However, there’s a reason for it, especially in light of recent events, and a big part of it has to do with the opposition West Ham has seen.
The fact that Tottenham Hotspur is missing nine stars is hardly the biggest issue facing Ange Postecoglou when facing West Ham.
Due to injuries, Spurs will be without Ivan Perisic, Rodrigo Bentancur, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, and Alfie Malik Whiteman; midfielder Pape Sarr and Eric Dier are doubtful. Given the disparate performances and styles that West Ham and Tottenham have been putting on, many Hammers supporters are bracing themselves for the worst.
Postecoglou’s insistence on going all out offensive, meanwhile, would be ideal for West Ham.
There was no one in the Premier League more adept at counterattacking football than Moyes, who went back to it at the beginning of the year. As they broke quickly and successfully on a number of teams, the Hammers even topped the newly formed standings.
West Ham has been playing a string of matches against opponents that mainly defend deep and sit them off.
At that point, Moyes and his team face difficulties. Arsenal in the cup is the only respectable team of Tottenham’s caliber that West Ham has played against in the past few months. West Ham exerted pressure, played at a fast speed, and hit the Gunners on the counterattack. And what do you know? They triumphed 3-1 with ease.
We need to play at the same level and with a similar mindset on Thursday night at Tottenham. Because of Postecoglou’s strategies, Spurs will be extremely exposed to West Ham’s counterattacking style of play. Of course, execution will be crucial.
The Tottenham injury situation has received a lot of attention prior to the game. Yes, Moyes is hoping that will work in his favor. Postecoglou will undoubtedly take the game to West Ham, and that won’t be his biggest worry because that’s exactly what the Hammers need, crave, and thrive on. Just ask Brighton and Chelsea, who were also thoroughly embarrassed by West Ham 3-1 when they played them.
