Don’t forget part two of the job, Sam

The recent statistics from the last six games, Chelsea through to Everton on Saturday make for interesting, though not unsurprising, reading. The common factor in all of these matches was the paltry amount of possession we had, and this is relevant remember for all of the home games as well involving Swansea City, Norwich City and Southampton.

So in six games where we had maybe 30/40% of the ball on average, we managed to win four, draw one and lose one, with a goal tally of nine and just two conceded. A simple analysis of this information reveals clearly that the defensive unit within the team is stronger than its been for many years with West Ham still leading the clean-sheet table in the Premier League just ahead of both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Now stopping goals going in at one end is important, and all very well, but in any game of football, as any fan will know, defence is but a part of the story. Whilst ours is rightly being lauded as the meanest in terms of clean sheets, the real telling stat is that the Hammers are -4 in terms of goal difference, whilst Chelsea are +30 and Arsenal are +28. This stat tells the other side of the story; that offensively we are miles away from where we need to be.

The side is geared to defend first and foremost, and it’s no surprise that Sam Allardyce, an old school, lower league stopper has adopted a ‘don’t concede, cant lose’ policy (just as he has done with previous charges Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

Defence is his comfort zone. It’s what he knows best and its what seems to give him confidence and belief. There is no doubt that huge credit has got to be given for the way the team has performed at the back, especially given the loss of the excellent and influential Winston Reid for so long, and there is absolutely no doubt at all that had this defensive unit been any less effective, West Ham would have almost certainly been one of the favourites for the drop right now.

But, and here is where the problems lie, how effective are we WITH the ball, and especially going forward. The answer is very much a negative one I’m afraid, largely because we simply do not have the players to do what is required at this level to cause opposition defences difficulties on  a regular basis over the full 90 minutes.

Opposition managers will know well in advance that West Ham’s main route to goal is via the wingers, Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing. Starve them of supply, space and crossing opportunities, and you have almost nullified any threat of conceding. Big Andy wont get his head on anything and wont be in a position to help Kevin Nolan. Nolan will score from flick-ons, knock downs and scraps, but if these loise and opportunistic balls are not available from the big man up front, then Kevin Nolan is anonymous and almost of no consequence. He needs to be in the danger zone and busy, just like we have seen recently when his top-notch finishing prowess is there for all to see. Nolan must have ball within the six yard or penalty box to thrive. Starve him of chances and its job done, no threat.

In Mark Noble, we have a player of huge talent. Forget this “lack of pace and goals” nonsense that some throw at him. The lad is all about touch and control, passing and movement, availability and endeavour, heart and passion. Of all current Premier League midfielders, Mark is up there with the best using any criteria you wish to choose. The problem from the West Ham point of view is that he collects balls from deep, often 20-yards from goal and tries to orchestrate moves with players unable to match his speed of thought and football intelligence.

For me, the lack of quick attacking midfielders getting beyond the strikers or running off of them is the main issue. We are simply far too predictable, with the play taking too long to develop allowing defences to re-group and make life difficult. We do not have the pace, individually or more importantly as a unit to counter attack effectively, and other than set plays where our height and power is a worry for the opposition, the attacking options are incredibly limited.

If we are being objective and honest, the recent welcome wins masked deep seated attacking problems, and this for me is where Sam Allardyce has to address things in the next available transfer window. Lets get a couple of ball players in the midfield to create, make intelligent movement and give us options a plenty. At least one attacking and overlapping full back, and a top quality front man is also required as back up to Carroll. Couple this with the current solid and dependable defence, then West Ham may well be able to offer some exciting offensive play which will go a long way to pleasing a far from convinced fan base that Allardyce has the technical know how and ability to get results AND entertain. That Sam, is part two of the job my friend!