The respective league positions show both Tottenham and West Ham are having seasons to forget. West Ham have regressed from a relatively poor season last year, while Tottenham, despite high hopes after hiring Thomas Frank, are actually looking worse than last year when we finished 17th.
West Ham are on a run of form even worse than Tottenham, but has been so often the case, we seem to provide a tonic for teams struggling. Bournemouth, of course, being the latest recipients of our goodwill there. Usually, I would say at least we are at home, but that is no comfort for the last year or so. Thomas Frank desperately needs a win here, and while that is no formality against anyone this season, here’s 3 important considerations to getting that result.
1. Making the most of corners
Set pieces have enjoyed a revival recently with teams devoting more time to both attacking and defending them. While it is great to see the long throw get some appreciation, even from clubs that previously derided it, corners are the set piece that West Ham have really struggled defending this season. Coincidentally, corners are also one of the few improvements Spurs have made this season.
Earlier this year, we won comfortably away at West Ham, and we looked a particular threat from corners all game. Cristian Romero had a goal from a corner harshly disallowed in the first half before Pape Matar Sarr did open the scoring from one in the second half. If our usual lack of chances from open play continues vs. West Ham, we need to make the most of our potential advantage when corners arrive.
2. Start fast
Contrary to set pieces, starting games fast has been a rarity for Spurs this season. The game vs. West Ham would be a perfect opportunity to change that. Attacking from kick off and putting the opponents under pressure has so many advantages, particularly when at home. This is even more so given Tottenham’s awful home form and the pressure that is on Thomas Frank already, and which will only increase as the game goes on if we are seeing more of the same lack of attack.
For a short time vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup, we played at an aggressive high tempo, and we need that to continue. It might sound strange to look to emulate the division’s bottom club, but Wolves recently showed vs. West Ham how to get at them quickly and we need to look to do the same.
3. Defending build-up play through the middle
Last time out vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup, we were incredibly weak throughout. The Villa first goal is a perfect example where, despite setting up compact and narrow, they were able to play through us with the simplest of passes. With a few straight passes and some movement ahead, Villa went from back to front and 1-0 up. It did not get much better from there. If we are to set up to play compact like that, we must be able to make ourselves harder to play through. The movement of Jarrod Bowen causes a lot of teams to have problems, and we have been no exception to that.
Allowing teams to play to the wings has been a tactic we have used a lot this season and that can work. Going compact to give space on the wings while also being ridiculously easy to play through, however, is going to end the same way it did against Villa. Dominic Solanke usually presses well from the front and can lead this if fit to start. Palhinha had a great second half vs. Villa and needs to turn that into a full game. Connor Gallagher may play some part, too. It was too easy for Villa, and Bournemouth before them, to get through. West Ham will be no different if the same static defending continues.