This weekend will hopefully see the return of the deadly partnership of Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini as the Argentine returns from injury earlier than expected.
Their impressive combined tally despite their recent injuries now stands at 10 goals and 8 assists between them under David Moyes making them one of the best partnerships in the Premier League. Arnautovic has scored 7 goals and made 3 assists while Lanzini has scored 3 and made 5 assists.
The partnership shared just one goal between them under Slaven Bilic this season with zero assists for the pair and no goals from Arnautovic in 7 games under the Croatian’s management.
Hammers fans will be hoping they add many more goals and assists between now and the end of the season starting at Anfield this weekend.
It could be that he is started from the bench. He has been out for quite a few weeks, and there is no need to tempt fate.
Of course if he did start the game, someone would have to be dropped. The most likely to be dropped would be Mario, as he plays the nearest position to Lanzini, although some supporters would choose Noble to be dropped ( as they would wish it, even if a goal-keeper was returning from injury ).
Mario has done nothing wrong and has performed well enough since arriving, but he hasn’t done anything outstanding, and his game needs more intensity to play in the Premiere. I think he will have to show that during these last 11 games to earn a permanent move. He certainly would not keep Lanzini out once Lanzini is match-fit.
I’m sure nobles intensity and pace will keep him in the team fishes ? I mean Liverpool are a bunch of slouches and no problem for him to contain with his lack of pace ! Our only hope of a result depends on us attacking them ! Defend and in nobles case jogging at a rate of 5 mph is not the way to go , box to box is what’s needed on Saturday ! Noble can’t do that ! With players coming back his game time will be from the bench when all are available ! This could
be his final few games for west ham , when Moyes brings in a few more players next term he won’t figure much if not at all imo 😉
Lanzini will start from the bench as you say probably ! As for getting a result against the lids
We need to score more than them ? Let them come at us and we get beat !! Out of the two defences ours is the poorer !
Disagree with the Mario comment too. He hasnt set the world alight but has hit the ground running I would say. Hes a bit light but has already shoen a level of class and composure most of our squad lack.
Mario is a class act, I think Moyes may start Lanzini from the bench then if Liverpool start running riot and bypassing Noble he may be hooked at half time to allow Lanzini or if not he can take his pick of the midfield or forward line to swap in or out, personally I would like to see Mario, Lanzini, Arnie and Hernandez all on the pitch. For me this game is an acid test of where Noble is long term, undoubtably he has had a fresh lease of life and been key in our recovery but against a team that moves the ball quickly how will he be able to impact the game ? I genuinely hope he does well and proves me wrong as he has done already in his comeback, whatever happens I will be happy with any kind of positive result because Liverpool are playing well and ripped us apart on the counter at the OS.
Don’t be surprised to see us set up with our wing-backs and central midfielders more withdrawn than normal. Moyes will not want to be caught out by Liverpool’s counter attack. He would rather it be our counter attacks that call the tune. We are going there to be solid.