West Ham’s much highlighted weakness from set pieces and [Brentford’s](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-vs-brentford-preview-team-news-predicted-line-ups/) penchant for long throws is a pretty worrying combination for West Ham fans as the Bees’ come calling on Monday night. The hope is that in the last couple of weeks head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has had an opportunity to work with most of his squad on winning that first and second ball from corners and the expected barrage from Michael Kayode’s trademark throw- ins.
Likely to impact Nuno’s team selection, the Irons could potentially have their smallest attacking trio ever: Unlikely to win many long ‘hoof ball’ hopeful balls out of defence in the air but also an achilles heel defending set pieces without Niclas Fullkrug to add solidity to the West Ham back line.
Jarrod Bowen (1.75 meters,) Crysencio Summerville (1.74 meters) and Callum Marshall a diminutive 1.72 meters might be an exciting and pacy trio to finish the game but none add anything to near, or back-post aerial defence. For that reason alone Callum Wilson at 1.80 meters – hardly a colossus but still more combative in the air – may well get the nod from Nuno to at least start the encounter on Monday night.
Soucek may well be saved from the bench – for now
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Whilst his performances may have become laboured and sluggish of late, Tomas Soucek , having served his three – match ban could well return to West Ham’s midfield simply to provide the extra presence in his own penalty box.
A set-piece expert before taking over at Brentford, manager Keith Andrews will be readying his own aerial bombardment: West Ham survived against Arsenal’s set piece threat and must do so again. Fans hopeful of seeing the teeny pacy trio upfront or even a midfield without sluggish Soucek may well be disappointed.