1. Stopping Troy Deeney
Easier said than done. Deeney is the kind of player that would be an asset to any squad in the Premier League with his high work rate, strength and acute finishing ability. The Birmingham native is a scourge of defenders throughout the top flight with the real danger lying in his versatility. Deeney can drop deep to receive the ball and lay it off without issues, shrugging off the challenges off defenders with ease thanks to his physique. But he can also drop in between the lines as well as receiving through balls in behind to beat the offside. As well as his threat on the ground, he’s also a threat in the air and reads crosses better than any West Ham player bar Andy Carroll. Give him a penalty and he will kill you. Jose Fonte and Winston Reid will need to be on top form but, perhaps more importantly, the Hammers’ shaky full-backs will need to back them up. Recently, they haven’t been.
