West Ham United boss David Moyes faces a big decision for Friday night’s game at Leeds United.
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West Ham have made their best start to a season for five years.
And much of it is down to Moyes’s implementation of the wingback formation that has transformed the Hammers.
But that has been thrown into disarray on the eve of the Leeds game after Arthur Masuaku revealed he has undergone knee surgery.
Hammers formation thrown into disarray on eve of Leeds clash after shock Masuaku operation
West Ham do not look the same side with a back four.
Several players are left exposed in that setup such as Aaron Cresswell, Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna.
Some fans felt West Ham could now function with a back four given the confidence bred by the great start.
But anyone watching the second half against Aston Villa recently will have seen that may not be the case.
When switching to four at the back West Ham ended up camped in their own half and were lucky to get anything out of the game.
There are no like-for-like replacements for Masuaku at West Ham.
Moyes has big decision to make over left wingback as Johnson looks likely to get the nod
So Moyes has a big decision to make at Elland Road.
Some have suggested Said Benrahma could play in that position. But that would be clipping his wings in an attacking sense.
Moyes has suggested Ryan Fredericks is back fit again for the game (whufc.com).
One option could be to play the experienced Vladimir Coufal at left wing-back and Fredericks or Ben Johnson at right-back?
But Moyes will likely go with Johnson in Masuaku’s place. Johnson is a right-back by trade.
He has played just as often at left-back, though.
And Moyes will opt for Johnson at left wing-back in Masuaku’s place in order to maintain the wingback formation.
As a former striker Johnson should have the capability to get forward.
And wingback may suit him as he will be less exposed defensively.
Benrahma set to start in place of Fornals as Moyes makes two changes
Moyes will make another change too. Benrahma looks set to come in for his first start in place of Pablo Fornals.
The Spaniard is a big favourite of Moyes.
But he put in one of his worst performances against Manchester United last time out while Benrahma looked sharp as a tack when he came on.
Fans have been calling for Benrahma to be given his full debut. And that wish looks set to be finally granted.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Leeds:
Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Balbuena, Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Benrahma, Haller.
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