Things started looking so bright for the Hammers with 60 minutes of pure genius from Andy Carroll, but with pot luck waiting round the corner he got injured and our performances have weakened dramatically, but what can help aid our frontline?
Many fans have slated Sam Allardyce for playing such a defensive formation, with an isolated front man and five midfielders, however he does also try and play the 4-3-3 formation which aims to utilise the shear heading ability and aerial dominance we have up top (especially when Carroll is fit) but this really doesn’t appear to be doing us any favours when relying on Carlton Cole.
I have said plenty of times that I am a fan of Cole, however I am adamant he can’t play the lone striker, he needs someone to work with and just because of his towering presence, doesn’t instantly mean he can be a target man, there is a lot more class involved which Cole lacks in.
When you think of strikers that play up top on their own there are not many that achieve over 20 goals a season, the job is very tuff which is why I have a lot of admiration for Carroll. However, with Carroll out injured, Cole has so far not stepped up to the plate and taken his chance by the scruff of the neck… Is that his fault or the players around him?
My point is, a lone striker is just not the way to approach a game anymore, there just isn’t enough outlets to aim for and it makes defending for the opposition to easy, it’s simple logic. The successful teams will often play with 2 strikers or 1 striker with a free roaming central attacking midfielder, but we lack a player that is capable of being either.
There is no doubt Cole on his day is a force to be reckoned with and defences throughout the Premiership would run scared, but I feel it’s time we give him some support, just play the simple 4-4-2 and get the wide men pushing up as well as the fullbacks, whilst playing either Ricardo Vaz Te or Modibo Maiga alongside Cole. I personally feel with the form that Kevin Nolan is in, he should be played just behind Cole and play the Steven Gerrard role acquired by Liverpool, as Nolan would be too hindered if played in a more defensive role.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Big Sam tries to secure another striker in the next transfer window and if he does I really hope he has attacking flair and is capable of making something happen out of nothing like Alessandro Diamanti or Carlos Tevez…In Big Sam we trust.
COYI!
iniesta and messi could be behind cole it wont make a difference…. he has NO talent…
i think it would benefit cole to play 4 4 2 with vaz te up top as well him being up front on his own simply does not work at all and maybe playingnolan just behind them
You wouldn’t be surprised if Big Sam Acquired another striker in the next transfer window ? It’s absolutely vital that we get at least one. Being light up front doesn’t go anywhere near describing our current situation without Andy Carroll.
cole definatley needs a player next to him why not maiga, he cost a fair bit of money and was supposed to be quite lethal but bfs wnats to play him up front on his own …why is he so adament in playing this style of play when it does not suit us …id like to see 442 ..i really am getting fed up with the way we are playing .
Ill be happy if bfs left in the summer and we hired the services of Mr Dicanio…with the squad we have and maybe strengthen in the summers (left back for sure , i cant see us getting relageted so plenty of time to learn dicanios style of play and im sure the players will enjoy it better and in turn play better .
I miss the west ham of old , trying to play good football win lose or draw….