As the saying goes, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics, but there’s one particular stat that will have West Ham gaffer Julen Lopetegui breaking out in a cold sweat.
Over on our Hammers Chat Patreon account, we produce a video series called ‘The Amateur Scout,’ in which we’re lucky enough to have access to top industry software used by professional football clubs and scouts. It was during the research for a West Ham analytics video that I was shocked to find an incredible imbalance in Lopetegui’s team’s attacking tactics.
During the 4-1 loss to Tottenham, the Hammers’ attack was 54% on the right, 45% on the left, with only 1% of creative play coming from central areas. Whether the team was acting on, or disregarding Lopetegui’s tactical instructions is unclear, but I was taken aback.
There was the odd hoof upfield from the erratic distribution of Alphonse Areola, but West Ham seemed unable to create anything from the middle of the pitch.
This flaw was no better demonstrated than by the fact that Lucas Paquetá made only one solitary forward pass during the game.
Lopetegui will need to address this gaping hole in the Hammers’ attack quickly. With Mohammed Kudus missing for the next three games, the Irons can’t rely on goals only coming from the wings.
