West Ham v Sevilla: Pundit tips ‘massive’ David Moyes change after early team news
Noel Whelan has urged David Moyes to take a “more cautious” tactical approach with West Ham stars Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice potentially absent for the trip to Sevilla.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 58-year-old must “respect the opposition and competition”.
West Ham take on Sevilla in Spain on Thursday (10 March) in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16.
The Athletic (7 March) claim Bowen will miss the clash after suffering a heel injury during the Hammers’ 1-0 loss against Liverpool at the weekend.
Moyes could face another blow, with Irons insider ExWHUEmployee confirming via the West Ham Way Podcast (7 March) that midfielder Rice is suffering from a “virus” and is “touch and go” for the trip to Spain.
Whelan urged the former Everton boss to “think smart” and take advantage of set pieces and counterattacks.
“You’ve got to change the way you think and the way you go about games like this when you’re missing key players,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“It’s imperative that West Ham bring the tie back to the London Stadium with something to play for. They can nick a goal on the counter-attack, or from a set-piece – these are areas in which we know they are strong.”
“If you’re missing two massive players in Rice and Bowen, they’ve got to think smart and adjust that lineup and that setup to be a little more cautious.
“He’s got to respect the opposition and the competition.”
West Ham have won just one of their last five games in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Sevilla sit second in La Liga and have not lost a league game at home this term.
In other news, pundit claims West Ham have made major transfer blunder after injury latest.