Slaven Bilic is finding it hard to play Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez together for West Ham, so what to do against Tottenham?
Andy Carroll (L) and Chicharito of West Ham United during the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic admitted after the 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League that it was “almost impossible” to fit Andy Carroll and new signing Javier Hernandez into the same team.
Since the return of Carroll from injury for the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town, Hernandez has been pushed out to the left wing in a 3-4-3 system that doesn’t suit the 29-year-old’s poacher instincts.
Javier Hernandez of West Ham United celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Premier League match against Southampton.
“It is hard to have them both in their natural positions,” Bilic was quoted by the Evening Standard.
“It is hard to do that and then have three at the back, then with [Michail] Antonio and [Marko] Arnautovic, it is almost impossible.”
It has been a tricky start to the season for the Hammers, who after losing their first three league matches have at least now picked up four points from their last two outings. Yet it doesn’t get any easier this weekend when Tottenham Hotspur are the visitors to the London Stadium.
Slaven Bilic, manager of West Ham United.
Spurs still seem to have some sort of Wembley hoodoo in the top flight having failed to win any of their three games there so far, but on the road they remain as dangerous as ever and Bilic will be all too aware of the threats that the North Londoners pose.
Which is why dropping Carroll, rather than Hernandez, might be the 49-year-old’s best course of action if he wants to also fit the returning Arnautovic into his three-man attack.
Tottenham also operate in a 3-4-3 formation and are likely to dominate possession, which is fine for Bilic if he can do what Chelsea and Burnley have both managed already this term and get his tactics right against Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues’ 2-1 win and the Clarets’ 1-1 draw came from soaking up pressure to the point of frustration and then hitting Spurs on the break.
This is a style that is likely to suit the running in behind of Hernandez, with few better at taking their opportunities when presented, than the slower approach that comes with Carroll.
Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen would be able to surround the England international and snuff out his threat fairly easily, but coupled with the wing play of Antonio and Arnautovic the Mexican could prove a far trickier prospect for the visiting defence.
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