Southampton manager Ronald Koeman says West Ham’s use of Andy Carroll will dictate Wednesday’s fixture between the two sides.
After leading his side to a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman spoke to the press today ahead of Wednesday’s visit of West Ham United.
The Saints lie third in the Premier League table after a remarkable season, and will be looking to push on in their pursuit of a Champions League place on Wednesday.
West Ham had a tough result on Sunday, with Daley Blind’s last gasp equaliser denying the Hammers all three points against Manchester United, in a game which finished 1-1 at Upton Park.
Now looking to claim a win this time, manager Sam Allardyce hinted to the West Ham official website earlier today that Andy Carroll could well make his return to the side at St. Mary’s Stadium having missed time through injury.
The 25-year-old is one of the best players in the Premier League when it comes to aerial challenges, and with five goals in 13 appearances, he’s been one of West Ham’s key players this term.
Koeman believes that the way West Ham play on Wednesday will largely depend on Carroll, identifying the former Liverpool striker as West Ham’s key man in an interview with the Southampton official website.
“I really like the West Ham United team and how they are doing this season,” said Koeman. “Sometimes it depends on if [Andy] Carroll is playing because without him it’s more football from the back. With him it’s more direct play.”
When the two sides met earlier this season, Southampton swept the Hammers aside in a 3-1 thumping at Upton Park in August, but Koeman knows the game will be much tighter this time.
“West Ham, we know, is a totally different team than in the beginning of the season when we beat them in the away game. It will be more difficult than that on Wednesday,” he added.
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