West Ham United’s Tactical Transformation Under David Moyes
After a challenging start to the 2020-21 Premier League campaign, West Ham United, guided by David Moyes, have enjoyed a remarkable upturn in form. The Hammers bounced back impressively from early defeats, notably scoring seven goals without reply against Wolves and Leicester City, and staged a dramatic comeback against Tottenham Hotspur to earn a 3-3 draw from three goals down. Moyes, once undervalued following his spells at Manchester United and his earlier time with West Ham, now has the team performing at a high level and sitting in the top half of the table. This analysis explores the tactics and systems that have sparked West Ham’s resurgence.
Evolution of Formation: From 4-2-3-1 to a Flexible 5-4-1
West Ham began the season with a familiar 4-2-3-1 but shifted tactics following an opening loss and an injury to captain Mark Noble. Adapting to Arsenal’s 3-4-3 in their second match, Moyes initiated a transformation to a robust 5-4-1 structure, which morphs into a 3-4-3 in possession. This set-up has brought stability, with the team consistently utilizing it as their base formation since.
At the back, Lukasz Fabianski anchors a defense featuring five internationals: Vladimir Coufal (right wing-back), Arthur Masuaku (left wing-back), Aaron Cresswell (left center-back), Antonio Ogbonna, and Fabian Balbuena. Coufal, replacing Ryan Fredericks, has provided solidity, while Masuaku offers attacking thrust despite occasional defensive vulnerabilities. Cresswell, thriving in his new central role, partners with the experienced Ogbonna and Balbuena, forming a foundation that allows West Ham to excel defensively and transition smoothly into attack.
Midfield Stability and Creative Balance
In midfield, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek have formed a formidable partnership, shielding the defense and providing a platform for launches forward. Rice, serving as acting captain, has matured into a key figure, while Soucek offers both defensive security and an aerial threat—a dynamic not present with Noble. This pair’s defensive prowess has made it challenging for Noble to reclaim his place, as their skill sets bring balance between containment and progression.
Ahead of them, Pablo Fornals operates from the left, providing creativity and technical ability, while Jarrod Bowen, a recent signing, brings directness and goal threat on the opposite flank. Michail Antonio leads the line as a physically imposing forward, whose movement and strength cause persistent problems for opposition defenses. This front line, operating outside their traditional roles, has generated attacking unpredictability and effectiveness, limiting opportunities for players like Sebastian Haller, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Manuel Lanzini.
Physical Dominance and Aerial Threat
While not as reliant on aerial play as some Premier League sides, West Ham’s physicality is a cornerstone of their tactical approach. Key statistics underline this strength:
- Tomas Soucek leads the league in aerial duels won.
- Michail Antonio acts as an effective target man, facilitating direct play and supporting wide players.
- Despite being sixth in total aerial duels won, West Ham lose fewer aerial battles than teams above them.
Interestingly, West Ham do not favor long-ball tactics—only goalkeeper Fabianski regularly attempts over ten long passes per game. Instead, their aerial dominance is most visible in defensive organization and attacking set-pieces:
- West Ham average 14.2 shots per match—with four headed shots per game, the league’s highest proportion.
- The team has scored four goals from crosses (second behind Everton) and three from set-pieces (tied for third highest in the league).
Their approach contrasts with the traditional “long-ball” style, instead leveraging aerial strength for defensive reliability and attacking efficiency.
Maximizing Results with Limited Possession
West Ham typically operate with low possession, averaging just 44%—the fourth lowest in the league. Despite this, they are remarkably productive:
- The Hammers rank third in crosses per game (21).
- They netted 11 goals in the first five fixtures, including a 4-0 win over Wolves (37% possession) and a 3-0 victory over Leicester City (30% possession).
Moyes sets his side in a compact, mid-block 5-4-1. While they avoid high pressing, their defense remains well-structured and cohesive, shifting collectively to contain opposing attacks. The close proximity between the defensive and midfield lines ensures minimal space for opponents, with players like Rice and Soucek excelling at breaking up play and initiating quick transitions. The disciplined defensive shape—apart from a lapse against Tottenham—has been key to an improved goals-against record and enhanced resilience.
The Left Side: Cresswell’s Creative Influence
One of the most intriguing features of West Ham’s system is the role of Aaron Cresswell. Although deployed as a left center-back, Cresswell leads the league in crosses, often delivering from deep positions rather than marauding forward. He has already contributed three assists, demonstrating a unique ability to launch attacks and provide service into the box from positions traditionally reserved for more defensive work.
This creative outlet is complemented by Arthur Masuaku, whose dribbling prowess allows West Ham to target the left side of the pitch—41% of their attacks flow through this channel. Masuaku averages 3.3 successful take-ons per match, placing him among the league’s most effective dribblers. Any defensive gaps created when Masuaku surges forward are expertly covered by Rice and Cresswell, ensuring stability is not sacrificed for attacking ambition. The synergy between Cresswell, Masuaku, and Fornals on the left has been pivotal to West Ham’s ability to deliver crosses and create dangerous chances, particularly for Antonio and Bowen.
Conclusion: Moyes Restores Confidence and Identity
Since relocating to London Stadium, West Ham have faced instability and inconsistency. However, under David Moyes’ strategic guidance, the team has rediscovered balance and identity through the adoption of their modified 5-4-1 system. The blend of defensive stability, strategic recruitment (including Soucek, Bowen, and Coufal), and tactical flexibility has reestablished the Hammers as a competitive force capable of challenging for a top-half finish.
If West Ham can sustain this level of performance—consistently effective even with limited possession—they may be poised for their most successful Premier League campaign in years. The harmony between defensive organization, physicality, and attacking innovation is laying the groundwork for continued progress at the London Stadium.
