Ending West Ham's defensive woes

So Graham Potter remains in charge for the trip to Everton on Monday and the big issue is how to stop West Ham conceding goals from corners. As Match of the Day pointed out we have a problem with teams packing the far post and don't seem to have the leaders at the back to address it. There's also the problem of players like Mateta blocking off the goalkeeper. The vaguely zonal marking system just doesn't seem to work so let's just try sticking with a man each. That seemed to work during my days in the Shenfield School First X1.

Some changes of personnel might help. Areola is our best goalkeeper and Hermansen is always going to be targeted after his poor start. It's a shame Wan-Bissaka remains out with a stomach problem as he's a natural tackler despite a poor game against Chelsea, though Walker-Peters has done ok in his absence. The only centre-back who hasn't been dropped this season is Max Kilman, so perhaps it's time to give Igor a go and restore Jean-Clair Todibo, who cost £36 million and was once wanted by a host of top clubs. Potter was a centre back himself so it's mystifying why he can't get a back-line organised.

Part of the problem has been small players like Paqueta, Fernandes and Ward-Prowse picking up giants at set-pieces so who not do what Harry Redknapp did and keep two or three players up when defending a corner? That way the attacking side has to keep more defenders back and out of our box.

SMALL TEAM IN STRATFORD

Now Zouma, Ogbonna, Dawson, Rice and Antonio have gone West Ham are a small side new signing Magassa who is six foot two might be option in midfield, though he struggled as a sub against Palace. It's important Tomas Soucek returns. James Gheerbrant recently wrote an interesting piece on the bouncing Czech in the Times entitled, "Soucek's unique skill set: he jogs, he blocks, he scores (but no assists)." The piece points out that although Tomas is relatively slow his blocking record at the back is phenomenal and that as a midfielder in the Premier League he's scored only two less goals (he's got 36 in total) than Kevin de Bruyne from fewer chances.

Potter is a decent man (and internet meme) but the way we are losing games isn't offering much hope while his slow-passing possession style seems outdated now the Premier League is reverting to long throw-ins and more direct football. The likelihood remains that Moyes' Everton will end the Potter reign and Nuno Espirito Santo (who sounds a bit like a Duolingo course) be appointed. Some tactical tweaks are essential and perhaps praying to the deity of your choice might also be advisable. Though as at Forest, football can surprise us all. Come on you not very solid Irons.