West Ham’s struggles this season have put Julen Lopetegui under significant pressure to deliver results. A Monday night trip to St. James’ Park under the lights is one of the toughest tests in the Premier League. For Lopetegui, getting the tactics and team selection right will be essential to have any chance against an in-form Newcastle side. Considering the injuries and suspensions, here’s the lineup that seems best suited for the challenge.
Starting with the Goalkeeper:
Fabianski has been solid since returning to the lineup, but he’s even weaker on the ball than Areola. In a tough away game, Fabianski might be the safer choice. Ultimately, both are excellent shot-stoppers, so it doesn’t make a huge difference who starts.
The Backline:
The defense mostly picks itself. Since Isak isn’t a physical striker like Chris Wood or Calvert-Lewin, Todibo is better suited to handle him, so he starts ahead of Mavropanos. Wan-Bissaka hasn’t been great recently, but with limited options, he keeps his spot. However, Lopetegui needs to rethink his role.
A 2-2 or 2-3 build-up no longer works, so Wan-Bissaka must stay deeper, especially against Newcastle’s fluid left-hand side (LHS). He should focus on progressive carries and only push forward when Bowen has the ball to provide overlaps. That’s also why Alvarez is in as the right central midfielder (RCM). Alvarez is the most agile and mobile midfielder the Hammers can field, making him most-suited to cover wide channels against Joelinton and Willock.
Newcastle’s LHS:
Their left side is dynamic, energetic, and packed with both physical and technical quality. Joelinton and Willock constantly rotate and overlap/underlap. This is why Wan-Bissaka has to stay conservative, with Alvarez tracking the runners—something he does better than Soucek.
This also explains why Lopetegui should avoid starting Coufal or Mavropanos at right-back, even though Mavropanos has done well there recently. Against Newcastle’s LHS, they need mobility and 1v1 defensive ability, which makes Wan-Bissaka and Alvarez the best options.
Soucek over Guido Rodriguez?
Soucek gets the nod over Guido for two reasons:
- Soucek is phenomenal and simply has to play.
- Knowing Lopetegui, this isn’t a game where Guido would thrive.
Soucek’s penalty box defending is excellent, and he’s vital for both offensive and defensive set pieces. Rodriguez could struggle with Newcastle’s physicality and there will hardly be moments where West Ham control the possession, where he can showcase his biggest strengths.
Paquetá, Emerson, and Summerville:
Paquetá and Emerson already showed great chemistry last season, and there are signs of a new partnership forming with Summerville. Newcastle’s right-hand side (RHS) can be slightly ineffective when out of possession, so they should overload that side and let these players combine.
West Ham’s forward options:
Füllkrug would’ve been perfect for this game. He’s physical enough to compete with Newcastle’s defense and stays central as a target forward. The concern with Antonio is his tendency to drift wide, especially to the left, which could congest the area where West Ham can be most effective. Ings isn’t ideal for transitions; he’s better in games where his team dominates possession or in late stages presses high.
Jarrod Bowen also has to operate more centrally, playing in his best areas rather than hugging the touchline.
The Biggest Concern:
The left flank is vulnerable, so Kilman must be on top form to cover the channels. To his credit, he’s been doing this consistently well all season.
In attack, aggressive carries are the way to go when Newcastle drop into their low block to disrupt their 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 shape. Since Newcastle often defend with only one striker, a three-at-the-back build-up would allow the wide “CBs” —Kilman and Wan-Bissaka—to carry the ball forward and find players between the lines. Progressive carries will draw Newcastle’s midfielders higher, creating gaps for players like Paquetá to exploit.
