despite Vladimir Coufal’s attacking talent on the right and Aaron Cresswell’s dependability on the left, Ben Johnson has fought for a starting position this season. Moyes has started Declan Rice with Tomas Soucek in the center of the field 31 times this season.
With and without the ball, West Ham’s captain brilliantly advances his team by making vital passes from all over the field. Tomas Soucek is a conventional shuttler who does the most of his job off the ball. Said Benrahma, Manuel Lanzini, and Pablo Fornals may all be switched between attacking positions by Moyes to make up for the loss of Jesse Lingard’s offensive threat.
Because of the speed, strength, and decisiveness of their front line, the Hammers are able to play in an expansive attacking style that considerably boosts their success on the break. This is made possible by the rapidity with which they make judgments. As a result, the Hammers have been able to continue playing deep and then push the action once they have recovered possession of the ball.
THE PRINCIPLES OF ATTACKING
According to what has been reported, David Moyes’ squad excels most while counterattacking or scoring from above on set pieces. With Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell, and Jarrod Bowen, West Ham can play well while possessing the ball. Moyes’ squad, on the other hand, actively looks for its striker and counts on his superb hold-up play to bring others into the action. This is made simple by Antonio’s tendency to float to the side of the ball during counterattacks in order to receive, drag defenders with him, hold the ball aloft, and enable others to rush into the space.
The West Ham striker’s explosive acceleration off the ball allows him to track back and retrieve passes sent into the half-spaces or wide channels, while players like Fornals and Bowen go towards the center to score. The 32-year-old can utilize it to take on defenders alone, again as others rush forward to join the action. His 9 assists in Premier League and Europa League games speak for themselves. He’s more than simply a “Target Man;” he exemplifies our team’s “Channel Runner” mentality, as he’s always attempting to draw in opposing defenders and set up teammates.
In a 2-4-4 attacking shape, Cresswell spreads deep passes, while Coufal is on the overlap as Jarrod Bowen drives inside. Dawson and Diop are constantly on duty to clean up after assaults and prevent counterattacks in a 3+1 rest defense. Again, it’s not only defensive. The Hammers create scoring chances despite having the lowest possession (47.7%). Declan Rice, with his muscular carries and accurate throws, dominates possession. The 23-year-old captain often starts and finishes offensive sequences. David Moyes’ team has improved in recent years despite being more than an attacking threat.
THE PRINCIPLES OF DEFENDING
David Moyes’ team has performed well offensively despite having a lower possession percentage. West Ham United defends with a sturdy 4-4-2 mid-to-high block that can transition to a 4-2-3-1 to chase an opponent team’s great number six when not in control. Their pressing shape resembles a 4-2-4, with a high-pressing first line and spacing between it and the midfield two and back four. Wingers may press center backs and shield fullbacks.
Because of this, opponents are funneled into the middle, where Pablo Fornals, Tomas Soucek, and Declan Rice thrive at regaining possession. Their front four quartet may interrupt the opponent’s buildup, while the other two lines sit lower and are less aggressive. The opponent is often tempted to play passes in front of West Ham’s midfield or to the wide gaps on either side of them to avoid riskier passes closer to their goal, such as behind their back line. West Ham relies on their strong organization to stay up with the game.
David Moyes’ squad has scored well despite a reduced possession %. West Ham United’s 4-4-2 mid-to-high block may switch to a 4-2-3-1 to follow an opponent’s excellent number six when out of control. With a high-pressing front line and space between it and the midfield two and back four, they press like a 4-2-4. Wingers may press centerbacks and protect fullbacks.
Many level-headed players help West Ham’s stability. Antonio immediately relieves defensive pressure when they reclaim possession. The 4-4-1-1 formation helps the striker in transition, but they may also use their attacking midfielder and rely on their on-ball presence to advance the ball.
TO SUM UP
David Moyes has performed miracles since regaining control at London Stadium in 2019, and the club is currently poised for consecutive top-seven finishes in English football. The Hammers still have a shot at the UEFA Europa League championship this season, since they have yet to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals. The 58-year-old Scotsman has built one of the country’s most defensively resilient teams without sacrificing offensive firepower or verve.
The previous two years have seen him transform Declan Rice into a top-tier midfielder, as well as Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, and Pablo Fornals into top-tier players. It’s unclear if West Ham can achieve the improbable. The 2022–23 season is coming to a close, but the Hammers will remember it fondly no matter the outcome.
