Chelsea talking tactics: David Moyes is the spokesperson for time

Chelsea is set to face a West Ham reborn under David Moyes. His story is a story of more time can yield more results, if the backing is there.

Since he was had picked by Sir Alex Ferguson to become the Manchester United manager, David Moyes has had a rough go of things. Fired by United that first season, fired by Real Sociedad within a year, resigned from a Sunderland side destined to drop, and kicked out of West Ham United despite more than earning the job. He next job was a return to West Ham a second time and though last season was rough, this season showed that when given the time, he can find the right solution for the team going forward.

West Ham, both when Moyes was removed the first time and now, looked a much better side than at almost any other point this decade. They aren’t the prettiest team by any means but they are effective. They currently sit in ninth, only one spot and a point below Chelsea at the moment. This clash will be a big one as West Ham looks to maintain their momentum and Chelsea looks to find it again.

The Hammers build everything around a midfield pivot of Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice. Those two form the side of a diamond on either flank. These diamonds are maintained regardless of the formation. In the 3-4-3, it is made with a centerback, wingback, and winger. In the 4-2-3-1, it can be made with a centerback, fullback, and winger or it can be made with the fullback, winger, and attacking midfielder should he shift over. The main difference is the defensive shape changing into a 5-4-1 or a 4-4-2/4-5-1.

This means whenever West Ham have the ball, they almost always have options to get forward on the flanks. If one flank runs into a stumbling block, they can switch the play through the pivot, at the back, or simply from one flank to the next. They almost always have an outlet and, given their ability in the air, they can usually maintain possession if they have to be quick in their switch.

Defensively, they operate in more of a midblock than a parked bus. It is still tight and organized and presses little, but they don’t retreat for retreating’s sake. A midblock can be caught between two worlds but West Ham has proven its effectiveness at keeping play further from their goal without leaving themselves exposed to a counter.

If West Ham has learned anything from Chelsea’s losses to Everton and Wolves, it will be to defend in a back five. Everton actually used six by committing the wingers to the defensive line and Wolves simply did their normal 5-4-1 defensive shape. A wider base allows West Ham to overwhelm a striker like Olivier Giroud while forcing the Chelsea wide players into crosses because there is no clean way to break them down without overcommitting. West Ham might not attack as quickly as Everton or Wolves, but they will still find ways forward if the Blues expose themselves like the last two.

Chelsea’s task will be to do something different. The current methods have been solved and West Ham will surely use similar ideas to get the better of the Blues. There does not need to be systematic changes, but something must change to find a way through. Otherwise, David Moyes will give Frank Lampard a very bad day.