How should we utilise Maiga?

When Modibo Maiga signed for West Ham United from FC Sochaux the Hammers faithful reached for their laptop and went looking for answers, where’s he play? Where will fit in? What’s his style of play? His YouTube video hits soared and it left the fans intrigued. I am going to try to give an insight on how he might get on and fit in.

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Looking at his summer signings so far, it is hard to predict just what Sam Allardyce has in mind for Saturday. Will both Alou Diarra and Mohamed Diame feature? Will the Hammers play will one up top? if so surely it will be Carlton Cole up top on his own as usual. From my limited knowledge out 4.7 million pound buy from Ligue 1, Maiga is a centre forward who can play out wide, something Big Sam I’m sure will admire.

In my opinion, Big Sam will set up in a similar way to last season, with wide men and one big man in the centre in a 4-3-3 come 4-5-1 formation. I’m sure Ricardo Vaz Te will be one of them wide men following his successful first season at the club which culminated in that play off winner. Maiga on the other cutting in and shooting from the right, the tall striker could also act as a “second striker” to Cole, allowing a last ditch pumping balls into the box tactic if so needed.

There’s no denying the fact at times we are going to find ourselves under the cosh a fair bit this season, so two big men up top could become a useful weapon with set pieces set to take to centre stage this season.

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I’m sure Maiga is feeling a little bit of pressure, being the Hammers only big name attacking player to join with a price tag. So just how will he cut it? In Ligue 1 he has a respectable record and Big Sam will hope he can quickly settle down as he continue to be frustrated in the summer window.

It is safe to say Allardyce has been impressed by the former Sochaux striker, in a recent interview he said, “Maiga played wide right and then moved up front and we saw a bit about what he is about as a frontman. He received the ball well and had a good spring in the air” Something he will hope bag his side vital goals in the clubs return to the Premier League.

For me, this is a signing for the future rather for the present; hence the continued search for another striker, Maiga will take time to settle into the top league in England. So signing an experience forward is vital to act as a stop gap while he gets used to the speed and ferocity of the Premier League, of course I hope I’m proved wrong and he starts to bang them in on a regular occurrence.

Just 2 days to go…

Come on You Irons!

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