Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Tactics

The formation and line-up which will help West Ham turn their season around at Southampton

Damien Charles Lucas
Damien Charles Lucas
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West Ham United take on Southampton this evening in a game which could decide the future of Manuel Pellegrini.

Defeat for the Hammers at St Mary’s could be curtains for the Chilean.

That’s according to widespread reports with a host of managers linked as potential replacements.

The Saints have been steadily improving and go into the clash with two wins and a draw from their last five.

The Hammers were comfortably beating Arsenal 1-0 for 55 minutes last time out.

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West Ham and Pellegrini on the brink of big trouble

But a pathetic collapse saw the Gunners score three goals in nine minutes.

That defeat – and just one win in 11 – has left West Ham on the brink of the relegation zone. Lose today and they will more than likely find themselves in the bottom three for Christmas.

West Ham fans have been raging at Pellegrini’s tactics and team selection for the last couple of months.
The former Manchester City boss has stubbornly stuck to his formation despite fans unanimously agreeing he does not have the players to make it work on a consistent basis, especially when confidence is short.
West Ham need to get back to being solid and difficult to beat.
Photo by Arfa Griffiths West Ham United FC via Getty Images

Stubborn Pellegrini must make radical changes

And Pellegrini must switch to a 5-3-2 formation to achieve that with the squad at his disposal.
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Ryan Fredericks and Aaron Cresswell would operate as wingbacks.
Inside them they should have a back three of Issa Diop, Declan Rice and Angelo Ogbonna. When Winston Reid is back to full fitness he can take Rice’s place in the defence and allow him to move back into midfield.
Pellegrini must then promote young defensive midfield ace Conor Coventry to the first team, bypassing unpopular flop Carlos Sanchez.
Photo by Arfa Griffiths West Ham United FC via Getty Images

Time to promote coveted young midfielder

Coventry – who has been linked with a host of top clubs – has the legs, athleticism and enthusiasm to work effectively alongside captain Mark Noble in defensive midfield.
Felipe Anderson would be in front of those two in the attacking midfield role with Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller up front as a pair.
The team would be more compact, solid and also boast more attacking threat and balance.
Whether Pellegrini will be brave enough to employ the system is doubtful, just like his future.
Martin
Diop Rice Ogbonna
Fredericks                                     Cresswell
Noble          Coventry
Anderson
Antonio        Haller

Predicted line-up: Manuel Pellegrini will make two changes to West Ham for future defining Southampton game

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